After losing their opening league match against Elversberg, Leverkusen have since beaten Union Berlin and drawn 2-2 with Augsburg, coming back late on to salvage the draw.

Leverkusen do go into Sunday's game on the back of a victory, though, having got off the mark in the Europa League with a 2-0 success over Celje in midweek.

And Martinez is determined to go into the extended international break on the back of another positive result.

"We're going into the match full of confidence following our midweek win," Martinez said.

"We deserved more points in the league, but that's football. We're continuing to work hard together as a team to improve. We're all pulling in the same direction to achieve that.

"I can already see many things that please me and give me the confidence that we will be successful.

"It's a process, and within that process it's important to not only see things in black and white. The most important thing is that we establish continuity."

Step by step #B04RBL pic.twitter.com/aCpG2xBW0z

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) September 18, 2026

Leipzig, meanwhile, are one point better off than Leverkusen, having recorded big wins over Borussia Monchengladbach and Hamburg, either side of a loss to Werder Bremen.

They also lost 4-1 to Como in the Champions League before their 5-0 thrashing of Hamburg, and Martinez is anticipating a tough match.

"Leipzig are a very good team with talented players," Martinez said of their opponents. "We'll give it our all.

"It's a home match with a great atmosphere. We hope we can celebrate together at the end.

"We need to show passion and energy every minute of the match."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bayer Leverkusen – Patrik Schick

Schick has scored on each of the first three matchdays of a Bundesliga season for the first time – the last player to achieve this for the club was Stefan Kiessling in 2009-10.

Kiessling scored in each of the first five matches that season – a club record he shares with Dimitar Berbatov from 2005-06.

RB Leipzig – Antonio Nusa

Nusa is one of five players with four goal involvements in the Bundesliga so far this season (two goals, two assists).

In the 5-0 win against Hamburg, Nusa scored and recorded two assists, getting three goal involvements in a single top-flight match for the first time.

We've had plenty of memorable moments in Leverkusen pic.twitter.com/SxOYNr36y7

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) September 17, 2026

MATCH PREDICTION: BAYER LEVERKUSEN WIN

Leverkusen have scored at least two goals in each of their last seven Bundesliga matches against Leipzig, losing only one of those seven encounters (W5 D1 L1) – a 3-2 home defeat in August 2024.

They could now go four consecutive Bundesliga matches without defeat against Leipzig for the first time.

Leverkusen have won only one of their last five league matches (a 4-0 win against Union Berlin in their last home game, D2 L2) and have made an identical start to the Bundesliga season as last year, with four points from their opening three matches.

Leipzig have collected six points from their first three Bundesliga matches this season (W2 L1), exactly as they did one year ago.

However, the Saxons scored only three goals in their first three matches in 2025-26, compared to nine this term – only Freiburg scored more over the first three matchdays (10), and Leipzig have only scored more in their opening three Bundesliga matches once before, in 2023-24 (10 goals).

But Leipzig have lost their last three away matches in the Bundesliga. The only longer away losing streak in the club's history was between April and August 2021 (five games).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bayer Leverkusen – 46.3%

Draw – 23.3%

RB Leipzig – 30.4%

The post Leverkusen all ‘pulling in the same direction’, says Martinez appeared first on SoccerNews.

Milan have drawn their last two Serie A matches to leave them on eight points through the first four matchdays of 2026-27.

They conceded a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Juventus on matchday three, then needed a second-half brace from substitute Diego Moreira to salvage a point from 2-0 down at Lazio.

With Amorim then fielding a much-changed team against Benfica in Thursday's Europa League opener and losing 2-0, the former Manchester United boss has faced criticism from some quarters.

However, he believes Milan have deserved more from their recent matches and is convinced they are heading down the correct path.

"When you lose, and you are competitive, you are not the same guy. If you are, then there is something wrong with you," Amorim told reporters.

"But you cannot change the past, we can change the next game and must focus on that. I always have conversations with the team on what we need to improve.

"In most of the games we've been dominant, we've not been playing so well in every minute of the game, but the main thing now is to win against Lecce.

