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Bundesliga Season 2011/2012

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Ryan Babel to be investigated for ‘the ref was on drugs’ tweet

The Hoffenheim man could face sanctions after posting a remark about the official who dismissed him during the final weekend of Bundesliga action

May 8, 2012 7:30:00 PM

By Tom Webber

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Ryan Babel could be punished for publishing a derogatory tweet aimed at referee Thorsten Kinhofer after Hoffenheim's defeat to Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

The Dutch forward was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in the space of two minutes on the stroke of half time. His team subsequently lost the match 3-1.

Babel, clearly disgruntled by the decision, announced on Twitter: "I don't know, I think the ref was on drugs."

The German Football Federation (DFB) is now investigating the 25-year-old, and its disciplinary committee has demanded a statement from the player.

While playing for Liverpool in January 2011, Babel received and £10,000 fine for posting a mocked-up image of referee Howard Webb in a Manchester United shirt on the social networking site.
 

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Bayern's Pranjic set to move to China following 'unbelievable' offer


The Croatia international will move to Asia, where he will be given an apartment or house of his choosing, a 24-hour chauffeur, as well as a hefty wage increase

May 8, 2012 9:50:00 AM

By Clark Whitney

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Bayern Munich winger Danijel Pranjic has confirmed an approach from an unnamed Chinese club who have made him an "unbelievable" offer.

Speaking to Croatian source Nogometni Magazin, the 30-year-old revealed that he has been offered a two-and-a-half year contract plus a long list of incentives.

"I got an offer from China that I can not possibly refuse. Financially, it's an incredible offer," he said. "I've not yet signed, but really I've already decided."

The Croatia international will reportedly earn €11 million over the next two years, but wages are just the beginning of his mega-offer.

"After the Champions League final, the club's owner will pick me up on a private plane to fly to China to sign the contract," Pranjic explained. "Before that I will have a medical exam in Munich.

"The President said: we will offer you a private driver 24 hours a day, an apartment or house of your choice - we'll give you anything you want!"

Pranjic, who was close to joining Everton in January before Bayern declined to sell him, has a contract that will expire at the end of June. He has made just 14 appearances for Bayern this season, totalling 513 minutes.
 

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Barrios: I want to win the double with Dortmund before leaving
The Paraguay international has already agreed to leave for Guangzhou Evergrande this summer, but wants to finish his BVB career on a high


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Schweinsteiger: Mourinho would definitely be successful at Bayern
The Germany international has nothing but praise for the Real Madrid coach, and hopes that the Portuguese will be in charge at FCB at one point in the future


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Bayern desperate to sign Real Madrid flop Nuri Sahin - report
The German record champions have been in the market to add depth in their squad, and have allegedly set their sights on the ex-Dortmund star as an option in midfield


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Koo Ja-Cheol: Augsburg loan provided a 'stepping stone'
The young South Korean scored five goals and helped Augsburg avoid relegation after joining on loan in January but remains unsure on his future with three clubs interested


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Raul plays his final match for a European club in US friendly
The Spanish veteran's last game for a European team came in America, against the Philadelphia Union and his team-mate Jermaine Jones paid tribute to him


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I was honoured by Juventus interest but I can see myself finishing my career at Bayern, reveals Robben
The Bianconeri made a big push to lure the former Real Madrid man to Serie A, but the Dutchman has revealed that he was always going to sign a new deal with his Bavarian employers


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Hamburg chairman confirms interest in Kuyt
German side's chief Carl-Edgar Jarchow admits his side are looking into the possibility of signing the Liverpool forward, who looks set to leave Anfield in the summer


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Borussia Dortmund issue hands-off warning over Piszczek and Lewandowski
The Bundesliga champions have declared that the Polish duo are not for sale and stated that they are focused on strengthening their squad


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'I rejected Bayern & Juventus for Schalke stay' - Farfan
The Peru international claims he turned down advances from the Bavarian giants and the Bianconeri before he signed a contract extension tying him to the Veltins Arena until 2016

 

