║ Bundesliga Season 2013-14 ║

[BayernMunich]

Madrid ditched Ozil for his poor finishing - Kahn

By Chris Kvesa304
Sep 2, 2013 6:45:00 PM

The Germany legend believes the international has failed to establish himself as an indispensable asset at the Santiago Bernabeu, which ultimately led to his dismissal

Former Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil was released by the club due to his poor goal-scoring record, according to ex-Germany international Oliver Kahn.

The Gelsenkirchen-born recently completed a switch to Arsenal in a transfer worth €47 million and Kahn feels the deal was only possible because Carlo Ancelotti saw no future for the 24-year-old at the Spanish capital.

"Mesut Ozil failed to make himself indispensable at Real Madrid," the former Bayern Munich goalkeeper wrote in his column for Bild.

"Last season, he only scored nine goals in La Liga - in his position, behind the attackers, this is not enough. Especially if you consider that it's normal for Real Madrid to score a combined 100 goals per season.

"Those who want to survive at a club like Real must prove themselves in every match and show that they're the best of the best.

"It will be interesting to watch if Ozil can prevail in the English Premier League with his filigree way of playing."

Ozil scored 19 goals during 104 appearances for los Blancos since his arrival in 2010. For his country, the German with Turkish ancestry was able to mark 14 times in a total of 47 outings.

 

[BayernMunich]

Bayern wouldn't have won treble without Ribery, says Beckenbauer

By Stefan Coerts30
Sep 3, 2013 8:08:00 AM

The FCB icon has hailed the France international's contribution last term, while he believes the Bundeslga will be a two-horse race again

Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer believes Bayern Munich would not have won the treble last season if it was not for Franck Ribery.

The Frenchman was voted Uefa's Best Player in Europe award last week following a successful 2012-13 campaign and Beckenbauer has hailed the winger's role in Bayern's trophy haul last term.

"Without him, Bayern wouldn't have won the treble - one or two trophies perhaps, but not all three," Beckenbauer told the official Fifa website.

"Franck Ribery made a huge contribution. He’s one of the best in the world in any case and this year he was the best."

Beckenbauer then went on to discuss Bayern's Bundesliga chances this season and made it clear that he expects Borussia Dortmund to make things hard for FCB.

"Borussia Dortmund are stronger now and they certainly won't allow Bayern to run away with it by such a huge margin again," he continued.

"It'll take a few more weeks or even months before Pep Guardiola is satisfied, because the players haven't yet completely adapted to the style of play the coach wants. That's completely normal, and it always takes time.

"Whatever, I'm looking forward to an exciting season and I think it'll end the way it did last time, with a two-horse race for the title between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich."

Bayern currently sit second in the Bundesliga table with 10 points from four games, trailing Dortmund by two points.

 

[BayernMunich]

Samurai Blue captain Hasebe joins German club Nuremberg

Sep 03, 2013 Ida Torres Sports

Transfer deadline day is a much-anticipated event for football fans as they wait to see which new players their teams will be signing as the clock ticks.

While Japanese fans would have wanted Manchester United to “free Shinji” Kagawa, the biggest news that came out concerning Japanese players is Samurai Blue captain Makoto Hasebe moving to Bundesliga club Nuremberg.

Transferring from another German club Wolfsburg, which happens to be one of his new team’s rivals, the 29-year-old defender admits that leaving is difficult for him.

But he said that with the preparations for the World Cup in Brazil next year, he needed to have regular playing time, something which he didn’t get lately in his previous team of.

He joined Wolfsburg from J-League club Urawa Red Diamonds in January 2008 and went on to help the team win the Bundesliga a year later in 2009. Hasebe scored five goals in 135 league games for the club, a pretty good number for a defender.

Nuremmberg sports director Martin Bader said that the transfer was only completed Monday because they had a difficult negotiation, given that Hasebe had a “high standing” in his six years at Wolfsburg.

Hasebe will be leading the Samurai Blue to their fifth consecutive World Cup finals appearance in 2014, seeking to better their performance from the previous one in 2010 where they reached the Round of 16.

Their next game will be an international friendly match against Guatemala on September 6 at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka. Their last friendly match saw them lose to Uruguay 4-2 last month in Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture.

