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Bayern begin 10-point challenge to hunt Dortmund
Bayern begin 10-point challenge to hunt Dortmund
27 November 2010
BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich begin their challenge to take 10 points from their next four Bundesliga matches to help bridge the 14-point gap behind leaders Borussia Dortmund when they host Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has set the defending champions the ten-point target from their remaining matches before the Bundesliga begins its winter break on December 19.
With their place in the last 16 of the Champions League already secured, Bayern need to get back in the German league title race and currently sit eighth in the league. "Four games, ten points: that's no small amount," Rummenigge said after his side lost 3-2 at AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday. "We need to do it and we want to achieve that target."
While Rummenigge addressed his comments to the squad, the message is also clear to coach Louis van Gaal, whose relationship with Bayern's hierarchy is becoming increasingly strained: start winning more league games. Against Frankfurt, Germany striker Mario Gomez will be looking to add to the 15 goals he has scored for Bayern in all competitions so far this season. Van Gaal will only be missing long-term injury victims Arjen Robben, Miroslav Klose and Ivica Olic.
Frankfurt have a few injury problems with defenders Maik Franz and Georgios Tzavellas both suspended and injuries to Brazilian captain Chris, both Pirmin Schwegler and Benjamin Koehler face a race against time to be fit. Schwegler is struggling to recover from concussion in last weekend's 4-0 defeat to Hoffenheim while Koehler has a groin problem.
League leaders Dortmund play bottom side Moenchengladbach at home on Saturday evening after coach Jurgen Klopp last week signed a contract extension until at least 2014. The 43-year-old is enjoying a stellar season at the helm of Dortmund who are seven points clear of second-placed Mainz in the German league. Germany defender Marcel Schmelzer is the only main concern against 'Gladbach after the 22-year-old picked up a knock in training.
Their guests have just one win in the their last 10 league games and are looking for just their third win of the season. 'Gladbach look set to be without goalkeeper Logan Bailly, plus defenders Dante, knee, and Roel Brouwers, who is suffering from a hamstring problem. Second-placed Mainz play Nuremberg on Friday and Danish defender Bo Svensson is the only injury concern with a knee problem.
Third-placed Leverkusen are at Hoffenheim on Saturday with coach Jupp Heynckes facing rebellion in his ranks after being criticised by Germany striker Patrick Helmes. "He never talks to me," Helmes grumbled last week before meeting with both director of sport Rudi Voeller and Heynckes on Tuesday. But Heynckes says he has been giving the 26-year-old his chance as he works his way back to form.
"I've been using Patrick as much as with any other player," said Heynckes. "I have told him many times the things that he needs to improve. "If a player listens to what I say, he usually gets better." Sixth-placed Freiburg are hoping Senegal striker Papiss Cisse, who has scored ten goals so far this season, will be fit to play at fourth-placed Hanover on Saturday after struggling this week with a knee injury.
Werder Bremen, 11, are looking to break their appalling recent record having conceded ten goals without reply in their last three league games when they host St Pauli on Sunday.
Friday
Mainz 05 v Nuremberg
Saturday
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt
Hamburg v VfB Stuttgart
Hoffenheim v Bayer Leverkusen
Hanover 96 v Freiburg
Kaiserslautern v Schalke 04
Borussia Dortmund v Borussia M'gladbach
Sunday
Werder Bremen v St. Pauli
Cologne v VfL Wolfsburg
Bayern begin 10-point challenge to hunt Dortmund
27 November 2010
Bayern Munich´s French midfielder Franck Ribery kicks the ball against AS Roma during their Champions League group E football match on November 23, 2010 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. AS Roma defeated Bayern Munich 3-2.
With their place in the last 16 of the Champions League already secured, Bayern need to get back in the German league title race and currently sit eighth in the league. "Four games, ten points: that's no small amount," Rummenigge said after his side lost 3-2 at AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday. "We need to do it and we want to achieve that target."
While Rummenigge addressed his comments to the squad, the message is also clear to coach Louis van Gaal, whose relationship with Bayern's hierarchy is becoming increasingly strained: start winning more league games. Against Frankfurt, Germany striker Mario Gomez will be looking to add to the 15 goals he has scored for Bayern in all competitions so far this season. Van Gaal will only be missing long-term injury victims Arjen Robben, Miroslav Klose and Ivica Olic.
Frankfurt have a few injury problems with defenders Maik Franz and Georgios Tzavellas both suspended and injuries to Brazilian captain Chris, both Pirmin Schwegler and Benjamin Koehler face a race against time to be fit. Schwegler is struggling to recover from concussion in last weekend's 4-0 defeat to Hoffenheim while Koehler has a groin problem.
League leaders Dortmund play bottom side Moenchengladbach at home on Saturday evening after coach Jurgen Klopp last week signed a contract extension until at least 2014. The 43-year-old is enjoying a stellar season at the helm of Dortmund who are seven points clear of second-placed Mainz in the German league. Germany defender Marcel Schmelzer is the only main concern against 'Gladbach after the 22-year-old picked up a knock in training.
Their guests have just one win in the their last 10 league games and are looking for just their third win of the season. 'Gladbach look set to be without goalkeeper Logan Bailly, plus defenders Dante, knee, and Roel Brouwers, who is suffering from a hamstring problem. Second-placed Mainz play Nuremberg on Friday and Danish defender Bo Svensson is the only injury concern with a knee problem.
Third-placed Leverkusen are at Hoffenheim on Saturday with coach Jupp Heynckes facing rebellion in his ranks after being criticised by Germany striker Patrick Helmes. "He never talks to me," Helmes grumbled last week before meeting with both director of sport Rudi Voeller and Heynckes on Tuesday. But Heynckes says he has been giving the 26-year-old his chance as he works his way back to form.
"I've been using Patrick as much as with any other player," said Heynckes. "I have told him many times the things that he needs to improve. "If a player listens to what I say, he usually gets better." Sixth-placed Freiburg are hoping Senegal striker Papiss Cisse, who has scored ten goals so far this season, will be fit to play at fourth-placed Hanover on Saturday after struggling this week with a knee injury.
Werder Bremen, 11, are looking to break their appalling recent record having conceded ten goals without reply in their last three league games when they host St Pauli on Sunday.
Friday
Mainz 05 v Nuremberg
Saturday
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt
Hamburg v VfB Stuttgart
Hoffenheim v Bayer Leverkusen
Hanover 96 v Freiburg
Kaiserslautern v Schalke 04
Borussia Dortmund v Borussia M'gladbach
Sunday
Werder Bremen v St. Pauli
Cologne v VfL Wolfsburg
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Dodomeki
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Four-goal Bayern vault into top five
Four-goal Bayern vault into top five
28 November 2010
BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich cruised to a 4-1 victory at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, leaping into the top five as they target a strong finish to the first half of the Bundesliga season. During the week, Bayern's bosses had demanded a minumum 10 points from the final four matches before the winter break, and Louis van Gaal's men gained the first three in extending their undefeated streak to seven matches.