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Zorc: Dortmund's success is down to Klopp
The 49-year-old believes the club's accomplishments in the past two seasons have been enormous, and he attributes much of the praise to the manager


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Heynckes brimming with confidence ahead of DFB-Pokal final against Dortmund
The German coach believes that the Bavarians will finally be able to beat the Bundesliga champions this season and hailed the importance of winning the cup


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Dost set to join Wolfsburg - report
The towering attacker has been in scintillating form in the 2011-12 campaign, and now appears to be on his way to the Bundesliga as he is set to make the next step in his career


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Stale Solbakken appointed as new Wolves manager
The former Koln boss, who was sacked from the newly-relegated Bundesliga side last month, held talks with the club on Thursday and will officially take charge on July 1


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I don't expect Kagawa to stay at Dortmund, says Hummels
The Germany defender says that his Japanese team-mate would have extended his deal with the club by now if he was planning on staying at the Signal Iduna Park


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Worns: Dortmund's progress is very impressive
The former Germany international has hailed BVB's rise to the top in recent years, and expects an exciting DFB Pokal final at the weekend against Bayern Munich


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Bayern's Petersen set for Werder Bremen loan move
The attacker has struggled to secure regular first-team action in his maiden season at the Allianz Arena, and could be shipped out on loan to the Weserstadion


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Neuer: Borussia Dortmund did not deserve to beat Bayern Munich
The highly-rated shot stopper thinks that both matches between the German rival clubs were close affairs and that the fairest results would have been stalemates


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Real Madrid will have to pay at least €10 million for Piszczek, says agent
The Polish defender's representative has indicated that a move to Los Blancos would be a step forward in the player's career and refused to rule out a summer transfer

 

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Bundesliga play-off: Hertha Berlin 1 Fortuna Dusseldorf 2


11 May 2012

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Fortuna Dusseldorf recorded a 2-1 win at Hertha Berlin in the first leg of their Bundesliga promotion play-off on Thursday.The come-from-behind victory at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin came thanks to a Thomas Broeker strike and an Adrian Ramos own goal.

Norbert Meier's men are on the verge of returning to the top flight for the first time since the 1996/97 season ahead of Tuesday's return leg at home.
Hertha Berlin, who finished 16th in the Bundesliga, made a strong start, and took a 19th-minute lead when Roman Hubnik netted from an Anis Ben-Hatira corner.

The hosts had the better of the few chances but were unable to double their advantage, and they were made to pay in the 64th minute.
Broeker struck with a fine individual effort, beating three Hertha defenders before striking past Thomas Kraft.

They went ahead just seven minutes later, with Ramos unlucky to divert a Ken Ilso free-kick into his own net.
Hertha, who were relegated from the Bundesliga in 2009/10, face a big challenge if they are to avoid the same fate in their first year back in the top flight.
 

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Kagawa delighted with DFB-Pokal glory and cool on transfer talk


The Japan international was watched by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in Saturday's cup final victory where he played a key role and revelled in glory post-game

May 13, 2012 5:16:00 AM

By Dan Orlowitz

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Shinji Kagawa potentially ended his Bundesliga stint with a bang on Saturday, scoring the opening goal and assisting Robert Lewandowski's first of three as Borussia Dortmund triumphed 5-2 over Bayern Munich to win the DFB-Pokal.

The 23-year-old has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks as Manchester United prepares to make an offer, and manager Sir Alex Fergeson was spotted in the stands, but the player himself would only discuss his remarkable performance following his team's successful double.

"We were able to get a bigger lead than I expected," Kagawa told reporters. "But then again I expected a shoot-out.

"When I scored the first goal I didn't think we'd be able to defend the lead easily, because Bayern had a strong attack."

The Japan international praised the fans who came out to watch another tough battle between the two German heavyweights.

"You don't get this opportunity every day," Kagawa continued. "So it was a great experience and Im even more glad to have won."

Meanwhile, his Dortmund team-mates clearly hoped that Kagawa would stay another year as the team attempts to claim a third consecutive league title.

