By DAN KARELL
Bayern Munich continue to make history.
The German super-club clinched the Bundesliga title with seven games remaining on Tuesday evening with a 3-1 victory at Hertha Berlin, breaking the record for the fastest-ever league title.
It’s the club’s 24th league title (23rd Bundesliga title) and first under manager Pep Guardiola.
“I am pleased and very happy that we have sealed the title,” Guardiola told reporters following the match. “In the league, you have to work hard every week. This title is important for the club and a product of our hard work. I would never have expected things to go this well. We had lots of problems in the first four, five months, and lots of injured players. But we have improved day by day.”
Toni Kroos, Mario Götze, and Franck Ribery scored for Bayern in the win in Germany’s capital, Berlin, while Adrian Ramos scored the lone goal for Hertha on a penalty kick. U.S. Men’s National Team defender John Brooks started and played 90 minutes in the defeat.
Here are some more stories to start off your Wednesday:
UEFA TO INTRODUCE NEW INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
UEFA is considering a new international tournament that will run parallel to World Cup and European Cup qualifying, according to a report in The Telegraph.
The tournament would take the place of friendlies on open dates from qualifying matches. The report states that the tournament is expected to split the 54 UEFA nations into four groups with promotion and relegation, and England is expected to be grouped in a 16-team first division. From there, teams will be placed into groups of four and play each other on FIFA international dates where the teams aren’t in qualifying matches.
The winners of each of the four groups would then advance to a “final four” tournament at a neutral venue, set to take place in the summer of odd-numbered years. The 54 UEFA nations agreed to take part in this tournament, starting in 2018-2019, at the most recent UEFA congress.
MAN CITY ROUT MAN UNITED, ARSENAL DRAW AT HOME
Manchester City showed no signs of slowing down when facing Manchester United on Tuesday evening.
Old Trafford, once a fortress for Man United, felt more like the cozy confines of City’s Etihad Stadium as Edin Dzeko’s two goals led Man City to a comfortable 3-0 victory against their city rivals. The win propelled Man City into second place in the English Premier League for at least a day, before Liverpool take on Sunderland on Wednesday.
Down in London meanwhile, Arsenal were coasting to an important home win before an unlucky own-goal condemned Arsene Wenger’s club to a 2-2 draw with Swansea City. Arsenal scored twice in 66 seconds in the second half to take the lead after Wilfried Bony gave Swansea City the lead in the first half, but Mathieu Flamini got the last touch after Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s attempted clearance on a shot was deflected across the goal line.
Everton moved into fifth place with their fourth-straight win and first road victory in 2014, a 3-0 result at Newcastle.
QUICK KICKS
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos’ one-match red card ban was upheld, though the club have appealed the decision and have taken Ramos with them on their trip to Sevilla. (REPORT)
AS Roma unveiled a scale model of their new proposed stadium at a press conference on Wednesday, which they hope to have completed by 2016. (REPORT)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that Ross Barkley is ready to play for England at the 2014 World Cup. (REPORT)
Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann has denied claims that he has signed a contract with Paris Saint-Germain ahead of a move this summer. (REPORT)
Inter Milan owner Erick Thohir has responded to reports of links with Edin Dzeko, Fernando Torres, and Alvaro Morata, saying he doesn’t know who Inter will sign but that they need a new striker. (REPORT)
Former Liverpool midfielder and Australian international Harry Kewell announced he will retire at the conclusion of the A-League season. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Impressed with Bayern’s season? Think they can win the UEFA Champions League? What do you think of the UEFA international tournament idea?
Share your thoughts below.