Bundesliga Season 2011/2012

[Mario Gomez]

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[Mario Gomez]

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[Mario Gomez]

Boateng set to leave Man City for Bayern Munich - club

BERLIN - Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng is to join Bayern Munich after the two clubs reached a deal, the German side said on Thursday.

"The board of Bayern Munich and the board of Manchester City have agreed today on a transfer of Jerome Boateng," the Bavarians said in a statement.

Bayern said the Germany international would undergo a medical in the coming days before signing a contract until 2015.

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Jerome jets in
Boateng: I’m delighted to be here

Centre-back Jerome Boateng has arrived in Munich and will sign for Bayern this weekend. After a long and tiring flight from Los Angeles, the Germany international landed in the Bavarian capital at half-past ten on Friday morning, andFCB.tv was waiting to greet him as he stepped off the plane. “The flight was hard work, but I’m just delighted the wrangling’s finally over,” Boateng declared.

The central defender is set to sign a four-year contract with Bayern, keeping him in Munich until 30 June 2015. “Despite the difficult negotiations, I’m delighted the club never caved in and kept fighting to get me,“ Boateng continued.

Deal done on Thursday

On Thursday, after protracted negotiations stretched over a period of weeks, Bayern and Manchester City finally agreed the terms of the player’s transfer from the City of Manchester stadium to the Allianz Arena for an undisclosed fee.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Leverkusen Vidal confirms move to Juve

07/21/2011

midfielder Arturo Vidal has confirmed his move from the Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen to Italy to record champions Juventus.

Santiago de Chile (AFP) - midfielder Arturo Vidal has confirmed his move from the Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen to Italy to record champions Juventus. "I am happy, that's a big and important step for my career," the 24-year-old Chilean said from his home country before departure for Turin.

The release is intended, according to Tuttosport, the Juventus related Italian sports daily, are at 10.5 million euros and could be successful due to rise to 12 million €. 30 percent (up to 3.6 million euros) will go to Vidal's former employer from Colo Colo in Santiago de Chile.

The defensive specialist who had failed on Sunday with Chile in the quarterfinals of the Copa America in Venezuela, receives a five-year contract in Turin and around 2.5 million euros plus bonuses per season. In Leverkusen, he was still standing until the end of next season under contract.

"I am from Germany with plenty of experience and know that I can achieve a lot with Juventus," said Vidal, was also interested in Bayern Munich was. His former Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes, who now trains the Bavaria was until recently assumed that he would follow his players despite all whoosh Bayer rejections of the Isar River. The Leverkusen had repeatedly said that Vidal transfer only to other countries.

An official confirmation of the two clubs for the change is still pending. Manager Rudi Voeller had said on Wednesday on the outskirts of the negotiations in Turin: "We are pretty close to an agreement, it is only a matter of details.."

© AFP / AFP​

 

[Mario Gomez]

Wednesday 20th July 2011

Ribery: I can reach Messi's level

Franck Ribery believes he can be as good as Lionel Messi if he stays injury free and plays under the right coach.

The 28-year-old winger has been plagued by fitness problems over the past two seasons and Bayern Munich have missed his influence.

"In my first two years (at Bayern) the level I played at was really unbelievable," the France international said in an interview with Sport Bild.

"Messi has now shown that for three or four years in a row. That is fantastic.

"I have spoken with his Barcelona team-mate (Eric) Abidal (Ribery's France team-mate) a lot about Messi's game. He told me that Messi's mentality is outstanding, he always stays relaxed.

"That is the only way to achieve a high level of performance over a long period.

"If I am 100% fit again and free in my head, have a good relationship with the coach - so if the base is right - I can reach Messi's level. That is not in question for me."

Ribery feels Bayern's new coach Jupp Heynckes, whom he has compared to former boss Ottmar Hitzfeld, could be the one to get the best out of him.

"Under Jupp Heynckes at the moment I often think of Hitzfeld," Ribery added. "He has the same strengths, speaks to the players a lot and allows them their freedom on the pitch.

"That is exactly what I need. I feel free again, able to show what I have to offer. I trust myself again to take on challenging dribbles or play a dangerous pass."

