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Bundesliga and Champions League hopefuls Bayer Leverkusen have clinched the signing of Philipp Wollscheid from Nuremberg.
The 22-year-old centre-back was tied to Nuremberg until 2014, but Leverkusen made an undisclosed offer that the Bavarian club accepted and agreed a five-year contract with the player.He will join his new club in the January transfer window.
"We are firmly convinced Bayer 04 have signed one of the most talented and best central defenders in Germany in Philipp Wollscheid," Leverkusen chief executive officer Wolfgang Holzhauser told Leverkusen's official website.
"He's got great potential and will make a decisive contribution to strengthening our defence."Wollscheid joined Nuremberg from Saarbrucken in 2009 and made his club debut in November 2010.
He became a regular starter after the Bundesliga's winter break and reportedly caught the interest of several clubs aside from Leverkusen, including Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
"Philipp told us about his desire to move in an open and honest discussion," Nuremberg sporting director Martin Bader told the club's official website.
"We made it clear to Philipp and the clubs interested in him that Nuremberg would only be prepared to agree to a transfer if our valuation of Philipp was reflected in the transfer fee."
"After extensive and constructive talks over recent weeks, our expectations have been met by the offer made to us by Leverkusen."
Wollscheid follows in the footsteps of striker Stefan Kiessling in making the move from Nuremberg to Leverkusen.
Der Kaiser: Bayern don't need Reus German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed 'Der Kaiser', proclaimed that Bayern Munich did not need to sign Marco Reus.
The Borussia Monchengladbach starhas been heavily linked with a move to the Bundesliga giants, but Beckenbauer has weighed in on the debate, saying that the 22-year-old would 'cause problems'.
The 66-year-old football legend snapped to Sports-Bild: "Reus too at Bayern? That could cause problems," adding:"[Arjen] Robben is playing, and [Franck] Ribery. [Thomas] Muller until just recently.
"Reus could be one star too many." The player's agent Dirk Hebel believes a move to the Allianz-Arena is unlikely, saying: "Reus is honoured by the interest of top clubs. But right now there are no contract talks".
"He is concentrating only on the season, which for him is going outstandingly well, and is focusing on achieving his ultimate goal, the European Championship."
Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl added: "We are not in the Bundesliga to make wishes come true".
"The reality is different from all of Bayern's demands. And that is that [Reus] has a contract here and is incredibly comfortable", Eberl concluded.
Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben says he cannot wait to return to full fitness and is eyeing an injury free second half of the season.
The Netherlands international returned to action on Saturday after almost two months on the sidelines due to a groin injury.While the former Chelsea and Real Madrid attacker is not yet 100 percent fit, he is eager to make an impact in the second half of the season.
"I want to have played an important role for the team by the time the trophies are handed out," Robben told the club's official website."The critical thing is regaining my rhythm. That's what I’ll be concentrating on, even though we don't have many matches left until the winter break.
Once we're back from the holidays, I'm going to go for it. I'm already looking forward to it.""I'm coming closer and closer to 100 percent again, but things went quicker last season. It's been different this time.
I've hardly trained but I’m already starting matches," said Robben, who played 76 minutes in the 3-1 win over Villarreal in Group A of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Bundesliga preview: Bayern seek Mainz scalp 24 November 2011
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will travel to Mainz on Sunday hoping to add to their midweek Champions League win over Villarreal.
The German giants remained unbeaten in the European competition and also booked their spot in the knockout rounds with the win, and will look to build more momentum at the expense of Mainz.
Also on the mind of Jupp Heynckes' men, however, will be their league loss to Borussia Dortmund last weekend, which saw the reigning champions cut the gap on Bayern to just two points.While Bayern go into the contest having played a competitive match within the week, Mainz are coming off a 23-day hiatus since their 3-1 win over Stuttgart.
Mainz were due to return from the international break last week, but their clash with Cologne was postponed after referee Babak Rafati attempted suicide hours before the scheduled kick-off.Also on Sunday, fifth-placed Werder Bremen will endure tough competition when they host Stuttgart, who are two points in arrears in sixth.
In Saturday fixtures, Bayer Leverkusen travel to Hertha BSC fresh from a 2-1 win over Chelsea in the Champions League.Dortmund will host Schalke 04 in a top-four battle, while Nuremberg welcome Kaiserslautern aiming to break a three-game losing streak.
Relegation-placed Freiburg are on the road at Hoffenheim, Augsburg await the visit of Wolfsburg and Hannover host Hamburg in other Saturday clashes.
In Friday's kick-off, Borussia Moenchengladbach can usurp Bayern atop the standings should they beat Cologne away from home.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender faces a stint on the sidelines after suffering a double injury blow against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Bender collided with Gunners defender Thomas Vermaelen in the 25th minute of his side's 2-1 loss in the Champions League Group F encounter at the Emirates, prompting his immediate withdrawal and hospitalisation.
