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This is how Mainz will go straight into the round of 16 on Thursday
Mainz 05 have already secured a place in the Conference League play-offs ahead of the final matchday of the league phase. But the Bundesliga bottom side would like to avoid the extra round and knows what scenarios would make that possible.
Davide Ancelotti leaves Botafogo after one season
Botafogo confirm Davide Ancelotti’s departure after one season, with reports linking the split to a dispute over fitness staff changes and injury concerns during the 2025 season.
FC Bayern report Neuer injury
Manuel Neuer will miss Bayern’s year-ending match away at Heidenheim. The goalkeeper picked up an injury on Sunday against Mainz.
The British press criticizes United weak defence
Manchester United and Bournemouth served up a real thriller on Monday night (4-4). The British press saw it the same way, although it was mainly United’s defence that came in for criticism afterwards.
The El Khannouss problem at Stuttgart
It is the Africa Cup rather than the Bundesliga for Bilal El Khannouss now. The ambition and hunger for success of the Morocco international also have drawbacks for VfB Stuttgart.
Giménez and Baena, in their countdown
Baena and José María Giménez completed individual ball work at Cerro del Espino as they enter the final phase of their recoveries, set to miss Girona but aiming to return for Real Sociedad and reach peak form for the Saudi Super Cup.
Inter win away at Genoa and move up to first place in Serie A
Inter won 2-1 away at Genoa to move top of Serie A, with Lautaro Martinez decisive again, while AC Milan drew with Sassuolo and Napoli lost at Udinese in a table-shifting Sunday.
Barcelona win away at Guadalajara and advance in the Copa del Rey
Barcelona needed a late breakthrough to beat third tier Guadalajara 2–0 in the Copa del Rey, with Christensen and Rashford scoring after a De Jong assist, as other ties saw late drama and notable upsets.
Rayo Vallecano and Mainz among the teams through to the Conference League round of sixteen
Rayo Vallecano and Mainz joined Strasbourg and other qualifiers in sealing direct passage to the UEFA Conference League round of sixteen, while the remaining contenders head into February’s play off ties and Universitatea Craiova suffered late heartbreak to miss out on qualification.
Spanish media see in Vinícius embrace much more than just a gesture
The win over Alavés has given Xabi Alonso some breathing room. After Rodrygo’s winning goal, the embattled Real Madrid coach was hugged by Vinícius Júnior, who had been at odds with him earlier this season.