"We want to be dominant, but we are still building our organisation, especially with the ball, so Lecce is a good opportunity for us to do that."

All focus on Sunday  pic.twitter.com/UXKDf3KzvV

— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 18, 2026

Before the defeat to Benfica, Amorim suggested some of Milan's players may not be suited to his preferred style of play, but when asked if that meant he must adapt his system, the Portuguese said there was truth to both statements.

"Both things can be true. The only thing people think about is the system, especially in Italy there are a lot of teams with three centre-backs," he said.

"My idea of football is not about the formation, it's about the principles, so both things can be true.

"What I said is that when a new manager arrives, it's impossible to have the specific characteristics in every situation, that's what I said. Everything can be true at the same time.

"My opinion is we need to defend better, especially when we have the ball. I am really clear on my football ideas."

Lecce are only two points behind Milan, having beaten Monza 3-2 last time out following a pair of defeats against Roma and Cagliari.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

AC Milan – Diego Moreira 

Moreira has been involved in five goals (three goals, two assists) in his last three appearances across Ligue 1 and Serie A. 

He had never scored from the bench in his previous 68 games in Europe's big five leagues before his brace as a substitute against Lazio, and he could now score in back-to-back matches in these competitions for the first time in his career.

Lecce – Lassana Coulibaly 

In Coulibaly (two goals, one assist) and Ivan Ilic (two assists), Lecce have two midfielders with more than one goal involvement in Serie A this season; only Inter have more (four). 

In particular, Coulibaly (fresh from a brace last time out) would equal his best goalscoring season in the competition (three, in 2022-23 and 2025-26) with a goal here.

MATCH PREDICTION: AC MILAN WIN

AC Milan have won their last five Serie A matches against Lecce by an aggregate score of 12-2 while keeping four clean sheets in the process.

They could now beat them in six consecutive games for the first time in the competition, and the Opta predictive model fancies their chances of doing exactly that.

The Rossoneri's 16-match unbeaten run against Lecce (W11 D5) is their longest ongoing sequence against any team in Serie A, last losing to them on April 1, 2006, a 1-0 loss at Via del Mare with a goal from Axel Konan.

Lecce have won four of their last six Serie A matches (L2), though, scoring nine goals in this span (1.5 per game), which is the same number they scored in their previous 12.

If the visitors are to have any chance of causing an upset, they must avoid a slow start. 

Lecce have conceded five of their seven goals in Serie A this season within the first 30 minutes, which is the most in the competition. Overall, only Monza (seven) have conceded more first-half goals than Lecce (five, level with Genoa) this campaign.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

AC Milan – 70.7%

Lecce – 11.4%

Draw – 17.9%

The post Amorim says ‘dominant’ Milan have deserved more in recent games appeared first on SoccerNews.

After a tumultuous start to the season for Trabzonspor that saw Fatih Tekke sacked – after his resignation was initially not accepted by the club's board.

But Reis was announced as their new boss on Thursday and, in his first match, led Trabzonspor to a 4-0 victory over previously unbeaten Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray, who finished with 10 men after Lesley Ugochukwu's late red card.

Salah netted his first goal in the fourth minute, running through midfield before slotting in a cool finish, and he then turned provider for Noah Saviolo later in the half.

The Egyptian got his second on the stroke of half-time and completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute by running half the length of the pitch unchallenged to cap the rout.

Salah has now netted seven goals in six Super Lig appearances for Trabzonspor, and Reis was full of praise for the performance.

"Having a player of his class [Salah] in your ranks is a privilege," Reis said.

"But the entire team closed down the spaces perfectly, both defensively and offensively.

"We only had two intensive training sessions during the week. The fact the team implemented my match plan so flawlessly, with this lightning-quick transition play and aggressive pressing, makes me proud.

"It is the deserved reward for the hard work the lads have put in over the past few days."

When Salah is happy, we're all happy pic.twitter.com/DtzaOl3hD3

— Trabzonspor (@Trabzonspor) September 19, 2026

Trabzonspor scored with all four of their shots on target, only having seven attempts overall.

