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★ Bundesliga Season 2015-16 ★

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Schalke outcast Boateng returns to train with AC Milan


30 September 2015 18:18

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Exiled Schalke midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng will train with AC Milan until the end of 2015, paving the way for the Ghana international to return to the Serie A club permanently.

Following May's 2-0 Bundesliga defeat at Cologne, Boateng and team-mate Sidney Sam were indefinitely suspended by Schalke.

A proposed August switch to Sporting Lisbon broke down due to a disagreement over Boateng's image rights but, having previously expressed his openness to playing for a club he represented between 2010 and 2013, the 28-year-old is back in training with Milan.

He is under contract at Schalke until the end of this season so would be unable to play competitively for Milan before January if coach Sinisa Mihajlovic pursues a formal transfer.

Boateng is expected to feature in friendly and reserve-team matches during his extended trial period.

A brief statement on Milan's official website on Wednesday read: "Kevin-Prince Boateng, from tomorrow until December 31, will train with the first team at Milanello."

Ghana international Boateng is the second controversial talent to return to Milanello under Mihajlovic's watch, with Mario Balotelli currently on a season-long loan at San Siro from Liverpool.



 

Neuer

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Liverpool tried to buy Sane - Heldt


1 October 2015 07:12

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Liverpool chased Schalke starlet Leroy Sane in the close-season, according to the Bundesliga club's general manager Horst Heldt.

Germany youth international Sane, 19, already has three league goals in seven matches this campaign.

Brendan Rodgers' men wanted the teenager in the transfer window, with reports a bid in the region of €15million was offered.

Ajax have also been interested in Sane in the past, according to Heldt.

"There was one or another prestigious club that contacted us," he said.

"Liverpool was ready to pay money."

Heldt added: "These offers didn't at all interest us or the player. I am totally unagitated concerning this player."




 

Stuttgart

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Dede backs Dortmund for Bundesliga title battle


1 October 2015

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Borussia Dortmund will fight Bayern Munich all the way for the Bundesliga title this season, according to former defender Dede.

The 2012 champions have enjoyed a strong start to the season under new coach Thomas Tuchel, winning their first five league matches before back-to-back draws with Hoffenheim and Darmstadt.

Dortmund are four points behind leaders Bayern ahead of their trip to the Allianz Arena on Sunday and Dede, who won two league titles with the club during his career, has no doubt they will pose a genuine threat to the champions this term.

"As a fan, you can say that the battle between Bayern Munich and Dortmund is the most important in the Bundesliga," he told Omnisport. "Bayern are a kind of exception in terms of talent, everyone knows that. But right behind them is Dortmund. It will be a nice fight for the title this year."

While Dede accepts that Pep Guardiola's Bayern will be considered favourites for this weekend's game, he does not believe the result will prove significant to the title race as a whole.

The Brazilian added: "Bayern are playing at home and they will probably be odds-on favourites but even if Dortmund were to win, this game is just too early in the season to say whether the winner will be the clear favourite for the title."

Bayern won both league meetings with Dortmund last season but lost to the Signal Iduna Park outfit on penalties in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.



 

Ibisevic

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In-form Lewandowski the best striker in the world - Riedle


2 October 2015

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In-form Bayern Munich hitman Robert Lewandowski has been labelled the world's best striker by Borussia Dortmund legend Karl-Heinz Riedle ahead of Sunday's Der Klassiker.

Lewandowski has been in irresistible form in recent weeks, plundering an astonishing 10 goals in his last three appearances as Bayern continue to sweep aside all-comers both at home and abroad.

The Poland forward, who swapped Signal Iduna Park for the Allianz Arena last year, has helped Pep Guardiola's team to 10 straight wins in all competitions since their defeat to Wolfsburg on penalties in the Super Cup.

And ex-Germany striker Riedle - who won the 1996-97 Champions League and two Bundesliga titles during his four-year spell with Dortmund - has hailed the quality of Lewandowski, 27, ahead of the top-versus-second clash in the Bundesliga.

When asked to compare Lewandowski and Dortmund's own prolific forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riedle told Omnisport: "Robert Lewandowski is just an exceptional player, whether or not he plays at Bayern Munich.

"In his position, I think he is probably the best player in the world. He hardly has any weaknesses, he is powerful in the air. He just holds on to the ball like no one else.

"He isn't that fast like Aubameyang, that's the difference. Lewandowski is just another type of centre-forward than Aubameyang.

