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║ Bundesliga Season 2013-14 ║
Nuremberg fined by DFB
10 April 2014
Nuremburg have been fined €30,000 and issued with a suspended partial stadium ban for incidents in two Bundesliga matches this season.
The first incident occurred during Nuremburg's 2-1 victory over Eintracht Braunschweig at the Grundig Stadion on February 22, with home fans throwing lighters onto the pitch during an opposition corner.
Following that, supporters set off fireworks during the 2-0 triumph over Stuttgart on March 26.
The German Football Association (DFB) has subsequently taken a dim view of those actions, imposing a hefty fine and ordering a partial stadium closure should there be any further misdemeanours in the next 11 months.
"The sports tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) convicted the Bundesliga team Nuremberg after the charge of the DFB supervisory board procedure to a fine of €30,000, because of spectator affairs during two games in the current season," read a statement from the governing body.
"Beyond that, Nuremberg has to run two Bundesliga home games with partial exclusion of the public including closing spectator stands seven, nine and 11 in the lower level and the north stand.
"The enforcement of this measure will be set on probation for 11 months. This means the partial exclusion of the public will only occur if there will be further serious incidents during that time.
"During the Bundesliga home match against Eintracht Braunschweig on February 22, when the guest team was taking a corner, spectators threw lighters on the field.
"Furthermore, fireworks were (released) in the spectator stands seven, nine and 11, during the Bundesliga home game against Stuttgart on March 26.
"The club agreed to the verdict, (and) with that the verdict is final."
Strebinger pens new Werder deal
10 April 2014
Werder Bremen have extended goalkeeper Richard Strebinger's contract by a further three years, the club have announced.
The 21-year-old had made the switch to the Weserstadion from Hertha Berlin ahead of the 2012-13 season.
Strebinger was a prominent member of Werder's Under-23 side last term, though a long injury lay-off has curtailed his progress this season.
That has not deterred Werder from extending the Austria Under-21 international's contract, however, and the rookie 'keeper will now remain at the club until at least June 2017.
"I feel very comfortable with Werder," he told the club's official website. "I now have the chance to take another step forward. My goal is of course to play a good role in the Bundesliga with Werder."
Werder sporting director Thomas Eichin added: "Richard has developed very well over the past two seasons with us."
Strebinger's contract extension follows the news that fellow goalkeeper Sebastian Mielitz will depart at the end of the season.
Dortmund confirm Sahin capture
10 April 2014
Borussia Dortmund followed up their capture of Adrian Ramos by announcing Nuri Sahin has joined the club permanently.
Sahin returned to Dortmund on loan from Real Madrid in January 2013 and has impressed manager Jurgen Klopp with a series of dynamic midfield performances.Dortmund reportedly had a clause in the loan deal that stated they could buy him at any time – and that is exactly what they did on Thursday.
After announcing the signing of striker Ramos from Hertha Berlin earlier in the day, Dortmund confirmed Sahin had permanently joined the club, for a fee said to be in the region of €7million.
"We met with Real Madrid officials when the two clubs played in the Champions League quarter-finals recently, and we have made it clear to them that we intend to make use of the option to buy," Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten.
The Turkey international came through the ranks at Dortmund, before departing in 2011 for Real Madrid.
An unsuccessful loan stint at Liverpool followed, before he joined Dortmund again.
The Bundesliga club have already announced the signing of Sunderland striker Ji Dong-Won, who is currently on loan at Augsburg.
Ji, like Ramos, will join Dortmund at the end of the season.
Bundesliga Preview: Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
10 April 2014
Borussia Dortmund's trip to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday has come at a "sensational time" for head coach Jurgen Klopp.
Dortmund travel to the Allianz Arena buoyed by their 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, despite going out of the competition 3-2 on aggregate.
They sit second in the German top flight, three points ahead of arch-rivals Schalke in third, and can strengthen their grip on the position with victory against the newly crowned champions.
Bayern have not won in the Bundesliga since wrapping up their 24th German title at Hertha Berlin last month, with a 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim followed by a surprise defeat at Bavarian rivals Augsburg, their first league loss in more than 17 months.