"We talk to him and tell him that we would be very happy if he stay with us," Marcel Schmelzer told reporters when asked about the transfer rumours that have also seen Kagawa's name attached to clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham and Milan.

"I hope he makes the right decision and thinks about that," said Mats Hummels. "I wish him all the best."
 

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Klopp lost for words after DFB-Pokal win


The 44-year-old says that nobody could have imagined Saturday's 5-2 victory over Bayern Munich going any better

May 12, 2012 10:14:00 PM

By Enis Koylu

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Borussia Dortmund's 5-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal final has left Jurgen Klopp, BVB's coach, speechless.

The Signal Iduna Park side stormed to victory with goals from Shinji Kagawa and Mats Hummels complementing a Robert Lewandowski hat-trick.

The cup victory completed a domestic double for Dortmund, and speaking after the game Klopp said that he was lost for words at his side's achievements.

"It was a Pokal final that no-one in Dortmund could have imagined going any better. We were cool, scored great goals ... what's going on inside us definitely cannot be put into words," he said according to Kicker.

It was a message echoed by captain Sebastian Kehl, who felt that his side were worthy victors in the Berlin showpiece.

"We've shown that we rightly won the championship and the cup. We were always there. It was an indescribable feeling we had today. Five goals against Bayern - sensational!" He concluded.

Saturday's victory ended a 23-year-run without the DFB Pokal for Borussia Dortmund.
 

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Kehl: Dortmund are worthy champions and cup winners
The BVB midfielder was over the moon after beating the Bavarians at the weekend, and feels that they fully deserve their double success this term


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Low predicts Bayern backlash against Chelsea after Dortmund defeat
The Germany boss feels that the Bavarians will be disgusted with their display in Berlin and suspects that the Blues might feel the full force of their fury


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With Ferguson watching, Kagawa gives perfect Manchester United audition as Dortmund hammer Bayern
Under heavy pressure, the Japanese playmaker overcame his slump against the Bavarians and proved on the big stage that he is ready to move to England


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We were the better side but we handed victory to Dortmund on a plate, laments Lahm
The 28-year-old full-back was bewildered by his side's defensive lapses against the German champions and admitted they cannot afford to make the same errors against Chelsea


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Kagawa delighted with DFB-Pokal glory and cool on transfer talk
The Japan international was watched by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in Saturday's cup final victory where he played a key role and revelled in glory post-game


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Klopp lost for words after DFB-Pokal win
The 44-year-old says that nobody could have imagined Saturday's 5-2 victory over Bayern Munich going any better


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Hoeness: Guardiola would be perfect for Bayern but he must learn German first
The Bavarians' supremo has talked up the chances of the 41-year-old possibly occupying his side's hotseat one day, but insists the language barrier must first be dealt with


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Ferguson in Berlin to watch Manchester United target Kagawa
Old Trafford club are rumoured to be front-runners in the race to capture the Japanese star's signature this summer, and the Scottish boss is in attendance at the German cup final


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Wolfsburg's Magath awaits Diego return
The 58 year old trainer has said that he is awaiting the return of Diego back to Wolfsburg after the end of his loan spell at Atletico Madrid despite the bust-up between the pair.


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Werder Bremen: Claudio Pizarro not ready to take a decision on his future
The Peruvian's contract with the Bundesliga side ends next month, but is yet to sign a new deal with the club reported to be becoming increasingly frustrated.


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Dortmund's Piszczek remaining coy on Real Madrid reports
Los Blancos are rumoured to be considering a summer bid for the 26-year-old right-back, but the Pole is refusing to discuss the issue until the Spaniards make a concrete offer

 

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Rummenigge: Bayern have to accept that Dortmund are Germany's best team


The 56-year-old has voiced his dismay with the Bavarian club's display in the DFB-Pokal final, and admitted that BVB are now the most dominant team in the country

May 13, 2012 4:40:00 PM

By Stefan Coerts

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Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has admitted that Borussia Dortmund are now Germany's best team after winning the double.

The Bundesliga champions beat Bayern 5-2 in Saturday's DFB-Pokal final, and the former Inter forward has admitted that BVB are now the dominant side in Germany.