 

[BayernMunich]

Van der Vaart fires warning to €100m Bale

By Jay Jaffa122
Sep 3, 2013 12:00:00 AM

The Dutchman played with the Welshman at Tottenham, and spent two years at Real Madrid, and says the 24-year-old will have to rise to the high expectations

Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes Real Madrid overpaid by spending €100m on Gareth Bale.

Van der Vaart spent two years at Madrid but was in in and out of the starting XI, particularly in his final season, and believes Bale will have to adjust to the heightened expectations.

The Hamburg playmaker played alongside the Welshman for Tottenham between 2010-2012 but doesn't feel the pricetag reflects his ability.

Van der Vaart told NOS: "€100 million is a bit much. You should ask yourself if a player is worth that amount at all. I've played with him, but I couldn't see that he was worth 100 million back then. He did develop quite good, but still he has to prove his worth at Real.

"I know Bale as a very nice and sweet guy so I think he would fit best in England. A club like Real Madrid is different and there is a lot of pressure over there. But maybe he can surprise everybody at Real."

Van der Vaart also believes Bale is below the level of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but added that he hopes the 24-year-old succeeds in the Spanish capital.

He continued: "You can't compare him with Messi and Ronaldo, because they're from another level. If you make so many goals for so many years and win all these prizes they have won, it's not fair to compare anybody else with those guys.

"I've been in his situation, only Real paid a little less money for me back then. I would like to wish him all the best at Real Madrid, because Gareth is a great lad."

 

[BayernMunich]

Transfer Wrap: Bundesliga

Tuesday, 3 September 2013 7:49 AM

Marko Arnautovic's transfer from Werder Bremen to Stoke City was one of the earliest to take place on the last day of the window, with the Premier League club announcing the deal on Monday morning.

Bremen’s sporting director Thomas Eichin told the German club's official website: "We wish Marko all the best for his future and we wish him every success with his new club."

Meanwhile, Makoto Hasebe remained in Germany, but brought an end to his five-year stint with Wolfsburg in order to join Bavarian side Nuremberg.

Hasebe won the Bundesliga during his time with Wolfsburg but will help to fill the gap left in Michael Wiesinger's team by Timmy Simons' departure in June.

Another midfielder, Per Ciljan Skjelbred, joined Bundesliga newcomers Hertha Berlin from Hamburg on a season-long loan on deadline day, along with Tolga Cigerci - who was loaned from Wolfsburg.

Meanwhile, Tranquillo Barnetta completed a season-long loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt before the deadline.

The Schalke midfielder told Frankfurt's official website: "I'm really delighted that it has worked out and that I've got to know the city and the team."

Karim Haggui moved to Stuttgart after terminating his contract with Hannover, while Thomas Schneider's men allowed Johan Audel to depart for Nantes in his native France.

Elsewhere, Patrick Helmes returned to Cologne from Wolfsburg and Australia international forward Nikita Rukavytsya also dropped down to the second tier to join Frankfurt on loan from Mainz.

 

[BayernMunich]

Muller: Madrid should not have sold Ozil

By Mark Doyle211
Sep 3, 2013 11:45:00 PM

The Liga giants decided to cash in on the much-loved attacking midfielder following the summer arrivals of Isco and Gareth Bale at the Santiago Bernabeu

Thomas Muller has become the latest high-profile player to express his astonishment at Real Madrid's decision to allow Mesut Ozil to join Arsenal.

Los Blancos pocketed €50 million from the sale of the 24-year-old playmaker, whom they signed from Werder Bremen for a reported €15m in 2010.

However, even some of Madrid's players have questioned the wisdom of allowing Ozil to leave after a summer of dramatic change in the Spanish capital, and now Muller has weighed in, admitting that he cannot understand why the Liga giants opted to offload a player who was as loved by his team-mates as he was by the fans.

"I knew that Mesut was feeling very comfortable at Madrid," the Germany international said of his team-mate in an interview with Bild. "But, in football, things can happen quickly.

"Real threw everything overboard [this summer] - new coach [Carlo Ancelotti], new stars [Isco, Gareth Bale]. I wouldn't have sold Mesut.