The reigning Bundesliga champions moved onto 23 points - five points from the Champions League qualification spot of third place and 11 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk's goal in the 29th minute for Bayern was swiftly cancelled out by Theofanis Gekas. But Thomas Mueller scored in the 59th minute and Mario Gomez made it 3-1 two minutes later before Tymoshchuk doubled his goal tally in the 88th minute.
Dortmund have a chance to regain their seven-point lead over Mainz later Saturday when they host tailenders Borussia Moenchengladbach. Mainz pulled to within four points of Dortmund with a convincing 3-0 victory at home over Nuremberg on Friday night to consolidate second place.
In Munich, Frankfurt nearly went ahead after 13 minutes after Bayern centre back Daniel van Buyten let a ball from Frankfurt keeper Oka Nikolov go past him to Gekas, who got past Bayern keeper Hans Joerg Butt but watched Breno clear his attempt at the line. Bayern grabbed the lead in the 29th minute with a superb goal by Tymoshchuk, who reminded fans of injured Dutch star Arjen Robben by turning in from the right side and blasting a left-foot shot inside the far left post.
Van Buyten's next defensive blunder led to the equalizer for Frankfurt in the 33rd minute as the Belgian defender jumped too early at a Marcel Heller cross, which landed at Gekas. The Greek international's shot struck the post but the ball landed back with Gekas, who slotted home to make it 1-1. Gomez missed a chance to give Bayern the lead two minutes after the re-start, hitting the post.
But Bayern regained the lead in the 59th minute as Nikolov could not hold onto Bastian Schweinsteiger's long shot and Mueller grabbed the loose ball and hit home. Nikolov again could only block away a shot - this time by Franck Ribery - two minutes later with Gomez striking home the rebound for a 3-1 lead. And Tymoshchuk poked home his second goal in the 88th minute after a pass by Ribery.
Four-goal Bayern vault into top five
28 November 2010
Bayern Munich´s midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Frankfurt´s midfielder Sonny Kittel vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match in Munich. Bayern Munich cruised to a 4-1 victory.
The reigning Bundesliga champions moved onto 23 points - five points from the Champions League qualification spot of third place and 11 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk's goal in the 29th minute for Bayern was swiftly cancelled out by Theofanis Gekas. But Thomas Mueller scored in the 59th minute and Mario Gomez made it 3-1 two minutes later before Tymoshchuk doubled his goal tally in the 88th minute.
Dortmund have a chance to regain their seven-point lead over Mainz later Saturday when they host tailenders Borussia Moenchengladbach. Mainz pulled to within four points of Dortmund with a convincing 3-0 victory at home over Nuremberg on Friday night to consolidate second place.
In Munich, Frankfurt nearly went ahead after 13 minutes after Bayern centre back Daniel van Buyten let a ball from Frankfurt keeper Oka Nikolov go past him to Gekas, who got past Bayern keeper Hans Joerg Butt but watched Breno clear his attempt at the line. Bayern grabbed the lead in the 29th minute with a superb goal by Tymoshchuk, who reminded fans of injured Dutch star Arjen Robben by turning in from the right side and blasting a left-foot shot inside the far left post.
Van Buyten's next defensive blunder led to the equalizer for Frankfurt in the 33rd minute as the Belgian defender jumped too early at a Marcel Heller cross, which landed at Gekas. The Greek international's shot struck the post but the ball landed back with Gekas, who slotted home to make it 1-1. Gomez missed a chance to give Bayern the lead two minutes after the re-start, hitting the post.
But Bayern regained the lead in the 59th minute as Nikolov could not hold onto Bastian Schweinsteiger's long shot and Mueller grabbed the loose ball and hit home. Nikolov again could only block away a shot - this time by Franck Ribery - two minutes later with Gomez striking home the rebound for a 3-1 lead. And Tymoshchuk poked home his second goal in the 88th minute after a pass by Ribery.
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Dodomeki
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Dortmund´s Klopp signs extension until 2014
Dortmund´s Klopp signs extension until 2014
26 November 2010
BERLIN (AFP) - Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp on Thursday signed a two-year contract extension with the Bundesliga leaders which will keep him in the Ruhr valley until at least 2014. The 43-year-old is enjoying a stellar season at the helm of Dortmund who are seven points clear of second-placed Mainz in the German league and have a 14-point lead over defending champions Bayern Munich, who are eighth.
"I want to develop what I have started here," said Klopp. "I'm incredibly happy to have this confidence shown in me. "When I told my family about the extension, there was a lot of celebrating at home. "I am really excited about the next three and a half years."
Dortmund's managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke said the contract extension had been signed three days before the club's annual general meeting on Sunday to send out a clear message to the club's players and fans. "His skills are undeniable, so it was a logical decision," said Watzke. "This is a good day for the club."
Since joining Dortmund in July 2008, Dortmund have steadily improved under Klopp. They finished sixth in 2009, fifth in 2005, but after 13 games this season they have scored 31 goals and conceded just eight.
Between them, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa, Paraguay forward Lucas Barrios and Germany's Kevin Grosskreutz have scored 20 goals in the league.
Rising stars Grosskreutz, Marcel Schmelzer, 18-year-old Mario Goetze and Mats Hummels have all forced their way into the German national side. Leaders Dortmund play bottom side Moenchengladbach at home on Saturday evening in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund´s Klopp signs extension until 2014
26 November 2010
Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp, seen here in August 2010, is close to signing a contract extension with the Bundesliga leaders which looks set to keep him in the Ruhr valley until at least 2014.
"I want to develop what I have started here," said Klopp. "I'm incredibly happy to have this confidence shown in me. "When I told my family about the extension, there was a lot of celebrating at home. "I am really excited about the next three and a half years."
Dortmund's managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke said the contract extension had been signed three days before the club's annual general meeting on Sunday to send out a clear message to the club's players and fans. "His skills are undeniable, so it was a logical decision," said Watzke. "This is a good day for the club."
Since joining Dortmund in July 2008, Dortmund have steadily improved under Klopp. They finished sixth in 2009, fifth in 2005, but after 13 games this season they have scored 31 goals and conceded just eight.
Between them, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa, Paraguay forward Lucas Barrios and Germany's Kevin Grosskreutz have scored 20 goals in the league.
Rising stars Grosskreutz, Marcel Schmelzer, 18-year-old Mario Goetze and Mats Hummels have all forced their way into the German national side. Leaders Dortmund play bottom side Moenchengladbach at home on Saturday evening in the Bundesliga.
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Dodomeki
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Dortmund maintain seven-point Bundesliga lead
Dortmund maintain seven-point Bundesliga lead
By Karolos Grohmann
20:27 GMT, Sat 27 Nov 2010
BERLIN, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund came from a goal down to crush bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-1 on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Goals by defender Neven Subotic on the stroke of halftime, Shinji Kagawa, substitute Kevin Grosskreutz and Lucas Barrios handed Dortmund their 12th win in 14 games after Marco Reus had given the injury-hit visitors a surprise lead.
Dortmund, with 37 points to Mainz's 30, look almost certain to enter the winter break in first place with three games left. "I am more relieved than happy. Gladbach were very disciplined especially in the first half," said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp. "After that it seemed to work much better for us... and (Barrios') backheel to set up our third goal only comes when you are top of the table."