"Borussia Dortmund deservedly won. We have to accept and respect that there is a team in this country that is better than us domestically at the moment," Rummenigge told reporters.

"It's not a coincidence that they have won the league title, and they have now won their first-ever double. We have to accept this, and try and do our utmost to turn things around again in the near future.

"It's not a coincidence if you lose 5-2. This was not a matter of bad luck, but we have to admit that it was an ignominy."

Bayern will be looking to bounce back in Saturday's Champions League final against Chelsea.
 

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<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SVJ7AhTUbfY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

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Boo hoo hoo.. not again!

 

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Official: Al Sadd announce signing of Raul


The 34-year-old has ended the speculation surrounding his future after penning a one-year deal with the Qatari outfit and following in the footsteps of Fernando Hierro

May 12, 2012 11:25:00 PM

By Livio Caferoglu

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Al Sadd have confirmed the signing of Raul on a free transfer from the start of the 2012-13 season.

The former Spain forward is set to depart Schalke after two years in Germany since his release from the Spanish capital, but the identity of his next team was previously unknown.

However, Al Sadd have now announced on their official website that the decorated 34-year-old will arrive on Qatari shores prior to the beginning of the new campaign.

Raul made his name at Real Madrid after making his debut in 1994, before going on to win six Liga titles and a hat-trick of Champions League crowns.

He also became Los Blancos' all-time top scorer with 323 goals over a 16-year spell but joined Schalke two summers ago.

The attacker was also a success in Gelsenkirchen, despite his advancing years, netting a further 40 times, but revealed the current campaign would be his last for the Royal Blues, which ended in the side retiring the No.7 shirt that he had worn.

Raul has scored 71 Champions League goals, ensuring legendary status.
 

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Pizarro confirms Werder Bremen exit
The 33-year-old forward has announced that he will not be signing a new contract with the club and now intends to finish his career 'by doing something different'


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Hamburg set to cash in on Kompany and De Jong - report
Belgian centre back and Dutch destroyer set to earn pay-outs for old side from Manchester City, while Eljero Elia and Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart also have similar clauses


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Coaching duo Sascha Lewandowski & Sami Hyypia sign Bayer Leverkusen extension
The duo replaced the fired Robin Dutt for the last six games of the 2011-12 campaign, and have now been rewarded for their good work with a full-time appointment


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Podolski: I can be Arsenal's utility man
New Gunners signing says that he will add versatility to the club's attacking line by being able to play as a striker and wide on the left, as well as a playmaker


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Bayern will not be foolish enough to assume Chelsea are an average team, insists Kahn
The west London outfit had a disappointing Premier League campaign but the ex-Germany captain is wary of the threat posed by Roberto Di Matteo's men in Europe's finale


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Bayern's Usami close to Hoffenheim move - report
The 20-year-old striker languished on the bench at Bayern Munich this season, but instead of returning to Japan appears set to join Hoffenheim on another loan spell


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Kagawa will not sign a new deal, says Borussia Dortmund's Michael Zorc
The Bundesliga champions are willing to listen to offers for the highly-rated attacker after he intimated that he will not extend his contract, which expires next summer


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Manchester United want Dortmund ace Lewandowski
According to his representative, the Poland international is not satisfied with BVB's offer to extend his contract, while the player has caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson

 

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BREAKING NEWS: Monchengladbach sign Xhaka from Basel
The German side have bolstered their midfield ahead of next season's Champions League campaign, tying down the youngster with a five-year contract that will run through 2017


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Bayern may never get this chance again, admits Heynckes
Not since Roma qualified for the 1984 tournament decider at the Stadio Olimpico has a side had the benefit of home advantage in the biggest club game in world football


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Schweinsteiger: We have solutions for our suspensions
The midfielder admits that Luiz Gustavo, Holger Badstuber and David Alaba will be missed, but he feels that Jupp Heynckes still has more than enough talent at his disposal