"However, I had the feeling that he is looking forward to a new chapter in his career at Arsenal."

Meanwhile, Muller says that he has no desire to leave his current club, Bayern Munich, admitting that he is enjoying playing under new boss Pep Guardiola as much as he does Germany coach Joachim Low.

"He has a lot of fun with his work," the 23-year-old enthused. "His goal is to positively influence the outcome of a football match.

"He makes great speeches and on the sidelines; he is similarly emotional as Jogi Low."

 

[BayernMunich]

Boateng return is good for the Bundesliga - Weidenfeller
The Borussia Dortmund keeper says Schalke have done well in signing the Ghana international and believes Mesut Ozil will bring "enormous quality" to Arsenal

Klose: It's a joke to compare me to Muller
The Germany veteran equalled the nation's all-time goalscoring record on Friday but insists that comparisons between him and the forward are farcical

Klose equals Muller's Germany record
The veteran striker's 33rd-minute goal against Austria on Friday has seen him draw level with the legendary Bayern Munich hitman on 68 international strikes

Abidal: I would still be at Barcelona if Guardiola had not left
The experienced defender believes he could have been offered fresh terms at Camp Nou had the 42-year-old not quit the club in 2012

Klopp: Ozil is a grenade
The 46-year-old was blown away by the German's €50 million move to Arsenal, branding the spending among Premier League clubs as "insane"

Sammer hits out at Guardiola critics
The Catalan trainer only arrived at the Allianz Arena this summer but there are already those who are questioning what he is trying to do with last season's treble winners

Lahm: 100th cap not important
The full-back will bring up a century of appearances for his country on Friday but insists the result is more important than any personal honour

'I play football like I play chess' - Mkhitaryan
The 24-year-old has likened his style of play to the famous board game, highlighting his measured approach on the pitch

Shaqiri: Everybody wants to beat treble-winning Bayern
The Switzerland international believes no team will fear the reigning German champions, while praising Pep Guardiola's personal approach

Draxler the world's best at his age - Boateng
The Ghana international has hailed his young team-mate as the benchmark for youngsters to aim for and has compared his transfer to Schalke to a relationship with a woman

Schweinsteiger fears lengthy injury absence
The Germany international admits he "can't even kick a ball" at present after sustaining an ankle problem in the Bundesliga clash with Freiburg

Boateng: Klopp isn't funny
The 26-year-old has responded angrily after the coach jokingly questioned the Ghanaian's decision to move to Gelsenkirchen

Bayern dealt Javi Martinez injury blow
The 25-year-old Spain international has added to the club's midfield injury crisis, following recent injuries to Thiago Alcantara, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gotze

Ribery eyes Ballon d'Or prize
The 30-year-old recently won Uefa's Best Player in Europe award and now wants to dethrone Lionel Messi and claim another individual trophy

Hitzlsperger announces retirement
The 31-year-old has decided to hang up his boots with immediate effect as he feels he needs a new challenge in life

​

 

[BayernMunich]

GUARDIOLA VS. HEYNCKES IN NUMBERS

Former FCB coach Jupp Heynckes (l.) set some lofty standards for Pep Guardiola (r.)

Munich - FC Bayern München head coach Pep Guardiola has overseen an unbeaten start to the 2013/14 Bundesliga campaign, but how does the Catalan compare to predecessor and quadruple-winning strategist Jupp Heynckes?With Matchdays 1-4 done and dusted, bundesliga.com paws through those all-important facts and figures...

Talking tactics

Guardiola's most obvious change involves formation. Under Heynckes, it was 4-2-3-1; now it's 4-1-4-1. Instead of positioning two holding midfielders in front of the back four, Bayern's new coach favours a solitary No6. The results have been mixed, but Guardiola himself was the first person to admit he is by no means averse to change: "I like this system, but I may have to switch things around in the future."

Still acclimatising to Guardiola's system of choice, Bayern have tasted defeat in the DFL Supercup, have won three and drawn one in the Bundesliga, secured their place in the second round of the DFB Cup and added a maiden UEFA Super Cup crown to the trophy cabinet by way of a penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea FC. You won't see many complaining, but it's not quite the flawless season start enjoyed under Heynckes last term.