Champions Bayern Munich beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 courtesy of some bad goalkeeping to climb up to fifth place. Frankfurt goalkeeper Oka Nikolov twice failed to hold on to long-range shots in the space of two minutes, allowing Thomas Mueller and Mario Gomez to score on the rebound and seal a victory that will give coach Louis van Gaal some respite.
"We played very good football today and we are happy with Louis van Gaal," said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, who added a fourth late on, had given them a 29th minute lead before Bundesliga top scorer Fanis Gekas levelled four minutes later with his 12th goal of the season.
DORTMUND DOMINANCE
It was always going to be a one-sided game for Dortmund against a Moenchengladbach side missing several injured defenders and who have now conceded 40 goals this season. While the home side dominated they could not score early on and Gladbach keeper Christofer Heimeroth made the save of the day when he palmed away Kagawa's header on the half hour.
The visitors stunned Dortmund three minutes later when Reus hammered the ball in from almost 25 metres but the hosts levelled on the stroke of halftime through Subotic, who powered in a header from a Mario Goetze corner. Japanese Kagawa then chased down a Nuri Sahin through ball to put Dortmund ahead with his seventh goal of the season.
Germany international Grosskreutz made sure of the three points when he flicked the ball in from close range after Lucas Barrios's backheel set him up and the Paraguay international then got on the scoresheet himself two minutes from time.
Dortmund maintain seven-point Bundesliga lead
By Karolos Grohmann
20:27 GMT, Sat 27 Nov 2010
BERLIN, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund came from a goal down to crush bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-1 on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Goals by defender Neven Subotic on the stroke of halftime, Shinji Kagawa, substitute Kevin Grosskreutz and Lucas Barrios handed Dortmund their 12th win in 14 games after Marco Reus had given the injury-hit visitors a surprise lead.
Dortmund, with 37 points to Mainz's 30, look almost certain to enter the winter break in first place with three games left. "I am more relieved than happy. Gladbach were very disciplined especially in the first half," said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp. "After that it seemed to work much better for us... and (Barrios') backheel to set up our third goal only comes when you are top of the table."
Champions Bayern Munich beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 courtesy of some bad goalkeeping to climb up to fifth place. Frankfurt goalkeeper Oka Nikolov twice failed to hold on to long-range shots in the space of two minutes, allowing Thomas Mueller and Mario Gomez to score on the rebound and seal a victory that will give coach Louis van Gaal some respite.
"We played very good football today and we are happy with Louis van Gaal," said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, who added a fourth late on, had given them a 29th minute lead before Bundesliga top scorer Fanis Gekas levelled four minutes later with his 12th goal of the season.
DORTMUND DOMINANCE
It was always going to be a one-sided game for Dortmund against a Moenchengladbach side missing several injured defenders and who have now conceded 40 goals this season. While the home side dominated they could not score early on and Gladbach keeper Christofer Heimeroth made the save of the day when he palmed away Kagawa's header on the half hour.
The visitors stunned Dortmund three minutes later when Reus hammered the ball in from almost 25 metres but the hosts levelled on the stroke of halftime through Subotic, who powered in a header from a Mario Goetze corner. Japanese Kagawa then chased down a Nuri Sahin through ball to put Dortmund ahead with his seventh goal of the season.
Germany international Grosskreutz made sure of the three points when he flicked the ball in from close range after Lucas Barrios's backheel set him up and the Paraguay international then got on the scoresheet himself two minutes from time.
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Dodomeki
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Treble and dismissal for Werder´s Almeida
Treble and dismissal for Werder´s Almeida
29 November 2010
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AFP) - Hugo Almeida scored a hat-trick but was then red-carded as Werder Bremen took the first step in salvaging a disappointing season on Sunday by defeating St. Pauli 3-0 and snapping a seven-game winless streak.
Almeida scored in the first and 20th minutes to give Bremen a 2-0 lead before the Portuguese international added a third goal in the 64th minute as Werder ended their drought stretching through league, German Cup and Champions League action.
But Almeida was then given his marching orders in the 80th minute for an elbow to Carlos Zambrano. And St. Pauli's Markus Thorandt also saw red in the 90th minute.
Almeida's first goal came just 52 seconds into the game after Bremen had not scored in their last five matches.
Bremen have been bounced out of the German Cup and the Champions League and failed to qualify for the Europa League, meaning Thomas Schaaf's team can focus solely on saving their Bundesliga season - where they stand 11th on the table with 18 points - five points from a Europa League spot.
"I had been fouled a lot during the whole game and I just lost my nerve. But that cannot happen and I apologise to the club and my team-mates," said Almeida about his red card.
Treble and dismissal for Werder´s Almeida
29 November 2010
Bremen striker Hugo Almeida (right) is congratulated by teammate Said Husejinovic after scoring 3-0 during the Bundesliga first division match against St. Pauli at the Weserstadion in Bremen.
Almeida scored in the first and 20th minutes to give Bremen a 2-0 lead before the Portuguese international added a third goal in the 64th minute as Werder ended their drought stretching through league, German Cup and Champions League action.
But Almeida was then given his marching orders in the 80th minute for an elbow to Carlos Zambrano. And St. Pauli's Markus Thorandt also saw red in the 90th minute.
Almeida's first goal came just 52 seconds into the game after Bremen had not scored in their last five matches.
Bremen have been bounced out of the German Cup and the Champions League and failed to qualify for the Europa League, meaning Thomas Schaaf's team can focus solely on saving their Bundesliga season - where they stand 11th on the table with 18 points - five points from a Europa League spot.
"I had been fouled a lot during the whole game and I just lost my nerve. But that cannot happen and I apologise to the club and my team-mates," said Almeida about his red card.
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Dodomeki
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Axe falls on Cologne coach Meier
Monday 29th November 2010
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Axe falls on Cologne coach Meier
Cologne have sacked manager Michael Meier. Meier has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks as Cologne have struggled to improve on their slow start to the season which led to the dismissal of coach Zvonimir Soldo last month.
In particular, Meier has come in for heavy criticism from the fans as Cologne have failed to move clear of the relegation zone. And his fate was sealed at a general meeting chaired by president Wolfgang Overath.
A statement on Cologne's official website read: "Michael Meier was today dismissed. A termination of his contract mutually agreeable for all parties concerned will be sought shortly."
Caretaker coach Frank Schafer, whom Meier put in temporary charge following the dismissal of Soldo, revealed a replacement would be installed next week.
He was quoted as saying by Cologne's Express newspaper: "Mr (Friedrich) Neukirch (the vice president) has told the team that Mr Meier is no longer the manager. "We were also told that a new sporting director should be installed in the next week."
Cologne drew 1-1 at home to Wolfsburg yesterday to sit third from bottom of the table with 12 points from 14 games.
Monday 29th November 2010
Axe falls on Cologne coach Meier
Cologne have sacked manager Michael Meier. Meier has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks as Cologne have struggled to improve on their slow start to the season which led to the dismissal of coach Zvonimir Soldo last month.