Salah led the team for expected goals (1.3 xG), shots (four), touches in the opposition box (five) and chances created (two).

They moved up to fifth in the table, and Salah was happy to help secure a statement win over the league leaders before the extended international break.

"We have not had easy weeks behind us," Salah said. "In this short time, the new coach has given us an enormous amount of tactical security.

"We knew Galatasaray were vulnerable in transition after losing the ball – we exploited those spaces ruthlessly. This win has to be the benchmark for the coming weeks."

The post Reis hails hat-trick hero Salah after Trabzonspor thrash Galatasaray appeared first on SoccerNews.

Madrid face Atletico Madrid in their final match before the extended international break, with both looking to keep the pressure on leaders Barcelona, who are top of the table with a perfect record.

Los Blancos have a near-flawless record since Mourinho's return, losing just one of their six LaLiga games so far while winning the other five and sit second, six points behind the reigning champions.

And Atletico have also recorded only one league loss so far, but they sit two points behind Madrid, having also dropped points in a draw (W4).

Mourinho has won all six of his LaLiga matches against Atletico, the only manager in the competition's history to win each of his first six Madrid derbies between the sides.

But when asked if he was more motivated to play a derby or a Clasico at this stage of his career, Mourinho highlighted the importance of every game he heads into.

"It motivates me every day," Mourinho said. "When you say… I understand you mean it respectfully, and I want to respond respectfully too, but when you say 'at that point in my career'…

"My career, from the first day to the last, will always be the same. I don't know if I'm making myself clear. It's not that age, years, or experience change my way of being. It motivates me so much.

"Next week it's against Villarreal, right? No! Not next week, the next matchday. Playing against Villarreal motivates me as much as a Clasico or a derby. It makes absolutely no difference to me.

"As I said before, Clasicos, like derbies, are part of the culture. They're part of history, and obviously that's why they have something extra. But when you talk about mo-ti-va-tion… Argh … motivation is every single day."

pic.twitter.com/LAQ65uAblo

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 17, 2026

Madrid have lost three of their last five LaLiga away games against Atletico (W1 D1), after suffering just one defeat in their previous 20 visits to the Metropolitano in the competition (W12 D7).

And Los Blancos have won their last two games against Atletico in all competitions, though they have not recorded three straight wins against them since 2013, when they had 10 consecutive wins, with eight of those coming under Mourinho.

"I don't know if I'll achieve it [a win at the Metropolitano]," Mourinho said when asked about Madrid's struggles away to Atletico in LaLiga.

"That's my intention, just like the players'. I don't know if I'll achieve it as a coach, or if the players, as players, will achieve it. But that's the intention.

"We have to improve, but we also have to get results, and that's what we're working towards. Obviously there are things we have to improve.

"And we, obviously, have a lot of confidence in ourselves. But at the same time, we have the humility to know that we have to work to improve."

The post Derby does not add any extra motivation for Mourinho and Real Madrid appeared first on SoccerNews.

Baleba joined United from Brighton this summer in a reported £65m move, but is yet to feature for the Red Devils after suffering an injury in pre-season.

No player won more tackles across all competitions for Brighton than Baleba's 100 since his debut for the Seagulls, while he ranked second behind Jan Paul van Hecke for duels won (469) and interceptions (117) in that time.

United face Fulham on Sunday in their final match before the extended international break begins, and Carrick revealed Baleba could make his Red Devils debut at Craven Cottage.

"We're looking good," Carrick said about his squad. "Everyone's up and running, you know?

"Over the last week or so, pretty much everyone has played and [been] fit, and we're trying to get Carlos back in.

Licha left it late against Fulham in 2025  pic.twitter.com/WERSHjTSgI

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 19, 2026

"Well, I say back in, actually introducing him into the group. So he's done a bit of training this week and, hopefully, we'll get Luke [Shaw] back in and around it this week and look forward to a strong game on the weekend.

"He's [Baleba] desperate to get started. He's bouncing around the place! It's not always easy, I think, when you come into a new club, and you're not right fully in with the group, with the training.