Profligate

After Matchday 4 in 2012/13, Bayern were already beginning to flex their muscles atop the Bundesliga pile, with four wins from four setting the trend for things to come. Unlike the current incarnation, Heynckes' FCB had found the net 14 times on the break alone. They also required very little in terms of target practice. On average, the quadruple winners tickled the back of the net every 5.5 shots on goal.

Curiously enough, Guardiola's men are creating an even higher number of chances. They've already fired in 84 shots on goal compared to 71 at the same juncture last season, but have averaged just one goal per ten efforts on target in the process. 15 clear-cut chances have come and gone, with Mario Mandzukic and Co. converting just five. Indeed, no less than nine Bundesliga outfits have fared better than FCB in front of goal this season - a hitherto unheard of statistic in Germany's top flight.

Pass and move

Guardiola's outfit do tip the scale, however, in the ball possession department. On average, they have had the ball at their feet 67 per cent of the time; an eight per cent gain on the previous season. They have also played more passes - 2411 to Heynckes' 2076 - but again their goalmouth inefficiency leaves them trailing behind the quadruple-winning model of yesteryear. Only once have Bayern punctuated an incisive passing move with a goal, compared to eight exclamatory Bundesliga strikes under Heynckes.

The good news is, Bayern are still finding their feet under their new man. That the 42-year-old is in such a luxurious position to start with says it all about the legendary boots he now has to fill - and he knows it. "This title is for him [Heynckes]," said Guardiola modestly after beating Chelsea in Prague. "The team were unbelievable. Today I saw why they won everything last season." With Bayern still warming up, there is no reason why they won't follow suit in 2013/14.

Yannick Schmidt/ Christopher Mayer-Lodge

 

[BayernMunich]

07.09.2013 11:00:36

HAMBURG HOSTS EIGHTH 'DAY OF LEGENDS' ON SUNDAY

Tim Borowski, Hasan Salihamidzic, Uwe Seeler, Reinhold Beckmann, Olaf Thon, Rachid Azzouzi (l. to r.) and many others will be on hand at the Millerntor for this year's Day of Legends (©Imago)

Hamburg - FC Bayern Munich director of sport Matthias Sammer and Borussia Dortmund head coach Jürgen Klopp may be fierce rivals in the weekly context of the Bundesliga, but this Sunday (8 July) they will be working together for a very worthy common cause along with 70-odd other former professionals.FC St. Pauli's atmospheric Millerntor Stadion will be the venue for the eighth "Day of Legends", pitting Team Hamburg against Team Germany. Proceeds from the match will go to the local youth initiative NestWerk e.V., co-founded in 1999 by Hamburg-based football commentator and talk show host Reinhold Beckmann.

Hamburg old familiars answer the call

Alongside the renowned likes of Lothar Matthäus, Olaf Thon, Michael Ballack, Karl-Heinz Riedle and Klopp himself, the Germany select will be able to call on the services of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, the official patron of this year's match and himself a true Bundesliga fanatic. Hamburger SV legends Manfred Kaltz, Hasan Salihamidzic, Sergej Barbarez and David Jarolim head up the port city's squad, with the likes of Marius Ebbers and Thomas Meggle returning to their former stomping ground to ensure hosts St. Pauli are well-represented, too.

NestWerk is involved a range of projects aimed at improving the sports and other leisure time options for youngsters in Hamburg, above all in socially disadvantaged areas. The Day of Legends has been a sell-out success at the Millerntor in recent years and on Sunday, as well as the game itself, there will once again be a full programme of events for all the family on offer at the stadium.