"In my opinion, Pierre-Emerick is more of a counter-player than Lewandowski."

Sunday's mouth-watering fixture at the Allianz pits two of this season's in-form sides against each other, with Dortmund boasting a record of 11 wins and three draws from their 14 games so far.

Dortmund have made an impressive start to life after Jurgen Klopp and Riedle took time to praise new boss Thomas Tuchel.

"Of course everybody was shocked when Jurgen Klopp quit - he characterised the club over the last eight years like no one else did," he added.

"So it's difficult for every coach who comes after him. But Thomas Tuchel accepted the task, it's a chance for him.

"A lot of people were wary because he hasn't got the temperament of Jurgen Klopp. But he is a very good analyst and a great technical coach. A different person than Klopp, of course.

"I met him in Asia [on Dortmund's pre-season tour], and he is really pleasant. So I hope everything continues in the way it does now."

Riedle went on to say that this weekend's Klassiker is too close to call, although he acknowledged that Bayern's home advantage could be key.

He continued: "I think it's going to be a great clash. I don't think that Dortmund will be too defensive, and Bayern Munich plays at home, so they want to win the game.

"Their form is impressive and Dortmund is good, too. I don't think Dortmund wil make the same mistakes against Munich which they did in the draw against Darmstadt. So I think Bayern Munich is the favourite, but Dortmund has a great chance to gain points, too."


 

Sahin

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Bayern congratulate nominees on leaked Ballon d´Or list


2 October 2015

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Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have announced that six of their players are included on the shortlist for the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or award.

Bayern tweeted congratulations to Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Arturo Vidal and David Alaba on their official feed.

It is a move that appears to add legitimacy to a 59-strong list of all Ballon d'Or nominees, which was widely reported after being leaked earlier on Friday and included the Bayern sextet.

Barcelona and Real lead the way with seven nominations apiece on the leaked list, which FIFA refused to comment upon while maintaining that their official list will be released on October 7.

Bayern tweeted: "Muller, Neuer, Robben, Alaba, Lewandowski & Vidal are all on the shortlist for the 2015 #BallondOr. Congrats, boys! #MiaSanMia."

Cristiano Ronaldo is the current holder of the Ballon d'Or, which recognises the world's leading footballer on an annual basis, and the Real Madrid star or Lionel Messi have taken home the gong in each of the past seven years.

Neuer came third overall last year, with his Bayern team-mate Franck Ribery doing likewise in 2013.



 

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Guardiola: Robben edging closer to comeback


2 October 2015

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Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that Arjen Robben is edging closer to a comeback, but it is unclear if he will be fit in time for the Bundesliga clash at home to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.

The attacker has not featured for Bayern since picking up a thigh muscle problem while on international duty with Netherlands on September 3, but has resumed individual training.

Robben is not 100 per cent fit just yet, but Guardiola has suggested there is a chance he could return on Sunday.

"Robben has not yet trained with the squad. Of course, I will have to look at his situation," he told a press conference.

"But he is approaching the final stages of his recovery process. I do not know whether he will make it in time for Sunday's game, though."

Juan Bernat is also doubtful for the match after picking up a knock in Bayern's 5-0 Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday, but Guardiola is confident the Spaniard will recover in time.

"He has some problems with his adductors when he runs.

"I think that he will be able to play, though."

Reigning champions Bayern go into the game in top spot on the table, three points ahead of second-placed Dortmund.

Guardiola's men defeated Mainz 3-0 away from home last time out, while Dortmund were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Darmstadt.

The last meeting between these two saw Dortmund win on penalties following a 1-1 draw in last season's DFB Pokal semi-finals.



 

Guardiola

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Lewandowski would not score without his team-mates, says Guardiola

2 October 2015

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Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola hailed Robert Lewandowski's fine form, but has insisted that the striker would not be as successful without the support of his team-mates.

Lewandowski has netted an incredible 10 goals in his last three outings for the Bundesliga champions and has already scored 14 times in all competitions this term.

Nevertheless, Guardiola has downplayed the hype surrounding the 27-year-old and has highlighted the role of the rest of the team ahead of Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with Borussia Dortmund.

"We are obviously very happy with Robert's form. You do not score three goals in one game that often, so we are pleased with it," Guardiola said on Friday.

"But we should not forget that Robert needs his team-mates. He would not score any goals without them.

"All the players are helping each other. That is the most important thing in the end."

Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored nine Bundesliga goals himself this season - just one fewer than Lewandowski - and Guardiola expects the Gabon star to cause Bayern problems this weekend.

The Spaniard added: "Aubameyang is incredibly dangerous. He has a lot of quality and is very fast.

"Our defence will have to remain alert all game.

"It is nearly impossible to keep him quiet when he gets some space."



 

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Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund: Klassiker special again for Guardiola


2 October 2015

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Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola expects Sunday's clash with Borussia Dortmund will see the fixture regain its "special" aura, with Thomas Tuchel's men once more in the title fight.

Dortmund were unable to replicate their previous title challenges under Jurgen Klopp last season, and finished seventh, but Tuchel appears to have them back on track.

Tuchel's first 11 games in charge resulted in victories, although three successive draws have left Dortmund four points off the pace of Bayern, who are yet to drop points in any competition this term.

Guardiola has acknowledged that Dortmund will not be pushovers, though.

"Dortmund have been playing very well this season. They are a great team and my players know how good they are," Guardiola stated at a press conference.

"Everybody wants to play in games like these. Dortmund versus Bayern is always a special match.

"It's not like this game will be decisive though. It is not a final. It is about three points. Nothing has been decided after it.

"Tuchel and his men enjoy having a lot of possession. They want to control the game and break free rapidly with balls over the top."

Bayern will still be without Franck Ribery, Sebastian Rode, Medhi Benatia and Holger Badstuber, while Arjen Robben also seems likely to miss out.

Arturo Vidal is raring to go again, however, after missing their 5-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in midweek due to a knee injury.

Bayern will be brimming with confidence heading into Sunday's encounter. Their return of 21 points with a +20 goal difference is a new Bundesliga record after seven games of a season, beating their previous best of 2012-13.

Dortmund, meanwhile, will be desperate to return to winning ways after a series of disappointing results in recent weeks.

They still sit second in the Bundesliga table, yet defeat on Sunday could see arch-rivals Schalke leapfrog them.

BVB also have reason for optimism ahead of the clash at the Allianz Arena as they have beaten Bayern at home in more Bundesliga games than any other team (nine), even if the Bavarians won their last match on home turf against Borussia 2-1, ending a run of four league home games without a win against them.

Tuchel will still be without Nuri Sahin and Erik Durm due to injury, yet Neven Subotic is fit again after making his comeback from a back injury versus PAOK.


 

Ilkay

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Bundesliga Review: Gladbach topple Wolfsburg, Ingolstadt into top five

3 October 2015

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Borussia Monchengladbach's Bundesliga revival continued with a 2-0 win over fellow Champions League contenders Wolfsburg at Borussia-Park.

A run of six straight defeats in all competitions cost Lucien Favre his job, but Andre Schubert has led the recovery since, with Saturday's league victory their third in succession.

Gladbach had the better of a goalless first half and went closest in the 12th minute when Lars Stindl cracked a 15-yard shot against the left-hand post.

Andre Schurrle went over following a challenge from back-up Gladbach goalkeeper Tobias Sippel, but the Germany international saw penalty appeals waved away while the home players accused him of simulation.

Gladbach's continued pressure finally paid off with 15 minutes to play as Raffael's persistence opened up a crossing opportunity on the right and a falling Havard Nordtveit sent a volleyed effort from the edge of the area across Diego Benaglio and into the corner.

As Wolfsburg pushed forward, they were caught out on the break just three minutes later, Ibrahima Traore racing clear to seal the points for Gladbach.

Hannover clambered off the bottom the table as a solitary Salif Sane striker saw off Werder Bremen and secured his side's first victory of the season.

Ingolstadt's impressive maiden Bundesliga campaign goes on. The second-tier champions are now fifth in the table after Pascal Gross and Stefan Lex struck late to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0.

Hertha Berlin are fourth after racking up an impressive 3-0 win over Hamburg, while Hoffenheim and Stuttgart played out a 2-2 draw in Sinsheim.


 

Alaba

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Tuchel encourages Reus to shine against Bayern

3 October 2015

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Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel is hopeful Marco Reus can return to his best form against Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker.

The Germany forward made it four matches without finding the net as he turned in a lacklustre display in Thursday's 1-1 draw against PAOK in the Europa League.

Reus, 26, has consistently struggled with injuries over recent years and was sidelined by a toe problem earlier in the campaign.

