Bundesliga Season 2011/2012

[Mario Gomez]

Wednesday 3rd August 2011

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Dortmund hit by Barrios blow

Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga title defence hopes have been dealt a blow after learning that striker Lucas Barrios will be sidelined for longer than first feared.

The Paraguay international, who has scored 35 goals in 65 Bundesliga appearances for the Westphalians, picked up a thigh injury while representing his country at the Copa America last month.

The initial diagnosis indicated a break of two to three weeks, but after returning to Germany at his club's request to undergo further tests, the true extent of the damage to his thigh has emerged.

"It is not a pretty story," reported Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp on his club's website. "The tear to the muscle fibres is a lot larger than we were told. "The injury is far worse than Paraguay's team doctor had told us."

Barrios willingly accepted his club's request for him to return to Germany early since, according to Klopp, the player "clearly did not feel he was being well looked after over there".

"He is expected to be out for five to six weeks," added Klopp. "This is very annoying and casts a shadow over our relationship with the Paraguayan Football Association."

Klopp will now be without his top goalscorer from last season until mid-September, meaning he could also miss the club's first fixture in the UEFA Champions League.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Bundesliga preview: Champions open at home

4 August 2011

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Borussia Dortmund begin their title defence at home to Hamburg when the 2011/12 Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday.

Dortmund lifted their first title in nine years last season, finishing seven points clear of Bayer Leverkusen. Jurgen Klopp impressed in orchestrating that triumph during his third full season as head coach and Dortmund have thus far managed to ward off any interest in the 44-year-old's services.

They have also retained the bulk of the club's championship-winning squad, with deep-lying playmaker Nuri Sahin the only exception. Turkey international Sahin succumbed to the advances of La Liga runners-up Real Madrid in May for a reported fee of nine million euros.

In capturing the title last season, Dortmund were the beneficiaries of below-par league campaigns by traditional heavyweights Bayern Munich, Schalke and Werder Bremen. Bremen were third in 2009-10, but stumbled to 13th the following term, avoiding the relegation zone by five points.

Schalke were runners-up to champions Bayern in 09/10 and did manage a credible run to the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, accounting for holders Inter Milan along the way. They also lifted the German Cup, but could only finish 14th in the Bundesliga, four points outside the bottom three.

And while Bayern mounted a late rally to come third, a poor start meant they ended up 10 points behind Dortmund, effectively conceding their title with months of the season still to play. Bayern's failure to compete cost coach Louis van Gaal his job, with Jupp Heynckes making the switch from Leverkusen to fill the hot seat at the Allianz Arena for the coming campaign.

The Bavarian giants have shipped out Miroslav Klose, Hamit Altintop and Thomas Kraft, with Germany internationals Manuel Neuer and Jerome Boateng among their high-profile replacements. Bayern begin their campaign at home on Sunday to Borussia Monchengladbach, who earned a reprieve last season after winning their relegation playoff against Bochum.

Also on Sunday, surprise contenders Mainz, who led the table early last season before slipping to fifth, play host to Leverkusen. Schalke, German Super Cup winners against Dortmund last week, kick-off on Saturday away to Stuttgart, who were 12th last season.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Bremen host Kaiserlautern, Hoffenheim travel to Hannover and Cologne await the visit of Wolfsburg. Of the two promoted teams, Hertha Berlin start life back in the top flight with a visit from Nuremburg, while Augsburg will play the first Bundesliga match in their history at home to Freiburg.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund 3 Hamburg 1

6 August 2011

Borussia Dortmund made a successful start to their Bundesliga title defence with a 3-1 win over Hamburg on Friday.​

A brace from Kevin Grosskreutz set up a comfortable first-up win for Jurgen Klopp's team at Signal Iduna Park.

The three-time Germany international put the hosts ahead after 17 minutes when he finished from a Mario Goetze pass.

Goetze went from provider to scorer when he doubled their advantage 12 minutes later, slotting home after playing a delightful wall pass with Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

The hosts sealed the points early in the second half as Grosskreutz put them 3-0 up when he side-footed in from close range.

Hamburg midfielder Robert Tesche struck a consolation goal for the visitors 11 minutes from time, firing home after Dortmund failed to clear their lines from a corner.

 

[Mario Gomez]

Saturday 6th August 2011

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Dortmund unhappy with Kagawa call-up

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is disappointed that Shinji Kagawa has been called up by the Japan for next Wednesday's friendly against South Korea.