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Hamburg make third attempt to sign Koo Ja-Cheol - report
The South Korea international could link up with his compatriot Son Heung-Min at the Red Shorts, after a sensational loan spell at Augsburg revived their interest


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Grosskreutz: I'm sad that Kagawa is leaving Dortmund
The Germany winger will feel the loss of his Japanese team-mate following his departure for England this summer, but understands the logic behind his desire to play there


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Official: Hamburg sign Adler on free transfer from Leverkusen
The 27-year-old goalkeeper missed the entire 2011-12 campaign but the Rothosen believe that they have pulled off a major coup in landing the Germany international


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Park: Kagawa can be a success at Manchester United
The South Korean international has backed the Japanese star to do well should he join the Red Devils, and has stated that he would like to see out his career with at Old Trafford


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Nurnberg signing Kiyotake: "I decided I needed a challenge"
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is the first of several young Japanese players expected to move to Europe this summer after he agreed to join the Bavarian outfit


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Official: Bayern Munich sign Hoffenheim goalkeeper Tom Starke
The Bavarians, who were keen to sign a new second-choice custodian following Hans-Jorg Butt's decision to retire at the end of the season, have tied up a deal for the 31-year-old


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Kobiashvili faces hefty ban for striking referee - report
The Hertha Berlin defender reportedly struck Wolfgang Stark in the Bundesliga promotion/relegation play-off against Fortuna Dusseldorf


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Low: Reus can play as Germany's central striker
The trainer has asserted that the attacker is capable of playing as a lone No.9, and opined that while his team's playing style resembles Dortmund's, he has developed his own plans


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Strunz: Bayern need eight to 10 new players
The former Germany international feels that the Bavarian giants need to make several additions this summer, but does not think Nuri Sahin is the right man


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Lewandowski respects Dortmund's decision not to sell despite Manchester United interest, says agent
The representative has assured that he will not seek to force a summer exit for his client, who himself has cast doubt over his long-term future with the German champions


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Huntelaar does not want to leave Schalke, says Heldt
The Bundesliga top scorer has given no indication of his desire to quit the Royal Blues, according to the club's general manager, despite attracting plenty of interest


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It'd be good to play in the Premier League, says Kagawa after meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson
Borussia Dortmund's attacking midfielder spoke with reporters upon his arrival in Japan revealing he's been contacted by several clubs but wants a team where he can be challenged


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Bayern defeat would have a negative impact on Germany's morale, claims Low
The coach is worried about the impact a defeat for the Bavarians could have on his squad as they head into the European Championships


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Kagawa agent confirms Manchester discussions with Ferguson
Following reports the Dortmund playmaker had flown to England, representative Thomas Kroth affirmed that his client held talks with the United boss
 

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Manchester United lodge €17m bid for Kagawa
The Red Devils have been strongly linked with the Borussia Dortmund star in recent weeks, with Sir Alex Ferguson keen to revamp his midfield ahead of next season


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Claudio Pizarro undergoes Bayern medical - report
The veteran striker has reportedly been examined by the Bavarian club staff, and will put pen to paper on a one-year contract when he returns from Peru in June


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Werder Bremen sign Lukimya
The central defender arrives to plug the emerging gaps in the squad, and is confident he can succeed at a bigger club


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Bobadilla departure sparks transfer activity from Borussia Monchengladbach and Hoffenheim
Gladbach have moved to sign a replacement for the Argentine striker from the Southeastern club, who themselves have struck a deal with a former Bayern Munich forward


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Rummenigge: Bayern fans sorry for booing Robben during Netherlands friendly
Sections of the Bavarian club's support were heard jeering the winger, whose penalty miss in Saturday's Champions League final against Chelsea cost his side dearly


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Borussia Dortmund enter race for Twente striker Luuk de Jong - report
The German champions have targeted the prolific Dutchman as a replacement for Lucas Barrios, who recently exited the club to join Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande


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Heynckes: Bayern will improve quality of the squad
The Bavarian side's coach has stressed that his squad will need quality reinforcements during the off season as he hinted on a possible new midfield signing