Pep Guardiola appears to have shifted his attention to the Champions League - something that may benefit Dortmund.
The manager decided to rotate ahead of Bayern's quarter-final in Europe's premier club competition, a decision that paid dividends as they beat Manchester United 3-1 on Wednesday, allowing them to progress to the last four with a 4-2 aggregate triumph.
Dortmund have not won in Munich since 2011 but Klopp believes it is the perfect time to break that winless run.
"This is a sensational time to play Bayern, between Real Madrid and Wolfsburg," he said.
"In recent weeks the deciding moments have gone against us, and we've been short of a little bit of luck.
"This is about collecting three important points which could do us a world of good."
Bayern will be desperate to respond from their first league loss since October 2012 and Klopp will be wary of a response - particularly with his side facing a big game in midweek.
Following their European exit, Dortmund can still claim a trophy by winning the DFB-Pokal, and they play Wolfsburg in the semi-final of the competition on Tuesday.
Bayern play second-tier Kaiserslautern in the other last-four tie on Wednesday, as they seek to add yet another trophy to a creaking cabinet.
Dortmund's regular injury worries this season have not eased - Neven Subotic, Jakub Blaszczykowski (both knee), Marcel Schmelzer and Sven Bender (both groin) remain out - but captain Sebastian Kehl returns from suspension.
Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) is set to miss out for Bayern, while Thiago Alcantara (knee) remains sidelined.
Ramos: I can fill the Lewandowski void at Dortmund
By Joe Wright
Apr 11, 2014 7:52:00 AM
The Colombia international is relishing the prospect of playing under Jurgen Klopp next season after agreeing a four-year deal for a reported €9 million
Adrian Ramos is convinced he can fill the goalscoring void left by Robert Lewandowski when he completes his move to Borussia Dortmund this summer.
BVB confirmed on Wednesday that the Colombia international has agreed a four-year deal with Jurgen Klopp's outfit, who are reported to have paid €9 million to Hertha for his signature.
Ramos will move to Signal Iduna Park as a replacement for Poland international Lewandowski, who will join champions Bayern Munich in the summer, but the 28-year-old says he is far from daunted by the task.
"It's something I'm pretty proud of. Everyone wants to play for Dortmund. I am happy with this important step in my career," he is quoted as saying by Colombian newspaper El Tiempo.
"Robert has scored a lot of goals, I know the comparisons with him will come. But I trust myself for this task."
Ramos has scored 16 times in 29 appearances for Hertha this season in the Bundesliga, helping them push for a top-half finish for the campaign.
Schalke 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt: Meyer and Farfan on target for dominant hosts
Max Meyer and Jefferson Farfan struck in the second half to secure a victory for the Gelsenkirchen side and keep their hopes of finishing second alive
By Nicholas McGee
Schalke kept themselves in the running for second place in the Bundesliga with a comfortable 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday.
Jens Keller's side were always in command at the Veltins Arena, and wasted several opportunities to add gloss to the scoreline against a below-par Frankfurt side.
But it mattered not as Schalke cruised to a deserved victory to move level on points with second-placed Borussia Dortmund ahead of their local rivals' daunting trip to champions Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Despite dictating much of the game, it took Schalke until the 59th minute to open the scoring, which they did through attacking midfielder Max Meyer.
The 18-year-old slotted into the net on the second rebound after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's shot had been brilliantly saved by Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp following Sead Kolasinac's fierce long-range effort, which rattled off the post.
Schalke then thought they had doubled their lead when Julian Draxler's tame effort squirmed under the body of Trapp, only for the strike to be chalked off for offside.
The hosts were handed another opportunity to extend the lead in the 64th minute as they were awarded a penalty following Carlos Zambrano's foul on Draxler.
However, Huntelaar saw his spot-kick saved by Trapp to keep Frankfurt in the contest.
Leon Goretzka hit the post nine minutes from time as Frankfurt's goal continued to lead a charmed life, but the result was finally made safe in the first minute of injury time, as substitute Jefferson Farfan found the net with a superb curling free-kick.
