Bundesliga Season 2011/2012

[Raul Gonzalez]

Heynckes: Bayern must stay focused
Despite Bayern Munich's crushing 7-0 win over Freiburg, manager Jupp Heynckes will not let his boys rest on their laurels.

Wolfburg aim to give Magath boost
Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath has been given a vote of confidence ahead of their meeting with his former club Schalke this weekend.

Gomez leads Bayern rout
Bayern Munich tore Freiburg apart in a one-sided encounter at the Allianz Arena which ended 7-0 to the hosts and Bundesliga league leaders.

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[Raul Gonzalez]

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Bundesliga wrap: Wolfsburg stop Schalke, Simons on target for Nurnberg

12 September 2011

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Mario Mandzukic scored the winner for Wolfsburg a week after he was fined by the club as they beat Schalke 2-1 in the Bundesliga.

Raul cancelled out Mandzukic's opener but the Croatian target man bobbed up again in the 82nd minute to clinch the three points for the 2008-09 champions.

Mandzukic made headlines in midweek when he was fined by returning manager Felix Magath for failing to follow team tactics in their 3-0 loss to Freiburg.

He managed to keep his starting place and it paid dividends as he starred in the win that moved Wolves clear of the drop zone.

In Sunday's other game, Nurnberg made Cologne pay twice from the penalty spot with a 2-1 win away from home.

Veteran Belgian Timmy Simons buried both spot kicks within the space of four minutes in the first half. The first came after 31 minutes when Pedro Geromel fouled Markus Feulner in the box.

Geromel's luck only worsened when he took down Thomas Pekhart four minutes later, Simons hammering the penalty with similar ferocity into the bottom left corner.

Adil Chihi pulled one back for Cologne in the 39th minute before a twist of fate saw Pekhart sent from the field for Nurnberg following a second yellow card for a challenge on Geromel.

Despite being a man down Nurnberg continued to look the livelier and when Miso Brecko received a straight red for Cologne the ledger was balanced once again and the points looked safe from there for Nurnberg.

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

Tuesday 13th September 2011

"Robben will cause trouble for Bayern"

Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster believes Arjen Robben will create problems for Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes this season.

Heynckes, well known for his ability to keep his men in order, has enjoyed a good start to the season since taking over at Bayern following the sacking of Louis van Gaal last term. Despite the Bavarian outfit missing one of their star players in Robben through injury, Bayern have not skipped a beat in their bid to reclaim the Bundesliga title which they lost to Borussia Dortmund last season, and only on Saturday hammered Freiburg 7-0.

In-form Mario Gomez hit four in that match, while Franck Ribery showed signs of returning to his best with a brace. But while many believe Robben's impending return will only strengthen Bayern, Schuster feels the Dutch international could give Heynckes a headache with his selfishness. "I do think that Robben is a problem for Bayern this year," Schuster told Sport1. "I think the philosophy of the team is different under Jupp Heynckes.

"Robben is incredibly stubborn. He does what he wants to do, regardless of Gomez and Ribery's positions. "Of course he has class, but this is a problem. "Their game is fluid at the moment [and] he may slow it down." Schuster is currently unemployed having left Turkish giants Besiktas in March, and has been linked with taking over at Hamburg, whose current coach Michael Oenning is under signficant pressure after a woeful start to the season.

And the ex-Real coach admits managing a side of Hamburg's stature is always going to appeal to him. "If a coach has no job, HSV are always interesting. "At some point, I'd like to be back in the fold in Germany. "I had two or three opportunities to come to Germany. Two years ago, I spoke with Bernd Hoffman [former Hamburg president] about the HSV job."

Schuster's only previous spell in the Bundesliga was during the 1998/99 season with Cologne, before he ventured overseas and managed at clubs like Xerez, Shakhtar Donetsk, Levante and Getafe.

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

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Augsburg 1 - 4 Bayer Leverkusen
All Goals & Highlights 09.09.2011


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Borussia Dortmund 1 - 2 Hertha BSC
All Goals 10.09.2011


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Wolfsburg 2 - 1 Schalke
All Goals & Highlights 11.09.2011


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[Raul Gonzalez]

Wednesday 14th September 2011

Bochum sack coach Funkel

Bochum have parted company with coach Friedhelm Funkel with immediate effect.

The club were relegated from the Bundesliga in 2010 and missed out on an immediate return to the top flight in May when they lost the promotion/relegation play-off against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Funkel's side have struggled so far this term in the 2.Bundesliga, lying second-bottom of the second tier on four points from seven games, prompting the club to take action and relieve the coach and his number two of their duties.

