Being a Bundesliga fan can sometimes involve hefty contradictions from one domestic weekend to the next European club midweek.

If you’re not a Bayern Munich follower, then you tend to regularly bemoan the success of Germany‘s Rekordmeister and invoke concepts such as Bayern-Dusel (Bayern luck) and the inevitable Bayern-Bonus (alleged preferential treatment from referees). Then of course, there is an outpouring of Schadenfreude on the few occasions when the Munich giants actually do badly on the pitch.

Frequently, however, on European nights, those who wished Bayern considerable ill just a few days prior are cast in the role of their unlikely defenders. It’s difficult not to take this stance when snide comments about the supposed weakness of the Bundesliga are made by international pundits who frankly should know a lot better.

How on earth are Bayern meant to keep themselves sharp for the UEFA Champions League when they’re playing teams like Freiburg, for goodness sake?

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Freiburg, for the record, are very competent and, like Bayern, auf drei Hochzeiten tanzen (literally dancing at three weddings), an expression used to describe a team still competing in three different competitions. In the case of Freiburg, it’s the UEFA Europa League, the league, and the DFB-Pokal.

Last Saturday, they gave their Bavarian guests an almighty examination. Freiburg, who pressed and battled intelligently throughout, were 2-0 in front with nine minutes of normal time left, but Bayern eventually began taking bites into the lead. Two goals, one with either foot, from the talented Tom Bischof, saw the match level by the beginning of stoppage time.

I posed the question in the live world feed commentary regarding whether Bayern could actually go on and win the game now.

With 99 minutes on the clock and the match about to conclude, Bayern produced an aesthetically pleasing move. It started with a beautiful butter-soft diagonal pass from Joshua Kimmich to substitute Alphonso Davies on the left. The Canadian fed it across for 18 year-old Lennart Karl to finish off from close range.

Cue absolute bedlam in the nearby Gästeblock (away section). It was more than Bayern’s most dramatic winning goal of a spectacular season. This will go down as the club’s 100th Bundesliga goal of the campaign, only the third time they or any team in the Oberhaus has scaled such impressive scoring heights.

It is to be expected that on Saturday at the Millerntor in Hamburg against St. Pauli, Bayern will set a brand new record for bulging the net in a single Bundesliga season. Two more goals and they’ll have surpassed the great 1971-72 team that featured the legendary Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Sepp Maier and Uli Hoeneß.

Those of us who live and breathe Germany every week, hopefully know what we’re watching and I’ve said it often this term and will happily repeat it here: I believe this is a special incarnation of Bayern. The goal numbers alone, of course, tell you that. They’re doing what no German side has done before.

However, the eye test reveals a style of play that is among the finest many of us have ever been lucky enough to witness. Credit to Vincent Kompany and to the Bayern decision makers who believed in the Belgian when others saw an idealistic eighth- or ninth-choice candidate who had relegated Burnley in England.

It does seem though, that only the Champions League will be the Maßstab (yardstick) for those who lazily disparage the Bundesliga. On Tuesday, it was remarkable how refreshing Bayern seemed to people who clearly don’t watch the German domestic game, preferring to focus on the Premier League. Perhaps that’s also an indictment of what they’ve been served up in England and it’s not my place or intention to critique the sport from there in this space.

But this is a long way of saying, maybe this edition of Bayern is simply very good. They still have work to do against Real Madrid, but would anyone of fair mind argue they’re not well placed to be crowned European club champions and to do it in style?

Funnily enough, most regular Bayern watchers would tell you the weakest link has been the man richly praised on Tuesday: 40-year-old Manuel Neuer. His greatness is undeniable and Neuer will be remembered as a truly revolutionary goalkeeper for his modern interpretation of the position, but more mistakes are creeping in, and we have seen them in each of his past two competitive games.

In terms of the outfield players, I genuinely see no suspect areas. I often hear colleagues who dip in and out highlight Dayot Upamecano‘s shortcomings, and I suppose his comportment on the Real Madrid goal will be grist to their mill. The fact remains, I can’t recall a raft of wobbles from the Frenchman this season.