Klopp hungry for result at Bayern
12 April 2014
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp said a result against Bayern Munich is priority, despite an impending cup semi-final.
Dortmund face Wolfsburg in the DFB-Pokal last four on Tuesday, with the domestic cup their only chance of silverware this term following their UEFA Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid.
Bayern, who are facing Kaiserslautern in the other cup semi, have already wrapped up the Bundesliga crown and lead second-placed Dortmund by 20 points.
Klopp said he is not underestimating the league clash at the Allianz Arena, and wants to field his strongest side.
"I have to see who will be available for Saturday against Bayern Munich and I have not decided yet," Klopp said.
"Next Tuesday is the end of four (tough) weeks, but in Munich it is about three points.
"I don't know what they (Bayern) plan on Wednesday against Kaiserslautern; probably they won't be challenged that much.
"We will not give something away, however, we also have to see who will be available."
Striker Adrian Ramos will join Dortmund from Hertha BSC in the off-season, it was confirmed during the week, and Klopp was pleased with the Colombian's signing.
"Adrian Ramos is a very good player and he never scored more goals than in this season," the coach said, with Ramos netting 16 times for the promoted club.
"He works very hard, is very calm in front of the goal and good in ball possession.
"We are sure he can develop at Borussia Dortmund. We are very pleased the transfer was successful."
Guardiola: Dortmund will be a big test
12 April 2014
Although Saturday's 'Der Klassiker' means nothing in terms of silverware, Pep Guardiola has promised Bayern Munich will try 100 per cent.
Bayern will enter Friday's clash with Borussia Dortmund 20 points clear of their opponents in the Bundesliga table and having already wrapped up the German league title.
But with semi-finals in the UEFA Champions League and DFB Pokal to come, Bayern's coach Guardiola believes the test provided by 'Der Klassiker' - as the fixture is known - will be vital for his team.
"We will play as well as possible. We're a good team but only if we give our all, Guardiola told Bayern's website on Friday.
"We won't stand a chance against (Dortmund) if we take our foot off the gas."
Guardiola will not have Thiago, Xherdan Shaqiri, Diego Contento or Holger Badstuber available for the game against Dortmund in Munich but although Bayern played in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, the Spaniard insisted 'the others are possibly tired but fit'.
The former Barcelona coach pledged the German champions will not underestimate Dortmund, who could be Bayern's opponents in the DFB Pokal final, if both teams win their semi-finals in the coming week.
"Borussia Dortmund are Borussia Dortmund. It's something special," Guardiola said.
"They deserve our full attention. It will be a big test."
5 things to know about Bundesliga weekend
Friday, 11 April 2014, 14:55
Normally, a Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund showdown in mid-April could be decisive for the Bundesliga title. There is little more at stake in Saturday's match in Munich, however, than pride.
Bayern is already champion and has 20 points more than Dortmund in second. Dortmund's only target is to remain second and perhaps finish fewer than 25 points behind Bayern, which was the gap between them last season.
Bayern advanced to the Champions League semifinals over Manchester United in midweek, while Borussia Dortmund fell short against Real Madrid.
There is much more suspense at the bottom of the table, where six clubs are separated by four points with five matches to play.
Here are five things to know about the weekend matches in the Bundesliga.
STRIKER VS. STRIKER: Robert Lewandowski and Mario Mandzukic lead the Bundesliga with 17 goals each and will become teammates next season — if Mandzukic does decide to stay with Bayern.
Dortmund's Lewandowski is considered the more polished of the two but the scrappier Mandzukic has come through for Bayern on big occasions. He often scores important goals, as he did by heading the equalizer against Manchester United in a 3-1 comeback victory in the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday.
It is far from certain that either will actually play on Saturday.
___
ROTATING, ROTATING: Both Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola and his Dortmund colleague Juergen Klopp like to rotate their squads, especially before important matches.
The difference is that Guardiola has a deeper squad to pick from. Dortmund has been hit by a series of injuries to key players throughout the season and many are still out of action.
