31/01/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | JAN 31, 2026

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Musiala returns to boost weary Bayern MIDFIELDER Jamal Musiala has made a timely return for a Bayern Munich side who have grown weary in recent weeks as they continue to fight on three fronts. In December, Bayern CEO Jan Christian Dreesen ruled out any big winter purchases, saying the return of Musiala and fellow long-term injury absentees Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito were like “internal winter signings”. Musiala broke his leg during the Club World Cup. After two appearances off the bench, and a star turn in the Champions League midweek, Musiala is likely to start away at Hamburg tomorrow (1.30am). Bayern remain eight points clear of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga but will still be stinging from a shock 2 1 home loss to Augsburg last week, their first league defeat of the season. Like most of the league, Augsburg lack the quality to challenge the defending champions, but the Bavarian minnows prevailed by out-working a jaded side showing the strain of a long season. While Musiala lacks match fitness after missing six months, his freshness will be key in the second half of the campaign. The 22-year-old made his first start since returning in Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven, scoring Bayern’s opening goal. The goal showcased Musiala’s very particular set of skills. He dribbled through a crowded penalty box, played a clever one-two before blasting a lethal shot into the roof of the net. “A beautiful goal from a tight angle,“ Bayern striker Harry Kane said of Musiala’s strike. “He showed his quali ties. He was outstanding and I take my hat off to him.” Bayern have made a habit of beating the stuffing out of tomorrow’s oppo nents Hamburg recently. One of only three German European Cup winners with Bayern and Dortmund, Hamburg are a huge club with a massive following, but their stats against the Bavarian giants do not make for happy reading. Hamburg last beat Bayern in 2009, with Bayern winning 17 and drawing three of their past 20 games. In their past eight games – all Bayern wins – they have piled up 36 goals and Hamburg have scored just once. Bayern already thumped Hamburg 5-0 in Munich this season but one glimmer of hope for the hosts this weekend is their home record. Hamburg have claimed 15 of their 18 points at home this term and have not lost at their ground since October. – AFP

Contrasting fortunes add to Basque derby edge

DE S PITE his optimism even Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo would not have banked on going five games unbeaten after his appoint ment, including clashes against champions Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. On Monday (4am) the American’s revived La Real visit rivals Athletic Bilbao in a Basque derby clash made all the more charged by Ernesto Valverde’s team’s poor form. Matarazzo, a New Jersey native, had only coached in Germany before replacing Sergio Francisco in late December with Real Sociedad just two points above the drop zone. “This team can perform better,“ he said on his presentation, and immedi ately set about proving it. With a battling 2-1 win over Barca

eight of La Liga in each of the past four campaigns and reached the Europa League semifinals last season, but have stalled, which Valverde blames on playing in the Champions League. “The standings aren’t good... but I’m not new to this – 10 years ago we also had problems in the league while playing in the Champions League, and I knew this could happen,” said the coach. “We have to improve something because we want to break this down ward spiral that we’re already some what into.” Elsewhere La Liga leaders Barcelona visit mid-table Elche tomorrow (4am) while second-placed Real Madrid host neighbours Rayo Vallecano (9pm). – AFP to play well to earn the possibility of being there again,” he added. It was a chastening night for Italian teams in the Champions League on Wednesday, with none qualifying directly for the last 16 through a top eight league stage finish. Inter were close thanks to an impressive 2-0 victory at Dortmund, but now join Juventus and Atalanta in the playoff round. By comparison, five of the six English Premier League clubs finished in the top eight places. The leaders travel to Cremonese on Monday (1am) with a five-point gap to second-placed AC Milan, who are away to Bologna on Wednesday (3.45am). Inter captain Federico Dimarco has overcome the disappointment of last season’s Champions League final humiliation against Paris Saint Germain to spearhead the Nerazzurri’s Serie A title-charge this season. The 28-year-old wingback has managed six goals and seven assists this season, putting him top of the table for goal creators in Serie A. He also reached a little landmark in Europe in midweek with his goal against Dortmund. That was the first goal scored by an Italian in the Champions League direct from a free kick for more than 11 years. The last one had been scored by former Roma captain Francesco Totti in November 2014 against CSKA Moscow. Juve, who have been on a charge since Luciano Spalletti took over in late October, have won 11 of their last 15 matches in all competitions. They travel to Parma on Monday (3.45am), while third-placed Roma are at Udinese on Tuesday (3.45am). – AFP