"But he's dealt with that ever so well, I have to say. He's got great personality, and he's full of enthusiasm around [the place] and pushing to get back as quickly as possible. So it's great to have him back."

United have lost just one of their last 21 Premier League games against Fulham (W16 D4), going down 2-1 at Old Trafford in February 2024.

However, United's total of four points from their first four Premier League games (W1 D1 L2) this season is their joint fewest in the competition at this stage, along with 1992-93 and 2025-26; they did recover from those starts to finish first and third in those respective seasons, however.

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Inter were staring defeat in the face after the first 45 minutes at Stadio Olimpico when Manu Kone followed up his early goal with a 37th-minute strike past Josep Martinez. 

But whatever Chivu said at the break certainly woke up his players as, just 51 seconds after the restart, Lautaro Martinez halved the deficit to get Inter back into the contest. 

And their pressure eventually told in the 79th minute when Martinez notched his second of the match, but the defending Serie A champions were unable to find a winner. 

The result was the sixth time since Chivu was appointed as Inter's boss that the Nerazzurri have avoided defeat in a Serie A match despite trailing by two goals. They had only experienced this scenario six times in the previous 10 seasons. 

Despite having their chances in the first half, with Alessandro Bastoni hitting the woodwork, Inter were only able to generate an expected goals (xG) total of 0.88 from their three shots, compared to Roma's tally of 1.25 from their 11 attempts. 

"I will focus on the second half, which in terms of attitude, grit and character was remarkable," Chivu told DAZN Italia, as quoted by Football Italia.

"We were up against a great opponent, we know what Roma represent, and it was an entertaining match.

"I think in the second half, we dragged out a little more than we've seen so far this season. We've got to build on that.

"I repeat, certain things remain between me and the players, but it remains a good point in a difficult place for anyone to play."

We fight back to claim a point pic.twitter.com/qTIAGBookS

— Inter (@Inter_en) September 19, 2026

Inter have four points more than at this stage last season and have remained unbeaten in their first five Serie A matches for the first time since the 2023-24 season.

However, there were concerns for Chivu. Inter have already conceded eight goals in Serie A so far. Not since the 2022-23 campaign had they let in so many after the first five matches of a league campaign. 

Inter have also conceded at least two goals in three consecutive Serie A matches since October 2024, while across the entire 2025-26 league season, they conceded the opening goal in six out of 38 matchdays. In the current campaign, they have already done so three times in five matchdays.

"We've got to do better with our initial approach, with understanding the intensity of the opponents," Chivu added. 

"I won't demand we surpass them in terms of intensity, but at least to match them. 

"Our position at this time last season was actually worse than now. Don't forget we've got 13 points after two head-to-head clashes with direct rivals like Napoli and Roma.

"There’s a lot to work on, we know that, but I will take the good things we did in the second half."

The post Inter’s half-time team talk against Roma ‘between me and the players’, says Chivu appeared first on SoccerNews.

Atalanta have taken six points from their first four Serie A games under Sarri – they have lost each of their last two by a 2-1 scoreline, versus Roma and Cagliari.

La Dea are only one point behind Juve ahead of Sarri's reunion with his former club, but that has not stopped his critics from rearing their heads in the early stages of his reign.

And when asked in his pre-match press conference if coaches were under more pressure to earn immediate results, he said: "If this mentality has been created, it is down to you journalists and the directors.

"Jurgen Klopp said that you don't see the results of a coach's work in the first season, let alone in the first month. 

"It will be a tough match. We coaches are bonded to the players on the field, but we cannot actively control anything, nor would it be right to do so.

"You in the media seem to think we coaches have joysticks to control the players! But in reality, games are won and lost based on numerous factors. 

"If I go to Spain and am in charge of Levante, of course I’ll lose to Barcelona; there are different factors at play."

Details make the difference  pic.twitter.com/oDmRQIqRyx

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) September 16, 2026

Sarri previously spent one season in charge of Juve in 2019-20, winning the Scudetto with a team spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo.