The squads:

Team Hamburg:

Hasan Salihamidzic, Sergej Barabarez, Richard Golz, Michael Frontzek, Marius Ebbers, Bastian Reinhardt, Stefan Schnoor, Andre Toulsen, Otto Addo, Rachid Azzouzi, Collin Benjamin, Michel Dinzey, Thorsten Fink, Manfred Kaltz, Thomas Meggle, Jörg Butt, Thomas von Heesen, Matthias Scherz, Ian Joy, David Jarolim, Jochen Kientz, Bernd Hollerbach, Nica-Jan Hoogma, Martin Pickenhagen, Wolfgang Rolff, Martin Driller - Coaches: Helmut Schulte, Thomas Doll

Team Germany:

Jürgen Klopp, Markus Babbel, Lothar Matthäus, Lars Ricken, Olaf Thon, Michael Ballack, Thomas Helmer, Fredi Bobic, Tim Borowski, Stefan Reuter, Thomas Berthold, Christian Wörns, Karl-Heinz Riedle, Ulf Kirsten, Youri Mulder, Claus Reitmaier, Andreas Reinke, Bobby Dekeyser, Alexander Zickler, Dieter Eilts, Flemming Povlsen, Michael Schulz, Lothar Sippel, Maurizio Gaudino, Horst Heldt, Marco Rehmer, Michael Schumacher - Coach: Matthias Sammer

 

[DieMannschaft]

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'Racism forced Boateng out of Italy'
The Ghana international joined the Bundesliga side for €10 million this summer after reportedly reaching a pre-agreement with AC Milan to allow him to leave

Klopp: BVB still to reach their peak
The Borussia Dortmund coach insists they will continue to get better but, admits replicating last season’s Champions League run will be tough

Piszczek targets 2014 return
The Poland international is on his way back after going under the knife earlier this year, but he will not take any unnecessary risks

Ballack backs Ozil to shine at Arsenal
The former Chelsea midfielder believes the Gunners have signed a player at the peak of his powers as well as someone who will add a touch of class to the Premier League

Draxler buoyed by Boateng arrival
The teenager believes the capture of the Ghanaian is another example of his club's ambitions, while Timo Hildebrand is confident the Gelsenkirchen club have turned the corner

 

[DieMannschaft]

Dortmund will never fire Klopp, insists Watzke

By Stefan Coerts52
Sep 9, 2013 11:41:00 AM

The club's CEO has revealed his respect for the coach on the back five success-laden years at Signal Iduna Park

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has insisted that he will under no circumstances fire head coach Jurgen Klopp.

The 46-year-old has been in charge of BVB ever since leaving Mainz in 2008 and has since guided Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and one DFB-Pokal, achievements that have earned Watzke's complete confidence.

"I will never give Jurgen Klopp the sack, under no circumstances," Watzke was quoted as saying by Kicker.

The Dortmund director added that he remains confident Klopp will not decide to leave the club before the end of his current deal.

"Jurgen Klopp does not sign a contract and then breach it. He has never done something like that. He has a contract until 2016 and will fulfil it."

Watzke then admitted that it's inevitable BVB will occasionally lose players to other clubs due to their refusal to pay similar wages to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

"Players leaving Dortmund is partially related to the club's status. How many clubs are there really where no player leaves for a bigger club?

"In order to be able to keep all your players, you will have to pay wages similar to Bayern and Real Madrid."

 

[DieMannschaft]

Apology for Boateng racism remarks

Schalke financial officer Peter Peters has apologised after he suggested Kevin-Prince Boateng left Milan because of racist incidents.

FootballItalia 10.09.2013

Kevin Prince Boateng (AP/LaPresse)

The board member had claimed on Monday that the attacker decided to join the Bundesliga club because of “too many racist incidents in Italy”.

However, in a statement today, he has since retracted those remarks.

“A statement made by Schalke finance director Peter Peters regarding the transfer of Kevin-Prince Boateng caused something of a stir on Monday, a misunderstanding that Peters deeply regrets,” a notice on the club’s official website read.

“Having spoken to our general manager, Horst Heldt, my initial assumption proved to be completely wrong. He confirmed that racist incidents were definitely not the reason for Kevin's move to Schalke.

“As soon as I'm back at Schalke I will speak to Kevin personally and apologise for what I said. It was certainly not my intention to cast false aspersions on AC Milan or the Italian fans.”

