Kompany taken to hospital after collapsing at training

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany was taken to hospital after collapsing as he watched the club’s second team train on Friday.

The 40-year-old had been unwell with a virus and missed the pre-match news conference on Tuesday prior to Bayern’s Champions League game against Arsenal.

The former Manchester City and Belgium defender was subsequently on the touchline for the match on Wednesday.

“Vincent Kompany had to seek medical treatment on Friday after collapsing during training for FC Bayern’s amateurs,” said a statement from the Bundesliga club.

“The first-team coach had been watching the second team’s session.

“Kompany will undergo thorough examination in the hospital and remain in medical care.

“For the time being, his coaching staff will manage training and match operations.”

Bayern’s next game is against Freiburg in the German top flight on Sunday.

“Vincent Kompany’s health is our top priority. We at FC Bayern will do everything we can to ensure his speedy recovery,” said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl.

“Vinnie will receive all the necessary medical care and support, and all the time he needs.

“His coaching team, in whom we have complete confidence, will take over his duties. Everyone at FC Bayern wishes Vinnie a speedy recovery.”

Aaron Danks, one of Kompany’s assistants, took the pre-match news conference for Bayern before the Arsenal game.

German football journalist Taufig Khalil told BBC Radio 5 Live that Kompany had been “suffering with the virus for about a week”.

He added: “The thing started last weekend on Saturday against Leipzig, and that’s the first time we saw Vincent Kompany [when] he didn’t look very well.

“He didn’t do the press conference after, and Max Eberl told us that he’s suffering with a virus.

“Everybody was really surprised that Vincent Kompany was standing there with his black jacket in the pouring rain of Munich on Wednesday night against Arsenal. Everybody expected Aaron Danks to be there.

“The problem was that maybe you couldn’t bench Vincent Kompany, the game was too important for him.

“Bayern Munich just told us that he’s in stable conditions. There was a helicopter involved in the whole thing, which landed on the training ground at Bayern Munich, but he was not brought into the hospital by helicopter. They brought him with a medical car and he will be now there.”

Kompany left his role as Burnley manager to take over at Bayern in May 2024, succeeding current England manager Thomas Tuchel.

He had won the Championship with Burnley in 2022-23 and, despite the Clarets being relegated from the Premier League under him the following season, Kompany was appointed by the Bundesliga club.

He has led Bayern to the German top-flight title in the past two seasons and reached the 2025-26 Champions League semi-finals before being beaten by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.

Kompany spent 11 years at Manchester City as a player, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups.

“Everyone at Manchester City is wishing a speedy recovery to our former captain and club legend, Vincent Kompany,” said City in a post on social media. “Get well soon, Vinny.”

“Everyone here at Burnley FC sends our best wishes to Vincent and we wish him a speedy recovery,” said a Burnley statement.

PSG v Lyon moved as Paris prepares for more protests

Paris St-Germain’s Ligue 1 match against Lyon has been pushed back 24 hours to Monday as the French capital prepares for another weekend of protests.

The fixture at the Parc des Princes in Paris had been scheduled to kick off at 19:45 GMT on Sunday but will instead take place at 20:30 on Monday.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced the postponement in a statement on Friday after French police prohibited the fixture from taking place on its original date.

French authorities are preparing a major security operation for demonstrations planned for Saturday.

Around 550,000 people took part in demonstrations last Saturday to protest rising fuel prices, education standards and the cost of living, which have escalated after weeks of student protests.

Marches took place in several major French cities, including Paris, backed by unions and student groups, and were marred by some incidents of violence, looting and destruction.

The security challenge is further complicated by Sunday’s NFL match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France, an event expected to require a significant police deployment.

The game will be played in Saint-Denis, about 10km from Place de la Bastille, where the protests are expected to begin.

The disruptions have already affected France’s domestic football schedule with Toulouse’s Ligue 1 home game against Troyes moved from Saturday to Sunday at the request of authorities.

Reigning French and European champions PSG are second in the standings after seven matches, while Lyon lead the table on 14 points, ahead of the holders on goal difference.

The match will also now be played on the same day as the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

Injured PSG pair Ousmane Dembele, the 2025 winner, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the contenders for the award.

Leicester's Hutchinson keen on move to Lazio

Teenage Leicester City striker Lorenz Hutchinson is keen on a move to Italian side Lazio when his contract expires.

The 18-year-old was the subject of a £1.2m bid from the Serie A club on transfer deadline day, which included a 20% sell-on clause.

However, despite Hutchinson’s desire to make the move, the deal collapsed over details related to payments to his entourage.

Two months on, key figures at Leicester expect him to leave and Hutchinson remains keen on a move to Lazio.

He is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs in January.

Hutchinson made his Foxes first-team debut this season as a substitute in an EFL Trophy victory over Fulham Under-21s, but has yet to appear in the league this season.