But he was dismissed following a round-of-16 exit from the Champions League, though he harbours no ill-feeling towards the club.

"I have no regrets. It felt as if the Scudetto was taken for granted, but it's in the past now," Sarri said. 

Juve boss Luciano Spalletti opted against giving a pre-match press conference, with his team coming off a 5-0 win over NEC in the Europa League on Thursday.

Their previous Serie A outing was a 3-2 defeat to Sassuolo, with Vasilije Adzic scoring a 94th-minute winner on the counter-attack for the Neroverdi.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Juventus – Francisco Conceicao 

Conceicao has had the most touches in the opposition box for the club in Serie A this season (26). 

However, only Mattia Zaccagni (six) has attempted more shots on target than the Portugal winger (four, level with Federico Bernardeschi, Paulo Dybala and Armand Lauriente) without scoring yet in Serie A this term.

Atalanta – Giacomo Raspadori

Raspadori averages a goal every 96 minutes against Juventus in Serie A, netting four times in 384 total minutes versus the Bianconeri.

Among all Serie A teams he has played at least 180 minutes against, he only has a better minutes-per-goal ratio versus Genoa (every 83 minutes).

MATCH PREDICTION – JUVENTUS WIN

Atalanta are unbeaten in their last eight away Serie A matches against Juventus (W2 D6), after losing all eight of their previous away games against the Bianconeri in the competition.

La Dea have scored an average of 1.9 goals per game in this recent period, finding the net in the first half in seven of those eight matches.

And since the start of 2017, 17 of the 19 Serie A matches between these teams have been drawn – at least four more draws than Juve have against any other team in this period.

However, with home advantage on their side, Spalletti's side are favoured to take all three points by the Opta supercomputer.

Our skin for #JuveAtalanta    pic.twitter.com/E2RVKPvxuA

— JuventusFC  (@juventusfcen) September 19, 2026

Atalanta could lose three straight Serie A matches under the same head coach for the first time since April 2025, while Juve have faced the fewest shots (28) and recorded the lowest expected goals against value (1.8 xGA) in Serie A this season. 

With four goals conceded, the Bianconeri have let in 2.2 goals more than expected, according to the underlying figures, and their luck could turn this weekend.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Juventus – 54.8%

Atalanta – 21%

Draw – 24.2%

The post ‘You think we have joysticks to control the players’ – Sarri hits back at critics ahead of Juventus reunion appeared first on SoccerNews.

In the battle between the two teams with 100% records in the division, Roma found themselves in a commanding position heading into the break after Manu Kone's double. 

However, Inter hit back through Lautaro Martinez 51 seconds into the second period, and the Nerazzurri captain scored the equaliser with 11 minutes of normal time remaining. 

Inter had their chances throughout the contest, with Alessandro Bastoni rattling the woodwork while Marcus Thuram's backheel drifted just wide of Mile Svilar's near post. 

The result saw Roma and Inter draw a game in Serie A for the first time since January 2021, leaving the two teams neck and neck heading into the extended international break. 

But speaking after the game, Gasperini was keen to focus on the positives. For the first time since the 2014-15 season, when they recorded five wins, Roma have gone unbeaten in their opening five league matches of the season.

In addition, for the first time in their history, Roma have scored at least two goals in 10 consecutive Serie A matches, leaving Gasperini optimistic about what lies ahead for his team. 

"I think we played on level terms, both teams could've won at different points," Gasperini told DAZN Italia, as quoted by Football Italia. 

"Scoring the goal straight after the restart was an energy booster for a great Inter team, they can always score goals, but we had our chances too.

"This match must give us confidence going forward."

#RomaInter pic.twitter.com/YSIMc6rySy

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) September 19, 2026

Gasperini had been reluctant to say that Roma were in a title race this season, but he added that their showing here is evidence that they can compete with the best in Serie A. 

"Everyone has a margin for improvement," Gasperini added. "We should be happy with our progress and the quality we put into these matches, not just fitness and enthusiasm. 

"There is a lot of positivity on this side, and we should continue along this path."

