TheNewsGuru

Tag: Bayern Munich

  • 2019/2020 Bundesliga restarts amid pandemic

    2019/2020 Bundesliga restarts amid pandemic

    The eyes of the sports world will be on Germany’s Bundesliga this weekend as it becomes the first “big league’’ to restart after the COVID-19 shutdown.

    But little would have changed on the pitch with Bayern Munich hunting an eighth straight crown.

    The German Football League decided last week to resume the first and second divisions from May 16 after a two-month suspension.

    The teams will undergo a seven-day isolation period after testing for the new coronavirus.

    Leaders Bayern Munich begin the final nine match days with a trip to Union Berlin on Sunday with Borussia Dortmund, four points behind the Bavarians, playing Schalke 04 a day earlier.

    “The Bundesliga manages to become the first big league worldwide to restart,” Bayern Munich Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

    “And with the Bundesliga as the only league to be broadcast on TV, I expect we will have an audience of a billion,” he said on Wednesday.

    Strict health regulations mean all games will be played in empty stadiums with only some 300 essential staff and officials in and around the arenas.

    Players have been told not to spit, celebrate in groups, or touch hands with team mates.

    Also, some clubs will use music and cardboard cutouts of fans to enhance the atmosphere at matches.

    The league is desperate to complete the season by June 30 for contractual reasons.

    The organisers say they are aware of the risk of another suspension if there are many positive virus cases among players.

    It has already warned of the “existence-threatening” financial situation of several clubs due to the suspension and has warned another interruption would be disastrous for both league and teams.

    The interruption has allowed the league’s top goalscorer, Robert Lewandowski, to recover from a leg injury.

    It was an injury that would have ruled the Bayern Munich forward out of several matches had the season not been halted.

    The Pole has been back fit for weeks and will look to pick up where he left off.

    This means he can add to his 25 league goals as he chases the season record of 40 set by Gerd Mueller in 1972.

    Borussia Dortmund, on 51 points, one ahead of RB Leipzig, have not given up on the title but will restart without injured captain Marco Reus.

    Borussia Dortmund have the more difficult run-in and RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann hopes to give Bayern Munich a run for their money.

    “If Bayern Munich are in top form then the title will be decided by them, especially when they have such a lead,” he said.

    “But we will still try to win this nine-game tournament to create the theoretical conditions to end very high up.”

    Borussia Moenchengladbach, fourth on 49 points, and Bayer Leverkusen, on 47 points, still have to play Bayern Munich.

    But they look almost certain to battle it out for the fourth UEFA Champions League spot with Schalke 04 a further 10 points back in sixth.

    At the other end of the table, Paderborn’s Bundesliga stint looks set to come to an end after one season.

    They are last on 16 points, six off the relegation playoff spot occupied by Fortuna Duesseldorf.

    The 2004 champions Werder Bremen, in 17th place on 18 points, will need to step up a gear if they are to avoid their second relegation since 1980.

  • Mourinho reveals one result that left him in tears

    Mourinho reveals one result that left him in tears

    Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has recalled the one result which left him in tears.

    Mourinho has revealed how losing a Champions League semi-final to Bayern Munich with Real Madrid in 2012 left him crying in his car.

    He recalled to Marca: “That is also football. Cristiano, Kaka, Sergio Ramos. They are three monsters of football, there is no doubt about that.

    “But they are also human. That night is the only time I have ever cried after a football match.

    “I remember it well: me and Aitor [Karanka] parked in the car in front of my house, crying. It was very hard to take because in that 2011-12 season we were the best team in Europe.”

  • Chelsea’s hope on signing Manuel Neuer hangs

    Bayern Munich’s Sporting Director, Hasan Salihamidzic, says he expects the club to renew goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s contract and also hopes for star international players to transfer over, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper reported on Sunday.

    “I’m an optimist. So, I hope we can extend the contract with Manuel,’’ Salihamidzic told the German newspaper.

    Recent disagreements between Neuer and the German Bundesliga champions have been “resolved internally”, Salihamidzic said.

    In an interview with the Sunday newspaper earlier this month, Neuer complained that he missed the discretion afforded in the past, amid his contract negotiations with Bayern Munich.

    He was “irritated” by the contract talks’ content being made public.

    “Manuel knows that we appreciate him very much.

    “I played with Oliver Kahn. I know how good a world-class goalkeeper can be to a team.

    “Manuel is a world-class goalkeeper. He is held in high esteem in our club,’’ Salihamidzic told the paper.

    Negotiations between Bayern Munich and team captain Neuer for a new contract beyond summer 2021 have been difficult and the sides were reportedly at odds when it comes to the deal’s length and worth.

    According to Salihamidzic, the team are planning further transfers, following the signing of goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel from rival Bundesliga side Schalke 04.

    “We want to strengthen our team with a top talent from Europe.

    “Also, we want to bring an international star to Munich who will raise the quality of our team and help the team to offer our spectators highly profitable and attractive football,’’ he said.

  • I am an Arsenal fan, Coutinho’s agent hints at EPL return

    Philippe Coutinho’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, has said that the player “would love a return to the Premier League,” one day, while admitting he is a supporter of Arsenal.

    However, Joorabchian insists he will not influence which English club Coutinho chooses.

    The Brazilian midfielder is presently on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona.

    The Bundesliga champions are not expected to make the deal permanent, which means the 27-year-old might be on the move again this summer.