In particular, Meier has come in for heavy criticism from the fans as Cologne have failed to move clear of the relegation zone. And his fate was sealed at a general meeting chaired by president Wolfgang Overath.
A statement on Cologne's official website read: "Michael Meier was today dismissed. A termination of his contract mutually agreeable for all parties concerned will be sought shortly."
Caretaker coach Frank Schafer, whom Meier put in temporary charge following the dismissal of Soldo, revealed a replacement would be installed next week.
He was quoted as saying by Cologne's Express newspaper: "Mr (Friedrich) Neukirch (the vice president) has told the team that Mr Meier is no longer the manager. "We were also told that a new sporting director should be installed in the next week."
Cologne drew 1-1 at home to Wolfsburg yesterday to sit third from bottom of the table with 12 points from 14 games.
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Dodomeki
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Stuttgart´s Marica fined, banned over ref rage
Stuttgart´s Marica fined, banned over ref rage
30 November 2010
STUTTGART, Germany (AFP) - Ciprian Marica has been fined 50,000 euros by his club Stuttgart and banned for three matches by the German Football Federation (DFB) after being sent off for insulting a referee.
The Romanian forward was dismissed in the 16th minute of his side's 4-2 defeat at Hamburg on Saturday for calling match referee Wolfgang Stark an "arsehole".
The striker had just equalised Hamburg's opening goal to make the score 1-1 and was protesting to the referee after he showed a yellow card to one of Marica's team-mates. "His dismissal killed us," said coach Jens Keller. "There will be consequences."
Stuttgart are currently second-bottom in the Bundesliga and have taken only 11 points from their opening 14 matches.
Stuttgart´s Marica fined, banned over ref rage
30 November 2010
Romanian striker Ciprian Marica, seen here in August 2010, has been fined 50,000 euros by his club Stuttgart and banned for three matches by the German Football Federation (DFB) after being sent off for insulting a referee.
The Romanian forward was dismissed in the 16th minute of his side's 4-2 defeat at Hamburg on Saturday for calling match referee Wolfgang Stark an "arsehole".
The striker had just equalised Hamburg's opening goal to make the score 1-1 and was protesting to the referee after he showed a yellow card to one of Marica's team-mates. "His dismissal killed us," said coach Jens Keller. "There will be consequences."
Stuttgart are currently second-bottom in the Bundesliga and have taken only 11 points from their opening 14 matches.
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Dodomeki
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Three-match ban for Werder´s Almeida
Three-match ban for Werder´s Almeida
30 November 2010
Werder Bremen striker Hugo Almeida, seen here on November 28, received a three-match ban from the German football federation following his weekend red card against St Pauli - against whom he scored a hattrick in a 3-0 win.
FRANKFURT, Germany (AFP) - Werder Bremen striker Hugo Almeida received a three-match ban from the German football federation following his weekend red card against St Pauli - against whom he scored a hattrick in a 3-0 win. Almeida, 26, was dismissed ten minutes from time for elbowing St. Pauli's Carlos Zambrano in full view of the referee. Werder will not appeal the ban after Almeida admitted "even though my opponents targeted me throughout the match I should not have reacted like that."
Three-match ban for Werder´s Almeida
30 November 2010
Werder Bremen striker Hugo Almeida, seen here on November 28, received a three-match ban from the German football federation following his weekend red card against St Pauli - against whom he scored a hattrick in a 3-0 win.
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Dodomeki
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Leverkusen set to wear ski masks against Trondheim
1 December 2010
Bayer 04 Leverkusen coach Josef Heynckes (L) and player Sami Hyypia address the press in Trondheim. Heynckes said his players are set to wear ski masks for Wednesday´s Europa League game in Group B against Norway´s Rosenborg Trondheim with sub-zero temperatures expected.
The players trained with the masks on Tuesday in their final session at Lerkendal Stadium and have faced freezing temperatures since they arrived in Norway.
Leverkusen beat Trondheim 4-0 in the first leg on September 16 in the warmth of early autumn in Germany, but coach Jupp Heynckes expects very different weather in the frosty second leg.
"We expect incredibly difficult conditions," said Heynckes. "We will most likely have minus 15 degrees (celsius) and the ground will be frozen hard, the players will need to adapt.
However ex-Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia is expecting few personal problems coping with the intense cold. "The cold is no problem for me, I am from Finland," he said.
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Dodomeki
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I don´t need an ego-boost, insists Bayern´s Gomez
I don´t need an ego-boost, insists Bayern´s Gomez
2 December 2010
BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez has refuted suggestions in the German press that his re-found form is only down to having his ego boosted by Bayern's Dutch coach van Gaal.
"I'm not as sensitive as I am often presented in the media," the Germany forward, who has scored 15 goals in his last ten matches, told German magazine Sport Bild. "I do not need to hear compliments every day. I just do my job the best I can and Louis van Gaal has chosen me when everyone was available."
The 25-year-old became the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history when he moved to Munich from Stuttgart in July 2009 for 30 million euros (39 million US dollars). Last season, van Gaal preferred to use Croatia's Ivica Olic and Miroslav Klose, but Gomez has taken his chances this season and says he has thrived under van Gaal's guidance.
"I have grown under his leadership, I am no longer just a goal-scorer," he said having scored nine Bundesliga goals and netted six times in the Champions League recently. "My passing has improved and I have become more patient, I don't just run after the ball across the field."
Born in Germany to Spanish parents, Gomez added he will "not join any other German club: anything that follows Bayern will just be worse". Defending champions Bayern face Schalke 04 on Saturday and are fifth in the Bundesliga, 14 points behind leaders Dortmund.
I don´t need an ego-boost, insists Bayern´s Gomez
2 December 2010
Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, seen here in November 2010, has refuted suggestions in the German press that his re-found form is only down to having his ego boosted by Bayern´s Dutch coach van Gaal.
"I'm not as sensitive as I am often presented in the media," the Germany forward, who has scored 15 goals in his last ten matches, told German magazine Sport Bild. "I do not need to hear compliments every day. I just do my job the best I can and Louis van Gaal has chosen me when everyone was available."
The 25-year-old became the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history when he moved to Munich from Stuttgart in July 2009 for 30 million euros (39 million US dollars). Last season, van Gaal preferred to use Croatia's Ivica Olic and Miroslav Klose, but Gomez has taken his chances this season and says he has thrived under van Gaal's guidance.
"I have grown under his leadership, I am no longer just a goal-scorer," he said having scored nine Bundesliga goals and netted six times in the Champions League recently. "My passing has improved and I have become more patient, I don't just run after the ball across the field."
Born in Germany to Spanish parents, Gomez added he will "not join any other German club: anything that follows Bayern will just be worse". Defending champions Bayern face Schalke 04 on Saturday and are fifth in the Bundesliga, 14 points behind leaders Dortmund.
D
Dodomeki
Guest
Manchester United hopes of summer move for Bastian Schweinsteiger scuppered by Bayern Munich
Manchester United are facing a new battle with Bayern Munich if they are to lure Bastian Schweinsteiger to Old Trafford next summer.
