Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Pep Guardiola threatened to ‘rip his players’ balls off’ if they didn’t beat Juventus

An unorthodox motivational tactic, but it worked.

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Want Backheel Breakfast in your inbox? Sign up for the email version here.

Bayern Munich beat Juventus in dramatic fashion on Wednesday, coming from two goals down to win in extra time. Before the added period, Pep Guardiola could be seen giving a fiery speech to his players, and Thomas Müller revealed what his manager said.

“He told us that he’d cut our balls off,” said Müller. “Of course, there are a lot of emotions. I wouldn’t be any different as a coach. We wanted to play for the third goal, because we still had energy left in us.”

Well ... it worked.

Goal of the day

Even though Juve lost, Álvaro Morata to Juan Cuadrado was the best goal in the tie.

In the news

Here’s the England squad, featuring Danny Drinkwater. (@England)

Harry Redknapp is going to take temporary charge of Jordan. (BBC)

PSV Eindhoven are trying to find the fans who humiliated people who were asking for money in Madrid. (Guardian)

Go team coefficient! The Premier League won’t lose any European spots to Serie A. (Mirror)

You should be reading

Kristan Heneage on Gideon Baah’s strange journey to MLS. (Guardian)

Steve Price on Suwon Bluewings and other K-League clubs’ struggle to become self-sustaining. (These Football Times)

Kieron O’Connor on Liverpool’s finances. (Swiss Ramble)

What happened on Wednesday

Here’s what we learned from Bayern’s win over Juve.

And questions we have after Barcelona beat Arsenal.

What to watch on Thursday (all times ET, click for listings)

Europa League: 8 games (from 2 p.m.) -- Pick your favorite team/league.

SIGN UP FOR OUR SOCCER NEWSLETTER

Get all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage, and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans in your inbox every day.

More in Soccer

Soccer
World Cup 2026 bracket: Who has advanced to the knockout round?World Cup 2026 bracket: Who has advanced to the knockout round?
Soccer

What teams have advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup?

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
USMNT World Cup schedule: How to watch every U.S. match, scores, and moreUSMNT World Cup schedule: How to watch every U.S. match, scores, and more
Soccer

How to watch every USMNT match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
Christian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star out for Australia World Cup matchChristian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star out for Australia World Cup match
Soccer

The U.S. star is day-to-day with a calf injury in the World Cup. Here’s the latest.

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
USMNT playing for Unofficial World Championship against AustraliaUSMNT playing for Unofficial World Championship against Australia
Soccer

Qualifying for the knockout stage could come with an extra bonus on Friday.

By Bernd Buchmasser
Soccer
USA vs. Australia World Cup preview: Analysis and tacticsUSA vs. Australia World Cup preview: Analysis and tactics
Soccer
Raúl Rangel’s ‘save of the tournament’ helps Mexico win World Cup Group ARaúl Rangel’s ‘save of the tournament’ helps Mexico win World Cup Group A
Soccer

Mexico keeper Raúl Rangel made a pair of spectacular saves to help preserve a 1-0 win over South Korea

By Mark Schofield