Jens Todt, of the club's supervisory board, told www.vfl-bochum.de: "We thank Friedhelm Funkel and Christoph John for the good work they have done in the past 15 months.

"The step is not taken lightly, especially since the relationship between the head coach and the team is intact.

"By changing the coaching staff we want to start afresh. The team has a lot of quality, but it is not currently reaching its potential."

 

[Lukas Podolski]

Bayern line up new Malouda bid
Bayern Munich are set to launch a renewed bid for Chelsea winger Florent Malouda during the January transfer window.

Wiese open to move abroad
Werder Bremen and Germany goalkeeper Tim Wiese does not rule out moving on to another league at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Augsburg mourn Bah injury layoff
Bundesliga strugglers Augsburg have been dealt a blow with the loss of new signing Dawda Bah to serious injury for six months.

 

[Lukas Podolski]

Bundesliga wrap: Cologne shock Leverkusen, Werder go top

18 September 2011

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Bayer Leverkusen were brought back to earth with a thud on Saturday when they suffered a 4-1 mauling at the hands of Cologne. Last season's Bundesliga runners-up had looked in reasonable form heading into the match at their BayArena Stadium, with three wins, a draw and a loss from their opening five league matches.

But Cologne were dominant, taking the lead just before half-time through a Milivoje Novakovic strike, and when Lukas Podolski scored a brace early in the second half the result was never in doubt. Simon Rolfes pulled one back for Leverkusen, but Mato Jajalo scored a fourth for Cologne deep into stoppage time to complete a comprehensive victory.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Werder Bremen went top of the league after a 1-1 draw with Nuremberg at EasyCredit-Stadion. Philipp Wollscheid scored a goal just after the hour mark for Nuremberg to cancel out Mehmet Ekici's opener for Bremen. Meanwhile, a goal from Brazilian striker Igor De Camargo was enough to hand Borussia Monchengladbach a 1-0 win at Hamburg.

Hoffenheim continued their solid start to the season with a 3-1 home win over Wolfsburg, a brace from Robert Firmino and another goal from Ryan Babel proving too much for the visitors. And in a battle of the two newly promoted sides, Hertha Berlin and Augsburg drew 2-2 in Berlin's Olympiastadion.

Hajime Hosogai opened the scoring for Augsburg, but Hertha went in front thanks to goals from Christian Lell and Tunay Torun before Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker secured a point for the visitors. In the late game, Kaiserslautern had to come from behind to notch up their first win of the season, taking a 3-1 victory over local rivals Mainz.

 

[no_faith]

imo, Dortmund and Leverkusen shd forsake CL and focus on their domestic league.

 

[Shinji Kagawa]

Bundesliga wrap: Bayern take first, champions Dortmund beaten again

19 September 2011

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Bayern Munich extended their winning streak to five games in the Bundesliga, while champions Borussia Dortmund were beaten on Sunday. Nils Petersen opened the scoring on 22 minutes for Bayern, and Thomas Muller made it 2-0 with a quarter of an hour left to play as they strolled to victory over Schalke at Veltins Arena.

After a lively start in which neither team could find much space in midfield, Franck Ribery seized his first opportunity to run at the Schalke defence, and made a surging run from deep in his own half before playing Petersen through on goal. The striker, who stood in for the injured Mario Gomez, had his first effort blocked by goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann, but pounced on the rebound and drove home the opener - his second in Munich colours.

Bayern, and Petersen in particular, missed a host of chances to put the game away, but only managed to double their advantage in the 75th minute. Substitute David Alaba linked well with Ribery, and after a poor touch by Schalke's teenage defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Muller volleyed home from close range.

The result saw Bayern reclaim their lead in the Bundesliga standings, as they move two points clear of Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach. Schalke slip further in the standings to ninth place, having lost their past two games. Champions Dortmund were stunned late on Sunday, going down 2-1 away to Hannover 96.

Jurgen Klopp's men lost for the second consecutive game, but it could have been a very different story as they opened the scoring on 63 minutes courtesy of Shinji Kagawa's strike.
The visitors led until the 87th minute, when Tunisian defender Karim Haggui headed home from a corner for 1-1, before Didier Ya Konan struck a dramatic winner just two minutes later.

Hannover finished with 10 men after substitute Artut Sobiech was red carded late on for a rough tackle on Antonio da Silva, but it failed to stop them moving into fifth spot on 11 points. Dortmund are dwindling in 11th - with just seven points from six games.