Dortmund revealed on their website soon after that Bender had sustained a double-jaw fracture and had already undergone surgery, ensuring manager Juergen Klopp is likely to be without the fringe Germany international until after the Bundesliga's winter break.
Compounding the blow, Bild has reported the 22-year-old has also damaged a medial collateral ligament in his knee.
Bundesliga wrap: Moenchengladbach go top 26 November 2011
Borussia Moenchengladbach moved top of the Bundesliga on Friday with a 3-0 win over local rivals Cologne at the RheinEnergieStadion.
Mike Hanke's first goal of the season put the visitors ahead after 20 minutes, and a free-kick from midfielder Juan Arango on the half-hour mark ensured a two-goal cushion for Lucien Favre's side at the interval.
Hanke fired a second past Cologne goalkeeper Michael Rensing two minutes after half-time to wrap up a superb win for Moenchengladbach, who moved one point clear of Bayern Munich on top of the Bundesliga standings with their fourth league win in succession.
Bayern have a game in hand over Moenchengladbach, and can reclaim top spot with a win from their trip to Mainz on Sunday, while third-placed Borussia Dortmund - two points behind Bayern - are at home to Schalke on Saturday.
Bundesliga wrap: Dortmund hit the summit, Leverkusen held to draw 27 November 2011
Borussia Dortmund have moved top of the Bundesliga after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Schalke on Saturday.
Juergen Klopp's men jumped ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach in first after the strong win at Signal Iduna Park.Polish striker Robert Lewandowski headed in the opener on 16 minutes after a superb free-kick from full-back Marcel Schmelzer.
Schalke kept Dortmund from getting a second until the 61st minute, when Brazilian defender Felipe Santana placed in a rebound after Lucas Barrios had his shot saved.
Meanwhile, an Eren Derdiyok hat-trick has helped Bayer Leverkusen to a 3-3 draw at Hertha Berlin.Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Omer Toprak's own goal had put the hosts ahead inside 18 minutes, but an inspired Derdiyok saw Leverkusen ahead.
The Swiss striker's third goal - in the 79th minute - looked like it would give Leverkusen three points, only for Lasogga to pop up and snatch a late equaliser.At the other end of the table, bottom-placed Augsburg recorded just their second win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg.
Second-half goals from midfielder Daniel Brinkmann and Albanian striker Edmond Kapllani saw them to the win at SGL Arena and within two points of safety.Elsewhere, Roberto Firmino and Garra Dembele exchanged goals as Hoffenheim and Freiburg played out a 1-1 draw.
United States full-back Timothy Chandler's 14th-minute effort gave Nuremberg an important 1-0 victory over Kaiserslautern.And Hannover missed a chance to move into the Europa League places when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by struggling Hamburg.
Bundesliga wrap: Mainz slay giants Bayern, Bremen bounce back 28 November 2011
Mainz completed the upset of the Bundesliga season so far with a 3-2 win over powerhouses Bayern Munich on Sunday.
Mainz started the day in the relegation zone, while Bayern were aiming to reclaim top spot - something they would have done had they secured at least a draw.But Thomas Tuchel's men put in an inspired effort to usurp Bayern at the Coface Arena.
Andreas Ivanschitz fired the hosts ahead on 11 minutes after rounding Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer, and Mainz maintained a slender lead until Daniel Van Buyten's equaliser on 56 minutes - a header from Toni Kroos' free kick.
Not to be denied, Mainz struck back via Marco Caligiuri's wonder strike from long range, before Niko Bungert's header gave them a 3-1 advantage 10 minutes later.
Bayern could only peg back one goal - Van Buyten's second - but it was not enough for Jupp Heynckes' men, who will sit in third, one point behind defending champions Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach.
The win saw Mainz climb to 13th spot on the table.
In Sunday's other game, Werder Bremen beat Stuttgart 2-0 which took them within two points of third-placed Bayern.
Second-half goals to Aaron hunt and Naldo were enough for Thomas Schaaf's men to take all three points, and respond in style from their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Moenchengladbach last time out.
Shinji Kagawa has revealed he understood why he was left out of Borussia Dortmund's starting XI for Saturday's 2-0 win over Schalke.
The result over their local rivals moved Dortmund above Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayern Munich and into first on the table, though Bayern are to play on Sunday.
Despite good recent form and two goals in his past three Dortmund games, Japan international Kagawa only stepped onto the field in the 78th minute with the result well in hand.
"Lucas (Barrios) looked very good in practice, so I thought that it would turn out this way," said Kagawa, who was told of the decision before the match in the team hotel."In any case the team won, so I could see the effect he had on our strength."
Kagawa noted that beyond the speed and agility that he is known for, Dortmund needed a stronger physical presence to triumph on this day.
"Barrios and (Robert) Lewandowski have that physical strength. So if we use them, the team naturally becomes stronger," he said.