 

[Mario Gomez]

Thursday 21st July 2011

Werder Bremen sign Genoa defender

Werder Bremen have signed Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos on a season-long loan from Genoa.

The deal, which also includes an option for the Bundesliga side to make the move permanent next summer, was completed after the player met Werder general manager Klaus Allofs at the team's pre-season training camp in Donaueschingen.

Allofs said of the 23-year-old centre-half: "He is a young player who with Genoa and Greece has already gained some experience.

"With his speed, strength and tackling he will certainly help us."

Papastathopoulos, who has also had spells with AEK Athens and AC Milan, added on www.werder.de:

"After initial discussions with Klaus Allofs and (coach) Thomas Schaaf it was immediately clear that I would accept the offer from Werder.

"Now I will try to integrate as soon as possible into the team."


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[Mario Gomez]

Wednesday 20th July 2011

Monchengladbach sign Yuki Otsu

Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed the signing of Yuki Otsu from J.League side Kashiwa Reysol.

The 21-year-old forward has signed on a three-year contract.

Borussia's director Max Eberl was quoted as saying that Otsu "left a good impression as a trial player.


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[Mario Gomez]

Sunday 24th July 2011

Schalke win German Supercup

Schalke needed penalties to defeat reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund in their Supercup encounter.


Dortmund had the better of the chances in a cagey encounter but failed to hold their nerve in the penalty shootout with misses by Kevin Grosskreutz and Ivan Perisic proving costly.

The champions bossed the opening 45 minutes, with Sebastian Kehl first to go close on 24 minutes when his header from a corner crashed against the post.

Grosskreutz fired wide of the target 11 minutes before the break while on 43 minutes Robert Lewandowski let fly from the edge of the area but Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann made the stop.

Fahrmann was again in action four minutes after the restart as Lewandowski took aim with a powerful drive that seemed destined for the top corner before being parried to safety.

Schalke finally found a way through the organised Dortmund ranks on 74 minutes when Jan Moravek was presented with a glorious chance in front of the sticks but Roman Weidenfeller did well to narrow the angle as the chance went begging.

With normal time unable to produce a winner the match went straight to penalties, and soon Dortmund came unstuck.

Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels netted Dortmund's opening kicks while Schalke did likewise through Lewis Holtby and Edu, but Grosskreutz missed to heap the pressure on the champions.

Moritz Leitner's successful kick kept Dortmund in at as Schalke stayed perfect with efforts from Benedikt Howedes and Jose Manuel Jurado, but the game was up for Jurgen Klopp's men when Perisic failed to convert.
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[Mario Gomez]

Sunday 24th July 2011

Bayern chief warns Citizens of exclusion

Bayern Munich's executive vice-chairman, Karl Hopfner, has warned Manchester City of the pitfalls of their spending sprees.


Hopfner, speaking to tz, was unimpressed with the Citizen's spending habits, and warned that they could suffer with the advent of UEFA's new financial fair play regulations.

"If Manchester City want to play internationally, these rules have to interest them," he said.

"I am firmly convinced that Uefa under Michel Platini will take action whenever the rules of financial fair play are ignored. This can lead to exclusion from UEFA club competitions."

He also believes that the Bundesliga's sound fiscal habits will prove advantagous to them in the near future.

"Bayern Munich are not the only big winner, it is the entire league. We have a sound economic structure, thanks to the licensing procedure of the DFL", he said.

"Our club is in a very, very healthy state. Whether we are the most financially sound outfit in Europe should be judged by others."
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[Mario Gomez]

Tuesday 26th July 2011

Wolfsburg seal Trasch signing

Wolfsburg completed the signing of midfielder Christian Trasch from Stuttgart.

The seven-time Germany international, 23, has penned a four-year deal at the Volkswagen Arena and trained with his new team-mates on Monday morning.

Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath told the club's official website, www.vfl-wolfsburg.de: "I am delighted to have the chance to work with a player like Christian Trasch.

"He is a strong-running player who has defensive qualities and offensive punch. "Christian is currently one of the best German players in his position."

Trasch believes a move to Wolfsburg is the right one at this stage of his career.

He said: "Felix Magath has ambitious goals and I want to be a part of that. I hope we can attack the teams above us in the league.