Hot property: Bastian Schweinsteiger is being courted by Manchester United Photo: AFP
By Mark Ogden 9:34AM GMT 02 Dec 2010
The Bundesliga club have warned that Germany international Schweinsteiger will be forced to honour the remaining 18 months of his contract.
United, who spent more than a year attempting to thrash out a deal for Owen Hargreaves prior to his £18m transfer from Bayern in May 2007, are keen to take advantage of Schweinsteiger’s current contract stalemate with last season’s Champions League finalists.
Schweinsteiger, 26, has so far refused to commit to a new deal at the Allianz Arena, prompting United, Chelsea and Barcelona to increase their interest in the player, who starred for Germany during the World Cup.
Schweinsteiger has admitted a desire to play in the Premier League, with United understood to be his preferred destination, but Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out the prospect of a sale next summer to avoid him leaving as a free agent in June 2012.
Rummenigge said: “Let me make this absolutely clear - our goal is to agree a long-term contract extension with Bastian Schweinsteiger. “And we’ve agreed with (coach) Louis van Gaal that Bastian will not under any circumstances be allowed to leave until his contract ends.
“We all think Bastian has come on superbly in the last two years. He has become one of Bayern and Germany’s best players. “He was a vital component in our success last season and our success this season and I’m optimistic that we will reach a fair solution with Bastian and his agents.”
Bayern, who reported an annual turnover of €312m on Tuesday, have agreed long-term contracts with Franck Ribery, Thomas Mueller and Philipp Lahm since the end of last season.
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Dodomeki
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Bundesliga preview: Bayern set for Schalke battle
Bundesliga preview: Bayern set for Schalke battle
3 December 2010
Defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich travel to Schalke on Saturday in a clash neither side can afford to lose. It has been a disconcerting season for Schalke so far, with last season's runners-up slumping to 15th on the table with three wins from their opening 14 fixtures.
Manager Felix Magath narrowly avoided losing his job at a crisis meeting with club bosses on Wednesday, four days after leading the struggling club to a 5-0 loss at the hands of Kaiserslautern.
But Schalke are a mere two points from the relegation zone, and Magath's future will again come under the microscope with a poor showing against the visiting Bayern. Bayern boss Louis van Gaal is also under pressure, having been told by club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and president Uli Hoeness that the title holders must win their last three league games of the year.
The German giants improved to fifth on the table with a 4-1 thumping of Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, but are still 14 points adrift of league leaders Borussia Dortmund. It is vitally important to Bayern that they qualify for the Champions League next year, given the final will be held in Munich, but a loss could see the club fall as low as eighth on the table.
Germany international striker Mario Gomez is in scintillating form of late and could hold the key for Bayern. Gomez has scored 11 goals in eight games across all competitions, including braces against Nurnberg and Champions League rivals Roma.
Netherlands international Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leads Schalke's goal-scoring, and will be keen to get on the scoresheet after failing to score in his past two league games. Meanwhile, second-placed Mainz visit neighbours Frankfurt in one of two derbies on Saturday. The other pits the struggling Stuttgart at home to sixth-placed Hoffenheim.
In Saturday's remaining fixtures, Werder Bremen travel to Wolfsburg, Borussia Monchengladbach host Hannover and Freiburg square off with Hamburg. Promoted teams St Pauli and Kaiserslautern meet on Friday, with the latter looking for a third straight victory.
Finally, Dortmund can seal the 'autumn championship' two weeks ahead of the mid-season break when they visit Nurnberg on Sunday, while third-placed Bayer Leverkusen hosts lowly Koln in the weekend's final derby.
Bundesliga preview: Bayern set for Schalke battle
3 December 2010
Defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich travel to Schalke on Saturday in a clash neither side can afford to lose.
Manager Felix Magath narrowly avoided losing his job at a crisis meeting with club bosses on Wednesday, four days after leading the struggling club to a 5-0 loss at the hands of Kaiserslautern.
But Schalke are a mere two points from the relegation zone, and Magath's future will again come under the microscope with a poor showing against the visiting Bayern. Bayern boss Louis van Gaal is also under pressure, having been told by club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and president Uli Hoeness that the title holders must win their last three league games of the year.
The German giants improved to fifth on the table with a 4-1 thumping of Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, but are still 14 points adrift of league leaders Borussia Dortmund. It is vitally important to Bayern that they qualify for the Champions League next year, given the final will be held in Munich, but a loss could see the club fall as low as eighth on the table.
Germany international striker Mario Gomez is in scintillating form of late and could hold the key for Bayern. Gomez has scored 11 goals in eight games across all competitions, including braces against Nurnberg and Champions League rivals Roma.
Netherlands international Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leads Schalke's goal-scoring, and will be keen to get on the scoresheet after failing to score in his past two league games. Meanwhile, second-placed Mainz visit neighbours Frankfurt in one of two derbies on Saturday. The other pits the struggling Stuttgart at home to sixth-placed Hoffenheim.
In Saturday's remaining fixtures, Werder Bremen travel to Wolfsburg, Borussia Monchengladbach host Hannover and Freiburg square off with Hamburg. Promoted teams St Pauli and Kaiserslautern meet on Friday, with the latter looking for a third straight victory.
Finally, Dortmund can seal the 'autumn championship' two weeks ahead of the mid-season break when they visit Nurnberg on Sunday, while third-placed Bayer Leverkusen hosts lowly Koln in the weekend's final derby.
D
Dodomeki
Guest
Beware of wounded Schalke, warns Bayern´s Tymoshchuk
Beware of wounded Schalke, warns Bayern´s Tymoshchuk
4 December 2010
BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk insists the defending champions must be on guard against struggling rivals Schalke 04 for Saturday evening's Bundesliga clash.
Both Schalke and Bayern are into the last 16 of the Champions League, but while Munich are up to fifth in the table after last Saturday's 4-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke crashed 5-0 at Kaiserslautern and are 15th.
"Schalke are a tough opponent," said Tymoshchuk, the Ukraine captain, who scored twice against Frankfurt for Bayern. "The league table is not a fair indicator. "Schalke are in a difficult situation, especially following the defeat at Kaiserlautern. They will be dangerous."
Schalke are in something of a crisis. Despite reaching the knock-out stages of the Champions League they are erratic and coach Felix Magath demoted US midfielder Jermaine Jones to the reserves in midweek after a poor performance.
Magath was called in for a crisis meeting on Wednesday and Schalke's bosses have backed him to get the club out of the current predicament. Reports have been denied that the Royal Blues have a Plan B if the side keeps losing with ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Stuttgart coach Christian Gross lined up as a possible replacement for Magath.
Schalke look set to welcome back Germany defender Christian Pander after 17 months out with a knee injury, but while they struggle, Bayern continue to rise. Tymoshchuk has taken over at the heart of Bayern's midfield alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger with captain Mark van Bommel out injured and was instrumental in the win over Frankfurt.
France midfielder Franck Ribery played his first full 90 minutes against Frankfurt since injuring his ankle in September and he admits both sides will be desperate for three points.
