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Giovane Elber: Manchester City's Edin Dzeko would be perfect for Bayern Munich
The former FCB attacker has voiced his opinion that the Bosnia & Herzegovina international would be a great signing for the Bavarians, who are looking for a new striker
Journalists sentenced for libel after claiming Bayern Munich sold 2008 Uefa Cup match to Zenit St Petersburg
Reporters have been found guilty for wrongly defaming die Roten
Schalke's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar desperate for Raul to sign a new contract
The Netherlands international, who has been in sensational goal-scoring form this season, would love to see his strike partner commit to the Gelsenkirchen outfit
Marco Reus can leave Borussia Dortmund for €35 million in 2015 - report
The player's contract with the Bundesliga title holders will include a buy-out clause that could see him leave for a fixed fee in three years time
Juventus, Lazio & Wolfsburg have offered two-year contracts to Bayern Munich's Ivica Olic - report
The Croatia international has gathered interest from both the Bundesliga and Serie A, but has vowed to make his current club his first point of contact before deciding his future
Chelsea, Real Madrid & Bayern Munich interested in River Plate's Lucas Ocampos - report
The European giants have all shown interest in the 17-year-old wonderkid, although the club's reluctance to sell means a spectacular offer would be needed
Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger: We will always have a better quality team than Borussia Dortmund
The Germany international is adamant that the Bavarians will always have a better team than their Bundesliga title rivals, and believes his side will succeed in Europe
Schalke's Raul: I want Real Madrid to win the treble this season
The legendary forward has admitted that he wants his former club to win all competitions they compete in this campaign and he believes Jose Mourinho's work is paying off
Journalists sentenced for libel after claiming Bayern Munich sold 2008 Uefa Cup match to Zenit St Petersburg
Reporters have been found guilty for wrongly defaming die Roten
Jan 12, 2012 10:28:00 PM
By Clark Whitney
Journalists Peter Limacher and Robin Boksic have been convicted of libel and slander againstBayern Munich, the club announced in a press release.
In September 2010, the pair released a report in Stern, claiming that the Bavarian giants had fixed the result of their 2008 Uefa Cup semi-final against Zenit Zenit St Petersburg.
Following a 1-1 draw in Munich, the Russian side were 4-0 winners in St. Petersburg.
Charges were brought up against the pair, and on Thursday the Hamburg District Court fined Limacher €9000 and Boksic €5400.
Schweinsteiger takes swipe at Dortmund Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has claimed that his side will always have the edge over Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund took the title last season and, despite a difficult start to their defence, they have edged their way up to within three points of the league leaders Bayern at the midway stage of the season.
Dortmund also won in Munich's Allianz Arena for the second season running, but Schweinsteiger does not see any shift in power.
"It is always going to be down to us how titles are decided," he told Kicker magazine.
"We know that Dortmund have a good team, but I think that Bayern will always have more quality in our team."
Dortmund's elimination from the Champions League has given Schweinsteiger all the evidence he needs to confirm that, in his opinion, Bayern are still streets ahead of Jurgen Klopp's side.
"We are one of the five teams in Europe who are capable of winning the Champions League," he added.
"It is a shame about Dortmund (going out early)."
Jermaine Jones added to USA January camp roster by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann While he cannot play Bundesliga following an unsavoury incident in a fixture towards the end of last year, the 30-year-old is instead expected to feature twice for the USA
Official: Wolfsburg sign Ricardo Rodriguez from Zurich The young left-back has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the 2009 German champions, following his release from the Swiss side for a reported €6 million
Borussia Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp: We want to be the club players join in order to have success The 44-year-old says that his goal is to make Signal Iduna Park the top destination for players who are hungry for success
Borussia Monchengladbach's Lucien Favre: A top four finish would be a miracle The former Hertha Berlin boss says that his team's performances in the first half of the season were incredible, but warns that a repeat is unlikely
Philipp Lahm hails Bayern Munich & Germany progress: 'We have improved over the last two years' The 28-year-old has praised both his domestic and international teams for their steady improvement since 2010, but admits Spain are still favourites for Euro 2012
Nuri Sahin has not adapted to life at Real Madrid, says Borussia Dortmund's Hans-Joachim Watzke
The Bundesliga champions' CEO has taken a dig at the Spanish outfit by stating the midfielder has failed to settle in Spain as not every player is appreciated by the club
Jan 14, 2012 6:05:00 PM
By Luke Matthews
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has stated that the reason why he believesNuri Sahin has struggled at Real Madrid is that he is not as valued at the Spanish giants compared to his time in the Bundesliga.