"Wolfsburg have a very good team with some strong individual players."

 

[Mario Gomez]

Tuesday 26th July 2011

Bayern rule out Schweinsteiger exit

Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes has no intention of allowing Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave the club.

Several top sides from across Europe have been heavily linked with the Germany international of late.

Premier League giants Manchester United are reported to be among those tracking the midfielder, as they search for a suitable replacement for the retired Paul Scholes.

Bayern, though, insist Schweinsteiger is not for sale, with the 26-year-old academy product a key figure in the club's past, present and future.

Heynckes said: "Bastian Schweinsteiger is held in high regard at this club.

"A year ago he was playing on the same level as players such as Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

"He is not for sale."

Meanwhile, Heynckes has expressed his disappointment at missing out on Juventus-bound Arturo Vidal, a man he worked with at former employers Bayer Leverkusen.

He said: "I am absolutely disappointed because Arturo told me he wanted to join me at Bayern Munich.

"I am, however, understanding of his situation and his desire to take on the challenge that is ahead of him at Juventus. They are a top club in Europe."

 

[Mario Gomez]

Tuesday 26th July 2011

Dortmund's Barrios to miss opener

Borussia Dortmund will be without striker Lucas Barrios for the start of their Bundesliga title defence.

Barrios started on the bench for Paraguay in Sunday's Copa America final, which they lost 3-0 to Uruguay and, having come on in the 76th minute, managed just eight minutes before being carried off clutching his thigh.

Dortmund doctor Markus Braun said: "It will take two to three weeks for the injury to heal."

It is not yet known whether the 26-year-old will undergo his rehabilitation in Germany or South America.

But he felt the injury was not a surprise due to the amount of football he has played in the last twelve months.

Barrios told the Bild newspaper: "Firstly, I had to start on the bench and then I got another injury.

"It is very disappointing but a logical consequence due to my high workload over the past year.

"But I can assure the fans that I'll be back as soon as possible."

Barrios scored 16 times last season as Dortmund ran away with the Bundesliga title.

They open their 2011/12 campaign at home to Hamburg on August 5.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Thursday 28th July 2011

Basler: Podolski too weak for Bayern

Former Bayern Munich winger Mario Basler has criticised Cologne's Lukas Podolski, who he believes was too weak to succeed at the Allianz Arena.

Podolski arrived on the German football scene when he made his debut with Cologne at the age of eighteen, and earned his first cap for Germany a year later.

Bayern, known for their inclination in procuring the best talent in the land, had seen enough to be convinced to fork out a sum of €10million for his services in 2006, pipping the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid to his signature. However, Podolski had a forgettable three-year spell at the Allianz Arena, where he was even dropped to the reserves for two matches during his second season.

After managing just fifteen goals in 72 German Bundesliga appearances despite his reputation of being one of Europe's hottest prospects, Podolski returned to Cologne after the club's fans helped to pay for his transfer fee. While Podolski has since returned to some form after rejoining his boyhood club, he was recently stripped of the club captaincy, sparking off talk that he would hand in a transfer request.

Basler, who turned out for Bayern from 1996 to 1999 and also won 30 caps for the German national team, has criticised Podolski, believing he was always bound to fail at the Allianz Arena because he was too weak to play for a club of that stature.

"For Bayern, Podolski was far too weak," Basler told Audi Star Talk. "He took the easy option: back to Cologne. "He gets upset if they take [away] the captaincy. He must also move on."

Podolski was however quick to hit back at Basler's criticism, questioning the credibility of an assessment from a man who has failed coaching in Germany's lower leagues. "Mario Basler is one who, with expertise and time as a coach in the third and fourth leagues, was fired," Podolski said to Express.

"But I wish him continued success as a player in the regional divisions." For someone who has never truly found his best form at club level, Podolski has an excellent record when turning out for Germany, and has netted 42 goals from 89 caps.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Thursday 28th July 2011

Bayern aim to unearth best of India

German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have announced plans to launch a scouting network in India in hopes of unearthing the region's next football star.