Kagawa's recall to the Blue Samurai squad is his first since he suffered an injury at the Asian Cup in January, which ruled him out for almost all of Dortmund's remaining German Bundesliga campaign. Despite putting in extra miles this in pre-season, Kagawa had previously revealed he still has some way to go before he is back to his optimal fitness levels.

Nonetheless, Kagawa was involved with Dortmund's DFB-Pokal first round match last weekend, as well as Friday night's opening Bundesliga tie against Hamburg, which his side won 3-1. Speaking after the match, Klopp was unhappy that Kagawa's attempt to regain full match fitness will be hampered by the long travel involved for next Wednesday's non-competitive fixture.

"It's not a good thing when he faces a long journey after our first league game and then returns to play next Saturday," Klopp said in his post-match press conference. "We had feared this would happen, but he wants to go and we can't stop him.

"I [can only] hope he comes back healthy." Dortmund are not the only team who are not keen on releasing their players for international duty, with Arsenal refusing to allow Ryo Miyaichi to play for the Japan U-22 side, who take on Egypt in the curtain-raiser to Wednesday's main draw.

"Arsenal have told us they would be only willing to release Miyaichi for the [senior] national team," Japan Football Association technical director Hiromi Hara said on Thursday. Bayern Munich youngster Takashi Usami has also been called up for the U-22s, with the JFA currently awaiting a response from the Bavarian giants as to whether or not they would be willing to release him for international duty.

 

[ballsathome]

Monday 8th August 2011

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Bayern slip hands Dortmund advantage

A review of the weekend's action in the German Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich lost on the opening day of the Bundesliga season for the first time since 2001 as they went down 1-0 at home to Borussia Monchengladbach. Gladbach, who beat Bayern by the same scoreline in the first game 10 years ago, repeated history to spoil Jupp Heynckes' third debut in charge of the Bavarians.

It proved to be an even worse bow for Bayern's new number one Manuel Neuer as his glaring error allowed Igor de Camargo to score the only goal of the game in the 62nd minute. In Sunday's other game, defensive failings cost Bayer Leverkusen as they opened their Bundesliga season with a 2-0 defeat to Mainz.

Goalkeeper Fabian Giefer's poor clearance allowed Sami Allagui to open the scoring before half-time and Omer Toprak's late own goal ensured there would be no way back. Thomas Tuchel's side suffered a shock Europa League elimination on penalties against Gaz Metan in the third qualifying round, and they will be pleased to have bounced back to form at the new Coface Arena.

On Saturday, Stuttgart baptised their newly-renovated Mercedes-Benz Arena in style with a 3-0 win over Schalke. Cacau, Martin Harnik and Shinji Okazaki were on target for Bruno Labbadia's side as they made light work of the Royal Blues, whose defence failed to impress.

Stuttgart could even have won more comfortably but missed numerous chances to punish their opponents' defensive shortcomings. Patrick Helmes struck twice as Wolfsburg downed 10-man Cologne 3-0 to make a flying start to the new season having narrowly avoided relegation last term.

Helmes put the Wolves ahead in the 17th minute and then doubled his account late on as Felix Magath's side added two more goals in the final five minutes, Marcel Schafer the other man on the scoresheet after netting direct from a corner. A second-half brace from Markus Rosenberg helped Werder Bremen to an opening-day 2-0 win over Kaiserslautern.

There had been little in the game until the Swede struck his first on the hour mark, with a second nine minutes from time wrapping things up. Kaiserslautern could have few complaints about the result either, creating just two chances in a largely drab performance at Westerstadion. Hannover enjoyed a winning start after downing Hoffenheim 2-1 at the Niedersachsen Stadion.

All three goals came in the opening 30 minutes with Jan Schlaudraff putting Hannover ahead, Sejad Salihovic equalising from the spot for Hoffenheim, and then Mohammed Abdellaoue netting the winner with another penalty. Hannover finished fourth last term to qualify for the Europa League and they looked keen to prove that was not a one-season wonder as they started on a winning note.

Sascha Molders' second-half double ensured Augsburg were not beaten in their first ever Bundesliga match as they drew 2-2 with Freiburg. Molders twice dragged the newcomers back after falling behind to goals from Papis Demba Cisse and Cedric Makiadi after the interval. Cisse picked up where he left off from last season, when he top-scored with 22 goals, to fire Freiburg ahead on 48 minutes.