Guardiola took a risk last week when he fielded a team with several newcomers against Augsburg and lost, ending Bayern's 53-match unbeaten run. But the stars were fresh for United.
So don't expect to see full-strength lineups on Saturday since there is little at stake in that match, while both teams have German Cup semifinals ahead next week.
Dortmund could sweeten a difficult season by lifting the cup, while Bayern is seeking to repeat a sweep of three titles it won last season. Dortmund plays Wolfsburg in the cup and Bayern meets second-division Kaiserslautern.
"We are not going to Munich to give any presents. But when we look at the two upcoming matches, the German Cup has priority," Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Thursday's Kicker magazine.
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LEWANDOWSKI REPLACEMENT: Borussia Dortmund has already signed one striker to fill in the gap left by Lewandowski's departure, Colombia forward Adrian Ramos from Hertha Berlin.
Watzke says Lewandowski cannot be replaced "one-to-one" and that Dortmund will sign another striker. He would not confirm Kicker's report that it would be Josip Drmic of Nuremberg, who has scored 16 goals this season, just like Ramos.
____
HANNOVER VS. HAMBURG: Hannover and Hamburg are two of the teams fighting against relegation. Mirko Slomka started the season in charge of Hannover, now he will be guiding Hamburg against his former club when they meet on Saturday in Hannover. Slomka once wanted current Hannover coach Tayfun Korkut as assistant.
Hannover has two points more than Hamburg, the only founding member of the Bundesliga that has not been relegated in its 51-year history.
Hannover will be without injured top striker Mame Diouf, while his Hamburg counterpart Pierre-Michel Lasogga is doubtful.
___
NOT SO NEW COACH IN LEVERKUSEN: All Sascha Lewandowski had to do when he became the new coach of Leverkusen was to change office. Lewandowski left his job as coach of Leverkusen's juniors when Sami Hyypia was fired last week.
Lewandowski already shared responsibility for the first team when he and Hyypia were co-trainers for a while last season. He expects to return to the juniors after the season is over.
Before then, his job will be to return Leverkusen to a Champion League place.
Leverkusen has dropped from second to fifth and is seven points behind Schalke in third, which means the last direct slot in the Champions League. Moenchengladbach is in fourth on goal difference over Leverkusen.
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich 0 Borussia Dortmund 3
12 April 2014
A tactical masterclass from Jurgen Klopp enabled Borussia Dortmund to rout Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich 3-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Dortmund coach Klopp opted to leave Bayern-bound top scorer Robert Lewandowski on the bench for Saturday's Der Klassieker clash between first and second in the German top flight, and that proved an inspired decision, as his front four ran Pep Guardiola's team ragged.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - so wasteful in the midweek UEFA Champions League exit to Real Madrid - netted 20 minutes in, with Marco Reus and Jonas Hofmann getting in on the act after the interval to restore Dortmund's three-point lead over Schalke in second.
Meanwhile, Bayern's post-title-winning slump continues.
After dropping just four points all season prior to retaining the crown at Hertha Berlin last month, Guardiola's side have now lost two of their last three Bundesliga games.
Despite Bayern's near-monopoly of the ball early on, the searing pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reus caused the hosts' high defensive line problems on the break.
And those two combined with Mkhitaryan and Hofmann, the other members of Dortmund's rampant frontline, to put the visitors ahead.
Hofmann's throw-in was flicked to Reus by Aubameyang, and he picked out an unmarked Mkhitaryan in the area before the Armenian coolly finished left-footed past Manuel Neuer.
Neuer was taken off at half-time with a suspected calf injury, and his debutant replacement Lukas Raeder's first task was to pick the ball out of the net.
Dortmund's forward line again wreaked havoc, with Reus this time applying the finishing touch on 49 minutes with his seventh goal in his last five matches.
Hofmann then added a third - before making way for Lewandowski - to affirm Klopp's tactical superiority over Guardiola on the day of his 200th Bundesliga match in charge of Dortmund.