At youth level, Hutchinson scored 15 goals and delivered five assists in the Under-18s Premier League last season.

What are Real's attacking options during Vinicius Jr ban?

Real Madrid have never been short of attacking talent, but how best to bring that talent together has long been a subject of debate.

Vinicius Jr’s four-match La Liga suspension has forced Jose Mourinho to rethink his forward line and explore alternative combinations.

In their 4-1 victory over Sevilla last weekend Real produced some of their most impressive attacking football of the season, deploying a new-look front three.

Kylian Mbappe led the line, with Endrick on the right, Yan Diomande on the left and Jude Bellingham operating in midfield. It delivered one of Real’s most complete attacking performances of the season.

Wednesday’s 4–1 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig showcased a different attacking set-up.

Mbappe again led the line, with Vinicius and Arda Guler supporting him, before Mourinho turned to his bench for fresh attacking options.

Diomande replaced Vinicius in the 69th minute and made an immediate impact, scoring Real’s fourth with a spectacular volley, while Carlos Espi and Endrick were introduced late on.

Mourinho has made it clear that no player is “untouchable”, with performances on the pitch ultimately determining who earns their place in the team.

Real’s recent displays have offered an intriguing glimpse on how their attack could evolve without Vinicius, and it has created an opportunity for alternative options to make their case.

So who are the attacking options that could help turn Real’s season around?

Diomande is a very exciting prospect in Mourinho’s attacking puzzle and he is finally beginning to show why Real invested so heavily in him.

Arriving from RB Leipzig after an impressive 2025–26 campaign when he recorded 12 goals and nine assists, Diomande caught Real’s attention with his pace, direct dribbling and ability to beat defenders one-on-one.

However, Mourinho took several weeks to give him opportunities, and the winger did not start any of the club’s first five games of the season.

That has changed dramatically, with Diomande starting five of the past six matches, including the most recent three.

He is joint-second for more goal involvements with three goals and four assists, averages the most complete dribbles per 90 minutes, and is third for the most chances created in open play.

Mourinho has praised his attitude, saying: “He works well and hard, he’s humble and wants to learn and work. He listens to me and his team-mates. He will grow.”

He has also recognised the progress being made, adding: “He has a lot to improve, but he’s had a great game. He’s developing.”

Now, Vinicius’ suspension presents Diomande with an even bigger opportunity.

After impressing on the left wing against Sevilla and Leipzig, he is set to have three La Liga matches without direct competition from the Brazilian, beginning with El Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday.

It is arguably his biggest test since arriving at the Bernabeu, giving him the chance to prove he can deliver on the biggest stage and establish himself as more than just a promising prospect and challenge Vinicius for a regular starting spot.

The question for Mourinho will be what happens when Vinicius returns, particularly as he remains available for Champions League action.

If Diomande can turn his recent run of starts into consistent goals, assists and decisive performances, he could become a crucial part of Real’s attack and begin to justify the enormous investment the club have made in him.

Endrick’s situation is more complicated.

The 20 year-old Brazilian arrived in Madrid with enormous expectations, but competition for attacking places has made consistent opportunities difficult to secure.

After gaining experience during a loan spell at Lyon in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign, he has returned to a squad packed with established stars.

His performance against Roma offered a reminder of what he can bring. Endrick’s acceleration, direct running and willingness to attack defenders gave Real an extra dimension as they fought their way back into the match.

At his best, Endrick is capable of changing the tempo of an attack. He can operate from the right, drive towards goal and threaten as a central striker. That versatility could be especially useful when Real need to change their approach during a game.

His combination of pace and close control also offers a possible solution against opponents who press aggressively.

Rather than relying exclusively on intricate passing, Madrid could use Endrick to carry the ball into dangerous areas and force defenders to retreat.

The priority must be to give Endrick a clearly defined role and enough meaningful minutes to build his confidence.

The Spanish striker is making a name for himself as one of Real’s most effective impact players, showing that he could be a real weapon coming off the bench.

The 21-year-old has made the most of his very limited opportunities, scoring three goals in only 37 minutes across La Liga and the Champions League, a brilliant return that has strengthened calls for him to receive more opportunities.

Espi offers Real something different from their more mobile forwards: a natural centre-forward who can occupy central defenders, attack crosses and provide a focal point inside the penalty area.

He is 6ft 4in tall and arrived after an 11-goal league campaign with Levante. He gives Mourinho a different tactical option when Real need to change the game.

Maintaining that scoring rate over a longer period will be difficult, and Mbappe’s place as the main striker limits Espi’s opportunities to start.

But that may be where his greatest value lies for now. He can enter games against tired defenders, bringing fresh energy into the penalty area and giving Real a different attacking option when they need to chase a result.

If he continues to deliver in those crucial moments, Espi could become far more than a substitute and he could be the reliable game-changer Mourinho turns to when the pressure is highest.