Molders' first equaliser arrived on 57 minutes, and while the celebrations were cut short when Makiadi sent the visitors back ahead almost immediately, he struck again nine minutes from the end to snatch a point. Hertha Berlin's return to the Bundesliga ended in disappointment as Tomas Pekhart's 80th-minute goal earned Nurnberg a 1-0 win.

The visitors were good value for the victory, creating most of the chances in front of a crowd of 61,118 at the Olympic Stadium. On Friday night, Borussia Dortmund made it clear that they will not give up their Bundesliga title easily with an emphatic 3-1 win over Hamburg in the opening top-flight fixture of the season.

The Westphalians dominated the game almost at will and could have won more comfortably against a woeful Hamburg side, who nevertheless managed a late consolation. A Kevin Grosskreutz brace and a goal from the livewire Mario Gotze had already put the result beyond doubt, however, and gave the defending champions a perfect start to the season in front of a full house of over 80,000 at the Westfalenstadion.

Sunday's Results

Bayern Munich 0-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Mainz 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen

Saturday's Results

Stuttgart 3-0 Schalke
Cologne 0-3 Wolfsburg
Hertha Berlin 0-1 Nurnberg
Werder Bremen 2-0 Kaiserslautern
Hannover 2-1 Hoffenheim
Augsburg 2-2 Freiburg

Friday's Results

Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Hamburg​

 

[ballsathome]

Wednesday 10th August 2011

Beckenbauer: Gotze is like Messi

Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has compared Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze to Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The latter is widely known as the best player on the planet and Gotze's emergence and impressive performances in the Bundesliga has led to Beckenbauer comparing him with the Argentinean wizard.

"It is impossible to stop Mario Gotze," Beckenbauer told German newspaper Bild. "He plays as if there is nobody else facing him on the pitch.

"He has the same attributes as Lionel Messi, whose playing style and understanding make them both pure, instinctive footballers."

Coincidently, the 19-year-old has revealed his dream of playing at Nou Camp one day.

"My childhood dream was always to play at Camp Nou. It's fun to also watch teams like Barcelona or Arsenal."

 

[ballsathome]

Wednesday 10th August 2011

Leno answers Leverkusen SOS

Bayer Leverkusen have signed Stuttgart goalkeeper Bernd Leno on loan as cover for their injury problems between the posts.

The 19-year-old has joined Leverkusen until the end of 2011, with both Rene Adler (knee surgery) and Fabian Giefer (concussion) currently out of action.

"We are pleased that we are able to quickly find a quality solution for this important position and are confident that, with Bernd Leno's help, we can achieve our goals this season," the club's sporting director Rudi Voller told www.bayer04.de.

Leverkusen have had a woeful start to the new campaign, falling at the first hurdle in the DFB-Pokal to Dynamo Dresden before losing their Bundesliga opener against Mainz 2-0.

 

[ballsathome]

Wednesday 10th August 2011

Rubin bid for Schalke's Huntelaar

Schalke had revealed that Russian outfit Rubin Kazan have made an enquiry about the availability of Dutch hitman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Despite being one of the biggest names on the Schalke roster, Huntelaar's future has been the subject of much speculation all summer.

Huntelaar had to settle for a place on the bench on a number of occasions last season, especially with Raul and Edu in fine form, although he still managed to score thirteen goals in 34 matches in all competition.

Rubin have been struggling to find form in the Russian Premier Liga this season, and currently lie in fifth place after nineteen games.

With the 2008 and 2009 champions relatively toothless in attack so far, an attacking addition has been identified at the club, and Schalke reveal Huntelaar is one of the targets Rubin are eyeing.

"We have been approached by a Russian team," Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt told Sport Bild. "Kazan have shown an interest in signing Klaas-Jan.

"They have apparently already spoken to his agent as well." Nonetheless, Heldt was confident Huntelaar would spurn Rubin's advances and stay at the Veltins-Arena in the immediate future.

"However, he has ruled out a transfer as far as I know. Klaas-Jan is staying at Schalke."

Netherlands international Huntelaar started this season in fine form, scoring four goals in Schalke's DFB-Pokal first round tieagainst FC Teningen, a match which the Bundesliga outfit won 11-1.

 

[ballsathome]

Thursday 11th August 2011

Ex-champs set for Bundesliga clash

Former Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich clash this weekend after contrasting starts to the season.

While the Wolves are on a high after making a winning start last weekend, fallen giants Bayern need to recover from an opening-day defeat when they face off at the VW-Arena. "It would be crazy of me to say it is nothing special," said Wolfsburg's former Bayern midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic to the Munchner Merkur newspaper.