Predictably, Bayern dominated possession from the outset, but their only attempt of note came via a David Alaba set-piece on 14 minutes, the Austrian firing a free-kick harmlessly wide from 30 yards.
And Bayern were made to pay for their uncharacteristic lack of cutting edge in the 20th minute, as Mkhitaryan took full advantage of some lax defending to break the deadlock.
Buoyed by taking the lead, and the palpable frustrations of Bayern's players and fans, Dortmund grew into the game, but Guardiola's men finally showed signs of life as the first half drew to a close.
A trademark run from Arjen Robben resulted in Rafinha - later dismissed for lashing out at Mkhitaryan - sending in a cross for Mario Mandzukic, who could only volley harmlessly into the arms of Roman Weidenfeller.
Dortmund doubled their advantage almost immediately after the break, though, as a typically incisive counter-attack led by Mkhitaryan ended with Aubameyang feeding Reus, who guided the ball beyond Raeder from 12 yards.
And it was 3-0 on 56 minutes, as Dortmund again made a mockery of Bayern's high line with an unchallenged Hofmann running onto a long ball and rifling past a helpless Raeder.
Bayern's off-colour display was summed up by Guardiola's decision to withdraw both Robben and Franck Ribery after the hour.
A late rally from the hosts saw Mandzukic have a header ruled out for offside but Rafinha was sent off in injury time for his moment of madness.
And Dortmund comfortably held on to give Bayern a taste of their own medicine after the Bavarians won 3-0 at Signal Iduna Park back in November.
Bundesliga Wrap: Dortmund clinch Der Klassiker, Stuttgart edge clear of danger
12 April 2014
Bayern Munich's Bundesliga title hangover continued on Saturday with a 3-0 loss to second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
Goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marco Reus and Jonas Hofmann handed Dortmund glory in Der Klassiker as champions Bayern - who finished with 10 men following Rafinha's late dismissal - were beaten for the second time in as many Bundesliga rounds.
Pep Guardiola's men wrapped up their title defence in March but have since taken just one point from three matches, while Jurgen Klopp's charges provided a spirited response to their midweek UEFA Champions League exit.
However, much of Saturday's drama took place at the bottom of the table as Stuttgart moved clear of the danger zone with their draw at Borussia Monchengladbach, although they came within a minute of securing victory.
Daniel Didavi's 12th-minute opener looked to have ensured Stuttgart back-to-back wins but Huub Stevens' men were denied when Juan Arango got on the end of Max Kruse's cross just before full-time.
With Hamburg and Nuremberg both tasting defeat on the road, Stuttgart sit a point clear of the relegation play-off spot, with Mirko Slomka's side beaten by fellow strugglers Hannover.
After Lars Stindl opened the scoring nine minutes in but Hakan Calhanoglu levelled just after the break and the visitors looked set to pick up an important away point.
However, Didier Ya Konan picked an ideal time to score his first Bundesliga goal since August to snatch a win that puts the hosts five points clear of danger.
Nuremberg's loss was much more comprehensive as goals from Ivica Olic and Junior Malanda, along with an Ivan Perisic brace, moved Wolfsburg into the final UEFA Champions League place after their 4-1 win.
Eintracht Braunschweig were unable to continue their recent recovery as they fell to a 2-0 loss at Freiburg.
Damir Vrancic put through his own net after just eight minutes, while Julian Schuster doubled the lead 40 minutes later to give the hosts a four-point cushion over Stuttgart beneath them.
Mainz kept the pressure on Bayer Leverkusen for a European place with a dominant 3-0 win over Werder Bremen with all their goals coming in the first half.
Nils Petersen scored an own goal after just five minutes before Christoph Moritz and Yunus Malli added one each to put Mainz a point off stuttering Leverkusen, who face Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
Bundesliga Wrap: Leverkusen win in Lewandowski´s return
13 April 2014
Sascha Lewandowski was all smiles as his debut in sole charge of Bayer Leverkusen ended in a 2-1 home triumph over Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
Lewandowski shared managerial duties with Sami Hyypia last season, before returning to work with the club's youth side for the current campaign.
