Overview
- Bayern beat Sporting 3–1 in Munich with three goals in 12 minutes from Serge Gnabry, Lennart Karl and Jonathan Tah, leaving direct round‑of‑16 qualification within reach.
- Lennart Karl, 17, was named Man of the Match and became the youngest player to score in three consecutive Champions League games at 17 years and 290 days.
- Kimmich said a Bayern starter performing at this level belongs with Germany, while coach Vincent Kompany praised Karl’s rise but insisted he must keep pushing.
- Alphonso Davies made an emotional late return after 262 days out with a cruciate injury, and sporting director Max Eberl said Bayern do not plan to make winter signings.
- At Barcelona, Hansi Flick said Marc-André ter Stegen could rejoin the matchday squad after returning to training, with Besiktas interest in a loan reported but unconfirmed; Eintracht Frankfurt fell 1–2 there as Dino Toppmöller lauded his team’s response.