 

[Shinji Kagawa]

Hamburg sack Oenning after poor start

Hamburg have sacked coach Michael Oenning with the club languishing at the foot of the German Bundesliga.

Hamburg have taken just one point from their opening six games with the latest defeat coming on Saturday at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Oenning's dismissal comes just a day after he was given a vote of confidence by the club's sporting director Frank Arnesen.

Rangnick laments wasteful Schalke
Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick blamed missed chances and a lack of energy for the disappointing 2-0 home defeat by Bayern Munich.

Klopp: We've got ourselves to blame
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp believes his side have only themselves to blame for their 2-1 defeat to Hannover on Sunday.

There's no appeasing Stanislawski
There seems to be no pleasing Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski who cannot find much to rejoice about from Sunday's 3-1 win over Wolfsburg.

 

[Shinji Kagawa]

Bremen to hand Schaaf new contract
Werder Bremen intened to reward coach Thomas Schaaf for leading his side to second place in the Bundesliga by prolonging his stay with the club.

Schmiedebach aware of Dortmund interest
Hannover midfielder Manuel Schmiedebach confirms that defending Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing him.

Breno recovering after house fire
Bayern Munich defender Breno is recovering from smoke inhalation after being taken to hospital on Monday night following a fire which destroyed his home.

Strutz re-elected to stay at Mainz
Mainz president Harald Strutz has been re-elected for a further three years.

Huub Stevens keen on Hamburg post
Huub Stevens has expressed a willingness to speak to Hamburg about the coaching vacancy created by the sacking of Michael Oenning.

Wolfsburg cut ties with FriedrichWolfsburg have terminated the contract of defender Arne Friedrich by mutual consent.

Three-match ban for Bremen's Wiese
Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese has been given a three-match ban for his straight red card in the 1-1 draw against Nurnberg.

 

[Shinji Kagawa]

Tuesday 20th September 2011

Hoeness: Bundesliga better than BPL

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness believes that the Bundesliga is Europe's second-best league, behind Spain's La Liga and ahead of the Premier League.

Officially, Germany's Bundesliga rank third in UEFA's association league coefficient ranking, behind Spain's La Liga and leaders England's Premier League.

The UEFA ranking is calculated by the performance of the country's clubs in the continental competitions, but Hoeness has begged to differ on the issue, stating his opinion that the English league should be ranked third.

He told Bild am Sonntag: "We are currently number two behind Spain. Italy, we have long left behind us; England, we are just about to leave behind.

"Based on the full breadth, I would consider the Bundesliga even today as the strongest league in the world."

With four different teams winning the Bundesliga title in the past five years, Hoeness has a valid point.

As compared, both Spain and England's domestic league has seen only two winners since 2004; the La Liga title has been shared between Barcelona and Real Madrid while the Premier League trophy has only been lifted by Manchester United and Chelsea in the past seven seasons.

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

Hildebrand training with Frankfurt
Ex-Germany goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand is hoping to revive his career after being invited to keep himself fit with German 2.Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Arnesen: We lost belief in Oenning
Hamburg director of sport Frank Arnesen sacked Michael Oenning after deciding the manager could not arrest the team's slump.

Petersen grateful for Bayern chance
Bayern Munich striker Nils Petersen didn't expect to feature this much this season but is grateful for the chance to prove himself this early.

Agent: Van Basten will consider offer
Former Netherlands coach Marco Van Basten has been speculated to take over Bundesliga side Hamburg after Michael Oenning was dismissed.

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

Wednesday 21st September 2011

Tonnies: Raul belongs with Schalke

Schalke president Clemens Tonnies is hopeful striker Raul will play another year with the club after his contract expires next summer.

The 34-year-old former Spain international recently committed himself to the remainder of his current contract amid reported interest from other top European clubs, and he does not appear to be against playing on another year in Gelsenkirchen. Now Tonnies has told Sport Bild magazine that Raul will be offered a new deal.

"Such an experienced player is very important for our young team and he proves that in every game," he said. "He is incredibly endearing. I have made it absolutely clear to him that he belongs with Schalke. "We are proud for every minute Raul plays in a Schalke shirt. "When somebody plays good football, gets involved and identifies himself with the club, then there is nothing to say you should not continue with him."

The best way to convince Raul to stay another year would be to offer him another crack at the Champions League, but Tonnies says his club would still be able to afford his wages even without European football. "Financially, we can afford Raul," he said. "We have such a solid financial base that we would not have any difficulties even if we don't qualify for Europe."

