Szczesny comeback, La Liga records & Bayern's Leverkusen test

Wojciech Szczesny retired in August after leaving Juventus

For Wojciech Szczesny, the allure of Barcelona seems too strong to resist.

The former Poland and Arsenal goalkeeper retired in August 2024 saying it felt right to leave the game to focus on his family, adding his heart was no longer in the game.

But, according to reports, he is to link up with the La Liga leaders after an injury for first-choice keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is likely to be out for the rest of the season.

"I understand the difficult situation that has arisen for them after Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's injury and I think it would be disrespectful of me not to consider this option," Szczesny told Spanish news outlet Sport on Thursday.

"I have a lot of respect for Barca's history, it is one of the best clubs in the world."

Ter Stegen had surgery after rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee during a 5-1 win over Villarreal at the weekend.

Szczesny is reported to be having a medical before signing a short-term deal, although it remains unclear whether he will be in the squad to play Osasuna on Saturday (20:00 BST).

However, his addition would ease goalkeeper concerns as manager Hansi Flick is left with only 25-year-old reserve keeper Inaki Pena.

Flick said after the win over Getafe: "I only speak of the players we have in the team. Inaki Pena is our number one goalkeeper and I'm happy. This is what it's worth.

"We have Inaki Pena who is 25 years old but the rest of the goalkeepers are very young, so if something happens we have to have experience."

Madrid derby beckons as Barca and Real chase La Liga records

Alvaro Morata scored two goals for Atletico in the last Madrid derby in the league before moving to AC Milan

Barcelona and Real Madrid are both closing in on records after unbeaten starts to the La Liga season.

A win in the first Madrid derby of the campaign would put Carlo Ancelotti's team within three matches of Barca's all-time unbeaten league record.

Real are on course to potentially equal that mark of 43 games, set between 2017 and 2018, when they face Barcelona at Bernabeu in October.

Victory for Real on Sunday would also be their first win at Metropolitano since 2022.

League leaders Barcelona, who are four points ahead of Real, could equal their best-ever start to a campaign when they face Osasuna.

If they manage to secure an eighth successive win, it will match the club record they set in 2013.

Seven goals from Robert Lewandowski has helped propel Barcelona to the top of the table

Bayern looking to show Leverkusen they can be perfect too

Bayern Munich failed to beat Bayer Leverkusen in both league games last season

Bayern Munich will be hoping to enact revenge on Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen when the two teams meet on Saturday (17:30 BST).

Vincent Kompany's side, who still have a 100% record, are three points clear of Leverkusen at the top of the table.

Xabi Alonso's team will have to stop a lethal Harry Kane who, last week, became the top-scoring English player in Bundesliga history with his 41st league goal.

"We're going to see how strong Bayern is because they play very risky football and against a good side like Bayer Leverkusen, that may give you trouble," said Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast.

Fresh from his first Champions League goals, Florian Wirtz kept up his scoring streak for Leverkusen in their 4-3 win over Wolfsburg last week and will be hoping to help his side outscore the hosts in Munich.

Bayern, however, have now scored 20 goals in their past three games, putting six past newly promoted Holstein Kiel, nine past Dinamo Zagreb and five past Werder Bremen.

Last season, the fixture ended 2-2, with Exequiel Palacios converting a 94th-minute equalising penalty for Alonso's side to preserve their unbeaten record.

Bayern Munich will be looking to maintain their 100% record

A solid start for Rosenior in Ligue 1 but wins still scarce

Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg side have won just one of their first five games

Liam Rosenior left Hull City in May before joining French side Strasbourg in the summer.

The 40-year-old, who replaced Patrick Vieira, has had a tricky start in eastern France, drawing three of his first five games.

Ligue 1 Strasbourg are owned by BlueCo, the company run by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali which also owns Chelsea.

Rosenior's side are unbeaten at home, but only have one win to their name after a 3-1 win over Rennes and host second-placed Marseille on Sunday (19:45 BST)

Currently 10th in the league, their only defeat came to Lyon, losing 4-3.

Rosenior explained to the Ligue 1 YouTube channel: "I'm a manager or a coach. I'm both. Coaching is education, coaching is wanting to improve players on a technical and tactical level.

"Management is making sure that you have a strong culture, that your players have rules and regulations and you manage them in the right way.

"Especially with our group, which is quite a young group, sometimes you need to drive them with your voice."

"I'm quite energetic, I'm quite passionate, but that's who I am as a person."

Last season under Arsenal great Vieira, Strasbourg finished 13th.

Strasbourg sit in 10th, two points off Reims in Ligue 1