Hyypia was sacked earlier this month though, as Leverkusen's miserable form showed no signs of ending, leading to Lewandowski's promotion to the top job.
And Leverkusen, who had won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions, recorded a timely win that lifted them to fourth, which brings with it the final UEFA Champions League spot.
The new man in charge witnessed his side make a flying start, with Stefan Kiessling's 15th league goal of the season giving the hosts the lead inside the first minute.
Teenager Julian Brandt then scored his second goal in as many matches, with the 17-year-old's clever chip in the 24th minute doubling his side's lead.
Hertha threatened a comeback as Sandro Wagner halved the deficit before the break, but Leverkusen held firm for a desperately needed three points, while the losers have now gone eight league games without a win.
In Sunday's other Bundesliga encounter, Hoffenheim extended their unbeaten run to five with a 2-0 home win over Augsburg.
Just one place separates the two teams in the table, but it was Hoffenheim who opened the scoring in the 19th minute thanks to Sejad Salihovic's stunning free-kick.
And Jannik Vestergaard's effort four minutes before the break was enough to give Hoffenheim a comfortable two-goal win.
Guardiola: Bayern ´dip´ normal
12 April 2014
Pep Guardiola feels Bayern Munich's domestic slump after winning the Bundesliga title was to be expected.
Champions Bayern were thrashed 3-0 at home by rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, meaning they have now taken just one point from three top-flight matches since retaining their crown at Hertha Berlin last month.
Guardiola's side had dropped just four points all season prior to their coronation in the capital, but have since drawn 3-3 with Hoffenheim and lost 1-0 at Augsburg before this weekend's humbling at the hands of second-placed Dortmund.
Bayern's troubles have not yet extended into the UEFA Champions League, as they beat Manchester United 4-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals this month to take another step towards retaining that trophy.
And coach Guardiola feels that a drop-off in performance levels following domestic glory is natural, saying that he experienced the same issue during his trophy-laden spell as Barcelona boss.
"When you win the title, you suffer a dip," said the Spaniard.
"It was the same for me at Barcelona. Now we have to get back (to our previous form)."
Bayern were lacklustre throughout Saturday's contest, as Dortmund's front four of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marco Reus and Jonas Hofmann - Bayern-bound striker Robert Lewandowski started on the bench - wreaked havoc with the champions' high defensive line.
And Guardiola was quick to pay tribute to the visitors' performance at the Allianz Arena.
"Congratulations to Dortmund," he added.
"We didn't get into our rhythm today and we were unable to score."
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was withdrawn at the break due to discomfort in his calf, but the Germany number one was quick to insist he will be fit for Wednesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final against Kaiserslautern.
"I went off as a precaution but I can play in the cup in during the week," he said.
Klopp: Dortmund buoyed by ´exceptional week´
13 April 2014
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp felt Saturday's 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich capped an "exceptional week" for his team.
Goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marco Reus and Jonas Hofmann helped Klopp's men to a convincing win over champions Bayern - who wrapped up the Bundesliga title in March - at the Allianz Arena.
That result came off the back of a 2-0 win over Real Madrid in midweek, which was not being enough to keep them in the UEFA Champions League.
Despite the disappointment of being eliminated from Europe's premier club competition at the quarter-final stage, Klopp feels the positive effects of beating Real and Bayern - who will meet in the Champions League semi-finals - can help them keep Schalke at bay in the race for second place in the Bundesliga.
Three points separate Dortmund from their rivals, and Klopp is eager to cement the runners-up spot after taking what he described as "bonus points" against the Bavarians.
"These three points do us a lot of good. As points against Bayern Munich are like bonus points for any team," he said.
"I'm very happy that we were able to snatch three of them.
"In the end, it was an exceptional week in which we managed to beat Real Madrid and Bayern Munich - and that in a fantastic fashion.
"Bayern may have lacked a bit of focus after already claiming the title, but we came here with a plan and were able to implement most of it. It was hard work, a lot of hard work."
Klopp opted to leave Bayern-bound Robert Lewandowski on the bench for much of Saturday's fixture, and the coach revealed he allowed his side a restful few days after their exertions against Real and ahead of Tuesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final with Wolfsburg.
