Bundesliga

There are five games to go in the Bundesliga title race, and despite the latest installment of Der Klassiker's being more of a marketing face-plant than an edge-of-your-seat affair, there's still only one point in it. Everything is to play for. Will Bayern win their seventh straight title or can Borussia Dortmund upset the odds to secure their first title since 2011-12? Who wins? You decide. Go to THE ANFANG to begin (that's German for start/beginning). THE ANFANG: It's Matchday 30 in the Bundesliga. Despite Max Kruse giving Werder Bremen the lead, Bayern Munich turned it around to seal a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon. That leaves Borussia Dortmund four points back, knowing they need a win against Freiburg to stay in the title race. Lucien Favre, dismayed by his side's second-half showing against Mainz is stumped at what to do next. A big selection decision looms. Do you stick with Thomas Delaney and Axel Witsel holding, and the front four of Sancho, Reus, Bruun Larsen – …

[Read more...] about Tell your own Bundesliga title race story

Football-starved Europeans will be able to gorge on top-level action for the first time in weeks with the return of Germany's Bundesliga on Saturday. While the most fanatical fans have been making do with matches from Belarus during the COVID-19 lockdowns — with mixed results — the resumption of one of Europe's most prestigious leagues will pique many supporters' interests. The Bundesliga has openly touted for support across France, Spain and the UK to tune in this weekend, even unveiling a nifty personality test that allows fans to pick the team most suited to them, depending on whether they like easy glory (Bayern Munich) or rooting for an underdog (Schalke). But with all 18 Bundesliga clubs playing over Saturday, Sunday and Monday night — and all nine games televised — choosing who to watch and when for those not au fait with German football could be a challenge. Luckily, Euronews has stepped up to give you a steer. At 2.30 pm on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund …

[Read more...] about Bundesliga’s back: A quick guide to Germany’s top football league

When 12 European clubs launched their ill-fated attempt to form an elite European Super League earlier this year, they did so under the slogan: "The best clubs. The best players. Every week." Now, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but, given that the venture collapsed in a storm of almost universal condemnation within 48 hours , it's safe to assume that not everybody thought it was the best idea in the world. The failed coup demonstrated once and for all just how far detached the men who run football are from the people who regularly watch football: not always the best clubs, rarely the best players — but absolutely every week. Entirely without the involvement of Florentino Perez, Andrea Agnelli, Joel Glazer, John Henry & Co., however, the 2021-22 season will feature a "Super League" after all: Bundesliga 2. Germany's second division starts on Friday night, and here's why you should be watching: 1. Big, big clubs In Germany, where the so-called 50+1 rule ensures …

[Read more...] about Why Bundesliga 2 is European football’s real ‘Super League’

Mario Balotelli Why always him? The Italian international's pedigree and ability has rarely been in doubt but at 29, he's never been able to settle at a club long enough to really live up to his early billing. After a typically eventful five month spell at Marseille that included a debut goal, a famous on-pitch Instagram selfie and goals in each of his first five home games, he left the French side at the end of the season. Balotelli had joined Marseille in January after falling out with Nice coach Patrick Vieira following a preseason where he turned up out of shape and missed early matches thanks to a suspension imposed by a court. But it was at Nice, under current Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre , where Balotelli played arguably the best football of his career in 2016-17, leading the Riviera club to their highest finish for decades and Champions League qualification. BVB only have one genuine No.9 in Paco Alacer, so might Favre be tempted to ignore the red flags and …

[Read more...] about Bundesliga bargain basement: The five best players still available for free