 

[DieMannschaft]

Boateng: Italy not a racist country
The Ghana international has dismissed suggestions that he wanted to return to the Bundesliga due to racism in Serie A

Gundogan: Hummels one of the best
The midfielder has stressed there's no reason to worry about the centre-back after he was dropped from the Germany starting XI

'I'm not the saviour' - Ribery
The 30-year-old winger netted a brace as France twice came from behind against Belarus but has played down his exploits for les Bleus

Schweini doubtful for Hannover clash
The Germany international is on his way back after spending the past few weeks on the sidelines, but this weekend's game could come too soon

Marica 'close to joining Arsenal'
The striker is available on a free transfer after leaving Schalke at the end of the last season and his representative has revealed a move could be in the offing "next week"

Peters apologises for Boateng claim
The club official had suggested the Ghanaian left AC Milan due to ill-treatment from support

 

[DieMannschaft]

Inside Borussia Dortmund: What next for Lewandowski?

Sep 12, 2013 9:00:00 AM

Dortmund's prolific striker has been closely linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester United in recent months and Goal takes a closer look at his future at Signal Iduna Park

SPECIAL REPORT
By Clark Whitney

Bayern Munich may have completed the high-profile signings of Mario Gotze and Thiago Alcantara this summer, but there is one player who, despite his desperate attempts to complete a move to Bavaria, did not quite make it: Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.

For months, Lewandowski attempted to engineer a move away from Signal Iduna Park as many of Europe’s powerhouse clubs sought his signature. The Poland international later revealed that he turned down interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid, but BVB flatly refused selling him to his club of choice, Bayern. And, after a long and drawn-out transfer saga, it was concluded that Lewandowski will remain at Signal Iduna Park for another year.

There is no denying that the Pole was absolutely desperate to join Bayern this summer. As early as April, his agent revealed an agreement with an “unnamed club,” which later proved to be the Bavarians.

Having already been forced to sell Gotze to their rivals, who activated a €37 million buyout clause, Dortmund could not risk the blow to their image that would come with selling a second key player to Pep Guardiola's side in the same transfer window. Lewandowski’s contract included no release clause, and therefore BVB were not compelled to sell him as they were in the case of Gotze. But the coveted striker’s contract had only a year left, meaning that retaining his services for another season would have come at a forfeit of a transfer fee believed to be around €25m.

It was a situation that had no ideal outcome for the Champions League runners-up: instead of garnering a sizable transfer fee for his switch, BVB opted to retain Lewandowski’s services until he leaves on a free transfer at the end of June, 2014.

Although his unveiling will not officially take place until next summer, Lewandowski’s move to Bayern is official. Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp and Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed this much in July.

With his long-term future set in stone, the question remains: What happens now for Lewandowski?

The player’s agent, Cezary Kucharski, appeared to burn all bridges for himself and his client at Dortmund as he did everything possible to force a move this summer. The player even accused BVB’s management of turning back on a promise to sell him at the end of last season.

Even in the same interview in which he accepted that he would honour his contract at Signal Iduna Park, Lewandowski admitted he was “astonished at how [BVB were] treating [him].” In July, a big question mark still existed as to whether Lewandowski would be willing to put forth the kind of effort that brought him world-class status over the previous two seasons. He had, after all, already reached a binding agreement with Bayern.

Four-gone conclusion | Lewandowski is set to join Bayern next summer

As of late, however, the turbulence of Lewandowski’s transfer saga has died down. In August, the player admitted that “everything’s been cleared up,” between himself and the club. That may have been prompted by BVB tripling his salary from €1.5m to €4.5m. Lewandowski’s wages are still pennies for a player who scored four goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, but the move was nonetheless a sign of good will given that it came with no additional expectation from the player.

The 25-year-old has had a generally positive reaction to his temporarily delayed transfer to Bayern. The striker has scored twice in four Bundesliga matches, and most importantly, BVB have won all six of their competitive matches this season. So far, there are no complaints from either side.

Dortmund are well-prepared for any dip in Lewandowski’s form and for the striker’s eventual departure, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - a summer signing from Saint-Etienne, who already appears to have captured the hearts of BVB supporters with a stunning Bundesliga opening day hat-trick - a perfectly capable deputy. But the versatile Gabon international has featured exclusively on the wing this season as Lewandowski has retained his starting role.

What initially looked like a possible disaster seems to have been averted. Although disappointed not to have moved to Bayern, Lewandowski has acted professionally and given Dortmund his best effort. And for his cooperation, BVB have been generous enough to keep him in his starting role and given him a generous pay raise.