"We left the team alone for three days after the game in Madrid and only started our preparations for the Bayern Munich game (on Saturday)," he said.
"For us, a game against the best team in the world is always the game of the year, and that’s why it didn't cross my mind that I could leave anyone out of it.
"(Lewandowski) is our most-used player, while (Lukasz Piszczek) was out injured for half a year and also needed a break.
"And Mats (Hummels) decided himself that he wanted to play."
Hecking labels De Bruyne ´exceptional´
13 April 2014
Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking labelled Kevin De Bruyne 'exceptional' as his team stormed into fourth in the Bundesliga.
Hecking's team recovered from conceding an early goal to Nuremberg on Saturday to triumph 4-1 with De Bruyne setting up Wolfsburg's first two goals.
The victory took Wolfsburg to 50 points, which saw them leapfrog Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen into fourth in the German league table.
Fourth spot includes a berth in the qualifying rounds of next season's UEFA Champions League but Leverkusen could push Wolfsburg out on Sunday if they defeat Hertha Berlin.
De Bruyne notched his sixth assist since joining Wolfsburg from Chelsea in January and Hecking credited the 22-year-old Belgian midfielder for leading his side back into the contest.
"That was a great game for us this afternoon, although the beginning once again didn't go as we had hoped it would," Hecking said.
"It's not the first time that we have conceded an early goal at home this season and that just shouldn't happen.
"We got back into the game quickly though and it was then clear to see that we can play very good football – especially Kevin De Bruyne, who was exceptional."
Nuremberg took the lead in the eighth minute with a powerful strike from Markus Feulner but Wolfsburg equalised 11 minutes later when De Bruyne slid a pin-point pass to Ivica Olic for the Croatian striker to score.
The home side were ahead in the 22nd minute as De Bruyne released Ivan Perisic down the left and the winger delicately chipped Nuremberg goalkeeper Raphael Schafer.
Junior Malanda made it 3-1 for Wolfsburg in the 69th minute, while De Bruyne played a role in the lead-up to Perisic's second goal with eight minutes remaining.
Hecking was thrilled with Wolfsburg's performance ahead of their DFB Pokal semi-final on Tuesday.
"On the whole, it was a very good performance from us, which keeps all of our options open in the league," the 49-year-old coach said.
"We are very happy about that. We are all really fired up for the game on Tuesday. I hope the guys can play as well as they did today – then it could be a wonderful cup night."
Don't bother trying to buy Mandzukic, says Sammer
By Stefan Coerts
Apr 14, 2014 8:21:00 AM
The Bavarians' sporting director has underlined the powerful attacker's importance to the team and has ruled out a summer move
Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has insisted that the Bundesliga champions have no intention of selling Mario Mandzukic this summer.
The Croatia international's future at Bayern is in doubt following the imminent arrival of Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund and clubs including Juventus, Arsenal and Chelsea are rumoured to be keeping close tabs on the 27-year-old.
Nevertheless, Sammer has made it clear that Mandzukic will not be allowed to leave at the end of the season.
"Nobody even has to bother making an approach for Mandzukic," Sammer told Sky90.
"He is incredibly important to Bayern. I always affectionately say that he plays like an animal.
"It is simply amazing how much work he does for the team and how much running he does during a game.
"They always try to provoke him because he really hurts his opponents with his work-rate."
Mandzukic has netted 17 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances this season.
Defeats can make Bayern better, says Guardiola
BERLIN Tue Apr 15, 2014 1:24pm BST
Bayern Munich's coach Pep Guardiola gestures during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match against Manchester United in Munich, April 9, 2014. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
(Reuters) - Two consecutive league defeats, including a 3-0 home demolition by Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, will help Bayern focus ahead of their German Cup semi-final against Kaiserslautern on Wednesday, coach Pep Guardiola said.
The Spaniard has been criticised for taking his foot off the gas and rotating too much after clinching the Bundesliga title with seven games to spare.