"This will be a difficult game, they will go with a lot of passion into the game because they really need the three points, just like us," he said with Bayern 14 points behind leaders Dortmund.
With wintry weather sweeping Germany, the temperature is expected to stay well below zero degrees for Saturday's game, although the extreme cold will be no problem for former Zenit St Petersburg star Tymoshchuk.
With Dortmund defeating Karpaty Lviv 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday, the leaders will play at Nuremberg on Sunday night. Jurgen Klopp-coached Dortmund have a seven-point lead and second-placed Mainz have a local derby at Frankfurt on Saturday.
They will be without central defender Bo Svensson, who has a knee injury. "We must go back to playing to the limits," said Mainz coach Michael Tuchel, whose side have won their last two league games to break a three-match losing streak.
Saturday
VfB Stuttgart v Hoffenheim
VfL Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen
Eintracht Frankfurt v Mainz 05
Borussia M'gladbach v Hanover 96
Freiburg v Hamburg
Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich
Sunday
Bayer Leverkusen v Cologne
Nuremberg v Borussia Dortmund
Beware of wounded Schalke, warns Bayern´s Tymoshchuk
4 December 2010
Bayern Munich´s Anatoliy Tymoshchuk celebrates scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt in the southern German city of Munich, on November 27. Tymoshchuk insists the defending champions must be on guard against struggling rivals Schalke 04 for Saturday evening´s Bundesliga clash.
Both Schalke and Bayern are into the last 16 of the Champions League, but while Munich are up to fifth in the table after last Saturday's 4-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke crashed 5-0 at Kaiserslautern and are 15th.
"Schalke are a tough opponent," said Tymoshchuk, the Ukraine captain, who scored twice against Frankfurt for Bayern. "The league table is not a fair indicator. "Schalke are in a difficult situation, especially following the defeat at Kaiserlautern. They will be dangerous."
Schalke are in something of a crisis. Despite reaching the knock-out stages of the Champions League they are erratic and coach Felix Magath demoted US midfielder Jermaine Jones to the reserves in midweek after a poor performance.
Magath was called in for a crisis meeting on Wednesday and Schalke's bosses have backed him to get the club out of the current predicament. Reports have been denied that the Royal Blues have a Plan B if the side keeps losing with ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Stuttgart coach Christian Gross lined up as a possible replacement for Magath.
Schalke look set to welcome back Germany defender Christian Pander after 17 months out with a knee injury, but while they struggle, Bayern continue to rise. Tymoshchuk has taken over at the heart of Bayern's midfield alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger with captain Mark van Bommel out injured and was instrumental in the win over Frankfurt.
France midfielder Franck Ribery played his first full 90 minutes against Frankfurt since injuring his ankle in September and he admits both sides will be desperate for three points.
"This will be a difficult game, they will go with a lot of passion into the game because they really need the three points, just like us," he said with Bayern 14 points behind leaders Dortmund.
With wintry weather sweeping Germany, the temperature is expected to stay well below zero degrees for Saturday's game, although the extreme cold will be no problem for former Zenit St Petersburg star Tymoshchuk.
With Dortmund defeating Karpaty Lviv 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday, the leaders will play at Nuremberg on Sunday night. Jurgen Klopp-coached Dortmund have a seven-point lead and second-placed Mainz have a local derby at Frankfurt on Saturday.
They will be without central defender Bo Svensson, who has a knee injury. "We must go back to playing to the limits," said Mainz coach Michael Tuchel, whose side have won their last two league games to break a three-match losing streak.
Saturday
VfB Stuttgart v Hoffenheim
VfL Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen
Eintracht Frankfurt v Mainz 05
Borussia M'gladbach v Hanover 96
Freiburg v Hamburg
Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich
Sunday
Bayer Leverkusen v Cologne
Nuremberg v Borussia Dortmund
D
Dodomeki
Guest
Bayern title hopes suffer major setback at Schalke
Sat Dec 4, 2:55 PM
AFP Photo: Frankfurt's defender Patrick Ochs (R) and Mainz' striker Andre Schuerrle jump for the ball
BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich's hopes of retaining their Bundesliga title suffered a major setback on Saturday when a 2-0 defeat at rivals Schalke 04 left them 14 points behind leaders Dortmund.
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Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has set coach Louis van Gaal the task of taking 10 points from their last four league games before Christmas and Bayern must now beat St Pauli and Stuttgart over the next two weekends to meet that target.
"It is unbelievable," fumed van Gaal, with his side set to play Basel in the Champions League on Wednesday. "If we are going to miss so many chances, then we have to expect to concede the first goal. I can't score the goals myself. It is simply unbelievable when you look at the whole game.
"The most important thing is to score goals, as we saw again today." Schalke's Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer kept his side in the game with some outstanding first-half saves as Munich went close through Mario Gomez and Franck Ribery.
But the opening goal came after 57 minutes when a long ball from Neuer was picked up by Spain veteran Raul who had his shot saved only for compatriot Jurado to fire the hosts into the lead. Raul turned Bayern centre-back Breno for the first goal and Bayern's Brazilian defender was at fault for the second goal when Hoewedes was left unmarked in the middle of the penalty area.
His 67th-minute header warmed the home fans amidst sub-zero temperatures in Gelsenkirchen. The win leaves Schalke 15th, with Bayern seventh, while Dortmund have the chance to open a 10-point lead at the top when they tackle Nuremberg on Sunday.
Earlier, Real Madrid target Edin Dzeko fired a second-half penalty over the bar as Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg were held to a goalless draw at home by Werder Bremen. The striker is believed to be a Real target to replace the injured Gonzalo Higuain in the winter transfer window with German daily Bild claiming Madrid are ready to table 25 million euros (33.5 million US dollars) for the Bosnian.
But the 24-year-old, who has scored nine league goals this season, fired his penalty over the bar on 77 minutes just minutes after Bremen captain Torsten Frings had also missed a spot-kick with Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio making the save. The result leaves Bremen 10th and Wolfsburg 13th after they suffered their fourth-straight league draw.
"We are incredibly disappointed," said McClaren, the first Englishman to coach in the Bundesliga and the ex-England coach. "The first half was good, we controlled the game and played some good football. "We are all in the same boat, but the season is not over yet. Now we must try to win our last two games before the winter break."
Second-placed Mainz blew their chance to close the gap at the top. They suffered their fourth defeat in their last six games when they were beaten 2-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt. The league's top scorer Theofanis Gekas netted a penalty in the 84th minute, his 13th of the season.
Hanover are third after they won 2-1 at bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach, who were reduced to 10 men after Argentina's Raul Bobadilla was sent off at the end of the first-half for kicking an opponent.
A bizarre goal by Freiburg's Papiss Cisse after just three minutes sealed his side's 1-0 win over Hamburg as the Senegal striker scored his 11th goal of the season when he hit both posts before finally stabbing the ball home.
VfB Stuttgart were held to a 1-1 draw by 10 man Hoffenheim.