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Nerlinger reveals Pizarro will likely join Bayern while Rummenigge quashes Howedes rumours
The club representative has announced that the Peruvian could still join the Bavarians while the side's CEO has refuted talk of a move for the Schalke defender


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'I would think about leaving the club' - Van Bommel blasts Bayern Munich fans for jeering Robben
The midfielder, who recently resigned with PSV, has revealed his disappointment after the 28-year-old was booed during Tuesday's friendly at the Allianz Arena


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Huth: Podolski will fit Premier League better than Marin
The Stoke City central defender has offered his thoughts on Arsenal and Chelsea's incoming German signings and has underlined his desire to remain with the Potters


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Jong Tae-Se: I'm not that bitter about Koln's relegation
The North Korean striker exclusively blogs about dropping back down to Germany's second tier and the movement of his Japanese friends to and from the Bundesliga


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DFB rejects Hertha Berlin's appeal for relegation play-off replay
The Blau-Weissen were incensed by the fact that the second leg at the ESPRIT Arena was halted on two separate occasions, for an approximate total of 30 minutes


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Bayern are still the best team in Germany, says Dortmund's Klopp
The former Mainz trainer insisted that despite the fact that BVB claimed the double this season, the Bavarians remain the side to beat in German football


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Bayern Munich keen on Javi Martinez - report
The Bavarians are believed to be keen on the Spain international, but Bilbao's asking price as well as interest from Barca and Madrid could prove to be too much of an obstacle


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Arnautovic ready to become first-choice striker at Werder Bremen
The 23-year-old Austria international had an indifferent season at the Weserstadion, but expects to show more after the departures of Rosenberg and Pizarro


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Xhaka: Bundesliga is the strongest league in the world
The 19-year-old midfielder expressed his delight at signing for Lucien Favre's team from Swiss side Basel, while also delivering praise for the German top flight


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No Klopp at the Kop as Dortmund boss quashes Liverpool rumours
The previous Chelsea target has reiterated that he will not be leaving Germany until his contract expires and says he loves life with the Bundesliga champions and cup winners


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Klopp against relegation replay between Dusseldorf and Hertha Berlin
The coach of the Bundesliga winners is against the idea of replaying the game which ended abruptly after pitch invasion from Dusseldorf fans, sending Hertha to the second division


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Felipe Santana uncertain over whether to extend contract with Dortmund
The central defender has spent the 2011-2012 season on the bench, overshadowed by Subotic and Hummels, but he is still mulling over a move away from the German champions


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Magath regrets handing Wolfsburg captain's armband to Christian Trasch
The coach admits he was wrong to name the freshly-purchased midfielder as club captain after underwhelming season for both player and team in 2011-12

 

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Wesley Sneijder hits out at Bayern Munich over Robben jeers
The Inter Milan playmaker defended his Netherlands teammate after he received criticism from Bayern fans after missing a penalty against Chelsea in the Champions League final


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Mlapa: Favre assured me he will remain Monchengladbach manager
The new signing has told fans that the sought-after coach will remain at the club, despite reported interest from die Roten


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De Guzman agent unaware of Hamburg interest
The agent of the Yellow Submarine striker denies any knowledge of a reported approach from the German club, despite the claims from the HSV hierarchy


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Felipe Santana poised for move to Wolfsburg
The Brazilian has caught the attention of a number of German clubs recently, but it is looking increasingly likely that he will sign for 2009 champions


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Robben can still take penalties for Netherlands, says van Marwijk
The national team trainer has backed the Bayern Munich man to bounce back from his Champions League final disappointment, and says that his players won't practice spot kicks


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Gundogan: Germany play like Klopp's Dortmund
The 21-year-old says he has not had to make much of an adjustment since linking up with the national team, and is looking forward to a big opportunity against Switzerland


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Stuttgart's Schieber rejects contract extension
To the surprise of his manager, the 23-year-old has rejected an extension to his existing deal, meaning he is odds-on to join this season's Bundesliga champions