We can go player by player — from Jonathan Tah at the back to Konrad Laimer and his versatility, to Kimmich’s thoroughness and the explosive qualities in attack of Michael Olise, Karl, Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala.

It really doesn’t matter what Kompany’s constellation is on any particular day. Bayern are a force to be reckoned with — domestically and in Europe.

Oliver Glasner said he could feel “something special” at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace secured a 3-0 victory over Fiorentina in the first leg of their Conference League quarterfinal.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, making his first start since January, set Palace on their way with a first-half penalty, Tyrick Mitchell doubled the Eagles’ lead before the break, and Ismaila Sarr’s header on the stroke of fulltime ensured Palace will carry a comfortable advantage into next week’s second leg.

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It was a more comfortable and confident Palace side that emerged on Thursday night in south London, where it felt like both players and supporters were aligned on a mission to raise the bar.

“It’s a pleasure for everybody as long as the European journey lasts,” Glasner said. “Of course Fiorentina is a big name, Italian football is a big name, and so everybody expected a very tight game, whereas in the last games it felt like everybody expected a clear win.

“The circumstances were different. I think all of this created a special atmosphere today, and I think this is the special atmosphere we needed always. Playing a European competition is always something special, especially when you have it the first time in your club’s history.

“Today I could feel that there was something special, and I think it was a special atmosphere and a special performance.”

Mateta was inserted into the lineup in place of the suspended Jørgen Strand Larsen, and scored his first Palace goal since New Year’s Day when he slotted home a 24th-minute penalty.

He nearly added a second seven minutes later, but Palace still managed to double their advantage when Tyrick Mitchell recycled the rebound past David de Gea.

Sarr, who has been instrumental to Palace’s European campaign, was then teed up by a fine Daichi Kamada cross and powered a stylish header home.

Some sections of the Palace fanbase were unhappy in January, when Mateta expressed a desire to leave but was prevented a desired move to AC Milan due to a knee issue.

He was met with a mixed reception when he returned to action in mid-March, but on Thursday night was met with a warm ovation when he was subbed off late on.

“I think that’s what JP deserves,” Glasner said. “He always gives 100 percent effort to the team, 100 percent effort for Crystal Palace, and he’s got so many important goals for us.

“He had a tough period, he was six weeks he couldn’t hit the ball and train on the pitch and he was really working hard to get back.

“I’m pleased for him, I’m pleased for Crystal Palace, because he’s a great player, a great striker and we will need him.

“I think he will need to rest against Newcastle [on Sunday], but then it’s great to have Jørgen Strand Larsen back. It looks quite good right now.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. — We are just 18 holes into the 90th playing of the Masters and the tournament is already delivering on a high level.

A favorable forecast leading into the week has set the stage for a firm and fast Augusta National, one that appears prepared to weed out the pretenders from the contenders and potentially deliver one of the best versions of this major championship.

Through one round, the leaderboard is already stacked with some of the best players in the world as well as players who have had recent success here. Five of the top 10 finishers in last year’s event find themselves inside the top 10 again and four of the top five in the world, per Data Golf (as well as five of the top 10 in the OWGR), are part of the group of only 18 players under par.

With a golf course that should only get tougher over the next three days, here’s what we’re watching heading into the second round of the Masters.

Which players have the best shot at staying near the top of this loaded leaderboard?

Paolo Uggetti: There has not been a proper defense of the green jacket since Tiger Woods won in 2001, a year after winning his second Masters in 2000.

After an opening round 67 – good enough to hold a share of the lead at 5-under — Rory McIlroy is ready to try and do just that.

The score Thursday is one McIlroy felt was almost undeserved. He hit only five of 14 fairways and said he probably should have landed at 2-under. That he was able to score as well as he did regardless exemplified the kind of confidence the five-time major winner has in his game right now and the kind of freedom he possesses after finally securing the grand slam last year.