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Dodomeki
Guest
Magath: Bayern win can change Schalke season
Magath: Bayern win can change Schalke season
5 December 2010
Schalke boss Felix Magath is hoping his side's victory against Bayern Munich on Saturday can recharge their season. Magath, a former Bayern coach, masterminded his side to a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Jurado and Benedikt Howedes - a result which effectively ends Bayern's title hopes.
If table-toppers Borussia Dortmund defeat Nuremberg on a Saturday, they will lead Bayern by a whopping 17 points after 15 games.
Magath's side were able to withstand the constant first-half pressure from the reigning champions, with the result helping his side build a four-point gap on the relegation zone.
"Bayern played superbly in the first half," Magath told Sky.
"We also played well, however we made it difficult for ourselves at the beginning. We did fight our way back into the game." A 5-0 loss to Kaiserslautern on November 28 increased the pressure on the Schalke boss, who is not happy with his side's start to the season but is hoping for an upturn in form.
"If we continue to play like this, there will be no more of this crisis-talk. We have had a miserable start. The team has to find itself, therefore now and then we will see such games." Magath's opposite number, Bayern's Louis van Gaal, was left frustrated with his side's failure to convert their dominance.
"It is unbelievable. If we waste so many chances then it is to be expected that they score from their first attempt," van Gaal said afterwards. "I can't put the ball in the net myself." "It is unbelievable if we analyse the entire game. The goals are the most important and we have seen that once again today."
Magath: Bayern win can change Schalke season
5 December 2010
Schalke boss Felix Magath is hoping his side's victory against Bayern Munich on Saturday can recharge their season.
If table-toppers Borussia Dortmund defeat Nuremberg on a Saturday, they will lead Bayern by a whopping 17 points after 15 games.
Magath's side were able to withstand the constant first-half pressure from the reigning champions, with the result helping his side build a four-point gap on the relegation zone.
"Bayern played superbly in the first half," Magath told Sky.
"We also played well, however we made it difficult for ourselves at the beginning. We did fight our way back into the game." A 5-0 loss to Kaiserslautern on November 28 increased the pressure on the Schalke boss, who is not happy with his side's start to the season but is hoping for an upturn in form.
"If we continue to play like this, there will be no more of this crisis-talk. We have had a miserable start. The team has to find itself, therefore now and then we will see such games." Magath's opposite number, Bayern's Louis van Gaal, was left frustrated with his side's failure to convert their dominance.
"It is unbelievable. If we waste so many chances then it is to be expected that they score from their first attempt," van Gaal said afterwards. "I can't put the ball in the net myself." "It is unbelievable if we analyse the entire game. The goals are the most important and we have seen that once again today."
D
Dodomeki
Guest
Bundesliga wrap: Mainz drop points at Frankfurt
Bundesliga wrap: Mainz drop points at Frankfurt
5 December 2010
Eintracht Frankfurt upset second-placed Mainz 2-1 in their Bundesliga clash at the Commerzbank Arena on Saturday. The home side went ahead when defender Marco Russ netted in the 35th minute, before Mainz pulled a goal back prior to half time through Andre Schurrle's spot kick.
But the penalty count was squared when the referee pointed to the spot in the 84th minute, to allow Frankfurt's Theofanis Gekas to net the winner for the ninth-placed side, earning them three valuable points in a congested mid-table.
Hannover moved to within two points of Mainz with a 2-1 win away at cellar-dwellers Borussia Monchengladbach. The hosts took a surprise lead at Stadion Borussia Park in the 18th minute via Michael Bradley and they looked to have earnt themselves a pathway off the bottom of the table only to allow Hannover two goals in the space of two minutes.
Monchengladbach's hopes of taking points took a crucial blow when forward Raul Bobadilla was shown a red card late in the first half, and they could not hold out a second-half swoop from the visitors. Mike Hanke scored in the 73rd minute before Didier Ya Konan made the swift comeback complete in the 75th minute.
Schalke bagged a morale-boosting 2-0 win over defending champions Bayern Munich in the late kick-off at the Veltins-Arena. Jose Jurado and Benedikt Howedes struck in the space of eight second-half minutes to secure all three points for Felix Magath's side, a result which may prove invaluable to last season's runners-up as they attempt to put a poor start to the campaign behind them.
Freiburg's Papiss Demba Cisse's third minute goal was the only score in their 1-0 victory over Hamburg. Cisse scored the winner in the third minute to take his goal tally to 10 for the season.
Stuttgart broke a two game losing streak by snaring a point against the more fancied Hoffenheim at Mercedes Benz Arena. Sejad Salihovic put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute, but a Martin Harnik equaliser 23 minutes later brought the hosts back to parity and the match finished 1-1.
Hoffenheim were forced to play with 10 men for more than a half when Ghanaian defender Isaac Vorsah was dismissed in the 41st minute.
Wolfsburg's clash with Werder Bremen went goalless despite both sides earning penalties in the encounter.
Bremen's Torsten Frings missed his spot kick in the 74th minute, before Edin Dzeko missed his chance from the spot for Wolfsburg three minutes later as the match ended scoreless.
Bundesliga wrap: Mainz drop points at Frankfurt
5 December 2010
Eintracht Frankfurt upset second-placed Mainz 2-1 in their Bundesliga clash at the Commerzbank Arena on Saturday.
But the penalty count was squared when the referee pointed to the spot in the 84th minute, to allow Frankfurt's Theofanis Gekas to net the winner for the ninth-placed side, earning them three valuable points in a congested mid-table.
Hannover moved to within two points of Mainz with a 2-1 win away at cellar-dwellers Borussia Monchengladbach. The hosts took a surprise lead at Stadion Borussia Park in the 18th minute via Michael Bradley and they looked to have earnt themselves a pathway off the bottom of the table only to allow Hannover two goals in the space of two minutes.
Monchengladbach's hopes of taking points took a crucial blow when forward Raul Bobadilla was shown a red card late in the first half, and they could not hold out a second-half swoop from the visitors. Mike Hanke scored in the 73rd minute before Didier Ya Konan made the swift comeback complete in the 75th minute.
Schalke bagged a morale-boosting 2-0 win over defending champions Bayern Munich in the late kick-off at the Veltins-Arena. Jose Jurado and Benedikt Howedes struck in the space of eight second-half minutes to secure all three points for Felix Magath's side, a result which may prove invaluable to last season's runners-up as they attempt to put a poor start to the campaign behind them.
Freiburg's Papiss Demba Cisse's third minute goal was the only score in their 1-0 victory over Hamburg. Cisse scored the winner in the third minute to take his goal tally to 10 for the season.
Stuttgart broke a two game losing streak by snaring a point against the more fancied Hoffenheim at Mercedes Benz Arena. Sejad Salihovic put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute, but a Martin Harnik equaliser 23 minutes later brought the hosts back to parity and the match finished 1-1.
Hoffenheim were forced to play with 10 men for more than a half when Ghanaian defender Isaac Vorsah was dismissed in the 41st minute.
Wolfsburg's clash with Werder Bremen went goalless despite both sides earning penalties in the encounter.
Bremen's Torsten Frings missed his spot kick in the 74th minute, before Edin Dzeko missed his chance from the spot for Wolfsburg three minutes later as the match ended scoreless.