No matter how well this campaign goes, however, one thing is for sure: Once the season ends, Lewandowski will be a Bayern player.

 

[DieMannschaft]

Weekend Preview - Bundesliga

Sep 12 2013

Borussia Dortmund head coach Juergen Klopp

The upcoming weekend in German football promises a host of exciting encounters. With Dortmund currently sitting at the top of the table with perfect 12 points from 4 matches and Munich with 10 points, each team will be looking to capitalize on other’s errors. If the stats are anything to go by, the matches scheduled for match day 5 should provide us with a goal fest.

The new season in Germany is now a month old and Borussia Dortmund has been the best team so far. Jurgen Klopp’s men are the only top team yet to drop a game from their 4 matches. New summer signings, Pierre-Emerick and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have bolstered their attacking prowess.

The in-form team play Hamburger SV this weekend, with the latter securing a double over Dortmund last season. If Hamburger were to win again, this would be the first time Borussia, under Klopp, would lose to the same opponent thrice consecutively.

This fixture has provided plenty of goals in the past : 329 goals in 92 games- most in the Bundesliga history.

Dortmund’s striker Robert Lewandowski has picked up a knee injury while on international duty with Poland, and is likely to sit out the game.

Bayern Munich - Hannover 96

The last time Bayern Munich hosted Hannover 96, the home side were 5-0 winners. It so seems this time around too, Hannover will have to put them themselves to the test. Not only are Bayern currently unbeaten in this season, they are chasing a Bundesliga record of 36 unbeaten games. The Bavarians are in scintillating form, dropping points only against SC Freiburg with a 1-1 draw.

If Hannover do manage to get the ball in their cling and steal a victory at the Allianz Arena, it will only be the first victory for Hannover coach Mirko Slomka in the Bavarian’s home ground.

Schalke 04 - FSV Mainz 05

Nicolai Muller of FSV Mainz 05 is the lastest Muller on the German scene. Already having struck 5 times this season, he could very well surpass “Der Bomber” Gerd Muller’s record 40 goals in a season.

Schalke will be confident going into the weekend, defeating Bayern Leverkusen 2-0 with aid from new signing Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The two mid table teams go head-to-head this weekend. This game is being touted as a goal fest, with two of the top goalscorers in the league playing a part in this game. Schalke’s Hungarian striker Adam Szalai, scoring four of his club’s 12 goals so far, will be playing against his former team. Mainz’s impressive start to the season has been fired by Nicolai Muller’s club-record goal scoring streak.

Hertha Berlin - VFB Stuttgart

The Berliners have not lost their previous 19 home games at their home ground, The Olympiastadion. Dutchman Jos LuhuKay will be looking to extend this impressive streak.

However, Stuttgart will be arriving in Berlin buoyed by their first Bundesliga win this season- a triumphant 6-2 victory against Hoffenheim.

New coach Thomas Schneider emphasized the importance to score goals in order to keep moving ahead in the table.

Hoffenheim – Borussia Mönchengladbach

The Rhein-Necker Arena promises plenty of goals from this fixture, based on this season’s performances of both teams. In total, eight matches involving these two sides this season have seen over 42 goals, averaging over 5 goals per game.

Borussia Mönchengladbach, popularly known as the Gladbach, have seen a fearsome attacking quartet have helped them score 10 goals already this season, which is next to Hoffenheim, who have found the net 12 times so far. However, Hoffenheim have also the conceded the most times this season.

Other fixtures this weekend are:

Bayern Leverkusen - Wolfsburg

Werder – Eintracht

FC Augsburg - SC Freiburg

 

[DieMannschaft]

Bundesliga weekend preview

Thursday 12th September 2013 16:28

Uli Hoeness: Bayern president feels the season starts now

The Bundesliga season starts now, according to Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, who suggests Pep Guardiola's grace period is now over.

Last time out, Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by Freiburg, losing two points on league leaders Borussia Dortmund, but after a two-week break for internationals, and with the first Champions League games looming, Hoeness says it is only now that the season starts in earnest.