But he has seven career goals against the Bundesliga champions to his mane, and Tuchel believes Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash at the Allianz Arena provides the ideal opportunity for Reus to end his slump.

"I always have the hope that Marco explodes. It is true that he is struggling right now," he told a press conference.

"We see in his analytic stats that he is working very hard and how he fights and he will come back, hopefully tomorrow."

Public relations between Bayern and Dortmund have often taken a strained tone over recent seasons but Tuchel was keen to voice his admiration for opposite number Pep Guardiola.

"He is the best, even if he doesn't want to admit it himself," he added.

"I've always been a fan of Barcelona. Barcelona under Pep was the benchmark for me."


 

Stuttgart

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Bayern and Germany legend Muller suffering from Alzheimer´s


6 October 2015 19:04

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Legendary Bayern Munich and Germany striker is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, his former club have confirmed.

Bayern announced the news in a release via their official website as they paid tribute to Muller ahead of his 70th birthday later this year.

Muller, who once held the record for World Cup finals goals, has been undergoing professional care since the beginning of February this year, the Bundesliga champions said.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge paid tribute to Muller.

He said: "Gerd Muller is one of the greats of world football. Without his goals, FC Bayern and German football would not be where they are today.

"Despite his success, he was always modest, and that's what really impressed me. He was a wonderful player and a friend.

"He brought experience as a coach and helped to create world champions in Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller."

Rummenigge also asked for Muller's family to be given privacy over the coming weeks.

"This is not only the express wish of his family, but also FC Bayern," he added. "Bayern will always support Gerd Muller and his family whenever it is necessary."

Muller's doctor, Professor Dr Hans Forstl, thanked the club for the support given so far.

"Despite unmistakable signs of his illness, he was treated with great sympathy and respect by the Bayern family, fans and the media," he said.

"That was very important because it is a wish for every Alzheimer's patient to stay in the environment in which they feel comfortable for as long as possible."

Muller was part of the Bayern side that won three European Cups in a row between 1974 and 1976, as well as four Bundesliga titles. He scored a remarkable 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games.

Muller also scored an incredible 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany, winning the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup two years later.



 

Ilkay

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Lewandowski success down to absence of Robben and Ribery - Beckenbauer

5 October 2015 15:25

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Bayern Munich icon Franz Beckenbauer believes the absence of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery has helped Robert Lewandowski flourish.

Ribery has yet to feature for Bayern this season, while Robben picked up a knock early on in the campaign and has featured just five times.

The wingers' absence has by no means hurt Bayern's ambitions, though, as Lewandowski has stepped up instead.

The striker has already netted 12 goals in seven Bundesliga appearances in 2015-16, nine of which came in his last three outings, and Beckenbauer feels he has used the absence of Robben and Ribery to his own advantage.

"Lewandowski is getting much more involved than before. Robben and Ribery always dribbled and then went for a shot," Beckenbauer told Sky Deutschland.

"They only went looking for Lewandowski when they did not know where to go.

"He is much more integrated into the team now."

Robben is expected to make his comeback after the international break, while Ribery is also on his way back to fitness, yet Beckenbauer thinks they could face a tough task to win back their starting berths.

"Robben and Ribery will have to push pretty hard," he added.

"Ribery will have to get back to his former best if he is to displace Douglas Costa. But he is already in his thirties and has been injured for a long time. He will need time."


 

Guardiola

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Ribery edging closer to Bayern comeback


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By Stefan Coerts
Oct 8, 2015 17:03:00

The former France international is on his way back from the treatment table in a running session as he gets closer to a first appearance for the German champions since March

Bayern Munich have received some encouraging news from the treatment table as Franck Ribery is edging closer to his comeback after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury.

The former France international has yet to feature for the reigning Bundesliga champions this term due to his physical problems, but has now taken another step in his recovery.

"Ribery is making good progress on the road to an eagerly awaited comeback. The 32-year-old completed another session of light running at the Sabener Strasse training ground on Thursday," reads a statement on the club's official website.

"Ribery, who has not played for Bayern since March due to a persistent ankle injury, started running again at the end of last week.

"Before then, the French winger had gradually increased his training load on the treadmill in the performance centre.

"Ribery will continue his step-by-step recovery from the long lay-off over the coming weeks."

The 32-year-old has made 299 appearances in all competitions for Bayern since joining the club from Marseille in 2007.




