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Tough Schedule Is No Problem for Bayern Ahead of Leverkusen Clash, Says Kompany 

Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for an interview before the German soccer cup match between Cologne and FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP)
Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for an interview before the German soccer cup match between Cologne and FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP)
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Tough Schedule Is No Problem for Bayern Ahead of Leverkusen Clash, Says Kompany 

Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for an interview before the German soccer cup match between Cologne and FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP)
Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for an interview before the German soccer cup match between Cologne and FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP)

Bayern Munich's busy match schedule with three matches in seven days will not shift the focus of the German champions ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga match against visiting Bayer Leverkusen, said coach Vincent Kompany on Friday.

The Bavarians host improving Leverkusen and are looking for a record-extending 15th win in 15 matches across all competitions this season before then travelling to Paris St Germain for the Champions League next week.

Bayern have already set a record for Europe's top five leagues after beating Cologne 4-1 in the German Cup second round on Wednesday to make it 14 wins from 14 matches across all competitions.

"For me this is a top match (against Leverkusen)," Kompany told a press conference. "There is also a bit of the rivalry from the past two seasons."

Leverkusen were undefeated champions in 2024 and runners-up to Bayern last season. They are still on a league-record 37-match unbeaten streak in away games and are on 17 points in fifth place, with Bayern leading the title race on 24.

"I am not here to decide who our main title rivals are. The only thing that matters for me is to win tomorrow. But the fact is the rivalry is still there, and we cannot underestimate them because of what they have done in the past weeks," Kompany added.

Leverkusen are on a four-game winning run themselves in the Bundesliga, having turned their season around with the arrival of coach Kasper Hjulmand following the sacking of Erik ten Hag after just two league games.

They also sold half a dozen key players in the close season, including Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, but signed a string of talented players as well.

"In our calendar there is no tough phase with three games in six matches. We are used to that and it is not that we suddenly have different goals because our schedule is difficult," Kompany said.

Bayern's winning run since the start of the season is a record for a club from the big-five European leagues with the previous best mark set by AC Milan with 13 wins in the 1992-93 campaign.

"Leverkusen under the new coach have gathered 16 of 18 possible points," Kompany said. "So they have this top form again in the Bundesliga and are dangerous in front of goal. They lost a lot of talent but they bought a lot of talent as well."

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Sports

Charlton v Portsmouth Match Abandoned after Fan Dies

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Aston Villa - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - May 1, 2021 A match-ball is seen before the match Pool via REUTERS/Michael Regan
Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Aston Villa - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - May 1, 2021 A match-ball is seen before the match Pool via REUTERS/Michael Regan
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Charlton v Portsmouth Match Abandoned after Fan Dies

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Aston Villa - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - May 1, 2021 A match-ball is seen before the match Pool via REUTERS/Michael Regan
Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Aston Villa - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - May 1, 2021 A match-ball is seen before the match Pool via REUTERS/Michael Regan

A soccer fan died following a medical emergency that forced the postponement of a second-division match between Charlton and Portsmouth on Saturday.

The game was halted after 12 minutes as the fan received treatment. Charlton said later the fan had died at a local hospital, The Associated Press reported.

“The club are devastated to report that a Charlton Athletic supporter has died following a medical emergency during today’s game at The Valley against Portsmouth,” the English club said in a statement. “Everyone at the club sends their heartfelt condolences to the supporter’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."

The Championship game at Charlton's stadium was a 12.30 p.m. kickoff. It was halted when a home supporter in the lower tier of the Covered End stand required medical help.

Fans had signaled to referee Matthew Donohue that there was a serious problem.

The players initially waited on the field but after six minutes were instructed by the referee to leave.

Paramedics attended to the supporter, who left on a stretcher.

An announcement was made at 1.30 p.m. that the game would not continue.

Sports

Aston Villa Stun Arsenal with Buendia's Last-gasp Winner

Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia, right, celebrates with Aston Villa's Donyell Malen after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia, right, celebrates with Aston Villa's Donyell Malen after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
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Aston Villa Stun Arsenal with Buendia's Last-gasp Winner

Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia, right, celebrates with Aston Villa's Donyell Malen after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia, right, celebrates with Aston Villa's Donyell Malen after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Aston Villa ended Premier League leaders Arsenal's long unbeaten run as Emiliano Buendia scored with virtually the last kick of the game to secure a thrilling 2-1 win that put his side right in the thick of the title battle at Villa Park on Saturday.

It looked as though Leandro Trossard's equalizer would extend Arsenal's run without a defeat to 19 games in all competitions but a scintillating duel was decided in dramatic fashion when Buendia fired home after a late scramble.