"For me, the season only begins in mid-September because prior to then, it is torn apart by international games," Hoeness told the Bild newspaper.

"But we've got to put our foot down right away and be hungry, the way we were so phenomenally last season.

"Then I'm convinced we'll play another successful season."

Bayern host Hannover on Saturday before welcoming CSKA Moscow to Munich. They then travel to Schalke before facing Hannover again in the DFB-Pokal with midweek games every week between now and the next international break in October.

"This is a phase in which you cannot afford to show any weaknesses," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

"Last season, Dortmund lost points at this stage and they could never catch them up again, and that should be a warning to us."

Dortmund are currently top of the pile after winning their first four games of the season, but they cannot take a win for granted this weekend as they meet the only side who completed the double over them last season, Hamburg.

Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz will both be hoping history repeats itself for Dortmund as they prepare to host Wolfsburg and Schalke respectively while Hertha Berlin could move up to second tomorrow night with victory over a reinvigorated Stuttgart following their change in coach.

Elsewhere, Eintracht Braunschweig and Nurnberg go in search of their first win of the season in a basement battle on Sunday while Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt will both be aiming not to be dragged into danger by losing their clash on Saturday.

Augsburg will be bidding to make it three wins in a row against a Freiburg side who could be distracted by their return to Europe next Thursday.

Finally, Hoffenheim and Borussia Monchengladbach, the two top scorers in the Bundesliga so far this season, meet in a super Sunday clash at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

 

[DieMannschaft]

Bundesliga: Hertha Berlin 0 Stuttgart 1

14 September 2013

Stuttgart's Bundesliga revival under Thomas Schneider continued on Friday as they overcame Hertha Berlin 1-0 in the Olympiastadion.

The result, sealed by Christian Gentner's 49th-minute header, was newly-promoted Hertha's first loss at home in 19 games - a run stretching back to May 2012 - and their second successive league defeat.

For Stuttgart the win was their second in as many games, a sharp contrast to their first seven games of the season - which saw just one win, elimination from the UEFA Europa League at the play-off stage and the sacking of Bruno Labbadia.

After going down to Wolfsburg in their last outing, Hertha made four changes to their side, but did not seem disjointed as they enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges.

Despite dominating possession, Hertha could not threaten Sven Ulreich's goal sufficiently.

And they were almost undone late in the half as Vedad Ibisevic was denied by Thomas Kraft before the Bosnian just failed to make a telling contact with the resulting corner.

However, Kraft was helpless just four minutes into the second half as another corner was nodded home by Gentner at the near post to silence the home crowd.

Hertha responded strongly, Adrian Ramos gave Per Ciljan Skjelbred a simple finish from six yards, but he could only fire straight at Ulreich before the Stuttgart keeper was again called into action to deny Colombia international Ramos.

The hosts were dominant in the search for an equaliser but ended up frustrated as Tolga Cigerci fired a rasping effort wide and the unbeatable Ulreich denied John Anthony Brooks' bullet header.

 

[DieMannschaft]

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[DieMannschaft]

Bayern would never sign Messi - Guardiola

By Alex Moretto113
Sep 13, 2013 8:10:00 PM

The 42-year-old believes a bid would never be sanctioned by club president Uli Hoeness and is relishing the packed fixture list over the next month

Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of reuniting with Lionel Messi at Bayern Munich.

The Spaniard took over as coach of the Bundesliga outfit at the start of the summer and has already brought former Barcelona starlet Thiago Alcantara to the Allianz Arena.

However, Guardiola insists the German champions would never sanction a mega-money bid for the Argentine, and believes the 26-year-old has no desire to quit the club.

"[Bayern president] Uli Hoeness surely would never offer to spend a fortune to sign Messi," he told reporters.

"Bayern Munich does not work that way, and the player is happy at Barcelona."

The former Barca boss revealed he is relishing the congested fixture list over the next month as Bayern prepare to play seven games over the next 22 days.

"My nose tells me that we will have a good season, and in May we will be fighting for titles," the 42-year-old added.

"We are approaching a great period in the next few weeks, and we are ready for the challenges ahead."

Bayern host Hannover on Saturday, before kicking off their Champions League title defence at home to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

 

[DieMannschaft]

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