Roma had not led by at least two goals against Inter in Serie A since the 3-1 win at the San Siro in February 2017, and they looked fatigued towards the end of the match.

Only Cagliari (two) have conceded fewer goals in the league this season than Roma (three), but two of those have come early in the second half of those matches. 

"It's probably not a coincidence, because the way we conceded was too superficial and even presumptuous," Gasperini said.

"We were in control and could've been damaging in the second half too.

"Having said that, even with a few players struggling, Roma still tried to win and had an incredible chance for 3-1 with Malen firing it into the goalkeeper's face.

"We never held back against a strong opponent, both in technical and physical terms."

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Jay Dasilva scored Coventry's first goal of the campaign when he stole in behind Daniel Munoz and fired Carl Rushworth's long pass beyond Matz Sels in the 55th minute.

Forest eventually upped their game in response and went close when Igor Jesus dinked the ball over Rushworth before seeing Bobby Thomas clear it off the line.

Igor Jesus did get the ball in the back of the net in the 86th minute, but he was deemed to have fouled Caleb Yirenkyi in the build-up after referee Jarred Gillett went to the pitchside monitor.

"I love VAR!" Lampard joked to Sky Sports.

In a more serious tone, he continued: "I'm not going to comment too much because I know it will be swings and roundabouts as the season goes on.

"I was worried. From my view, it looked like he had clipped him. I went back to the bench and asked, 'Has he clipped him?' They said, 'No, it looked like he stumbled over his own feet.'

"So I spent the next 30 seconds waiting, but as they took their time going over it, I thought we might be all right.

"As you see on the replay, he has that little step on him which puts him off balance and it's a foul.

"I won't get carried away because sometimes they go for you and sometimes they go against you, but I think that's VAR reaching the right decision."

W at Forest. pic.twitter.com/JdjMsuwhSV

— Coventry City (@CoventryCityFC) September 19, 2026

Forest have now failed to score in their first three home games in a league campaign for the first time in their history and have only won once at the City Ground in the top flight this year.

Oliver Glasner felt a shift in the atmosphere which he attributed to their difficult season last season, in which they finished 16th.

"We wanted three points and the players gave everything until the end but we made one big mistake, one big ball from the goalkeeper," Glasner told BBC Sport.

"We tried everything until the end but we have to blame ourselves. It's the third home game without a goal and that makes it difficult to win.

"We have to find a solution. This was the first time I could feel the heaviness of the past, it was very quiet in the dressing room. When we conceded the goal, everyone was nervous, the entire City Ground was nervous and I think the reason is last year.

"There is nobody to blame, the solution is to play with more freedom and more confidence."

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The Seagulls defeated the reigning champions 3-0 on Saturday, with a towering header from Chema Andres on his first league start following stunning strikes from Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas.

Brighton have now won at home against the reigning Premier League champions in each of the last three seasons, also beating Manchester City in 2024-25 and Liverpool in 2025-26.

Hurzeler's side are the highest goalscorers in the Premier League this season, with their 16 goals the most by a side in their first five games since City in 2022-23 (19).

And it was a dominant display from the Seagulls, who won possession in the final third nine times in this match, the most by a team against Arsenal in a Premier League game since December 2023 (Liverpool, nine).

Hurzeler expressed his joy after a stunning display from his team, but knows they must maintain their momentum after the international break.

"It was a special win. Not only because we played the best team in England but because of the performance. I am really proud of my team," Hurzeler told BBC Match of the Day.

Our 125 anniversary & one of the best days!  pic.twitter.com/YbZLTFPpWN

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@BHAFC) September 19, 2026

"It's always important to enjoy these moments. We were horrible to play against.

"Intensity, intensity, winning the personal duels – we have to have the belief to compete with the best teams in the league.

"My players really trust each other on the pitch. If one player is out, then another can replace him.

"Overall, we wanted to be really good in every phase. We needed to be at the highest level. We go game by game. After the international break, we have a lot of games.

"After wins like this, we have to stay humble and understand why we had this win. We have to keep on going."

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