Dortmund Snaps Winless Streak in Bundesliga as Union Berlin Stops Losing

Dortmund's English forward #43 Jamie Bynoe-Gittens celebrates scoring the 3-2 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between BVB Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Dortmund, western Germany on November 25, 2023. (AFP)
Dortmund's English forward #43 Jamie Bynoe-Gittens celebrates scoring the 3-2 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between BVB Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Dortmund, western Germany on November 25, 2023. (AFP)
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Dortmund Snaps Winless Streak in Bundesliga as Union Berlin Stops Losing

Dortmund's English forward #43 Jamie Bynoe-Gittens celebrates scoring the 3-2 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between BVB Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Dortmund, western Germany on November 25, 2023. (AFP)
Dortmund's English forward #43 Jamie Bynoe-Gittens celebrates scoring the 3-2 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between BVB Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Dortmund, western Germany on November 25, 2023. (AFP)

English teenager Jamie Bynoe-Gittens scored one goal and set up another Saturday as Borussia Dortmund fought back to beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-2 and snap a three-game winless run in the Bundesliga.

Dortmund, which drew with Eintracht Frankfurt and then lost to lost Bayern Munich and Stuttgart, was seemingly on its way to a third straight defeat with Gladbach leading 2-0 after 28 minutes.

But Marcel Sabitzer pulled one back two minutes later, Bynoe-Gittens set up Niclas Füllkrug to equalize two minutes after that, and Füllkrug returned the favor for Bynoe-Gittens to score just before the break.

It was his first league goal of the season on his fourth appearance.

The 19-year-old Bynoe-Gittens was only playing as Dortmund made two late changes with forwards Karim Adeyemi and Sébastien Haller dropping out through illness.

Donyell Malen sealed the win on a counterattack in injury time.

UNION RELIEF

Kevin Volland scored for Union Berlin to salvage a 1-1 draw against Augsburg – ending the team’s nine-game losing run in the league in what was its first match since a coaching change.

There were tributes to former coach Urs Fischer and assistant Markus Hoffmann before the game. Successors Marco Grote and Marie-Louise Eta – the first female assistant coach in the 60-year history of the Bundesliga – endured a frustrating match before Volland scored in the 88th minute.

The former Germany forward fired inside the right post after Robin Knoche – who had a penalty saved – headed on a free kick from Josip Juranović.

But it was an uncertain start from Union, harassed by the visitors’ constant pressing. Kevin Behrens went closest for the home team.

Then Robin Gosens was penalized for a challenge on Augsburg’s Arne Engels, though it seemed both were going for the ball. Referee Florian Badstübner stuck to his decision after a VAR check and Ermedin Demirović converted the penalty to a chorus of whistles in the 40th.

Union had the chance to equalize from another penalty awarded after a VAR check, but Augsburg ’keeper Finn Dahmen saved Knoche’s spot kick.

Volland's late goal – his first for Union – came as a relief.

“It’s an important step in the right direction,” Grote said.

LEVERKUSEN KEEPS WINNING

Bayer Leverkusen returned to the top with a 3-0 win at Werder Bremen. Leverkusen leads by two points from 11-time defending champion Bayern Munich after 12 rounds.

Leverkusen had a slice of fortune when Bremen’s Olivier Deman scored an own-goal while attempting a clearance in the ninth, and Jeremie Frimpong grabbed the visitors’ second goal before the break. Álex Grimaldo sealed the win in the 76th.

Leverkusen has won every Bundesliga game this season apart from its 2-2 draw with Bayern in Munich in the fourth round.

REFEREE INJURED

Stuttgart beat Frankfurt 2-1 away in the late game thanks to two goals from Deniz Undav – in the first minute and just before the break.

Referee Felix Brych matched Wolfgang Stark's record for Bundesliga games as he took charge of his 344th, but he was unable to finish it because of a knee injury and had to be replaced at the break.

Many of Frankfurt's ultra fans left their places before kickoff to protest what they say was heavy-handed treatment by police.

Also, Wolfsburg beat Leipzig 2-1 and Freiburg drew with Darmstadt 1-1.



Real Madrid Goalkeeper Courtois to Miss Clasico Due to Illness

UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v RB Leipzig - Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - October 21, 2026 Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v RB Leipzig - Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - October 21, 2026 Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
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Real Madrid Goalkeeper Courtois to Miss Clasico Due to Illness

UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v RB Leipzig - Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - October 21, 2026 Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v RB Leipzig - Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - October 21, 2026 Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois celebrates after the match. (Reuters)

Real ‌Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss his side's LaLiga fixture at Barcelona on Sunday due to the flu, the club said in a statement.

Courtois' absence ‌leaves manager ‌Jose ⁠Mourinho without a ⁠key player for a vital clash with their league-leading rivals.

The 34-year-old Belgian will ⁠miss his first ‌game ‌this season.

Andriy Lunin ‌is in line ‌to replace Courtois in goal at Camp Nou.

Lunin's last appearance ‌for Real Madrid came on May 3, ⁠in ⁠a 2-0 win over Espanyol.