“I said this when I came in on Tuesday, I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one. I do,” McIlroy said. “I think it’s easier for me to make those swings and not worry about where it goes when I know that I can go to the Champions Locker Room and put my green jacket on and have a Coke Zero at the end of the day.”

Must be nice. More than just his energy, McIlroy has come to relish this type of tough style of golf that requires shot-shaping, spin control and the right combination of aggression and patience. As this tournament gets harder, it would be shocking to see him not contend on the weekend. He’s not the only one who thinks so.

“By the way, Rory may never lose this thing again after last year,” Fred Couples said Thursday. “I said that on about the 12th hole to my caddie.”

The same goes for Scottie Scheffler, who played his C game Thursday and still shot 2-under, as well as Justin Rose who followed up his near Masters victory last year with a round of 70 too. Both know exactly what it takes to win here and are unlikely to fade.

Patrick Reed already has a green jacket and has been playing some of the best golf in the world this year, notching two wins on the DP World Tour. Reed also had a top-10 finish last year and there will be no lack of experience or getting ahead of himself.

“When I won in ’18, it was the first year I actually fully bought into just taking it day by day and shot by shot,” Reed said. “I think that’s what my recipe is, because when you get to the first major, you’re always going to put too much pressure on yourself, you’re always going to grind a little harder.”

Finally, a quiet round of 70 from two-time major winner Xander Schauffele should not be ignored. Schauffele has flown slightly under the radar after a disappointing 2025, but he’s got three top-10 finishes so far in 2026 and has had incredible form here at Augusta. In eight starts, he’s got five finishes inside the top 10.

“Kind of just got to hang in there,” Schauffele said. “Anything can happen on this property, especially the way it’s playing.”

How did the course play today and what could we see for the rest of the tournament?

Mark Schlabach: During the opening round, Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, broke a tee trying to repair a ball mark on the 17th green.

Jason Day, playing in his 15th Masters, noticed the “tinge of purple” on the No. 1 fairway, a sign that the Augusta National course is starting to get firm, bouncy and fast.

Chris Gotterup, who is making his debut in the first major of the season, averaged a whopping 363 yards off the tee because the ball is rolling so far on firm fairways.

High temperatures are predicted to reach the mid-80s on Saturday and Sunday, and relative humidity is dropping to 20-30% each afternoon, which means it’s going to stay dry.

“You already know it’s going to get crusty,” said Reed, who opened with a 3-under 69. “You know it’s going to get fast, and it’s going to take a lot of patience. You’re going to have to hit the ball solid and put the ball in the right spots. When you do, be patient and try to minimize errors.”

Shane Lowry, who carded a 2-under 70 on Thursday, predicted it might be the “toughest Masters we’ve played in a while.”

“You look at the forecast,” Lowry said. “They can do whatever they want with the golf course this weekend. I think over the last few years, we’ve had a day every year where it’s been raining or it’s been heavy rains. It’s kind of helped us a little bit, but I think before the week is out, it’s going to get very, very crusty around here.”

Day said Augusta National can make the course as difficult as it wants in the current conditions.

“If they want [single] digits to win, it’ll be baked out and fast, and guys will be kind of spewing on themselves out there,” said Day, who posted a 3-under 69. “Be really difficult.”

Uggetti: A perfect example of what players are talking about above is what happened today on the 13th green. Earlier in the day, McIlroy had to layup on the par-5 and left himself a 60-yard pitch on a downslope to the hole. McIlroy was able to generate enough spin to put the ball past the hole and keep it on the green. He made the ensuing birdie putt which kicked off a run of three straight birdies.

A few hours later, Scheffler and Gary Woodland played the hole and left themselves 62 and 39 yards respectively for their pitches. But even as they clipped their shots well off the turf, the greens had already gotten firmer and less receptive. Instead of holding, both of their balls rolled off the back left of the green and suddenly a birdie hole had turned into a grind for par.

“I think when the greens get that firm, you really have to think about where the best miss is, and distance control is very important, but also, like, different — missing it left, missing it right,” McIlroy said. “So when the greens do get firm like this, it makes it a much more tactical test, and you really have to think about things.”