Fabregas and Como prepare for historic Man Utd tie

“It’s Manchester United. We are only just getting our heads around the fact we are playing Inter, Milan and Juventus.

“This is without doubt the biggest night in the club’s history.”

The words of a Como staff member say it all.

United may not be the force they once were and travel to Italy on the brink of a full-blown crisis after six games without a win, their worst run since 2018-19. But, in terms of global stature, they are immense.

To put this into context, when United savoured the last of their three Champions League triumphs in 2008, Como were a Serie D club, playing in one of nine semi-professional regional leagues, where attendances tend to be measured in their hundreds.

According to chief executive Mirwan Surwaso, it was their status as an amateur club - they returned to Serie D in 2017 after being unable to convince the authorities of their financial wellbeing - which first attracted the London-based media company Sent Entertainment, owned by Indonesian billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono.

When they concluded a deal in 2019, the Hartono brothers were planning a TV project, with the idea of screening matches involving young Indonesian players back home. A visit from Manchester United was not part of the plan.

There cannot be many Champions League stadiums you can walk around and in addition to seeing an iconic tourist attraction. Lake Como is 29 miles long and 2.5 miles wide in some parts - you also come across a yacht club and an ‘Aero Club’ for the sea-planes that take off at regular intervals.

The clubs themselves have been there for a long time. But Como also use their natural surroundings to offer one hour Lake Como tours, followed by ‘pre-match Lakeside hospitality’.

In town - Como’s population is just over 83,000, which means 90% of them could fit in the San Siro Stadium - there is a plush new club shop, selling all kinds of branded merchandise. There was no need for that in Serie D.

“Somehow the team got promoted, we had to go professional, and the plan had to be scrapped,” Surwaso told Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored Podcast this month.

The alternative plan is still being amended substantially.

Initially it was expected this season would be a selling year, when some of the developing talents Como thought they could cash in on would be sold.

Instead, manager Cesc Fabregas steered his squad to fourth place in 2025-26, capitalising on AC Milan’s shock defeat at Cagliari.

It meant in the space of five seasons from Fabregas’ arrival as a player, Como had gone from Serie B to the Champions League. Earlier this week, Lionel Messi’s son Ciro gave Como his seal of approval by being pictured with his dad wearing a replica Como kit. Tangible evidence of a meteoric rise.

“Compared to when I finished my career here, it is completely different,” said Fabregas. “It is not even night and day. It is another world.

“Playing Manchester United is a historic day once again for the club, the city of Como and fanbase.

“When I retired as a player, I coached to get experience. I explained what I thought of the club and my vision and put the plan to work. We are a family here. Even when we lose, fans come and celebrate. We need to be humble and remember who we were because the story of Como will be beautiful, and we will remember it forever.”

The captivating nature of the Como story does bring with it some questions.

In the short term, some wonder how they can possibly comply with Uefa’s financial rules, which European football’s governing body does not intend to amend despite Como’s rise from Serie B.

Surwaso told Morgan: “The scrutiny is on us but we always have our books in order, so we are not too worried.”

The other point, which will become an issue if the forecast heavy rain at kick-off arrives, is that three quarters of the 12,300-capacity Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia is uncovered.

Growing both sides of the club is essential if Como are to maximise their potential.

For Fabregas, whose responsibility is clearly on the playing side, there is a balance to be struck between celebrating the spectacular journey Como have been on, and ensuring his players are not resting on their laurels.

“We were at minus 10 when we started, but we don’t want to spend time thinking about what has passed,” said the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea star.

“If you want to do that, retire and go write a book about what Como did. We must look at what is in front of us.”

While Como now attract thousands to their games, those who followed the club when crowds were in the hundreds remain.

“I had an uncle who supported Como,” said Marco Melillo, an out-of-town fan.

“He showed me the sticker collection, I saw the blue shirt and the blue colours and totally went crazy about it.

“I know in England a lot of people support teams in lower leagues, but that is not so true in Italy, where people support bigger teams. I do not like that that much. I was not really interested in supporting a team that was winning something. I liked the colours. I liked the stadium and when I came here and saw the lake, it was ‘wow’.

“We know the club is in the best situation ever in its history but when I see the faces of the guys and ladies that were also here in Serie D, we just see in our eyes and say, ‘OK, we hope that this story will go on as long as possible, as best as possible, but if it maybe abruptly ended, because in the past we had also some bad things, we know we will be there’.”

Federico Borghi is a local, and despite the weather, came with his huge Como 1907-2007 history book.

“In 2008, I had just started to go to the stadium to attend games,” he said. “Not even in our best dreams could we think of playing Manchester United. I get chills even thinking about it.

“As soon as I entered the stadium for the first time I realised this was going to be my faith. I was there in the bad times and that has strengthened my faith and my relationship with the club.

“The Premier League is my inspiration and to face one of the top three or four biggest clubs in the world, it’s a big honour.”