"(Not having the chance to score) was disappointing, but I'll try harder next time."
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is flattered to be linked with a move to Juventus.
Italian sources have suggested that Hummels is the Serie A side's priority to reinforce their back line after missing out on signing Bruno Alves of Zenit St Petersburg in the summer.
Juve director Fabio Paratici watched the 22-year-old in London last week as Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League.
"I am honoured by Juve's interest in my services," Hummels told Tuttosport."To know that a club this important want me is very exciting and forces me to ask myself some questions."
"I see myself playing abroad, but at the moment I am only focused on Dortmund.""Who would not like to play for Juve?"
Hummels, who has been at Dortmund since 2008, has made 19 club appearances in all competitions this season, having earned rave reviews last season for his part in bringing the Bundesliga title to the Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Marco Reus broke his toe in Friday's 3-0 Bundesliga victory at Cologne.
Reus, 22, played at the RheinEnergieStadion for 85 minutes, despite suffering the injury early in the match.
Reus underwent a medical on Saturday, which confirmed the problem, but it is still unknown exactly how long he will be out of action.
"Whether he will be unavailable for any time will be clear in the next few days," club spokesperson Markus Aretz said.
Monchengladbach, who are joint leaders in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, will host Jurgen Klopp's men on December 3.
Bayern Munich defender Daniel Van Buyten said his side underperformed in Sunday's shock 3-2 loss to Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.
The Belgium international scored both of Bayern's goals at the Coface Arena, but his unlikely brace was not enough to save Jupp Heynckes' men from defeat, resigning them to third spot in the league.Van Buyten said there was not enough effort spread across the Bayern XI on Sunday, which contributed to the defeat.
"What makes us strong is the fact that we all attack but we all come back to defend as well. If you don't do these simple things then you will be in trouble against a team like Mainz," the 33-year-old said.Team-mate Thomas Muller said he felt his side did not give up the chase, despite trailing by two goals with 15 minutes to play.
"We have scored twice at their stadium, but if you concede three then the team must have made mistakes. I think we wanted to win," Muller said."We improved when we went 2-1 down. When it was 3-1 we scored and we almost got the equaliser."
Bayern's director of sport Christian Nerlinger said the Bavarians needed a severe makeover if they were to regain top billing in Germany."We basically have to give a lot of credit to Mainz, but obviously, after a defeat like this, we have to start by looking at ourselves," Nerlinger said.
"The trend in the Bundesliga is negative for us. We've lost three of the last five matches, and that's made itself felt in the table.""It's not running as smoothly as it sometimes has, and that's when you have to fall back on certain fundamentals: the necessary aggression, keeping it tight, stopping your opponents creating chances.""I saw none of that whatsoever, especially in the first half (on Sunday)."
Cologne forward Lukas Podolski escaped unhurt from a serious car accident on Monday.
The Germany international was involved in a collision while driving to training, but even though his vehicle was heavily damaged, Podolski was unharmed.
The 26-year-old was treated by a physio upon his belated arrival at Cologne's headquarters, but Podolski explained that his visit to the medical room was not a consequence of his crash.
"I'm fine, nothing happened," Podolski told Express. "I had a slight collision; (it) was nothing more, happily.""I let myself be treated because of an injury from the (Borussia Monchengladbach) game that had nothing to do with the accident."
An MRI scan on his calf revealed that Podolski had not sustained any structural damage, meaning that he will return to training on Wednesday and should be fit to face Stuttgart on Saturday.
The player was more concerned with the welfare of the family of three travelling in the car with which he collided.
However, although the father and child did sustain minor injuries, they were only taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
Podolski has scored nine goals in 12 league appearances this season, with Cologne sitting 11th on the Bundesliga table after 13 games.
Gomez shies away from Messi talk
Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez admits he would never compare himself to Barcelona ace Lionel Messi following comments likening him to the Argentinean.
Basler: Podolski is underachieving
Former Germany and Bayern Munich star Mario Basler believes that Cologne forward Lukas Podolski should be doing more with his immense talent.
Podolski considering Cologne future
Germany striker Lukas Podolski has hinted he could leave Cologne at the end of the season in the search of European football.
Wollscheid snubbed Dortmund, Bayern
Nuremberg coach Dieter Hecking has revealed that highly-rated defender Philipp Wollscheid turned down the chance to join Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Bayern need to get back to basics
Bayern Munich sporting director Christian Nerlinger was infuriated by his side’s inconsistency after they slumped to a 3-2 defeat against Mainz on Sunday.
Hitzfeld: Bayern miss Schweinsteiger 29 November 2011
Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has underlined the importance of midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger to the Bavarian giants.
Bayern were in impressive form in the opening months of the 2011/12 Bundesliga campaign, but have struggled to find their best form ever since Schweinsteiger picked up a shoulder injury in his side's 3-2 Champions League Group A win over Napoli on November 2.