    Coutinho, who had previously played for Liverpool, is attracting attention from Chelsea and Arsenal.

    “The fact that I’m an Arsenal supporter is not a secret,” Joorabchian told Sky Sports News.

    “I don’t have any preference where the players go. I don’t try to push someone to one club or another. Everything is a possibility.

    “The Premier League is something that he has always enjoyed playing in, and loved playing in, and would probably love to come back and play in.”

  • Bundesliga: Bayern Munich to resume training

    Bundesliga: Bayern Munich to resume training

    Bayern Munich players will return to training on Monday for the first time since the Bundesliga campaign was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

    Germany’s top flight has been on hold since 13 March.

    The German Football League recommended clubs should not train until Sunday, 5 April; the Bundesliga leaders will welcome back players in small groups.

    “Training will take place with no members of the public present,” a club statement read.

    “In order to further slow the spread of the coronavirus, FC Bayern asks fans to continue to follow the instructions of the authorities and therefore please do not come to the FC Bayern training ground.”

    The Bundesliga remains suspended until at least 30 April following a meeting of league clubs last Tuesday.

  • Transfer: Neuer rules out joining Premier League club

    Transfer: Neuer rules out joining Premier League club

    Bayern Munich goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer has ruled out the possibility of joining Chelsea this summer transfer window.

    According to Sky Sports, Neuer, who is also the captain of Bayern Munich, wants to extend his contract with the Bundesliga champions.

    Neuer has been locked in contract talks with the Bavarians for months, and there’s a dispute over how long any extension should be with the 34-year-old seeking greater security from a longer deal at the Allianz Arena.

    The lengths of negotiations have alerted Chelsea, who is believed to be keen on signing Neuer as a replacement for their goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    But Neuer does not consider the Blues to be an option and has no desire for a move to the English Premier League.

    Meanwhile, the German Bundesliga and all major Europe top-flight competitions are currently suspended due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak across the globe.

  • Transfer: Chelsea ahead as Neuer shuns Bayern offer

    Chelsea have received a boost ahead in their pursuit to sign Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

    The Blues want to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer.

    Neuer is not looking likely to renew his deal at Bayern Munich.

    The 34-year-old rejected an offer from Bayern, per Bild, as he wants a five year deal.

    Bayern have Alexander Nubel who they want to bring in from Schalke, and they do not want to halt his progress.

    Neuer wants long term security, and Chelsea may be able to offer it to him.

    The German thinks he can play at the top level for many years to come.

    Chelsea boss Frank Lampard badly wants a top keeper he can trust, but he must first convince Neuer to leave the comfort of his homeland for a fresh start at Stamfrod Bridge.

  • Chelsea in shock move for Bayern’s Neuer to replace Kepa

    Premier League Chelsea are seriously considering a shock move for Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

    According to BILD , the Blues could be set for a sensational move for Neuer this summer after appearing to finally lose patience with Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    World record signing Kepa has come under pressure this season after recently losing his place to 38-year-old deputy Willy Caballero.

    The Spaniard was dropped after a series of error-strewn performances in January, but regained his place shortly before the season was curtailed by coronavirus.

    And Neuer, despite his advancing years, is seen as the ideal replacement by Frank Lampard.

    Neuer, 34, is set to enter the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena having failed to agree new terms.

  • Lewandowski donates 1m euro to fight coronavirus

    Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and his wife Anna have contributed one million euros (£923,900) to fight coronavirus.

    Team-mates Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich have also set up a fund called We Kick Corona to combat the pandemic and contributed one million euros between them.

    Manchester City winger Leroy Sane also made a considerable financial donation.

    “We are all aware of the difficult situation,” the Lewandowskis told Bild.

    “Today we all play in a team. Let us be strong in this fight. If we can help someone, let’s do it.

    “This situation affects every one of us, so we ask you to follow the instructions and listen to those who know best. Be responsible.”

    We Kick Corona has raised more than 2.5m euros and charities and social institutions can apply for funds from the organisation on its website.

    “Everyone can help, both in small and large ways,” said Kimmich.

    “Only if we stand together now, show reason and responsibility and are there for each other can we make it out of this crisis.”

  • UCL: Bayern taught Chelsea a lesson – Jorginho

    UCL: Bayern taught Chelsea a lesson – Jorginho

    Jorginho admits that Chelsea were taught a lesson by Bayern Munich in their 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge which leaves the Blues with a mountain to climb to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

    Serge Gnabry scored the first two goals early in the second half and Robert Lewandowski added a third before Marcos Alonso was sent off late on to cap a miserable night for the Blues.

    Frank Lampard’s side were thoroughly outclassed in the first leg of the last-16 tie and Jorginho acknowledged that Bayern are serious contenders to win the Champions League outright.

    “It is very difficult to say anything right now because it was a difficult game and we just saw a big team,” Jorginho told reporters at Stamford Bridge. “So, we know we have a lot to improve and they showed so many things to us that we can learn from our mistakes and from them as well.

    “They were really, really good and we couldn’t press very well. I think we were not compact on the pitch and not pressing as a team. So that made them confident with the ball and they could play easily.

    “At this level, if you concede a chance, they can kill you and when you create you have to score, even if you are playing worse than the other team because then things can change.

    “We had a big team against us. I think they are playing to win the Champions League, honestly, because they are confident on the ball, tactically they are very good. The result tells you everything.”