The Turkish international left the Westfalenstadion last summer for €10 million, but has had limited game time under Jose Mourinho, a frustration which has not been helped by a troublesome knee injury.
BVB did not want to lose Sahin in the summer, although the side have received a recent boost by the news that the highly-coveted Mario Gotze is looking to stay at the club, and Watzke is adamant star players staying in Dortmund will be a common theme of the future.
"The tendency to go to Bayern Munich has not been around for the past two years. We have seen this through contract extensions, as with that of Mats Hummels [in whom Bayern expressed interest last season]. The players know that we are an ambitious club in which the individual is very much appreciated," the chief executive told Der Westen.
"With us, ever player is fully integrated with his strengths and weaknesses. You can see in the example of Nuri Sahin what a player is capable of in the right environment. In another environment [Real Madrid], he finds it much more difficult."
Watzke then moved on to talk about Dortmund's strengths and compared his side to direct rivals, Bayern Munich.
"BVB have no specific weakness but there is a disadvantage. Bayern, with whom we have a respectful, cooperative relationship have been successful for 40 years. The club name occupies the entire city in which they now have no more competition," he added.
"In the last five years, Bayern have only been champions twice but they keep coming back."
The CEO concluded by talking about the future of the club, a future he believes to be very bright.
"We have the largest stadium and are growing in all areas. The club's prospects are great but they core business, performance in football, is most important. If we are successful and passionately play football, we have plenty of opportunities," he added.
Injuries concern Thomas Tuchel Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel is concerned by the state of his squad just a week out from their first Bundesliga fixture of 2012 against Bayer Leverkusen.
Mainz were missing eight players through injury as they drew 1-1 in a friendly with third division Offenbach.
"We have hit the lowest point in our preparation in terms of physical condition," Tuchel was quoted as saying by Kicker magazine.
"Therefore, I have to see things very realistically - that means it was as bad as it looked."
In addition to the eight absentees, Mainz will be without Sami Allagui next weekend as he plays for Tunisia in the African Nations Cup.
"I just hope that all of our injuries are minor," added Tuchel. "It's really hit us hard."
Schalke confident over new Raul contract
The former Real Madrid star has an expiring deal with the Bundesliga side, but the club believe they can hold on to the attacker
Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels: Bayern Munich are still the favourites for the Bundesliga title
The Germany international centre-back has stressed that the current table-toppers are sitting in pole position to become champions this term above his own squad
Bayern Munich's Diego Contento out for four weeks with broken toe - report
The German defender, who has featured infrequently for the Bavarian club this season, could be set to spend one month in the infirmary after damaging his foot
Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze targets starting spot for Germany in Euro 2012
The 19-year-old admitted that displacing the likes of Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller will be a challenge and hinted that he could extend his stay at Signal Iduna Park
Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben: Being selfish can be a positive thing
The Netherlands international has stressed that his tendency to go for the individual action is one of his biggest strengths
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi & a little-known Latvian - the race begins now for the European Golden Shoe
Who will emerge victorious in 2011-12? There is a familiar battle at the top, but there could be a surprise challenger too
Gunter Netzer feels Arsenal & AC Milan target Lukas Podolski should stay in the Bundesliga
Citing a poor spell at Bayern Munich, the 67-year-old believes that the Germany man would be better off if he stayed at the RheinEnergieStadion despite interest in the player
Adel Taarabt & Michael Ballack - Six European stars who could follow Asamoah Gyan to the Middle East
Big names such as Diego Maradona, Asamoah Gyan and David Trezeguet moved to the Middle East last year and with the transfer window open, who else could make the switch?
The German Dani Alves, the Austrian Nuri Sahin & more - the Bundesliga starlets to watch this spring
Jan 16, 2012 1:00:00 PM
By Clark Whitney | German Football Editor
The fountain of youth springs eternal in Germany, and the development of starlets has not gone unnoticed by Bundesliga coaches. Several players as young as 17 were called up to participate in their mid-season training camps, and even in their youth these burgeoning talents have a real chance of making the first-team breakthrough in the coming months.
There is a precedent: last January, then-Schalke coach Felix Magath called up 17-year-old Julian Draxler to his senior team, and the midfielder made 24 appearances over the second half of the campaign. And although Mario Gotze earned regular playing time in the autumn of 2010, it was only after the winter break that he really began to deliver on his potential.