Switzerland manager Hitzfeld - who had two stints as coach of the club - is not surprised that Bayern are battling in Schweinsteiger's absence, as he feels the Germany international is as important to the side as Xavi is to Barcelona.
"The absence of Schweinsteiger is a real blow for Bayern. He has developed incredibly well, both on and off the pitch," Hitzfeld told Sport 1."He is the brain of the team. The current situation at Bayern is a bit like if Barcelona would have to make do without Xavi due to injury.
Schweinsteiger is that important to the team."Bayern have dropped to third spot in the Bundesliga table following consecutive league losses against Borussia Dortmund and Mainz.
Rosicky linked with Bundesliga return
29 November 2011
Wolfsburg are considering making a move for Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky in January, according to reports in Germany.
Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath is eager to add some fresh blood to his squad in the European winter transfer window, and Bild claims he sees the 31-year-old as the perfect signing.
The Bundesliga club were linked with the midfielder before the 2011/12 campaign, but a move never materialised. However, they are reportedly eager to land their man in January and are ready to begin negotiations.
The Czech Republic international is finding regular first-team action hard to come by in London this season and could opt to leave the Emirates.The attacking midfielder's contract with the Gunners expires at the end of the 2011/12 campaign and the English Premier League outfit could be ready to cash in on Rosicky in January.
Rosicky starred in the Bundesliga at Borussia Dortmund from 2001 until 2006 before moving to Arsenal.
Schuster likens Huntelaar to Van Basten 29 November 2011
Bernd Schuster has praised Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar following his superb form in the 2011-12 campaign.
Huntelaar moved to Real Madrid in January 2009, less than one month after Schuster had left his post as coach of Los Blancos, but never really managed to secure regular first-team action at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After an unsuccessful spell with AC Milan, Huntelaar joined Schalke in the summer of 2010. He has since rediscovered his scoring touch at the Bundesliga side this term, and Schuster is impressed with the attacker's finishing skills.
"He looks like he was cloned from Marco van Basten. The way he moves, shoots with both legs and his powerful headers, all reminds me of Van Basten," Schuster said.Team-mate Lewis Holtby was equally positive about the Dutchman's goalscoring instincts, and had nothing but praise for Huntelaar's predatory skills."
You could behead him and he would still score goals. I knew the Dutch knew the holes in their cheeses but Klaas finds every hole in the opposition defence," he said.Huntelaar has already netted 12 times in 13 Bundesliga appearances this season.
Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld feels that Bastian Schweinsteiger is as important to Bayern Munich as Xavi is to Barcelona.
Schweinsteiger has been missing in action for Bayern Munich since suffering a clavicle fracture in the Champions League clash against Napoli on 2 November and they have since slumped to two straight league defeats against Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
Hitzfeld, who is currently coaching the Swiss national team, feels that Bayern are missing the German midfielder's ability to dictate play in the middle of the park.
He told Sport 1: "The absence of Schweinsteiger is a real blow for Bayern. He has developed incredibly well, both on and off the pitch, "He is the brain of the team.
The current situation at Bayern is a bit like if Barcelona would have to make do without Xavi due to injury. Schweinsteiger is that important to the team."
Bayern have dropped to third in the Bundesliga table, a point behind Borussia Dormund and Monchengladbach.
They will face fourth-placed Weder Bremen this weekend without Schweinsteiger, who is scheduled to be back after the winter break.
Bittencourt to weigh up Dortmund offer Energie Cottbus' promising midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt will soon make a decision over his future, according to coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz.
The 17-year-old has been linked with a move to Signal Iduna Park following a series of impressive performances for the 2.Bundesliga side, with reports suggesting Dortmund are willing to fork out up to €3million for Bittencourt's services.
And while sides have often tried to prevent bigger clubs from poaching their young talent in the past, Cottbus appear to be willing to let their prized asset leave for the right offer.
"In the coming weeks, there will be clarity [on Bittencourt's future]," Wollitz said according to Ruhr Nachrichten.
Reports emanating from Germany suggest the Germany U-18 international, who is of Brazilian heritage, could sign a five-year deal, which would see him join Dortmund at the end of the season.
Pair out of Hoffenheim squad Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski has imposed disciplinary penalties against Chinedu Obasi and Roberto Firmino.
The duo have been removed from the squad for the Bundesliga match at Bayer Leverkusen on Friday after they arrived too late for the return journey home following last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Freiburg.
Hoffenheim sporting director Ernst Tanner was frustrated with the behaviour of the players.
"I have no words," he told www.kicker.de. "Both are employees who are not paid poorly and then they come to work late.
"Of course, the coaches and I have agreed this has very serious consequences."
Firmino scored Hoffenheim's only goal in the disappointing draw against lowly Freiburg last weekend.