Matty Cash drove home a low shot to give Villa the lead in the 39th minute to reward his side's positive approach before substitute Trossard equalized from close range seven minutes after the restart with his 50th Premier League goal.

After that it was a whirlwind of attacking play with both sides unwilling to settle for a point. But it was Villa who secured a ninth win in their last 10 Premier League games to spark delirious celebrations from the home fans.

Victory moved them into second place with 30 points from 15 games, with Arsenal on 33. Manchester City could close Arsenal's lead to two points if they beat Sunderland later on Saturday, Reuters reported.

"Incredible, the feeling to score that goal and help the team get the win, an important win against the table leaders," said Buendia, who was close to leaving in the summer.

"It shows the character of the teams in this league, they did well to try to block the shot with three players on the floor. I saw the space and had the opportunity."

No team in the top flight can match Unai Emery's Villa side over the last 10 games and Arsenal's defeat at the hands of their old manager once again will trigger alarm bells.

Emery masterminded home and away Villa wins over Arsenal in the 2023-24 season when Mikel Arteta's side ended up falling short by two points to Manchester City in a gripping title race.

While this defeat will not cause panic, the manner of it was a body blow to the north Londoners.

"The manner that it happened at the end it was really difficult to take," Arteta said. "In the second half we were dominant after scoring the goal but had periods where we allowed too much space. Then at the end there is some chaos in the box and we end up losing the game. It's painful."

With Cristhian Mosquera's injury in the midweek win over Brentford meaning Arsenal went to Villa without him, Gabriel and William Saliba -- their three center backs -- there was a vulnerability about them that has been absent this season.

Arsenal keeper David Raya made a superb save to deny Ollie Watkins while the tireless Declan Rice had to make some crucial interceptions for his side.

Eberechi Eze had a goal ruled out for offside for the visitors but it was Villa who took the lead when a cross flicked into the path of Cash at the back post and he did not hesitate as he smashed a low shot past Raya.

Trossard has a habit of scoring big goals for Arsenal and obliged again as Saka's cross shot was pushed into his path by Martinez and the Belgian was never going to miss.

For a while Arsenal seized control but Villa roared back and produced some thrilling counter-attacks, one of which saw Boubacar Kamara take too long to shoot and another which ended with Watkins again denied by Raya.

As the game swung back and forth Martinez finger-tipped a ferocious shot by Martin Odegaard over the bar before Saka's goal-bound shot was blocked on the line.

Donyell Malen should have put Villa back ahead but dragged a shot wide and in stoppage time it was Arsenal who were hunting the winner until an astonishing goalmouth scramble at the other end saw Raya twice make saves before the ball arrived at the feet of Buendia who lofted a shot through a crowd and into the net.

Sports

Verstappen Takes Pole Position for F1 Title-deciding Abu Dhabi GP

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 6, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after qualifying in pole position REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 6, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after qualifying in pole position REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
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Verstappen Takes Pole Position for F1 Title-deciding Abu Dhabi GP

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 6, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after qualifying in pole position REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 6, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after qualifying in pole position REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Max Verstappen took pole position for the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of Formula 1 title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on Saturday.

The thrilling three-way battle will be decided on Sunday at the Yas Marina Circuit. The McLaren driver Norris is 12 points ahead of Red Bull’s Verstappen and 16 ahead of McLaren teammate Piastri.

Verstappen is aiming for his fifth straight F1 title — Norris and Piastri are chasing their first. All three drivers have won seven races.

Pole position is crucial in Abu Dhabi, with every driver winning from pole since 2015.

Verstappen had already set the fastest lap on his first go but went even quicker on his second attempt and set a lap time of 1 minute, 22.207 seconds, making him .201 faster than Norris and .230 quicker than Piastri.

“That was insane,” Verstappen said over team radio after his eighth pole of the season and 48th overall. “Yes. Lovely.”

Norris will win the title if he’s on the podium in Abu Dhabi. Even if Verstappen wins, the Dutchman needs Norris to be fourth or lower. If Piastri wins, he requires Norris to finish outside the top five, The Associated Press reported.

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton was eliminated from Q1, the first section of qualifying, for the third straight race. He also crashed in third practice due to a driver error earlier Saturday, and has not qualified inside the top 10 for four consecutive races.

“I’m so sorry,” Hamilton said over team radio. “There are no words to express how I feel.”

Asked about 2026, a dejected-sounding Hamilton said “I’m not looking that far ahead.”