Bayern have had a longstanding association with Asian football, with Iranian legends Ali Daei and Ali Karimi turning out for the side in the late-1990s and mid-2000s respectively. This trend has continued recently with the season-long loan signing of Japanese winger Takashi Usami from Gamba Osaka, who could seal a permanent move to the Allianz Arena should he sufficiently impress.

However, Bayern are now set to take their interest in Asian talent a step further by setting up a scouting network in India, the second-most populous country in the world with its 1.2 billion inhabitants. Speaking at the launch of the FC Bayern Youth Cup, a mini-pitch tournament for fourteen to sixteen-year-olds to be staged in a number of countries, former Bayern midfielder Paul Breitner revealed he saw no reason why the next star of world football could not hail from Asia, or even India.

"Players from all over the world are in Europe nowadays, so why wouldn't we see Indians among their number in the next five or six years?" Breitner said, according to Bayern's official website. Bayern acting board director Andreas Jung shared the same sentiments, and revealed the club would do all they can to unearth the next Indian footballing talent.

"India is growing incredibly fast, and that goes for its football too," said Jung. "We're convinced India can become a very important market for this club. "We can't guarantee uncovering a player capable of joining us as a professional, but it's well worth a try." Jung also revealed the first edition of the FC Bayern Youth Cup will be staged in New Delhi in October, which would represent the start of their scouting plans in the country.

"The very first task is to lay down foundations, and then we'll see how things develop." 600 youths will be selected to take part in October's tournament, where the best young footballers will be invited to Munich to take part in training and trial matches in May 2012.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Friday 29th July 2011

Schalke snap up Ciprian Marica

Schalke have signed striker Ciprian Marica, a fortnight after his contract at Stuttgart was cancelled.

The 25-year-old Romania captain has signed a two-year deal at the Royal Blues.

"He knows the Bundesliga, speaks many languages and, above all, is a free transfer," Schalke's sporting director Horst Heldt, who brought Marica to Stuttgart from from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2007, told www.schalke04.de.

"We are happy the transfer has come off, because several well-known European clubs were also very interested in signing the player."

Marica's Stuttgart contract, which had been due to expire next summer, was terminated by mutual consent earlier this month.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Saturday 30th July 2011
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Diego confirms Atletico interest

Out-of-favour Wolfsburg playmaker Diego has confirmed Atletico Madrid have made contact wit him over a possible move to La Liga.

However, he was also quick to assert that they weren't the only side in the running for his services, and that several other clubs are also interested in signing him.

Diego arrived at Wolfsburg amid much fanfare at the start of last season, having previously had an excellent spell in the German Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, before unsuccessfully trying his hand in the Serie A with Juventus.

Far from being the missing link that brought Wolfsburg one step closer to the Bundesliga title, Diego caused much trouble at the club, and fell out of favour with the management on a number of occasions.

Most notably was his refusal to sit on the bench in one of Wolfsburg's Bundesliga matches near the end of the season, leaving coach Felix Magath with only six substitutes to choose from.

And with Magath and Diego now sharing a fractitious relationship, the Brazilian international reveals he is looking to leave Wolfsburg as soon as possible, with Atletico a likely destination.

"There is an official offer [from Atletico Madrid]," Diego told Kicker.

"We have had contact with other clubs, but Atletico is a concrete option.

"I don't want to be at Wolfsburg any longer."

To add to their current problems, Wolfsburg had a forgettable start to the new campaign as they bowed out in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Friday evening, losing 3-2 to Regionalliga Nord side RB Leipzig.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Podolski stripped of captaincy by Cologne

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany forward Lukas Podolski has been stripped of the captaincy by Cologne and Brazilian defender Pedro Geromel appointed as his successor, coach Stale Solbakken said on Monday.

Norwegian Solbakken, yet to take charge of a competitive match since joining the club in June, acknowledged the decision could stir up discontent less than two weeks before the start of the Bundesliga season.

"I can understand the reactions this decision will provoke and I can understand the disappointment of some fans," the coach told reporters.

"But I ask the fans to understand my decision is for the benefit of the whole team. Pedro Geromel will as captain exemplify the new culture of the team and embody our new overall sporting concept," Solbakken added.

"In my conversations with him, Lukas has expressed his disappointment but at the same time respected and understood the reasons for my decision."