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

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Hannover 96 2 - 1 Borussia Dortmund
All Goals 18.09.2011


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Schalke 0 - 2 Bayern Munich
All Goals & Highlights 18.09.11


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[Raul Gonzalez]

Rangnick quits as Schalke boss
22 September 2011

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Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick has decided to step down from his position as the man in charge at the Bundesliga outfit due to health problems.

The 53-year-old replaced Felix Magath as Schalke coach in March 2011, but he has now decided to resign as he has chronic fatigue syndrome.

"After giving it a lot of thought, I have come to the conclusion that I need a break.

It's been a very tough decision for me, but I simply lack the energy to help the team forward," Rangnick told Schalke's official website.

"I have taken this decision in the best interest of the team and I'd like to wish them all the best in the remainder of the season."

Schalke manager Horst Heldt said that he supports the coach's decision as he feels Rangnick's health is the top priority.

"Ralf deserves nothing but respect for making this decision," he said. "We completely agree with him that his health has priority over anything else."

Assistant coach Seppo Eichkorn has been appointed as caretaker boss until Schalke find a permanent replacement.

Schalke currently sit ninth on the Bundesliga table with nine points from six games.

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

Interim bosses face Bundesliga test
Both Hamburg and Schalke will have interim managers in their Bundesliga fixtures this weekend.

Schalke won't rush for new manager
Schalke president Clemens Tonnies insists he will not be rushed into finding a replacement for Ralf Rangnick, who resigned as the club's coach on Thursday.

Gomez happy to stay at Bayern
Bayern Munich striking ace Mario Gomez says he is open to extending his contract with the Bundesliga giants beyond 2013.

Cologne chief wants more from Podolski
Cologne striker Lukas Podolski has been heavily criticised by club sporting director Volker Finke for not exerting his influence on the pitch.

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

Reus: Champions League my target
Borussia Monchengladbach's Marco Reus aims to play in the Champions League one day with a 'top club', but is focused on his current side.

Bayern won't back down in Gotze chase
Bayern Munich are running the risk of further incurring the wrath of Borussia Dortmund by refusing to back down in their interest of young gun Mario Gotze.

Ribery happy to stay at Bayern
Franck Ribery has hinted he would be prepared to stay at Bayern Munich for the rest of his career as he is enjoying life under Jupp Heynckes.

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

Friday 23rd September 2011

Mourinho won't coach in Germany

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said he'd "love" to work in Germany one day but admits his inability to speak German would most likely stop this from happening.

Mourinho has already coached teams in Portugal (Porto), England (Chelsea), Italy (Inter Milan) and is currently employed by Spanish football giant Real Madrid.

The 48-year-old has won silverware throughout his travels and he admits he is not the type of coach who likes to stay tied down to one place for too long.

"I'm not the kind of coach who stays at the same club in the same country for life," Mourinho told Sport Bild.

"It's something that makes me better, the fact that I'm in my fourth different country. And working in countries like Italy, Spain and England makes you better and better.

He added: "I'd love [to work in Germany] but to be fair, it's very important in my skills as a coach to know the language."

"To communicate with the players, to be with the press in a very comfortable way because the media are a very important part of our job and I'd think I wouldn't be at the top of my potential working in Germany, so it's out of my mind.

"But because of the quality of the game and of many things I understand in German football, yes I would like it."

The 'Special One' is no stranger to German players having coached Michael Ballack at Chelsea and now Mesut Ozil in his current role at Real Madrid.

Mourinho recently hailed Ozil's Turkish-German background by declaring that the midfielder has has benefitted from learning to play football the German way, as well as having natural Turkish flair in his game.

 

[Raul Gonzalez]

Friday 23rd September 2011

Report: Van Gaal considers Hamburg job

Ex-Bayern Munich manager Louis van Gaal could take over the reins at Hamburg after they sacked Michael Oenning on Monday.

According to reports from Sport1, the Dutch trainer has been speaking with the Hamburg hierarchy in order to work out a deal to take over the struggling Bundesliga side, who are currently bottom of the league after only recording one point in their past six fixtures.

The 60-year-old has been in the football wilderness after his sacking by Bayern in April.

During his tenure at the Allianz Arena, he took the Bavarians to a leage and cup double in 2010, as well as making the UEFA Champions League final, where they ultimately lost to a Jose Mourinho-led Inter Milan.

However, Van Gaal may have to fight off interest from another compatriot for the job in Hamburg, as Marco van Basten's name has also been raised for the job.