BUNDESLIGA

23Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

RB Leipzig Signs Striker Likened To Haaland As Werner Replacement

Alexander Sorloth of Norway scores the third goal during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Northern Ireland and Norway at National Stadium on September 7, 2020 in Belfast, United Kingdom. Bundesliga side RB Leipzig has signed Trabzonspor star Alexander Sorloth, who was previously linked to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Following a successful two-year loan spell at Turkish side Trabzonspor, Crystal Palace striker Sorloth, dubbed by some as the “new Erling Haaland,” is now headed to Germany after signing a five-year contract with Leipzig, the Bundesliga club confirmed Tuesday, Sept. 22. The Norwegian player, who is viewed as a credible replacement for Timo Werner, has been handed the no. 19 shirt. Trabzonspor president Ahmet Agaoglu told Turkish out...

20Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Werner-less Leipzig stroll to opening day win over Mainz

Moussa Niakhate of Mainz is challenged by Dani Olmo of Leipzig during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Red Bull Arena on September 20, 2020 in Leipzig, Germany. RB Leipzig showed no signs of missing Timo Werner on Sunday as they strolled to a comfortable 3-1 home win over hapless Mainz in their first Bundesliga game of the season. Third in the table and Champions League semi-finalists last season, pundits in Germany had predicted a tougher ride for Leipzig this year after they sold star striker Werner to Chelsea. Yet Julian Nagelsmann's side were at their free-flowing best as they started the new campaign in front of 8,500 fans, chalking up 23 shots on their way to a deserved win. Leipzig have now scored 16 goals in their last three games against Mai...

20Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Erling Haaland double inspires Borussia Dortmund to win over Monchengladbach

Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Signal Iduna Park on September 19, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. Erling Braut Haaland scored twice and 17-year-old Giovanni Reyna shone as youthful Borussia Dortmund swept aside fellow Champions League side Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-0 on Saturday on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga season. After holders Bayern Munich had kicked off the 2020-21 campaign on Friday with a record 8-0 thrashing of Schalke, Dortmund's youngsters also dazzled at home to Gladbach. "It was a really good start to the season. We have a lot of young guys, it's fun to play with guys near my age," said USA Under-17 international Reyna. "T...

19Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Hertha Berlin floor Bremen as Cordoba scores on debut

Bremen's German midfielder Maximilian Eggestein (R) and Hertha Berlin's Belgian forward Dodi Lukebakio vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Werder Bremen v Hertha Berlin in Bremen on September 19, 2020. After holders Bayern Munich kicked-off the new Bundesliga season with a record 8-0 thrashing of Schalke, new-signing Jhon Cordoba scored on his debut in a 4-1 away romp at Werder Bremen on Saturday as the ambitious capital city club threw down an early marker. On Friday, Serge Gnabry netted a hat-trick in Bayern's record win behind closed doors on the opening day of a new Bundesliga season. The defending champions carried on where they left off 26 days after winning the Champions League final with their 22nd-straight victory dating back to Febru...

19Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern routs Schalke in Bundesliga opener

Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich battles for the ball with Bastian Oczipka of Schalke 04 during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on September 18, 2020 in Munich, Germany. The new Bundesliga began in an empty stadium on Friday with eight-time defending champion Bayern Munich routing Schalke 8-0 for a record in the league's opening match. And it should have been more. Germany winger Leroy Sane starred and scored on his Bayern debut and Jamal Musiala became Bayern's youngest ever goalscorer at 17 years, 205 days, but otherwise it was business as usual as they totally dominated and the visitors tried limiting the damage. Schalke's winless run stretched to 17 games, while Bayern extended its winning run to 22. Serge Gnabry scored a h...

17Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Max Kruse made “gut decision” to choose Union Berlin over Werder Bremen and the USA

Max Kruse of 1.FC Union Berlin during the training session on September 2, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. Max Kruse is back in the Bundesliga having spent last season in Turkey with Fenerbahce. A fan favourite of a forward, Kruse had offers to go elsewhere, but something in his gut told him to sign for relative Bundesliga new boys, Union Berlin. A Werder Bremen youth product, Kruse had scored 32 goals in 84 games in his second spell with die Grun-Weißen before leaving for Fenerbahce last June. On ending his contract this summer, Kruse was tipped to return, but he has chosen another path. "It was a gut feeling," Kruse told the Berliner Kurier of his decision to sign for Union. "From the moment I met [sporting director] Oliver Ruhnert, I had a good feeling. I remembered the electri...

17Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern boss says Liverpool signing ‘exceptional player’ in Thiago Alcantara

Thiago of Bayern Muenchen laughs during their first training session after the summer break at Saebener Strasse training ground on September 11, 2020 in Munich, Germany. Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Premier League champions Liverpool for the transfer of Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara. The deal, reported to be worth €30 million for Bayern, was confirmed by Bayern's chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Thursday. Thiago, 29, is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Reds having left Bayern with less than a year left on his contract. Bayern coach Hansi Flick praised the former Barcelona midfielder for his contribution to the club whom he helped win seven Bundesliga shields, four German cups as well as last month's Champions League in which Thiago was man of...

16Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Japan forward Kamada extends Eintracht Frankfurt stay

Daichi Kamada of Frankfurt during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Standard Liege and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stade Maurice Dufrasne on November 7, 2019 in Liege, Belgium. Japan forward Daichi Kamada has extended his contract with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt until June 2023, it was announced Wednesday. The 24-year-old, who joined Frankfurt in 2017, made his breakthrough last season by scoring 10 goals in 48 games as an attacking midfielder or centre forward. He netted both goals in Frankfurt's 2-1 win at Arsenal last November in the group stages of the Europa League then netted a had out in the last 16. Frankfurt host newly-promoted Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday in the 2020/21 Bundesliga season's opening weekend. "I feel very comfortable in Frankfurt and I w...

13Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich president thinks Thiago Alcantara already has agreement with either Liverpool or Man United

Uli Hoeness attends the Sport1 Doppelpass live show at Munich Hilton Hotel on September 13, 2020 in Munich, Germany. Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness has confirmed that he believes star Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara already has an agreement in place to move to either Liverpool or Manchester United. Thiago, 29, has been strongly linked with a move away from last season’s German treble winners after it emerged that Premier League arch-rivals United and Liverpool could battle it out for his signature. The elite Spanish midfielder has become best known for his technical ability to dictate play and decide games from a deeper central position and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best players. According to a recent report from Sport.de (via Sports Witness) wh...

8Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Thiago Alcantara misses Bayern Munich training amid Liverpool transfer rumours

Thiago Alcantara of Spain during the UEFA Nations league match between Spain v Ukraine at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on September 6, 2020 in Seville Spain. Thiago Alcantara will miss Bayern Munich's return to training on Tuesday, according to reports in Germany. The Spanish midfielder played the full 90 minutes in both of his country's Nations League matches in the past week - the 1-1 draw with Germany in Stuttgart and the 4-0 win over Ukraine in Madrid. Thiago, 29, also played 86 minutes of Bayern's Champions League final win over Paris Saint-Germain in Lisbon last month in what was widely seen as his final appearance for the club after seven Bundesliga titles in seven years. Liverpool remain strongly linked with the former Barcelona midfielder, although at present there has...

6Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayer Leverkusen ‘enter the race for Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin’

Hector Bellerin of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Bayer Leverkusen have expressed surprise interest in signing Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin, according to reports. The 25-year-old has also been the subject of a £30million bid from Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal are understood to recognise that any substantial fee will allow them to reinvest. Leverkusen will attempt to push for European silverware next season and The Telegraph report the Bundesliga outfit may swoop for Bellerin to boost their chances. Bellerin remains Arsenal's first-choice right back but may find himself departing the club. He remains under...

5Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

“Borussia Dortmund not a stepping stone for me” – Gio Reyna

Gio Reyna #38 of the Borussia Dortmund looks on against the Seattle Sounders during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on July 17, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. Gio Reyna says he is committed to Borussia Dortmund for the long haul, and wants to win trophies with the club. Reyna joined Dortmund's U19 side from the New York City FC academy in summer 2019, but was promoted to the first team in the new year on the back of his four goals and seven assists in 12 outings for the youth side. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder went on to make 18 Rückrunde appearances for the 2019/20 Bundesliga runners-up, usurping former Dortmund ace Christian Pulisic as the youngest US national to appear in the German top flight. He score...

5Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

“I can stay at this level for years” – Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski (L) of FC Bayern Muenchen is greeted by Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soeder as the UEFA Champions League winners arrive at Airport Munich on August 24, 2020 in Munich, Germany. Robert Lewandowski turned 32 at the end of his 55-goal season with Bayern Munich, but believes he can continue to serve up such prolific numbers for years to come. Lewandowski's 10th campaign on German soil was his best yet as he became the first player in history to win a continental treble whilst top scoring in each competition: 34 goals in the Bundesliga, six in the DFB Cup and 15 in the UEFA Champions League. Despite being five years past a professional footballer's perceived peak, the Poland international is confident he can maintain his eye-watering levels deep into his 30s. "I d...

4Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Spanish Star Midfielder Shrugs Off Liverpool Transfer Rumors, Says Bayern Is His ‘Home’

Thiago Alcantara of Spain runs with the ball during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Germany and Spain at Mercedes-Benz Arena on September 03, 2020 in Stuttgart, Germany. Thiago Alcantara has remained tight-lipped on reports linking him with a move to Liverpool. The 29-year-old said there is no other business in his mind right now besides Spain’s UEFA Nations League campaign as he tried to shrug off the transfer rumor by declaring that Bayern Munich is his home. "I only think about the game against Ukraine. Afterward, we will see," Thiago told ZDF, via Goal. "Bayern is my home and I am happy to be there." Thiago has won the Champions League title with Bayern nearly two weeks ago, capping a solid season where he appeared in 40 matches in all competitions ...

30Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski voted Germany’s Footballer of the Year after triumphant season

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Stamford Bridge on February 25, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was voted Germany's Footballer of the Year on Sunday. The 31-year-old Pole was the runaway winner of the title awarded by the football magazine Kicker, following a vote by journalists. Lewandowski received 276 votes, well ahead of two other members of Bayern's triple-winning squad: Thomas Muller (54 votes) and Joshua Kimmich (49). "I'm very proud," Lewandowski told Kicker. "Expectations are getting higher and higher and every year I try to surpass them." The striker amassed 55 goals for Bayern, finishing top scorer in ev...

29Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

I’d give myself the Ballon d’Or – Bayern Munich ace Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Stamford Bridge on February 25, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. After a blistering season both individually and collectively, the 32-year-old Pole believes he would have been a deserving winner of the prize. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has said that if he were in charge of handing out the Ballon d’Or this year, he would award it to himself. The Pole helped Bayern to win the Bundesliga DFB Pokal and Champions League, with the hitman the leading scorer in each of those competitions. It was the best season of his career to date as he found the net on 55 occasions in just 47 matches, notably scoring in every Champions...

26Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge optimistic Bayern will keep hold of David Alaba

David Alaba of FC Bayern Munich celebrates following his team's victory in the UEFA Champions League Final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on August 23, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. Per a new report from Sky Sport Germany, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said he’s optimistic that David Alaba will sign a contract extension with the club. Earlier in the season, Hansi Flick conferred the epithet of “defensive chief” on the Austrian defender, who has been one of Bayern’s most consistent performers en route to another historic treble-winning season. Negotiations between Alaba, his agent Pini Zahavi, and Bayern have proven to be more difficult than Bayern may have anticipated, but Rummenigge is confident everything will w...

25Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Lingering right knee injury forced Atsuto Uchida to retire

Atsuto Uchida of Japan and club football team Schalke 04 poses during a portrait session at Veltins-Arena on April 25, 2013 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Former Japan and Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida said Monday that not being able to give everything on the pitch due to a right knee injury for which he had an operation in 2015 led to his decision to retire. “I’ve been playing not to injure myself all the time, and began to feel it was disrespectful to be standing next to teammates who were giving 100 percent,” said the 32-year-old, who played the final game of his career in a 1-1 home draw for Kashima Antlers on Sunday against Gamba Osaka. “I’m not thinking at all on what if I hadn’t had the injury. I’ve pushed myself and got this far. This was my limit.” The Shizuoka native start...

22Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Philippe Coutinho breaks silence on future amid Arsenal transfer links and Barcelona exit talk

Philippe Coutinho of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between SC Paderborn 07 and FC Bayern Muenchen at Benteler Arena on September 28, 2019 in Paderborn, Germany. Philippe Coutinho has broken his silence on his future amid talk of him joining Arsenal from Barcelona. The Brazil international has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp after failing to impress. Despite signing for a whopping £142m from Liverpool, the playmaker has flattered to deceive. It saw his own fans boo him regularly, including one performance against his former side in the Champions League. A loan move to Bayern Munich has seen him regain some form. But the Bavarians will not be making his temporary transfer a permanent one and he looks set to return to Barcelona. However...

21Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Flick’s 10-month path from interim Bayern coach to Champions League final

Hans-Dieter Flick, head coach of FC Bayern Muenchen smiles during a training session at Saebener Strasse training ground on August 05, 2020 in Munich, Germany. Hansi Flick can write himself into Bayern Munich folklore by lifting the Champions League trophy in Sunday's final to complete his 10-month odyssey from interim boss to treble-winning head coach in his first season. Flick leads out Bayern against Paris Saint-Germain in Lisbon having already secured the Bundesliga and German Cup. Yet he was only initially appointed caretaker coach when Niko Kovac was sacked last November following a humbling 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt. It was the 55-year-old Flick's first job as a Bundesliga head coach. "We can all be happy that we chose Hansi Flick and put our trust in him," said...