A new batch of young talents have proven themselves among other amatuers, with names like Emre Can of Bayern Munich and Leverkusen duo Samed Yesil and Okan Aydin among them. These players have enormous potential but still need time for development. But some others are now making serious appeals for minutes at the senior level.
Below, we profiles the starlets most likely to make the leap to first-team status this spring.
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By far the most established of the players profiled in this article, the former 1860 Munich youth made a breakthrough with the Dortmund senior team during the first half of the season, but a muscular strain followed by a back injury saw his minutes limited.
Leitner has uncommon instincts for his age, and was a stand-out player in several games. He is still not fully mature physically, but has learned to shield the ball well with his body, and has great balance to complement a technical skill set that includes creative passing and impeccable ball-control. All this, and he has the lungs of a horse. Ilkay Gundogan is Leitner's only like-for-like competition for a starting role, but Jurgen Klopp could also opt to play it safe by using the more experienced, defence-minded option in Sebastian Kehl instead.
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Robin Dutt called up nearly half the Leverkusen U19 team for his training camp, but for those players the time has not yet come to show themselves at senior level. Ortega, however, was a huge success in recent friendlies, and earned high praise from his coach.
The Atlas-contracted player joined in the summer only on loan, but could be Leverkusen's long-term replacement for Arturo Vidal. Having spent most of the first half of the season injured, the box-to-box midfielder is fresh and ready to challenge for regular minutes. A combative player who can defend as well as create openings, he will most likely be used in a central role behind a front man.
ALEXANDER RING | Monchengladbach, Centre midfield, 20
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The second Helsinki player to move to the Bundesliga since August, Ring follows in the footsteps of Schalke's Teemu Pukki as he returns to the country where he played for a decade in his youth. The former Leverkusen man had a magnificent debut in a friendly against Nurnberg earlier this month, scoring twice in the opening 16 minutes before being substituted at half-time. He also stood out in a test match against Darmstadt, brilliantly setting up a clear chance for Yuki Otsu before finding the target yet again. A starting role in the second round is not yet confirmed, though, as coach Lucien Favre believes the youngster still has some way to go in terms of his tactical development.
As for his playing style, Ring is reminiscent of Alexander Baumjohann in his earlier years: a gifted dribbler and distributor with the spirit of a playmaker but the skill set of a player who could be used a little deeper. At Gladbach, the Finland international will compete with fellow newcomer Tolga Cigerci for playing time. The winner will replace the outbound Roman Neustadter in the summer.
Ammar Jemal, Miso Brecko, Christian Clemens, Slawomir Peszko
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One of the most exciting players from Germany's brilliant 2011 U17 World Cup side, Weiser is likely to be the first graduate of Steffen Freund's team to earn his Bundesliga debut. For his fine performances with the Koln U19s, he already found himself on the first team bench for spells in the first half of the season.
With Tomoaki Makino, Alexandru Ionita, and Adam Matuschyk having been off-loaded, and Kevin Pezzoni and Sebastian Freis headed for an exit this January, Weiser is part of coach Stale Solbakken's plans, along perhaps with Fabian Schnellhardt. But it is the former who is most likely to to see regular time: an extremely versatile player, he can be used on either flank, in defence and midfield. A player with the combativeness of a defender but the technique and creativity of an attacking midfielder, Weiser could be Germany's answer to Dani Alves.