"I spent nine years with the club and won numerous titles there." Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath also has a memorable history with the Bavarians having led them to back-to-back league and cup doubles in 2005 and 2006.

After only narrowly avoiding relegation with Wolfsburg last season, he is now trying to revive the club to what they were under him in 2009, when they won the title. However, Bayern cannot afford to drop any more points as they bid to avoid a repeat of their poor start to last season which they were never able to recover from.

"The important thing is that we get back on track," said their director of sport Christian Nerlinger. "I am convinced that the team will provide the right answer in Wolfsburg." Another of Magath's former clubs, Stuttgart, made a flying start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Schalke last weekend and they will be looking to make it two wins from two when they travel to Bayern's conquerors Borussia Monchengladbach.

Defending champions Borussia Dortmund looked like they are once again going to be the team to beat this season when they swept Hamburg aside last Friday night. They travel to Hoffenheim, who are still reeling about a controversial goal which cost them a point against Hannover last weekend.

Hannover travel to Nurnberg at the start of one of the most important weeks in their recent history with the visit of Sevilla to the Niedersachsenstadion in the Europa League on the agenda next week while Mainz, who were also successful on the opening day of the season, but whose European campaign is already over, head to Freiburg.

Sunday's big match pits Bayer Leverkusen with Werder Bremen while Augsburg go in search of their first ever Bundesliga three points at Kaiserslautern.
Finally, Schalke and Cologne both look to bounce back from opening day disappointments as they meet in a bottom-of-the-table clash at the Arena AufSchalke, and Hamburg host Hertha Berlin.

Match Fixtures

Saturday

Freiburg vs Mainz
Hamburger SV vs Hertha BSC
Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund
Nurnberg vs Hannover
Schalke vs FC Cologne
Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich
Monchengladbach vs Stuttgart

Sunday

Kaiserslautern vs Augsburg
Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen


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[ballsathome]

Bundesliga preview: Tough test beckons for Bayern

11 August 2011

Bayern Munich travel to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, hoping to avoid a repeat of last season's stuttering start to the season. The Bavarian giants won just twice in their first seven matches of the 2010/11 Bundesliga season and were inconsistent throughout the campaign.

Bayern's poor performance saw them surrender their domestic crown to Borussia Dortmund almost without a fight. The meek surrender cost Louis van Gaal his job as coach, only 11 months after securing a league and cup double and guiding the club to the Champions League final.​

Jupp Heynckes, tempted to the Allianz Arena from Bayer Leverkusen, is the man charged with recovering the title from Dortmund. But 2011/12 did not begin according to plan last week, as Bayern went down 1-0 at home to Borussia Monchengladbach, a team forced to secure their top-flight status by winning last's relegation playoff.

The only goal of the match came from a combined error by Bayern's two biggest arrivals of the close season, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and his Germany international teammate Jerome Boateng. The signing of Neuer, a confirmed Schalke fanatic, was met with considerable disapproval by the Bayern support, and his part in their embarrassing opening-day defeat will have done little to rehabilitate his reputation.

Their next opponents, Wolfsburg, were also fortunate to survive last season, finishing just two points above Monchengladbach. But they made a flying start to the new term, winning 3-0 at Cologne, who will hope for a better return from their trip to Schalke on Saturday.

It was business as usual for the champions, as Dortmund accounted for Hamburg with a comprehensive 3-1 victory last Friday. Jurgen Klopp's side are away to Hoffenheim this weekend, while Monchengladbach will look to build on their unlikely victory over Bayern when they host Stuttgart.

Also on Saturday, Hamburg play host to promoted Hertha Berlin, Nuremburg welcome Hannover and Freiburg await the visit of Mainz. On Sunday, promoted Augsburg travel to Kaiserslautern and Leverkusen are at home to Werder Bremen.

 

[ballsathome]

Bundesliga wrap: Dortmund fall to Hoffenheim, Bayern triumph

14 August 2011

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Champions Borussia Dortmund slumped to defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim, while Bayern Munich were victorious in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

A solitary strike from midfielder Sejad Salihovic was enough to condemn Juergen Klopp's team to a 1-0 defeat at the Rhein-Neckar Arena. Salihovic, a Bosnia and Herzegovina international, struck a powerful 30-yard free kick into the top corner in the ninth minute to put the hosts in front.

They held on despite Dortmund's late pressure to bounce back from their loss to Hannover in the opening round of fixtures. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich needed a 90th-minute winner from Brazilian Luiz Gustavo to record a 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg.