Podolski, 26, returned to Cologne in 2009 after three seasons of mixed fortunes with Bayern Munich and is a favourite of the supporters.

He scored 13 Bundesliga goals last season to help the club finish 10th. He has been a regular for Germany since 2004, making 89 appearances.

Geromel joined Cologne in 2008 from Vitoria Guimaraes of Portugal.

 

[Mario Gomez]

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Tuesday 2nd August 2011

Neuer named German player of the year

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has expressed his shock after being named German footballer of the year.

The 25-year-old Germany stopper, who joined Bayern from Schalke earlier this summer, came top of the annual poll run by sports magazine Kicker and became the first goalkeeper since Oliver Kahn 10 years ago to win the award.

He beat new club-mate Mario Gomez into second place, with Nuri Sahin - recognised for his displays in Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga-winning campaign before switching to Real Madrid - third.
"This is a huge honour," Neuer told Kicker.

"When I was first told, I thought someone was pulling my leg. I'm totally shocked, especially because it's not every day a goalkeeper wins the award."

Neuer, who helped the Royal Blues win the DFB-Pokal last term and reach the Champions League semi-finals, will be presented with the award at the Allianz Arena ahead of Bayern's opening Bundesliga fixture of the season against Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Tuesday 2nd August 2011
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Hoffenheim sign young goalkeeper

Hoffenheim have signed Belgium Under-19 goalkeeper Koen Casteels for an undisclosed fee from Belgian club Genk.

The 19-year-old has penned a four-year contract, the Bundesliga outfit announced on their website.

"We are pleased that we could secure the services of Koen Casteels, a highly talented young goalkeeper," general manager Ernst Tanner told www.achtzehn99.de.

"He is recognised as one of the top talents in Europe."

 

[Mario Gomez]

Tuesday 2nd August 2011
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Usami sees Kagawa as his 'rival'

Despite both playing for the Japan national team, Bayern Munich new signing Takashi Usami has identified Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa as his rival.

Usami became the latest in a long line of Asian players to ply their trade in Europe after Bayern secured his services on a year-long loan from Gamba Osaka, who have an option to make his move permanent should he sufficiently impress.

His arrival on German shores comes just a year after Kagawa himself was signed by Dortmund, and then went on to play a starring role as the club landed their first German Bundesliga title since 2002. However, despite acknowledging that Kagawa has set an excellent example for himself - and other young Japanese footballers - to follow, Usami has pledged to put his duty to Bayern ahead of his friendship with his compatriot.

"Yes, he [Kagawa] has prevailed, played a great season and is a German champion," Usami said, according to SPOX. "That's great for our country and our football. But I see Kagawa as a rival. "He plays for Dortmund and I for Bayern - and we both want to win this season's German title.
"I want to achieve what Kagawa has reached."

Usami was not involved in Monday's 3-0 DFB-Pokal victory over Eintracht Braunschweig, but did get a chance to show what he was capable of in last week's Audi Cup, which included playing against Spanish and European champions Barcelona. The nineteen-year-old did admit the Audi Cup, which also involved AC Milan and Internacional, had provided him an excellent opportunity to test himself against the world's top sides.

"The Audi Cup is a great tournament with very strong teams. "Every player should be happy if he can compete with the best." Understandably for a footballer coming from a proud footballing nation, Usami acknowledges there is huge pressure on him to succeed in Germany, but reveals he is unfazed by the watchful eyes.

"I like to be put under pressure. I'm playing for Bayern and I know that expectations are high on the players at such a great club. "From Japan, I feel the joy and the pride of the people as there are more and more Japanese playing in Europe. "You cannot compare the football in Japan with Europe and the top leagues. It's another level here [Germany] and I'm trying to adapt."

Usami, who is best deployed on the wings, faces a big task overthrowing the likes of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben from the starting lineup. Far from being threatened by their presence, Usami is looking forward to learning from two of Europe's best wingers. "I can only learn from these players. And at Bayern, there are several good players in every position.

"I would like to acclimatise well in Munich, learn from other players and make my contribution to their success." Usami has represented Japan at almost every youth-level and was called up to the senior squad for the recent Kirin Cup, but is yet to be handed his first senior cap.