Newcastle United close to completing €12 million deal for Freiburg's Papiss Cisse
The Magpies look to have beaten off competition from local rivals Sunderland to secure the signature of the highly-rated Senegalese international forward
Bayern Munich issue 'yellow card' to Breno following Twitter remarks
The Bavarians have warned the Brazilian defender about his future conduct after he tweeted unsavoury comments about the club
Bernd Schneider: Marco Reus & Mario Gotze can decide games on their own
The former Leverkusen man praised the future Dortmund pairing, and rated the chances his former club and nation have to take top honours in the coming months
Macedonia and Azerbaijan have 'interesting' leagues - Koln's Lukas Podolski remaining coy on future plans
The Germany international's next move has been a hot topic of late and the forward appears intent on keeping himself amused amidst all the speculation and debate
Breno hits out at Bayern Munich after being demoted to the reserves
The Brazilian defender, who spent time in prison earlier this season, has taken to Twitter to express his displeasure at being frozen out of the Bavarians' first team
Barcelona's Aliaksandr Hleb: I've wasted the best years of my career
The former Arsenal midfielder is back at Camp Nou after yet another unsuccessful loan spell, this time at Wolfsburg, who have turned down chance to sign the Belarusian
Poll of Bundesliga players reveals Germany will beat Spain to Euro 2012 crown
Over two thirds of those asked tipped Joachim Low's men for European glory, while Marco Reus takes the cake for breakthrough star of the season so far
Freiburg's Papiss Cisse 'flattered' by Sunderland interest
The powerful Senegalese international has bagged 37 goals in 65 Bundesliga matches for the German side, and the Black Forest club admit they may be unable to prevent his departure
Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm: Football is like gladiatorial combat
The 28-year-old believes that the atmosphere in stadiums makes the sport difficult for homosexual players to come out of the closet
Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer is not an absolute world-class goalkeeper, says Hertha Berlin's Thomas Kraft
The 23-year-old believes that his counterpart is an excellent shot stopper, but feels he will soon be overtaken by other keepers in the Bundesliga
Poll of Bundesliga players reveals Germany will beat Spain to Euro 2012 crown
Over two thirds of those asked tipped Joachim Low's men for European glory, while Marco Reus takes the cake for breakthrough star of the season so far
Jan 16, 2012 4:15:00 PM
By Enis Koylu
A poll of 228 Bundesliga players taken by Kicker has named Germany as the favourites for Euro 2012.
Spain beat Germany to claim their second European crown in 2008, and two years later it was the Spaniards who sent Joachim Low's men packing from the World Cup in South Africa.
Despite getting the better of their European rivals in the previous two tournaments, only 24 per cent of the Bundesliga players polled tipped Spain to retain their European crown, compared to 67.8 per cent who voted for Germany.
Elsewhere in the poll, Borussia Monchengladbach star Marco Reus was named as the breakthrough star of the first half of the campaign with 40.9 per cent of the vote after his performances led last season's relegation candidates to fourth place over Christmas.
A massive 82.5 percent of those polled claimed that Bayern Munich would end the season on top of the Bundesliga table.
Meanwhile, 65.8% of the players polled said that they were in favour of instituting goal-line technology, which Fifa president Sepp Blatter has indicated will be ready by the 2014 World Cup.
The Bundesliga resumes after its winter break on Friday, with Bayern Munich travelling to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Newcastle United close to completing €12 million deal for Freiburg's Papiss Cisse The Magpies look to have beaten off competition from local rivals Sunderland to secure the signature of the highly-rated Senegalese international forward
Jan 17, 2012 3:30:00 PM
By Shane Farrington
Newcastle United are close to completing a deal in the region of €12 (£10) million for highly-rated striker Papiss Cisse from Bundesliga side Freiburg.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew looks to have beaten off interest from Premier League rivals Sunderland to add the free-scoring 26-year-old to his attacking options.
We understands Cisse arrived at Newcastle’s training ground on Tuesday afternoon to complete his big-money move.
CISSE A 'MAJOUR COUP'
Rob Stewart:
“This is a major surprise and a major coup for Newcastle because Cisse has been earning rave reviews for his goal-scoring exploits in the Bundesliga.
“He has just been smuggled into the training complex to meet Alan Pardew and to have a look around the practice ground and it sounds as though a £10 million deal will be completed sooner rather than later.
“Now all they have to do is keep their Premier League rivals’ hands off Demba Ba for the rest of the month because that escape clause in his contract is not going go away.”
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Cisse has been linked with a host of top European clubs including Arsenal after impressing with German side Freiburg, netting 37 goals in 65 appearances.
Newcastle are currently without fellow Senegalese striker Demba Ba after his departure to take part in the African Cup of Nations as they look to build on an impressive opening half to the season.
Cisse, also on international duty with Senegal, exclusively told Goal.com in November he believed he could be a big success playing in the Premier League.
“I want to test myself at a big club and I believe I would be a big success in England,” Cisse told Goal.com.
“I watch the Premier League and I am pleased that people are talking about me in the same sentence as good clubs.
“My aim is to be the best I can be, we will see what happens but my club know my position.”