Mainz hold top spot after a 2-1 win at Freiburg, where Marcel Risse and Maxim Choupo-Moting netted before Papiss Cisse's consolation goal. A hat-trick from Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has helped Schalke to a 5-1 win over Cologne.

Lukas Podolski had put Cologne up early, but a penalty from Huntelaar put his team on level terms at the break. He struck twice more - either side of goals from Lewis Holtby and Raul - to wrap up what was a comfortable win.

Stuttgart remain in third place after salvaging a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach thanks to a Cacau equaliser. In other games, Hertha Berlin snatched a late 2-2 draw at Hamburg.

Turkey international Tunay Torun cancelled out Mladen Petric's penalty, before Andre Mijatovic drew Hertha level for the second time in the 88th minute after Son Heung-Min had restored Hamburg's lead.

A goal from forward Mohammed Abdellaoue and a Konstantin Rausch penalty were enough to give Hannover a 2-1 win at Nuremberg, despite Tomas Pekhart's 56th-minute strike.

 

[ballsathome]

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Bundesliga wrap: Leverkusen off the mark, Kaiserslautern draw

15 August 2011

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Bayer Leverkusen have claimed their first win of the Bundesliga season with a 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Sunday.

It took 85 minutes for the home side to break the deadlock in what was a rather pedestrian match, but Michal Kadlec finally struck to lift Robin Dutt's side to victory.

Kadlec had a header blocked, before team-mate Simon Rolfes played the ball back into his path and the Czech made no mistake with his second chance, volleying home off the inside of the post.

Elsewhere, Kaiserslautern have picked up their first point of the season after holding Augsburg to a 1-1 draw.

Striker Sascha Moelders put Augsburg ahead on nine minutes, but the hosts continued to push and Itay Shechter eventually levelled the scores late in the second half.

 

[ballsathome]

Tuesday 16th August 2011

Robben opens door for Russian move

Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has revealed he could see himself playing for one of Russia's top clubs before he retires from the game.

Russian football is one of the hot topics of the summer transfer window thanks to newly-rich Anzhi Makhachkala.

The Dagestan outfit made the headlines when they convinced Brazil legend Roberto Carlos to join their club and stirred the market late last month with an audacious bid for Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o.

"Of course I have heard of Anzhi Makhachkala, they have a lot of money," Robben told Express.

"But I dont want to talk about my future. I'm 27 and I am happy at Bayern. But in life anything can happen and maybe one day I will play in Russia."

Robben is in his third season in Munich after signing from Real Madrid for €25million.

Meanwhile, Cameroon international Eto'o is reportedly on the verge of sealing a €35million move to Anzhi.

It has been suggested that Eto'o will be handed a contract worth up to €20million a season in order to make the move happen.

 

[ballsathome]

Tuesday 16th August 2011

Schalke: No offers for Raul

Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick insists there have been no offers for Raul despite rumours the former Spain star wants to quit the club.

Raul joined Schalke last summer after 16 years at Real Madrid, during which time he broke the Spanish club's all-time goalscoring record, and has impressed in the Bundesliga, netting 14 times in 36 games.

But speculation continues to suggest the 34-year-old is not happy in Gelsenkirchen and that his relationship with the club has broken down. Rangnick, however, is adamant Raul has not asked to leave.

He told the Bild newspaper: "It's the same for Raul as it is for all the players. "If he tells me that he wants to leave then we will talk. But that is not the case at the moment. There have also been no offers for him from any other club."

Rangnick also revealed he has tried to talk to Raul on several occasions in order to gauge his happiness. He added: "I have in recent months often sought a dialogue with Raul because I have had the feeling something is not right. "But he has always said he is okay and has no problems."

 

[ballsathome]

Raul set for Schalke stay

17 August 2011

Veteran Spanish striker Raul will not leave Schalke, according to the Bundesliga club's sporting director Horst Heldt. Earlier on Tuesday, the Champions League semi-finalists revealed that Blackburn Rovers had made an official bid for the 34-year-old.
​

But despite rumours of unrest at Gelsenkirchen, the former Real Madrid and Spain captain has turned down a move to the English Premier League club. "Raul's agent told me that his client does not want to go to Blackburn. He will stay at Schalke," Heldt told Bild.

"Both our coach Ralf Rangnick and my colleague Peter Peters as well as myself have always stressed that we did not want him to leave." "We are pleased that Raul wants to contribute everything he can to make us a sporting success."