D
Dodomeki
Guest
PREVIEW - Improving Werder out to end Dortmund's record bid
PREVIEW - Improving Werder out to end Dortmund's record bid
By Karolos Grohmann
12:14 GMT, Thu 9 Dec 2010
BERLIN, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Werder Bremen could not have picked a better moment to attempt to snap league leaders Borussia Dortmund's record-breaking run in which they have won 13 of 15 league matches this season.
On the brink of ending their 11-year partnership with coach Thomas Schaaf only a few weeks ago, Werder have found a new lease of life following their 3-0 drubbing of Champions League winners Inter Milan on Tuesday.
Dortmund will be a very different prospect, however. With two games left to play until the winter break, they can crown a spectacular first half of the season by breaking Bayern Munich's 2005-06 record of 44 points from 17 games.
Juergen Klopp's team have 40 points and a win is imperative if the record is to be broken. After being trounced 6-0 by VfB Stuttgart and 4-0 by Schalke 04 in November, Werder have hauled themselves back to 10th place on 19 points, and a win at Dortmund on Saturday would see them close in on the European spots for the first time in months.
Key striker Claudio Pizarro will most likely start following his recovery from a muscle injury. The Peru international came on as a substitute against Inter, netting their third goal. Defender Mikael Silvestre also returned to action as a substitute against the Italians and will be looking to play against Dortmund.
"I felt really good though I am still lacking some fitness and I hope to help the team a bit more against Dortmund," Silvestre told reporters. With versatile Brazilian midfielder Wesley and Tim Borowski still out injured, Werder will not have an easy task against a team that is chasing yet another Bundesliga record.
YOUNG SQUAD
Judging from the way Klopp's young team has been playing so far, you would not put it past them. In their 2-0 win at Nuremberg last week, Borussia's Lukasz Piszczek was their oldest outfield player at 25 and newly-crowned Germany international Marcel Schmelzer, at 22, their second oldest.
"There are worse things than having 40 points," said coach Klopp, who has vehemently refused to be drawn into speculation regarding their title chances. "I am able to read the standings but I was also able to do that before the first matchday," he said, brushing aside any title talk. Their only defeat this season came on the first matchday.
Second-placed Mainz, ten points off the pace, have an equally hard task when they host Schalke 04, the visitors buoyed by finishing top of their Champions League group on Tuesday and their win over Bayern last week as they seek to move away from the relegation zone.
Third-placed Bayer Leverkusen, on 29 points, travel to out-of-form Hamburg SV while champions Bayern, in seventh place on 23 points, host FC St. Pauli, hoping their mid-week Champions League 3-0 win against Basel will finally rub off in the Bundesliga.
PREVIEW - Improving Werder out to end Dortmund's record bid
By Karolos Grohmann
12:14 GMT, Thu 9 Dec 2010
BERLIN, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Werder Bremen could not have picked a better moment to attempt to snap league leaders Borussia Dortmund's record-breaking run in which they have won 13 of 15 league matches this season.
On the brink of ending their 11-year partnership with coach Thomas Schaaf only a few weeks ago, Werder have found a new lease of life following their 3-0 drubbing of Champions League winners Inter Milan on Tuesday.
Dortmund will be a very different prospect, however. With two games left to play until the winter break, they can crown a spectacular first half of the season by breaking Bayern Munich's 2005-06 record of 44 points from 17 games.
Juergen Klopp's team have 40 points and a win is imperative if the record is to be broken. After being trounced 6-0 by VfB Stuttgart and 4-0 by Schalke 04 in November, Werder have hauled themselves back to 10th place on 19 points, and a win at Dortmund on Saturday would see them close in on the European spots for the first time in months.
Key striker Claudio Pizarro will most likely start following his recovery from a muscle injury. The Peru international came on as a substitute against Inter, netting their third goal. Defender Mikael Silvestre also returned to action as a substitute against the Italians and will be looking to play against Dortmund.
"I felt really good though I am still lacking some fitness and I hope to help the team a bit more against Dortmund," Silvestre told reporters. With versatile Brazilian midfielder Wesley and Tim Borowski still out injured, Werder will not have an easy task against a team that is chasing yet another Bundesliga record.
YOUNG SQUAD
Judging from the way Klopp's young team has been playing so far, you would not put it past them. In their 2-0 win at Nuremberg last week, Borussia's Lukasz Piszczek was their oldest outfield player at 25 and newly-crowned Germany international Marcel Schmelzer, at 22, their second oldest.
"There are worse things than having 40 points," said coach Klopp, who has vehemently refused to be drawn into speculation regarding their title chances. "I am able to read the standings but I was also able to do that before the first matchday," he said, brushing aside any title talk. Their only defeat this season came on the first matchday.
Second-placed Mainz, ten points off the pace, have an equally hard task when they host Schalke 04, the visitors buoyed by finishing top of their Champions League group on Tuesday and their win over Bayern last week as they seek to move away from the relegation zone.
Third-placed Bayer Leverkusen, on 29 points, travel to out-of-form Hamburg SV while champions Bayern, in seventh place on 23 points, host FC St. Pauli, hoping their mid-week Champions League 3-0 win against Basel will finally rub off in the Bundesliga.
D
Dodomeki
Guest
Almeida pledges future to strugglers Bremen
Almeida pledges future to strugglers Bremen
9 December 2010
BERLIN (AFP) - Portugal striker Hugo Almeida on Wednesday pledged his future to Bundesliga strugglers Werder Bremen and has ruled out a transfer in January's winter break.
The 26-year-old, who has won 33 caps for Portugal and scored 12 goals, is under contract at Bremen until June 2011 and has a market value of around seven million euros (nine million US dollars).
Spanish giants Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbon and Valencia are all reported to be interested in signing him. He has scored nine league goals this season, even though Bremen have struggled for form and exited the Champions League on Tuesday despite their 3-0 home win over holders Inter Milan.
"I am staying," he told Bremen newspaper the Weser Kurier with his side 10th in the Bundesliga. There is a risk Almeida could leave Bremen for nothing on a free transfer next June, but the crowd-favourite has said that is not an option.
Bremen face league leaders Dortmund on Saturday.
Almeida pledges future to strugglers Bremen
9 December 2010
Portugal striker Hugo Almeida, seen here in May 2010, on Wednesday pledged his future to Bundesliga strugglers Werder Bremen and has ruled out a transfer in January´s winter break.
The 26-year-old, who has won 33 caps for Portugal and scored 12 goals, is under contract at Bremen until June 2011 and has a market value of around seven million euros (nine million US dollars).
Spanish giants Real Madrid, Sporting Lisbon and Valencia are all reported to be interested in signing him. He has scored nine league goals this season, even though Bremen have struggled for form and exited the Champions League on Tuesday despite their 3-0 home win over holders Inter Milan.
"I am staying," he told Bremen newspaper the Weser Kurier with his side 10th in the Bundesliga. There is a risk Almeida could leave Bremen for nothing on a free transfer next June, but the crowd-favourite has said that is not an option.
Bremen face league leaders Dortmund on Saturday.
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