ing with 10 men for half the match. “The players put all their courage and heart into the game, and that’s very special for me,” said Matarazzo. “They gave everything they had and showed that we want more and that we want to keep moving for ward, (now) we have another big week with the derby, then the Copa (match against Alaves).” Striker Mikel Oyarzabal and winger Goncalo Guedes have been key for La Real and will offer their big gest threat, although midfielder Jon Gorrotxategi has also been in good form. “It’s a special and beautiful match... I’m not thinking about scoring a goal there, but if it happens, obviously it would be great,” said Gorrotxategi. Athletic have finished in the top

as the highlight of his short reign so far, La Real have moved up to eighth in La Liga. Valverde’s Athletic, meanwhile, are down in 13th, without a win in their last five La Liga games, and crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday. Matarazzo was named manager of the month this week, with his team also beating Celta Vigo and Getafe, while drawing with Atletico. He also led them into the Copa del Rey quar terfinals with a victory on penalties over Osasuna, after coming from behind to draw 2-2. Winning the Basque derby would keep the team’s momentum and con fidence high, with Matarazzo keen to highlight his team’s spirit after last Sunday’s win over Celta despite play

Defiant Conte

Napoli boss focussed on Serie A title defence after CL exit

I NJURY-HIT NAPOLI must now refocus on the defence of their league title following their igno minious Champions League elimination, coach Antonio Conte said. Napoli blew a 2-1 half-time lead that would have been enough to qualify for the competition’s playoffs before losing 3-2 at home to Chelsea on Wednesday. A slump in form has seen Napoli win just one of their last seven matches in all competitions, and they have dropped to fourth in Serie A, nine points behind leaders Inter Milan, and only hanging onto a Champions League qualification place by one p2oint. But such are their injury problems – they had only three senior outfield players on the bench against Chelsea – Conte was defiant about his record at the club in the last 18 months. “Every one of us is doLing his best. During this footballing disaster we’ve won a league title and an Italian Supercup in a year-and-a-half, so people need to be careful with their words,” Conte fired back at reporters following their Chelsea defeat. “Playing without 13 players, many of them important ones, and going toe to-toe with Chelsea playing a European-level match, that’s the most important thing. “Despite the difficulties of this season, from the beginning of which we’ve had serious absences, in the end we’re continuing on our journey and growing.” And Conte has a clear goal in mind, ahead of tomorrow’s (1am Malaysian time) visit of relegation-threatened Fiorentina. “It will be a battle to play in the Champions League next year, we need

Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (front) in action with Napoli’s Scott McTominay during the Champions League match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday. – REUTERSPIC

Rose leads at Farmers; Koepka 1-over in tour return

E N GLI S HMA N Justin Rose breezed to a bogey free, 10-under 62 to take the first-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open yesterday in San Diego. Rose had five birdies on each nine at Torrey Pines’ North Course and could have tied the course record with a birdie at his final hole, the par-5 ninth. After hitting a greenside bunker, he failed to convert a short birdie putt. Rose’s 10th birdie at the previous hole – the par-3 eighth, where he stuck his tee shot to a few feet from the pin – moved him past Justin Lower (9-under) for the outright lead. Max

putts besides 18 right there. “Yeah, it felt good. It’s been a while since I played competitive golf, so I like the way I’m playing, I just need to kind of play my way into it.” The five-time major winner wasn’t the only marquee name who struggled on the South Course. Xander Schauffele also opened with a 1 over 73 there, as did defending champion Harris English. Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, a top 20 player in the world rankings, parred his first hole before registering five bogeys in a row. He landed in a tie for last at 6-over 78. – Field Level Media

Course in his first round back on the PGA Tour. After spending most of the last four years on LIV Golf, Koepka rejoined the PGA Tour this season by mutual agreement that included a financial penalty. This tournament marked his first start in a non-major on tour since March 2022. Koepka did not make a birdie until the par-5 18th, where he overshot the green on his second stroke but chipped to within 8 feet. “I didn’t hit enough fairways,” said Koepka, who made just six of 14 fairways in regulation.“If I was able to get to the back of the ball, I felt like I hit a good quality shot. Didn’t really make any

Greyserman and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama share third at 8-under. All four started the tournament on the North Course and will have to face the more challenging South Course overnight. Everyone in the 147-man field plays one round at each course, then those who make the 36-hole cut spend the weekend on the South Course. The best round of the day at the South Course belonged to Irishman Seamus Power, who finished at 7-under 65 after birdieing the last three holes. Brooks Koepka shot 1 over at the South