 

BasDost

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Klopp will not poach Dortmund players - Watzke


11 October 2015 18:01

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Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is not concerned newly appointed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will attempt to lure any of his former players to Anfield without the Bundesliga side's consent.

Klopp enjoyed a successful spell in charge of Dortmund between 2008 and 2015 and still enjoys a fine relationship with a number of the squad.

Recent reports have suggested Klopp could try to lure Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan to Liverpool, but Dortmund are confident their former coach would not approach any players without previously contacting his ex-club.

"Jurgen would never do anything that would damage BVB's interests," Watzke told Bild am Sonntag.

"I am 100 per cent certain about that. He would never approach any players behind our back.

"We are simply too close for things like that to happen. We have been through too much together."

Liverpool have not won the title since 1990, but Watzke is confident Klopp can guide them to silverware again.

"This is a great move for both Jurgen and for Liverpool. He can get them back to greatness. We don't even have to talk about that.

"I am convinced that he will be as successful at Liverpool as he was at Dortmund."



 

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Klopp denies talks with Bayern Munich


10 October 2015 10:44

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New Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has denied holding talks with Bayern Munich prior to his move to Anfield.

The former Borussia Dortmund head coach held his first Liverpool press conference on Friday after signing a three-year deal to succeed Brendan Rodgers, who was sacked following the derby draw with Everton.

Speculation had arisen that Klopp had been sounded out to replace Pep Guardiola at Bayern, with the former Barcelona boss now in the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena.

Klopp, however, insists he only ever held talks with Liverpool despite receiving offers from elsewhere, telling Sky in Germany: "I don't know anything about that [the Bayern rumours] and this is not relevant to me.

"Bayern are a fantastic club but I don't go on holidays and wait for someone to call me. I have done many things that I found interesting and exciting and I have used the time to meet loads of great people and I would have met many more.

"I never had a certain career plan and I can assure you that I never talked to Bayern Munich. I also hope that Guardiola will stay there for another 10 years.

"I didn't want to coach many clubs. Of course I had concrete offers but Liverpool is the only club I have actually spoken to."

Klopp impressed a number of former Liverpool favourites with his opening press conference, including Jamie Carragher and Kenny Dalglish, and the 48-year-old hopes to transmit the same sense of positivity to his players.

"Normally, I don't think about press conferences and go there and just say what has to be said," he explained. "This time I had to think about it a little bit, but I think it went well.

"During the press conference I tried to make clear that the right expectations are able to change everything. If you have the right expectation everything will fall into place. Having the wrong one can prohibit this.

"There is a lot of pressure on Liverpool and I am aware of that difficulty. A very important reason why I have taken this job is because I am bent on taking this challenge and because I am keen on seeing what can be done and what cannot.

"I also fancied working abroad and I was up for a change. I am really, really happy here.

"There won't be any problem with the players as there are also loads of foreign players. My English is probably as bad as theirs so they will understand me a lot easier.

"And also, as I am not a native speaker, I won't just start talking random stuff, because I will have to make an effort in order to be understood. It is not important to be fluent in a language. It is important to say the right words at the right time."

Klopp described himself as "the Normal One" on Friday and the ex-Mainz boss was eager to explain his meaning.

"There will be many people back in Germany questioning that sentence … But yes, that is how I am and it is quite important to me," Klopp said.

"Of course, the things at this club haven't been too catastrophic so far. The main thing is that the last years in total haven't been working out too well, even before Brendan Rodgers. And it was not easy for my colleagues here to show that they are on a good way. This is why the thirst for a change was so big and this is why they had to take the measurements they did.

"But this doesn't mean that I will arrive here and change everything in the first season saying from now on we will do it as we have done it so far.

"I am so keen on listening to the people here, getting to know them and getting used to everything. And after that I will ideally press the right buttons. I have already said that I don't see myself as almighty. I am far away from being 'the special one'."


 

Stuttgart

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Benatia nearing Bayern Munich comeback

10 October 2015 14:10

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Bayern Munich have received some encouraging news on the injury front as Medhi Benatia is nearing his comeback after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

The Morocco international picked up the knock in the 2-1 Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim on August 22 and has since been out of action.

Benatia is hopeful he can soon resume regular training, though, and could return to the pitch by the end of the month.

"I am already doing a lot better than before," Benatia was quoted as saying by Bild.

"I hope to be able to resume squad training within 10 to 14 days."

