No farewell game for Bale
Wales star is not used by Zidane in Real Madrid’s final match of the season
former Chelsea and Paris Saintgermain boss. “I have a clause on May 30, and I hope Napoli will exercise it.”
KOVAC ON THE BRINK AFTER STRUGGLE
Bayern Munich staggered to a seventh straight Bundesliga title after a season-long struggle with Dortmund ended Sunday with a 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, and coach Niko Kovac is far from secure in his job.
Kovac, 47, has been plagued by rumours of dressing room disharmony and a lack of trust from the boardroom since taking the reins at the beginning of the season.
Reports in German media earlier in the week suggested that he would be sacked even if he were to win the league and cup double this season.
Tellingly, Bayern president Uli Hoeness, one of Kovac’s strongest advocates on the Bayern board, avoided confirming that the Croatian would stay next season.
“I have never been involved in this discussion,” he told Sky.
BENFICA YOUNGSTERS MAKE MARK
Benfica sealed the Portuguese league title on Saturday after appointing coach Bruno Lage in January and embarking on a winning charge led by a string of players from their academy.
In a season where fans marvelled at Ajax’s youthful crop, Benfica’s youth system produced a fine vintage too with the 19-year-old attacking midfielder Joao Felix the most eye-catching and touted as a replacement for Antoine Griezmann at Atletico Madrid.
The 22-year-old centre-back Ruben Dias, 19-year-old midfielder Florentino Luis and slightly-built 20-year-old winger Jota also played their parts in a surge that brought 72 goals in 19 games.
“Until January, the team was not doing very well, but we have made up a lot of points. It’s unbelievable!” said Joao Felix, after raising the trophy with his teammates, before 60,000 euphoric fans at their magnificent Stadium of Light.
MBAPPE SPARKS DOUBTS OVER FUTURE
Kylian Mbappe dropped a bombshell Sunday by suggesting he may look to leave Paris Saint-germain.
After a season when he scored 38 times for PSG, Mbappe fuelled speculation surrounding his future, saying that he wants “responsibilities, maybe at PSG, maybe elsewhere”.
Named Ligue 1 player of the season on Sunday, he refused to deny a potential move away from France.