Kompany Won't Allow Bayern to Dwell on Champions League Exit

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany creacts after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany creacts after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
TT

Kompany Won't Allow Bayern to Dwell on Champions League Exit

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany creacts after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany creacts after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany will not allow his players to feel sorry for themselves after Wednesday's Champions League semi-final exit to Paris St Germain and has urged them to finish the season strong with the German Cup still up for grabs.

The Bavarians have won the Bundesliga and reached the German Cup final but their 1-1 draw with PSG in Munich saw them eliminated from Europe's elite club competition 6-5 on aggregate.

"It is normal to be disappointed, it was such a big goal and it cost a lot of energy," Kompany told a press conference on Friday. "But from ⁠the next day ⁠it is only about the future.

"My role is to project that and how we must react."

Kompany was criticized for playing too high a line and leaving gaps at the back in the two matches against PSG.

Bayern have conceded 12 goals in their last four games in all competitions but the Belgian said ⁠he would not change the way his team plays as long as they are scoring more goals than the opposition.

Bayern have shattered the record for most goals scored in a Bundesliga season with 116 so far and two matches remaining. The previous record was 101 set in 1971/72.

"We are very pragmatic people in Belgium. If the goal difference (in the Bundesliga) is an all-time record of 81 then you have done quite a lot so as not to lose matches," Reuters quoted Kompany as saying.

"We win the games ⁠and the ⁠goal difference shows that we do it with a great difference against our opponents."

Bayern travel to struggling VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday in the penultimate match of the Bundesliga season before wrapping up their league campaign against Cologne a week later.

They then travel to Berlin to face VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on May 23.

Kompany said it was important for the side to show they have moved on from the Champions League exit.

"We want to show that this is already in the past and it is about what we can still achieve, not only in the next weeks but beyond," he added.



Aguirre Hired by Valencia after Latest Coaching Stint with Mexico at World Cup

FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
TT

Aguirre Hired by Valencia after Latest Coaching Stint with Mexico at World Cup

FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

Valencia hired former Mexico coach Javier Aguirre on Wednesday on a one-year deal, completing an early-season reconstruction of the club’s soccer operations after a poor start in La Liga.

The 67-year-old Aguirre has just finished a third spell in charge of Mexico, leading his national team to the last 16 of the World Cup before losing to England.

He has previously been coach at six Spanish clubs, including Atletico Madrid and most recently Mallorca from 2022-24.

Aguirre replaces Carlos Corberán, who was fired on Sept. 14 after Valencia lost four of its first five games, and has a deal until the end of the season.

The team is in next-to-last place in La Liga on four points from seven matches, The Associated Press reported.

When firing Corberán, Valencia also removed soccer chief executive Ron Gourlay. It has since appointed Braulio Vázquez as the new sporting director.


Hadjar Extends Red Bull Contract for 2027 F1 Season

FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
TT

Hadjar Extends Red Bull Contract for 2027 F1 Season

FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa

Frenchman Isack Hadjar will continue to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2027 Formula One season, the team announced on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old has impressed in his debut year at the team after being promoted following a strong rookie campaign with its junior outfit Racing Bulls in 2025.

Hadjar has missed the last three races with a wrist injury, but still sits eighth in the drivers' standings with 71 points.

He posted a run of seven consecutive top-six finishes, including a podium in Monaco, before being sidelined.

"There are so many talented people at the factory, and you're aware of the privilege of driving for such an incredible team alongside a four-time world champion like Max," AFP quoted Hadjar as saying in a statement.

"I've been able to justify the faith they've had in me. I'm constantly looking to listen, learn and push myself further every single day, which only makes me more excited about what lies ahead."

Hadjar will return to action this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Partnering Verstappen, who recently extended his contract until 2030, at Red Bull has proved a tough job for several other drivers in recent seasons.

Sergio Perez was dropped after finishing 285 points behind the Dutchman in 2024, while Liam Lawson was axed after just two races last year and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

"He (Hadjar) has been superb on and off track, especially considering this is only his second Formula One season, which made extending his contract an easy decision," said Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies.

"The period since his injury has been a difficult one for Isack, but this extension is a testament to how much we believe in him and we can't wait to see him back out on track."


World Cup 'Not Enough' as Spain Begin Next Chapter

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says his team must improve and cannot lean on their prior success after winning the World Cup. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says his team must improve and cannot lean on their prior success after winning the World Cup. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
TT

World Cup 'Not Enough' as Spain Begin Next Chapter

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says his team must improve and cannot lean on their prior success after winning the World Cup. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says his team must improve and cannot lean on their prior success after winning the World Cup. FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will not allow the World Cup winners to rest on their laurels as they get back into action this week for the first time since their triumph.

La Roja may have conquered Europe in 2024 and then the world this summer, but when they face England in the Nations League on Saturday, they will be seeking to improve.

De la Fuente said in the aftermath of the World Cup final victory over Argentina in New Jersey in July, he was already looking to the future.

The 65-year-old signed a contract extension, keeping him with the team until 2032, earlier this week, said AFP.

"In the heat of the moment, two or three minutes later, a player came up to me and said, 'What do we still have to win?' Well, the match against England on September 26th," said De la Fuente.

"This team never stops. The World Cup isn't enough -- we have to be better. What we've achieved isn't enough to win the next match."

Spain's next major target will be the 2028 European championships, where they have a chance to emulate the La Roja side that won Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

De la Fuente admitted that repeating that feat would be tricky.

"In life it's very hard to win, and many more (teams) lose than win," he said.

"Repeating past successes in terms of titles... we're going to try to be in a position to compete to win.

"Now we're the team to beat. That's an added motivation."

- New faces -

Thomas Tuchel's England, who lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, offer an immediate reminder of the level Spain will be expected to maintain as world champions.

De la Fuente picked a similar squad to his World Cup team for the upcoming Nations League games against England, Croatia twice, and the Czech Republic.

Teenage star Lamine Yamal, having returned to form with Barcelona, and captain Rodri remain the key figures, and are both in the running to win the Ballon d'Or, although there have been a few changes elsewhere.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez returned, after missing the World Cup with a foot injury, while Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen has been recalled too.

Goalkeeper Joan Garcia's injury opened the door to Inter stopper Josep Martinez, in-form Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez could make his first appearance for La Roja and Ivan Fresneda earned a late call-up in place of hurt Tottenham defender Pedro Porro.

"How could there not be continuity with players who have won everything?" said De la Fuente. "But that doesn't mean we won't give a chance to those who are knocking on the door."

Mikel Oyarzabal led the line for Spain through most of the World Cup, while Ferran Torres scored the winner in the final, but Fernandez can stake his claim after he was chosen over Real Madrid's Carlos Espi.

That position in the team, among a few others, will be disputed during the Nations League and the build-up to Euro 2028, which is ideal for De la Fuente.

The coach's message is clear, with Spain looking to progress despite the trophies they have already won, and strong competition can help foster the right environment for evolution.