McIlroy pointed out that the wind will be relatively tame the rest of the week, but the golf course? That’s only getting tougher. Buckle up.

Who had the most disappointing first round?

Uggetti: There was a lot of hype surrounding Jon Rahm heading into this week and with good reason. The Spaniard had notched a win and five top-5 finishes in five events on LIV. He appeared to be rounding into form just at the right time to compete for a second green jacket and spoke with much positivity about his game after taking a proper offseason to work on “bad habits.”

Yet Rahm delivered another dud Thursday, shooting a 6-over 78 and putting himself 11 shots behind the first-round leaders.

It would be easy to attribute Rahm’s mediocre play at the majors in recent years to his decision to leave for LIV. And while maybe there’s a kernel of truth there, it is also a crutch. The bottom line is Rahm does not belong in the conversation with Scheffler and McIlroy as one of the top players in the game.

His game is not sharp enough to compete at an Augusta that’s firm and fast and only getting harder. Rahm himself noted earlier this week that his win at the Masters had come during a version of the tournament in 2023 that was wet and soft where surviving the elements was more important than hitting the kinds of shots that this week will require.

“If I had to say what was really good in 2023 that is probably getting towards that level again hopefully is my iron game,” Rahm said Tuesday, “I hit my irons really well.”

On Thursday, a frustrated Rahm lost over a stroke to the field with those irons as well as a shocking 3.62 shots to the field with his putting — he three-putted four times! — the third-worst mark of the entire field. Even though he could bounce back Friday and make the cut, he effectively shot himself out of the tournament after just 18 holes.

Schlabach: After winning back-to-back tournaments in the LIV Golf League, Bryson DeChambeau was a popular pick to win his first green jacket this week.

Last year, DeChambeau played in the last pairing with McIlroy in the final round and tied for fifth at 7 under. It was his second straight top-10 in the Masters. It seemed that he had finally figured out the code for Augusta National.

That wasn’t the case on Thursday. He carded a 4-over 76 and is already nine strokes behind the leaders.

After making the turn at even par, things fell apart for DeChambeau on the par-4 11th. He hit his approach shot into the right greenside bunker. He needed three swings to get out, resulting in a triple-bogey 7.

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Bryson DeChambeau has disastrous 11th hole in the bunker

Bryson DeChambeau needs three shots to get out of a bunker before recording a triple bogey on Hole 11 at the Masters.

DeChambeau said he hit his second shot 12 yards farther than he wanted. He also said the bunker was softer than he anticipated.

The Crushers GC captain will have to go low on Friday. He hit eight of 18 greens and nine of 14 fairways.

It was his worst opening round since he carded a 7-over 78 in the first round of The Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in July 2025. He went 16 under over the final 54 holes and tied for 10th at 9 under.

“Just going to give what the golf course gives me,” DeChambeau said. “I have to try to hit my irons better. I drove it left numerous occasions. You know, everybody has an ability for weird things to happen, and today I just did not have my irons under control, which is weird. It’s been good coming into it [the week].

What other golfers have work to do on Friday to make the cut?

It’s a loaded leaderboard with many of the world’s best golfers within striking distance.

But there are more than a handful of familiar names who are in danger of missing the 36-hole cut, which is projected at 4 over par or better (38.4%) by DataGolf.com.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, Sungjae Im, Nicolai Højgaard and DeChambeau are right on the projected cut line. Patrick Cantlay, Harry Hall and Maverick McNealy are 5 over, and Min Woo Lee, Fred Couples and Rahm are 6 over.

Hall planned wholesale changes after going 37-40 in his first Masters round.

“I’m going to change my driver,” he said. “I’m going to put two drivers in play tomorrow, different ones. I’m putting a new putter in play and going to figure [it] out on the range. I don’t think I spin my irons enough either. I went into a spinnier ball this week, but I still can’t stop it on a dime like I need to. So. I probably need to add to my irons or do something to compete in these majors.”

Former Open Championship winner Brian Harman is 7 over, and Robert MacIntyre is 8 over.