‘Playing in Cologne in January is no picnic’ — Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer proud after 3-1 win over FC Köln

Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has been around long enough to know that there are just some cities in Germany have a little extra bite at this time of year — and Cologne is one of them.

Needless to say, Neuer was proud of the effort that his team showed in fighting back to claim a 3-1 victory over the Billy Goats after falling behind by a goal in the first half.

“Playing in Cologne in January is no picnic. When you then go 1-0 down, you have to dig in and fight. We earned that here. Eventually the gaps opened up, we got the chances and took them. We have a certain confidence and a plan for how we want to play. We believe in ourselves, which is the most important thing. It’s going to be a tough match at Leipzig on Saturday. We’ll have to give everything to get a good result,“ Neuer said (as captured by FCBayern.com).

Neuer is correct, it was a quality win for the Bavarians. Now, the team must regroup for a top-of-the-table match-up with RB Leipzig on Saturday.

At this time of year, it does not get easier…only more difficult.


If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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UFC analyst: Khamzat Chimaev prefers air of mystery around him

Chael Sonnen believes UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev likes keeping everyone on ice.

Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) has shared no news on his next move after dethroning Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 this past August. While Chimaev acknowledges Nassourdine Imavov as a top contender, he also continues to call out light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Sonnen is unsure what Chimaev’s next move will be – a common pattern he’s noticed throughout his career.

“I wish you would tell me. What is going on there? And by the way, this Imavov guy is fantastic,” Sonnen told The Schmo. “As he’s been delayed, as he hasn’t gotten in the ring, I’ve seen more and more training footage of him, and he is really incredible. That win for Sean Strickland, just to tie that back, that’s looking better and better with time. I do think that’s the fight we’re going to see. I don’t know what the holdup is.

“There’s always a rumor around Chimaev, from visa issues, which I believe that we’ve worked through, to Ramadan, of which I don’t know all the rules of, but there’s always something there, and it never gets clarified – and I think Chimaev likes that. I think he enjoys that we, the fans, have to wonder. It’s not a bad marketing tactic, but there’s never an answer. You never know what’s going on with Khamzat Chimaev.”

A pivotal middleweight clash between former champion Sean Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) and streaking contender Anthony Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 267 headliner on Feb. 21 could also determine Chimaev’s next opponent.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC analyst groans about Khamzat Chimaev staying enigmatic

🤝Deal agreed: Loyola joins Pisa in Italy

🤝Deal agreed: Loyola joins Pisa in Italy

The future of Felipe Loyola is set. After intense negotiations, the versatile Chilean player will leave Independiente de Avellaneda to begin his first experience in the Old Continent. His destination will be Pisa Sporting Club, a team that competes in Italian football and has made a strong bet on the talent of the national team player.

The details of the financial operation

The agreement has initially been structured as a six-month loan in exchange for a fee of 1.5 million euros. However, the deal includes an obligation to buy based on simple objectives, valued at 5.5 million euros for 70% of his rights.

In addition, the Italian club retains an option to purchase the remaining 30%, valued at 4.25 million euros, which represents a high-impact financial operation for the “Rojo”.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.


📸 Marcelo Endelli – 2025 Getty Images

UNC Basketball vs. Stanford live updates, score, highlights

The North Carolina Tar Heels return to the court with a West Coast road trip on Wednesday as they will face off against Stanford tonight and then Cal on Saturday. For the Tar Heels, they need to find a way to get two wins on this, especially with how they have played recently.

UNC fell to SMU about 10 days ago for its first ACC loss of the season. Then, a week later, they looks sluggish against Wake Forest and had to hold off a late Demon Deacons run to earn the win.

The first stop on this road trip is in Stanford as they are set to take on the Cardinal on Wednesday night. Make sure to follow along with us as we have live updates throughout the game.

Tar Heels are looking for some revenge

North Carolina will make its first trip to Stanford with both teams being in the ACC. However, its not their first meeting overall. Last season, the Tar Heels hosted the Cardinal in the Dean Dome and were stunned on a buzzer beater by Jaylen Blakes in a 72-71 win for Stanford almost a year ago to the day.

Now, UNC will be looking for some revenge.

What channel is UNC vs. Stanford on Wednesday? Time, TV schedule, radio

TV Channel: ACC Network

Time: 9 p.m. ET

Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 193)

Website: WatchESPN

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball vs. Stanford: Live updates, highlights, score and more

Xavier Worthy injury update: Chiefs WR posts about successful surgery

Xavier Worthy‘s offseason is already off to a good start.