Raul became a crowd favourite at Schalke for his spirited performances last season, particularly in the Champions League. Reported conflict over his role at the club had prompted rumours of his potential departure.

But after discussions between player and club, the Spaniard's future appears to be in Gelsenkirchen - at least until his contract expires at the end of the season.

 

[ballsathome]

Wednesday 17th August 2011

Bremen's Naldo returns from injury

Werder Bremen defender Naldo made his comeback from a 15-month absence with a knee injury on Tuesday night.

The Brazilian started a hastily-arranged friendly with St Pauli, which his side won 5-4.

Naldo, who made a handful of errors during the game, was taken off after 57 minutes.

 

[ballsathome]

Wednesday 17th August 2011

Ex-Dortmund striker Koller calls it a day

Former Czech Republic striker Jan Koller has retired from football at the age of 38 due to injury problems.

Koller, his country's all-time record scorer with 55 goals, quit the international scene in 2009 but continued to play club football and spent last season with French third-tier side Cannes.

He told his personal website: "Stopping my career was unexpectedly easy. I was prepared for a long time. I look forward to what lies ahead in the near future."

The 6ft 7in forward won the 2002 Bundesliga title during his five-year spell with Borussia Dortmund and also had stints with Sparta Prague, Lokeren, Anderlecht, Monaco, Nurnberg and Krylya Sovetov Samara.

 

[ballsathome]

Wednesday 17th August 2011

Wolfsburg's Koo facing injury layoff

Wolfsburg midfielder Koo Ja-cheol is facing a spell on the sidelines after tearing ligaments in his left ankle during training.

The 22 year-old South Korea international suffered the injury yesterday and is set to undergo further tests to determine the extent of the problem.

Koo could be out of action for several weeks though, and is expected to miss South Korea's opening World Cup qualifier against Lebanon on September 2.

It is a further blow for national team coach Cho Kwang-rae, who has lost Lee Chung-yong for nine months after the Bolton winger broke his leg in pre-season training.

 

[ballsathome]

Wednesday 17th August 2011[

Dortmund to rebuff Gotze advances

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has issued a "not-for-sale" warning to any club considering a bid for young star Mario Gotze.

Gotze's emergence as the brightest young talent in German football following his performances for Dortmund in the German Bundesliga last season has not gone unnoticed, and rumours suggest that Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United have earmarked the 19-year-old as a possible transfer target.

The Red Devils have been in the market all summer for a playmaker following the retirement of veteran Paul Scholes, and had initially set their sights on Inter Milan's Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder. However, a breakdown with negotiations coupled with Gotze's continued fine displays have left many suggesting that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has now earmarked the German international as his number one target.

Dortmund's Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich also have a track record of poaching the finest young talent across the country, and could yet be plotting a move that would mirror their acquisition of German number one Manuel Neuer this summer. However, aware that numerous clubs are coveting Dortmund's prized asset, Watzke was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the club could be willing to entertain offers.

"There may come interest, but we have not the slightest intention to sell Mario Gotze," Watzke told Bild on Tuesday. Bild also reports that Dortmund and Gotze have agreed that it would be most beneficial for the player's development if he were to remain at the Signal Iduna Park for at least another season.

Even then, Dortmund would only entertain offers from abroad if they choose to cash in on him next summer, and will snub any bid from Bayern regardless of how much cash is on offer. Gotze has already made 39 league appearances for Dortmund since his debut in 2009, and has also earned seven caps for the German national team.

 

[ballsathome]

Thursday 18th August 2011

Wolfsburg snap up Hitzlsperger

Wolfsburg have confirmed the signing of former West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger.

The 29-year-old Germany international has signed a three-year contract with the German Bundesliga club. Hitzlsperger was a free agent after leaving the Hammers following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season. "Thomas is a player who will help us with his professional approach and his international experience," Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath told a press conference.

"I am pleased that he is now with us, because he is a player who can lead the team." Hitzlsperger, renowned for his ferocious left foot, made his name at Aston Villa before a successful spell at Stuttgart and less auspicious one at Lazio. He had been linked with a host of Premier League clubs. The midfielder said: "I am overjoyed that the transfer has gone through. This is the beginning of a great partnership.

The club has big ambitions and a coach who epitomises this. "I am looking forward to being part of the team, already know some of the players who I have played with at club or international level. "I am highly motivated and very very happy to take up the challenge." The Wolves have won one and lost one of their opening two games of the Bundesliga season.