Bayern Munich's Hermann Gerland confirms interest in 16-year-old Bochum starlet Leon Goretzka
The 57-year-old has admitted that the Bundesliga leaders view the youngster as a top talent and intend to secure his signature sooner rather than later
Hannover confirm talks with agent of Manchester United's Mame Biram Diouf
The Bundesliga club have made contact with the attacker's representative, but the player has yet to make a decision on his future
Abdullah Avci plans trip to attempt to convert Germany youth internationals to Turkish cause
The new trainer will head abroad this weekend to meet with youngsters eligible to play for the Turkey national team
Bayern Munich criticise Thomas Muller for lack of work ethic - report
The 22-year-old has come under scrutiny for his lack of effort on the training pitch in the past few months by the club's staff, according to reports from the German media
Borussia Monchengladbach's Dante hints at Bayern Munich ambition: I want to play for a big club in Germany
The 28-year-old centre-back revealed his wish to move away from the Borussia Park one day and make a switch to a bigger Bundesliga side, but is in no hurry to leave just yet
Aberdeen boss Craig Brown keen on Borussia Monchengladbach's Australian striker Mathew Leckie
The Australia youth international is on the radar of the Scottish Premier League outfit who are keen to bolster their attacking options
Bayern Munich meet with agent of Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski - report
The Polish striker's agent has allegedly been in touch with the Bavarians, who are said to have resolved to sign a new defender, midfielder, and striker this summer
Borussia Dortmund's Mohamed Zidan: I will only leave if Lucas Barrios stays
The Egyptian forward has seen little game time at the Westfalenstadion this season but he has no issue with seeing out the last six months of his contract with the club
Newcastle United complete signing of Papiss Cisse from Freiburg
The Senegal international joins the Magpies for an undisclosed fee, understood to be around £10 million, and signs a five-and-a-half-year deal at the Sports Direct Arena
Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez not worried about beating Gerd Muller's Bundesliga record
The in-form striker is not thinking about etching his name into the Bundesliga's record books and says he is looking to stay at the club beyond the end of his current deal
Agent of Montpellier's Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa denies Bayern Munich interest
The centre-back is not on the Bavarians' radar and is expected to remain in France. However, the presence of a scout from the German side at a match against Lyon was not denied
BUNDESLIGA 18.01.2012 15:48:55
Robben named in UEFA Team of the Year
FC Bayern winger Arjen Robben was the Bundesliga's sole representative in UEFA's Team of the Year 2011
The Dutchman netted twelve goals in 14 games to salvage Bayern's Champions League hopes at the end of last season
So far this season Robben has scored four Bundesliga goals, including two penalties against Bremen on Matchday 15
The 27-year-old is hoping to retain his fitness and help Bayern to a 23rd Bundesliga title this term Munich - FC Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has been named in the UEFA.com users' Team of the Year for 2011. Over 4.5 million votes were cast in the poll on the European governing body's official website UEFA.com, which revealed Robben as the only Bundesliga representative in a line-up dominated by Spain's La Liga. Unsurprisingly Champions League titleholders Barcelona provide more players to the dream team than any other club with five, though their perennial rivals Real Madrid are not far behind with three.
Götze misses out
It is the first time Robben has been selected since the online poll's inception eleven years ago and is glowing testament to his performances for the German record champions over the past twelve months. The Dutch international received more votes than fellow Bundesliga star Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund), as well as Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel), Gervinho (Arsenal) and Nani (Manchester United) to claim his place on the right of midfield.
Other Bundesliga-based nominees included Robben's FC Bayern team-mates Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm and Mario Gomez, as well as Benedikt Höwedes of FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and head coach Jürgen Klopp.
UEFA.com users' Team of the Year 2011:
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid & Spain)
Right-back: Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Centre-back: Gerard Piqué (Barcelona & Spain)
Centre-back: Thiago Silva (AC Milan)
Left-back: Marcelo (Real Madrid) Right midfield: Arjen Robben (FC Bayern Munich & Netherlands) Centre midfield: Xavi Hernández (Barcelona & Spain)
Attacking midfield: Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona & Spain)
Left midfield: Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur & Wales)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal)
Hannover confirm talks with agent of Manchester United's Mame Biram Diouf The Bundesliga club have made contact with the attacker's representative, but the player has yet to make a decision on his future
Jan 18, 2012 2:12:00 PM
By Clark Whitney
Hannover sporting director Jorg Schmadtke has revealed that his side are in negotiations over the signing of Mame Biram Diouf from Manchester United.
The Lower Saxony side have in recent days been linked with the Senegalese forward, who has scored seven goals in six appearances for his club's reserves this season.
"There have been discussions with his agent. We have shared our thoughts. I am now waiting for a response," Schmadke told Bild. "He is fast, robust, and direct."
Jim Solbakken, Diouf's agent, remained coy on the issue, stating: "I will not comment."