The Kansas City Chiefs receiver underwent successful surgery, he said in a social media post on Jan. 14. It was a tough year for the second-year player, who tore his labrum in the first game of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil.

“Coming for it all next year let’s work road to recovery,” Worthy said in the post. The receiver also posted an Instagram story to his account, showing his arm in a sling.

In addition to the shoulder injury, Worthy also battled an ankle issue. Even with the ailments, he missed only two games due to injury this season.

Worthy sat out Week 18 with an illness, but that came after the Chiefs were already eliminated from playoff contention.

It was a down year overall for the second-year player, who couldn’t build on a promising rookie campaign. Worthy finished the 2025 season with 53 touches, 619 scrimmage yards and one touchdown in 14 games.

He’ll hope for a return to form in 2026, when the Chiefs also hope to get back on track after missing the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Xavier Worthy injury update: Chiefs WR undergoes successful surgery

Houston Rockets jersey history No. 5 Jordan Hamilton (2014)

The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.

To honor all of the the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.

With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.

And for today’s article, we will continue with the ninth of 18 players who wore the No. 5, forward alum Jordan Hamilton. After ending his college career at Texas, Hamilton was picked up with the 26th overall selection of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks.

The Los Angeles, California native played parts of the first three seasons of his pro career with the Denver Nuggets after a draft night deal via the Portland Trail Blazers before he was dealt to Houston in 2014. His stay with the team lasted until he signed with the Toronto Raptors that offseason.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Hamilton wore only jersey No. 5 and put up 6.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets jersey history No. 5 Jordan Hamilton (2014)

Colorado running back enters transfer portal after just one season

Colorado running back Simeon Price has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The former Mississippi State and Coastal Carolina transfer will be on the move once again after just one season in Boulder.

Price played in the first four games of the 2025 season, but missed the final eight games due to injury. He finished the year with 21 carries for 143 yards, which were the fourth-best marks on the team. His two rushing touchdowns were good for third on the team.

The Florida native looked like Colorado’s top rusher during the first few games of the year, leading the team in rushing for two consecutive weeks. His 38-yard rushing score against Houston was Colorado’s longest rush of the season and longest rushing touchdown since 2018.

Deion Sanders and company have brought in three running backs this cycle, likely meaning less guaranteed playing time for Price. Price has one season of eligibility remaining and will complete it at his fourth collegiate program.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football RB Simeon Price transfer portal enter

Matthew Stafford was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has a right finger injury that he insisted wouldn’t be a problem. The injury report confirmed that.

Stafford was a full participant on Wednesday’s report as the team began preparations for Sunday’s game against the Bears with a walk-through.

Stafford was 24-of-42 for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Carolina.

The Rams practiced without cornerback Darious Williams (personal).

Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (ankle) and nose tackle Poona Ford (elbow) were limited.

Wide receiver Xavier Smith (wrist), cornerback Josh Wallace (ankle), tight end Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) and safety Quentin Lake (foot) were full participants.

Missouri receives commitment former Ducks CB Sione Laulea

Three weeks after announcing his intentions of entering the transfer portal, former Oregon Ducks cornerback Sione Laulea has committed to the SEC’s Missouri Tigers. On3’s Hayes Fawcett was the first to report the news.

Laulea was the top-ranked Juco transfer in 2024 out of College of San Mateo, eventually committing to Oregon. He appeared in four games as a junior, utilizing a redshirt. He saw more time in 2025 despite battling through an injury, as he totaled seven tackles and two passes defensed. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound cover man finished his Ducks career with 10 tackles, three passes defensed and an interception.

But he never could quite crack the rotation, instead serving in a reserve role behind several younger cornerbacks on the Ducks‘ roster.

Now, the redshirt junior finds a new home, landing with the Tigers.

Laulea is the second former Ducks cornerback to commit to the Oregon program during his transfer portal cycle, as he’ll join Jahlil Florence with the Tigers.

Florence committed to Missouri on Jan. 5, allowing for the possibility of two former Ducks to start on opposite sides in the SEC.

As a redshirt junior, Laulea is expected to have one season of eligibility remaining barring a medical redshirt.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Former Oregon Ducks CB Sione Laulea commits to Missouri