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Robben should stay at Bayern, says Van der Vaart
The Tottenham midfielder believes that the Allianz Arena is the right place for the Dutch winger, who was jeered by his own fans during a recent friendly game


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Bayern are interested in signing me, admits Matias Suarez
The Anderlecht attacker has affirmed that the Bundesliga giants have made an approach to sign him him, but the Bavarians have yet to table an official offer


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Jupp Heynckes dismisses exit claims
The German coach gave little importance to reports suggesting he will leave the Bavarians in the summer and added that he plans to honour his contract

 

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Official: Pizarro joins Bayern on a one-year deal
The Peruvian has sealed terms with his former club, where he will act as experienced backup to first-choice centre forward Mario Gomez next season


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Schalke general manager denies interest in Dani Alves
Horst Heldt moved swiftly to quash speculation surrounding the Brazil international amid rumours of a possible move

 

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Watzke will meet up with rival Hoeness


Dortmund's general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke has agreed to meet up with Bayern president Uli Hoeness at his home as they look to put aside their differences.

The pair exchanged harsh words during the final few weeks of the Bundesliga season, during which Dortmund claimed the league and cup double at the expense of their rivals, but are now willing to bury the hatchet for good.

"Uli Hoeness has invited me down to the Tegernsee and I am going to accept this invitation," said Watzke.

"We are going to meet soon."

Hoeness criticised Dortmund's failures in Europe and suggested Watzke was not telling the truth about the size of his club's wage bill.

He also said he would only congratulate the Westphalian club when they manage to repeat their domestic success in Europe, but Watzke says he needs no further justification to be in awe of Hoeness' achievements.

"He is one of the most defining figures of German football," Watzke told the Bild newspaper.

"I take my hat off to his lifetime achievements."

Watzke got the better of Hoeness twice this season, with Dortmund winning the Bundesliga title by eight points and crushing Bayern 5-2 in the DFB-Pokal final.

Rather than revelling in that success, though, Watzke admits it was hard to see Bayern miss out on penalties to Chelsea in last weekend's Champions League final.

"You suffer and feel with Uli Hoeness sitting there in such anguish," he said. "You cannot just ignore something like that.

"I really did feel sorry for him."
 

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Alfrescian (Inf)
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Raul: Playing for Schalke one of the best experiences of my life


The 34-year-old has paid tribute to his former club, labelling it as one of the 'highlights' of his career after recently announcing his decision to continue his career in Qatar

May 26, 2012 4:00:00 PM

By Mohammed Ali

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Former Schalke forward Raul has spoken fondly of his time at the club after reminiscing about the past two seasons he has spent at the Veltins Arena.

The former Real Madrid captain joined the Royal Blues in 2010, ending his 17-year association with the Blancos, and enjoyed further success in Germany, having lifted the DFB-Pokal and Super Cup.

However, Raul chose to end his spell in Gelsenkirchen and instead pen a one-year deal with Qatari side Al Sadd, but he nonetheless reflected on his "outstanding" pair of campaigns with Schalke.

"These two years have been absolutely outstanding. I will never forget this, and I've seen, people will not forget me so fast! I have enjoyed every game, and every trip" he told S04TV.

"I felt really euphoric, because everything worked out so great with my team-mates. Even with the coaches who have given me their trust. Everything was really wonderful.

"In each game, how they [the Schalke fans] live for the club, it's almost like a religion if you want to put it that way. This is really wonderful.

"I want to flatter everyone here. To have played here at S04 is one of the best experiences of my life. For the fans, I have no words to express what they have given me.

I have already said that at the press conference. To give back to them that love, I would [need to] score a lot more goals. I felt at home during those tow years, as it was with Real Madrid over the 17 years."

The 34-year-old, however remained tight-lipped over possibly returning to the German club one day, but maintained his appreciation of the fans' unequivocal support.

He continued: "You never know where fate drives you in life. My family and I have lived here in any case very well.

"Thank you, thank you for your kindness. I wish you all the luck in the world, come what may. I will continue to be a Schalke fan and hope for the greatest success."
 

Huntelaar

Alfrescian (Inf)
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