The 24-year-old, whom United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has openly admitted to be a candidate for a loan spell, has been linked with several other clubs in the past, including Wigan, Hoffenheim, and Nurnberg. Everton and Sunderland, meanwhile, have reportedly lost interest.
Hannover have an amicable relationship with Manchester United and have a precedent for signing reserves from the English giants, having acquired current goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler in 2009.
Borussia Monchengladbach's Max Eberl: Bayern Munich are only taunting Marco Reus because they are bitter
The 38-year-old responded to the Bavarian club's negative comments by claiming they are still reeling from the forward's decision to join rivals Borussia Dortmund next season
Bayer Leverkusen's Renato Augusto: Germany better than Brazil & Bastian Schweinsteiger could easily fit into the Selecao
The former Flamengo winger, who is currently out of action with a knee problem, believes that the game in his adopted nation is in a very healthy state at the moment
Bayer Leverkusen rule out January move for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov
The Bulgarian is not a transfer target for his former side this month, while the player's agent also states the forward will not be leaving Old Trafford for the Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze set to miss Hamburg clash through injury
The German international sat out of Wednesday night's friendly victory over Oberhausen with an adductor problem, and is not expected to be ready for the trip to the Imtech Arena
Australian starlet Mustafa Amini: Training alongside Mario Gotze and Kevin Grosskreutz was amazing, but playing for Borussia Dortmund will be a dream
The promising teenager will leave Central Coast for the German champions in May and he discussed his plans and impressions of the Bundesliga club exclusively with Goal.com
Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath stripped of driver's licence for four weeks for tailgating
The veteran coach has been fined €195 and banned from the road for a month by a German court in relation a road traffic offence dating back to November 2010
Borussia Dortmund fans to boycott Hamburg clash over ticket prices
The club's supporters are unhappy with the fact that general admission for the game at the Volksparkstadion is €19, while seats range from between €36 and €84
Bayern Munich's Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: Borussia Dortmund lack international flair
The Bayern official played down his side's defeat in the race to sign Reus at the end of the season and insisted Dortmund are not world-class material
Beckenbauer tips Fink for Bayern
Bayern Munich's honorary president Franz Beckenbauer believes Hamburg coach Thorsten Fink has what it takes to succeed Jupp Heynckes as Bayern coach.
Kaiserslautern sign Sandro on loan
Sandro Wagner has joined Kaiserslautern on an 18-month loan deal from Werder Bremen, although he will not face his former side when the two sides meet on Saturday.
Julian Schieber spent last season on loan at Nuremberg, scoring seven goals himself and setting up another eight
Gladbach new boy Alexander Ring played with Schalke's Teemu Pukki in Helsinki
Moritz Leitner is a product of the 1860 Munich youth system Munich - The Bundesliga stage raises its curtain once again this coming weekend, but which players will steal the second half of the show?
bundesliga.de takes a look at twelve players who have the potential to force their way into the spotlight as the 2011/12 campaign continues towards another dramatic denouement...
Moritz Leitner (Borussia Dortmund)
After gathering his first Champions League experience before Christmas and making two starts in the league, this young talent is ready for the next step. Fit again after breaking a rib at the start of December, the 19-year-old has completed a full winter training programme and has his nose in front of fellow hopeful Ilkay Gündogan, who didn't train with the team once in La Manga. Established duo Sebastian Kehl and Sven Bender hold top rank in the pecking order, but should anything befall either, Leitner would provide Jürgen Klopp with a more than capable alternative.
Alexander Ring (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
This 20-year-old signing from HJK Helsinki made an instant impression with three goals in his first two friendly matches for the Foals. Able to operate in defensive or attacking midfield, the Finn's polyvalence is likely to be to his advantage when it comes to playing time this campaign. Ring is not short on confidence either, asserting: "I didn't come here to watch and muck about, I want to play."
Julian Schieber (VfB Stuttgart)
Injured for much of the season so far, this VfB talent only returned to action in December and his lack of match practise was plain to see. The fact that coach Bruno Labbadia played him from the start on Matchday 17 can been interpreted as a vote of confidence, though, and with a winter training camp behind him the 22-year-old is close to firing on all cylinders. Furthermore, with fellow strikers Cacau and Pogrebnyak struggling for goals this term, Schieber possesses a good hand with regard to first team opportunities, especially after Labbadia hinting he will employ a system with two strikers from now on.