Illia Voloshyn has been called up to the senior squad, with Sergio Mestre the other goalkeeper in the matchday squad.


Naomi Osaka Could Quit Tennis if Daughter Asks Her To

Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
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Naomi Osaka Could Quit Tennis if Daughter Asks Her To

Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

Former world number one Naomi Osaka cast doubt on her future Sunday saying she would consider quitting tennis if her three-year-old daughter asked her to.

The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan took 15 months away from the sport after the birth of her daughter Shai, before returning in 2023, AFP said.

She is in Tokyo to play at the Pan Pacific Open this week and said becoming a mother had reshaped her priorities.

"I wouldn't say I'm part-timing it but my entire day doesn't consist of that," said the 29-year-old, now ranked 19 in the world.

"It's tough, sometimes I look towards my future and I often wonder how long I'm going to play.

"Because if my daughter did say she didn't want me to travel as much, I'm not the type of person to ignore that."

Osaka also stepped away from tennis in 2021 to prioritize her mental health.

She said her "mindset is changing a lot" with age.

"My daughter is my biggest priority," she said.

"I try my best to put as much energy as I can into tennis.

"If I think about it in certain ways, I'm really proud of where I am now because it's not like I can dedicate my entire time to the sport."

- Online abuse -

Osaka said juggling her duties as a player and a mother was something she was "figuring out little by little".

She also offered support to the American Coco Gauff, who said she had received an "insane" amount of racist abuse on the internet at this month's China Open.

World number five Gauff, who is Black, said the experience had been "kind of draining".

Osaka, whose mother is Japanese and father from Haiti, said "nobody should have to go through that".

"It's sad but I'm used to it on my end," she said.

"I feel like for me, I've dealt with that my entire career through decisions that I make that seem to make some people upset. It's tough."

Osaka said efforts made by women's tennis governing body the WTA to combat social media abuse did not "ever seem to fully work all the way".

"I know that some people are like, OK, if it bothers you that much, stay off social media," said Osaka.

"But sometimes that's the best way to connect with your fans.

"From my end, what I do about it is I don't really go on social media at all."

Osaka is seeded seven in Tokyo and plays Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the first round.

World number one Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala are also competing.

Osaka said she was "not far off" refinding her best form and was "optimistic for next year".


De Zerbi Hails ‘Complete’ Spurs After Historic Win at Chelsea

Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
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De Zerbi Hails ‘Complete’ Spurs After Historic Win at Chelsea

Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)

Roberto De Zerbi said Tottenham's historic 2-0 victory against London rivals Chelsea proved his side have a winning mentality as they banished their dismal start to the season.

Tottenham won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League for just the second time in 36 years and the first since 2018.

Trips across the capital to west London have largely been fruitless experiences for Tottenham over the last four decades.

But De Zerbi's men enjoyed a memorable visit to the Bridge on Saturday thanks to a comical own goal from Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders and a late wonder-goal from Mathys Tel after Blues star Cole Palmer was sent off.

"It was a big moment for the fans, the club and the players also. They deserved this win, they prepared very well," De Zerbi said.

"We are improving a lot, we are improving in the mentality, in the group and the relationships with the players and then we are improving on the pitch."

Tottenham started the season on a dismal run of six league games without a win, raising the specter of another relegation battle after they narrowly avoided dropping into the Championship on the final day of last season.

With the pressure mounting on De Zerbi, the Italian has drawn his players closer together thanks to meals together and a trip to Marbella.

- 'The spirit, the belief' -

A win against promoted Coventry on Monday lifted the tension around the north London club and vanquishing Chelsea was another reward for De Zerbi's team-building ethos.

"Now it is a complete team. When we stay for dinner and stay together in the dressing room, I see a different group, a different relationship and different atmosphere among the players," he said.

"The character was today great, but we have many, many new players. The players who stayed here last season, two or three seasons ago, they suffered the last results, two times 17th position, we are working to change the last part of the history of the club."

Tottenham were beginning to lose the faith of their long-suffering fans after another miserable start to the season.

But De Zerbi was adamant he never doubted they would get back on track.

"I have to believe for sure in this group. I never lost the confidence in my players," he said.

"The week in Marbella, to speak better face to face, to open ourselves and remove the mask it is important.

"It is important for the spirit, the belief. The atmosphere inside the dressing room is maybe more important than the tactics."

For Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, it was a painful setback as the optimism engendered by successive victories over Bournemouth and Everton was washed away on a rain-lashed evening.

Alonso's expensively assembled team sit in fourth place but remain very much a work in progress after the third league loss of his first season in charge.

"We are all disappointed with the result, with the performance collectively and individually we were not at our best level," he said.

"It was about the first goal and it went their way and with 10 men it was difficult but we can do better."

Alonso refused to blame Penders and Palmer for their roles in the defeat.

"We feel for everyone, it is a team thing, a collective. We have to move on," he said before adding he "hadn't seen" Palmer's two bookings.