Bayern lost to Augsburg and Dortmund and managed only a 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim in their last three league games since securing the title.
"Sometimes a defeat helps to improve a team," Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday. "Tomorrow we only have that one game though.
"We have to quickly find our form back," said Guardiola, who helped set a league record of 53 consecutive games without a loss before it ended this month.
"When there is a game like the one against Dortmund then I have to quickly analyse why it happened. If we play against Kaiserslautern the way we did against Dortmund then we will not reach any final."
Bayern have few injury concerns with keeper Manuel Neuer the only question mark after sustaining a thigh muscle injury on Saturday.
"He could not train today but hopefully he will be able to play tomorrow."
Bayern are chasing an unprecedented back-to-back treble having also advanced to the Champions League semi-finals where they face nine-times European Champions Real Madrid, in Guardiola's first season in charge.
"My players know exactly why Kaiserslautern are in the last four," he said. "They have three great strikers."
Kaiserslautern are fourth in the second division and have a chance of clinching promotion with four games left but Bayern's home record in the cup is near perfect having been eliminated only once in their last 30 home Cup games.
Should holders Bayern advance they could meet again with Dortmund, who take on in-form VfL Wolfsburg later on Tuesday.
"I have a lot of passion and I have not yet been to Berlin. It will be a dream for me," Guardiola said.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Ed Osmond)
Olic set for Wolfsburg stay
14 April 2014
Wolfsburg striker Ivica Olic expects to be at the club next season despite repeatedly being linked with a move abroad.
The Croatia international has been the subject of reports suggesting he was to join Premier League outfit Stoke City, fuelling rumours by visiting England with his wife last week.
With his contract due to expire at the end of the campaign, Olic claims he now sees himself as likely to remain at Wolfsburg.
Olic has 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances this term, putting Dieter Hecking's men in with a strong chance of European football, and he hinted that he will probably stay with the club he joined from Bayern Munich in 2012.
"My thought is to stay on at Wolfsburg," he told Kicker.
"I am expecting to remain at the Volkswagen-Arena and be a part of this squad in the new season."
The experienced 34-year-old has scored in four of Wolfsburg's last five fixtures, helping them to fifth in the table.
Traore agrees Monchengladbach switch
14 April 2014
Stuttgart winger Ibrahima Traore is to join Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of the current Bundesliga season.
Monchengladbach confirmed the signing of the Guinea international on Monday, with the former Hertha Berlin and Augsburg man to be under contract at Borussia Park until 2018.
Traore has been a regular for Stuttgart in the top flight since arriving in 2011, with sixth-placed Monchengladbach looking to bolster their options ahead of a potential European campaign next term.
Augsburg's Andre Hahn has already agreed a close-season switch to Borussia Park, and Monchengladach's sporting director Max Eberl stated Traore's versatility made him an ideal signing.
"Ibrahima Traore is an extremely fast winger with whom we are more flexible in attack," he told the club's official website.
"He is a free transfer and we are delighted that he has opted for Borussia."
Traore played the full 90 minutes for Stuttgart against his future employers on Saturday as Monchengladbach secured a dramatic 1-1 draw thanks to Juan Arango's 89th-minute equaliser.
Bayern secure Rode signature
14 April 2014
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Sebastian Rode.
The Germany Under-21 international will move to the Allianz Arena at the end of the season, having been with Frankfurt since 2010.
Rode has been a regular for Frankfurt in Germany's first and second tiers since joining from Kickers Offenbach and will move to Bayern on a four-year contract.
"I am very pleased that this transfer has worked out," Rode told Bayern's official website.
"FC Bayern is the next big step for me. I want to develop myself here and win a lot of titles with my future team-mates."
Rode has played 17 times in the Bundesliga this season, helping Frankfurt to a comfortable mid-table position of 11th, and Bayern's sporting director Matthias Sammer backed the 23-year-old to adapt to life with the European champions.
"Sebastian Rode is an excellent professional, he embodies the highest level of professionalism and dynamism," Sammer stated.
"I am sure that he will give our team a lot of momentum and enthusiasm to handle future tasks."