Stefan Thesker (1899 Hoffenheim)
Owing to the absences of Marvin Compper (suspended) and Isaac Vorsah (Africa Cup of Nations), 20-year-old Thesker will be thrust straight into the first eleven for Hoffenheim's first match of New Year against Hannover . Not a problem, according to the 6'2 former Twente defender, who spent time in Schalke 04's youth academy as a teenager: "I didn't come here to sit on the bench." A hip injury in training kept Thesker out for a week of the winter camp, but both player and coach are hopeful of a full recovery in time for Saturday.
Milivoje Novakovic (1. FC Köln)
With 14 strikes so far, Lukas Podolski has netted over half of FC's goals this term, but the return of Novakovic from a troublesome thigh injury should help lighten the load. "If Nova came back it would make things easier," admits 'Prinz Poldi', who describes the Slovenian as his ideal strike partner. Head coach Stale Solbakken also values Novakovic's nose for goal and has said that a Poldi/Nova partnership is a "real possibility" for Saturday's match in Wolfsburg. The 32-year-old himself is raring to go: "I'm going to score many goals yet."
Felipe Lopes (VfL Wolfsburg)
According to coach Felix Magath, this Brazilian centre-back can "play in the Bundesliga next week" as long as he attains full fitness. Lopes arrived from Portuguese first division side Nacional Funchal and comes with a warm recommendation from keeper Diego Benaglio, who knows him from their time together in Madeira: "He's big, fast and has everything a central defender needs." Lopes is hoping to take over a key role in the back four having captained Nacional.
Ricardo Rodriguez (l.) has experience of Bundesliga forwards from his Champions League matches with FC Zürich
Nicolai Jörgensen (l.) joined Leverkusen from AB in 2010 - now he's set to lead the line for Lautern
Schalke loanee Jan Moravek is set to try his luck in Augsburg Munich - The Bundesliga stage raises its curtain once again this coming weekend, but which players will steal the second half of the show? bundesliga.de takes a look at twelve players who have the potential to force their way into the spotlight as the 2011/12 campaign continues towards another dramatic denouement...
Ricardo Rodriguez (VfL Wolfsburg)
This 19-year-old Swiss defender is Felix Magath's fix for the left-back slot, with Marcel Schäfer set to move further upfield. Rodriguez, who arrives from FC Zürich, is considered one of the Alpine Republic's hottest properties and had a number of top clubs after him. The son of a Spanish father and a Chilean mother convinced his new colleagues straight away with his committed attitude. "You can see that he's highly motivated," said Hasan Salihamidzic. Magath commented that the defender is "already in surprisingly good shape", making an appearance against Köln highly likely.
Vieirinha (VfL Wolfsburg)
Another Wolf in the pack, 25-year-old attacking all-rounder Vieirinha signed from Greek giants PAOK and will bring a portion of creativity to the VfL midfield - either out wide or through the centre. The Portuguese trickster was one of the stars of the Greek Super League and if he can acclimatise to the pace of the Bundesliga, he could soon command a regular starting spot. Asked who he models himself on, Vieirinha said: "I've always dreamed of playing like Luis Figo, but I've still got a little way to go yet."
Ivo Ilicevic (Hamburger SV)
Despite only making only six appearances throughout the first half of the campaign, the 25-year-old Croatian is boldly anticipating "the most exciting half-season of my career". Injuries prevented him from finding his feet following a summer move from Kaiserslautern, but his undoubted skill and pace are sure to boost an HSV side ever-improving under Thorsten Fink. His chances of a starting berth increased manifold with a Gökhan Töre's injury and Ilicevic himself is feeling fresh after "a new start" at the club's winter training camp.
Adam Szalai (1. FSV Mainz 05)
The long period of suffering is finally over: Hungarian frontman Szalai is finally ready to don his shooting boots again having recovered from a cruciate ligament tear suffered against Kaiserslautern at the end of January 2011. "I can't feel the pain any more," said the 24-year-old, who scored once and set up another on his friendly return against Real Mallorca B. "His comeback showed what we've been lacking in terms of his quality," said coach Thomas Tuchel. The striker will be as good as a new signing for the 05ers and cannot wait to get started: "I've been dreaming about this moment for a whole year."
Nicolai Jörgensen (1. FC Kaiserslautern)
This Bayer Leverkusen loanee can do as much for himself as he can for Kaiserslautern during his upcoming six-month spell at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion: "I can help myself, but also the team," says the 6'2 Dane. Competition for places in Lautern's attack is considerably less fierce than at the BayArena - the Red Devils have mustered only 13 goals throughout the first half of the season - so it could prove to be an ideal opportunity for the 21-year-old. Jörgensen harbours lofty ambitions and hopes to play himself into international contention: "I want to keep the possibility of going to EURO 2012 alive."