The 28-year-old joined Bayern from Roma in August 2014, but has struggled for consistency with the Bavarians so far.

He made 24 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side last campaign, scoring two goals in the process.

Benatia has a contract with the Allianz Arena side until June 2019.



 

Philipp

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Coman injury concern for Bayern


10 October 2015 21:57

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Kingsley Coman will undergo tests at Bayern munich on a thigh injury sustained on international duty.

The 19-year-old featured from the start in France Under-21s' 2-1 win over Scotland on Saturday, but was forced off after just 23 minutes of play.

The extent of the injury is unsure as of yet, but Coman could miss Saturday's encounter at Werder Bremen as a result of the knock.

Coman's injury comes with Franck Ribery still unavailable due to an ankle injury and Mario Gotze sidelined for the remainder of 2015 due to an adductor problem.

However, Arjen Robben is ready to make his comeback after spending the past month on the sidelines due to a muscular issue.

Coman joined Bayern from Juventus in the summer transfer window on an initial two-year loan deal worth €7million, which the Bundesliga champions can make permanent for an additional fee of €21m.

The versatile attacker has made eight appearances for Bayern in all competitions since his move to the Allianz Arena, scoring twice in the process.



 

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Muller: Premier League wages are tempting

11 October 2015 12:10

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Thomas Muller has suggested he could leave Bayern Munich in favour of a move to the Premier League if a big-money offer comes in.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently revealed that Manchester United attempted to sign the Germany international during the most recent transfer window, before stressing that the Bundesliga champions have no intention of selling the 26-year-old.

However, Muller has refused to rule out a move to England in the future.

"In the end, we should not forget that playing football is our job," Muller told Welt am Sonntag.

"So people should accept that wages will always play a role in a player's decision-making. Of course, the wages that are being paid in the Premier League are very tempting. It would be hypocrisy to deny that.

"You have to look at the complete package to determine whether something is right for you. What's good for you one day will not necessarily still be good for you the day after.

"I know that a lot of German clubs are unhappy with the Premier League clubs' spending, but I think it is something good for all clubs in the end. It can only be a good thing for football when clubs invest so much money."

Muller has a contract with Bayern until June 2019.



 

Ilkay

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Klopp´s Liverpool task easier than Dortmund - Hamann

10 October 2015 16:38

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Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes new manager Jurgen Klopp is destined for success at Anfield and feels the task his compatriot faces at the Premier League side is nowhere near as big as when he arrived at Borussia Dortmund.

The 48-year-old turned Dortmund from a relegation candidate into Bundesliga champions during his seven-year spell at the club from 2008 to April this year and Hamann is hopeful he will be equally successful at Liverpool.

"He’s the right man for the job,"Hamann told the official Liverpool website.

"He's a genuine, honest guy who will tell the players and the fans how it is, and I think for a club like Liverpool that's been missing for a number of years.

"When he went to Dortmund he joined a team on the verge of going bankrupt and being relegated and he turned them into title winners, cup winners and Champions League finalists.

"I don't think his task [at Liverpool] is quite as big as it was in Dortmund, but I think he's a guy who will fit in very well because I think the fan bases in the cities of Dortmund and Liverpool are pretty similar."

Liverpool sit 10th in the Premier League table with 12 points from eight games. Klopp's first match in charge will come away to Tottenham next Saturday.



 

Stuttgart

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Dortmund dismiss Aubameyang exit talk

13 October 2015

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Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be sold to Barcelona, according to club sporting director Michael Zorc.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a stunning start to the campaign under new head coach Thomas Tuchel, scoring 14 times in as many games in all competitions.

A report in Mundo Deportivo claimed Barca were interested in signing the Gabon international in January, once their FIFA-imposed transfer ban is lifted, while Liverpool have also been linked with a move now that former Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has taken charge at Anfield.

Zorc, however, has made it clear that Aubameyang is key to the club's plans, telling Bild: "We are clearly planning with Auba."

Aubameyang, who only signed a new contract with Dortmund until 2020 in January, has made it clear he is committed to the club in the past.

"I'm here with all my heart, I never wanted to leave," he said after extending his current deal.

Klopp has already stated he will not endeavour to bring his former Dortmund charges to Liverpool before he has had time to assess his squad.

"I have no intention whatsoever to lure Dortmund's stars to Liverpool," Klopp told Bild.

"I am not interested in how much money I will be allowed to spend in January. We will be taking a look at our own players first."


 
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