Jan Moravek (FC Augsburg)
The Czech attacker has already had good experiences with loan deals having scored five times in 29 games whilst with 1. FC Kaiserslautern last season. "I showed there that I can play in the Bundesliga," says Moravek, who is hopeful of similar success in Augsburg. Coach Jos Luhukay is predicting "additional impetus" from his new signing, who scored on his friendly debut for the Bavarians. With only 15 goals to their name this season, FCA will need the 22-year-old to settle in as quickly as possible.
Bundesliga preview: All eyes on Bayern´s trip to Moenchengladbach
The Bundesliga season resumes on Friday when league leaders Bayern Munich travel to face surprise contenders Borussia Moenchengladbach. Bayern top the table by three points from reigning champions Borussia Dortmund, with most observers expecting the title race to be fought between the two heavyweights. Another traditional powerhouse, Schalke, are third, level on points with Dortmund.
And Moenchengladbach, who survived the drop last season thanks to victory in a relegation playoff, have transformed their fortunes to sit fourth, four points off the lead.Bayern left-back Philipp Lahm has called on his team-mates to make a fast start in the second half of the campaign, with the Bayern captain under no illusions about which of the chasing pack pose the greatest threat.
"We want to set out our stall early on, in order to show our competitors we're ready to go in the second half of the season from the very first matchday," Lahm said."They'll compete with us at the top until the very end," he added, when asked about Dortmund's prospect. Bayern's biggest challenge on Friday could be to shackle Moenchengladbach's livewire forward Marco Reus.
The Germany international, who will join Dortmund next season in a 17.5 million-euro transfer, has netted 10 times in 15 league appearances so far this season.Lahm acknowledged the danger posed by Reus, but claimed Bayern have no specific plan to shackle the 22-year-old.
"We won't be giving him any special treatment," Lahm said. "The fact that he's a superb footballer who can change a game at a moment's notice is something we're well aware of.""We'll play our game, but we won't be concentrating on just one opposing player."
In Saturday's matches, Schalke are at home to eighth-placed Stuttgart, while Wolfsburg travel to Cologne.Struggling Nuremburg - just one place and two points clear of the relegation zone - await the visit of promoted club Hertha Berlin. Werder Bremen, fifth, are away to Kaiserslautern, who occupy the relegation playoff berth in 16th place.
And bottom club Freiburg, having lost last season's top scorer Papa Cisse to Newcastle on Tuesday, host second-last Augsburg in a contest key to both teams' survival hopes.On Sunday, Dortmund resume their title defence with a trip to take on Hamburg, while sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen are at home to Mainz.
Friday's Bundesliga Fixtures
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayern Munich
Saturday's Bundesliga Fixtures
Schalke vs Stuttgart
Freiburg vs Augsburg
Hoffenheim vs Hannover
Nuremberg vs Hertha Berlin
Wolfsburg vs Cologne
Kaiserslautern vs Werder Bremen
Sunday's Bundesliga Fixtures
Hamburg vs Borussia Dortmund
Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz
Borussia Dortmund-bound Marco Reus: I never demanded playing guarantees at Bayern Munich
The Germany international has dismissed reports suggesting that he snubbed the Bavarians, because they refused to promise him a regular place in the starting XI
Former Germany striker Oliver Neuville backs Borussia Monchengladbach to reach the Europa League
The 38-year-old says Lucien Favre's side could even make it to the Champions League spots, and backs them to beat Bayern Munich in the Friday derby at Borussia Park
Friday's Bet of the Day: Borussia Monchengladbach to claim at least a draw against Bayern
Monchengladbach have an exceptional home record of late and Phil Kitromilides expects them to hold their own against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich
Boris Becker: Matthias Sammer could be Bayern Munich's long-term coach
The nine-time grand slam winner feels the DFB sporting director would be a perfect fit with the Bavarians, and also opined that Bastian Schweinsteiger is invaluable to die Roten
I am wanted by four other teams, reveals Bayern Munich's Daniel Van Buyten
The experienced centre-back has stated that there are several sides who are keen on signing him, with his current deal at the German giants due to run out in the summer
Arjen Robben: New Bayern Munich deal is just a formality
The Dutch attacker has indicated that he is ready to sign a contract extension with the Bavarians and noted that his side are not yet at Barcelona's level