Arminia Bielefeld Ins: Guilherme Ramos, Bryan Lasme, Masaya Okugawa, Florian Krueger, Janni Serra, Alessandro Schoepf, Sebastian Vasiliadis Outs: Joey Mueller, Anderson Lucoqui, Joan Edmundsson, Cebio Soukou, Sven Schipplock, Andreas Voglsammer, Can Ozkan, Nils Seufert, Mervin Kalac, Reinhold Yabo, Nikolai Rehnen, Noel Niemann (loan), Key signing: Ramos, a 23-year-old centre-back signed from Potugese side Feirense, should add more quality to the back line. Augsburg Ins: Niklas Dorsch, Daniel Klein, Lasse Guenther Outs: Rani Khedira, Marek Suchy, Julien Schieber, Jozo Stanich (loan), Lukas Petkov (loan), Benjamin Leneis (loan) Key signing: The €8m arrival of Dorsch from Gent gives the side quality in and out of possession in front of the defence. Odilon Kossounou cost Bayer Leverkusen a large sum this transfer window Bayer Leverkusen Ins: Odilon Kossounou, Mitchel Bakker, Zidan Sertdemir, Andrey Lunev Outs: Tin Jedvaj, Demarai Gray, Aleksander …

[Read more...] about Transfer latest: The ins and outs at every Bundesliga club this window

Did Bayern Munich win in the Bundesliga this weekend? Bayern Munich WON the Bundesliga this weekend , without even kicking a ball. RB Leipzig's defeat to Borussia Dortmund earlier on Saturday afternoon meant that Bayern were already crowned champions before their game against Borussia Mönchengladbach. And they celebrated in style, thrashing the hapless Foals 6-0. It's Bayern's ninth Bundesliga title in a row, their 30th Bundesliga title in total and their 31st German championship overall. Great for Bayern, but what can be done about such dominance? Did Borussia Dortmund win in the Bundesliga this weekend? Indeed they did, and what a vital win it was in terms of their Champions League hopes. Dortmund got off to a flying start against RB Leipzig and led 2-0 just after half-time thanks to goals from Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho. But they switched off completely and allowed the visitors to get back into the game courtesy of Lukas Klostermann and Dano Olmo. Those …

[Read more...] about Bundesliga Bulletin: Bayern champions, Dortmund on course for Champions League

CHELSEA are looking into sending Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Germany’s Bundesliga to get his career back on track. The former England midfielder, 25, is currently out of the picture at Stamford Bridge. There is still plenty of Premier League interest in the star. That is despite him having a quiet campaign at relegated Fulham. But Germany can prepare him for a return — or increase his value. A bad heel injury ended Loftus-Cheek 's 2018-19 campaign before the Europa League final win over Arsenal, after a career-high 40 appearances during the season. And his opportunities at the Blues have been limited since. The England international spent 2020-21 on loan at Fulham. But he endured a difficult campaign as the Whites were relegated and he contributed just one goal. SunSport understands Southampton are also keen on his services . COMPETITION: SPOT THE BALL TO WIN A CAR AND CASH DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON FOR YOUR CHANCE TO …

[Read more...] about Chelsea looking to offload Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan transfer to Bundesliga clubs to get career back on track

Transfer scoops at the world’s top clubs can often be hard to come by, but Lukas Nmecha has gifted Manchester City fans a welcome update after completing his move to Wolfsburg. The 22-year-old previously spent the first half of the 2019/20 season at the Volkswagen Arena, but he’s now left in a permanent £11million deal after failing to break out at the Etihad Stadium. Nmecha had initially expressed his desire to fight for the spot left by Sergio Aguero after the club’s all-time top scorer left to join Barcelona earlier this summer. However, the Hamburg-born striker more recently told Kicker he didn’t envision a future under Pep Guardiola because he’s convinced City will sign an elite replacement: "I still had one year of contract. "They're getting another top striker, I don't think my chances would have been very good there.” Nmecha first joined City’s academy in 2007 and showed plenty of promise for the club’s youth teams, netting 27 times in 35 …

[Read more...] about Man City star Lukas Nmecha drops big transfer hint after recent Wolfsburg move

The most protracted transfer saga of the last two summers is finally complete: Jadon Sancho is a Manchester United player. The 21-year-old England international was officially unveiled in Manchester on Friday after completing a move from Borussia Dortmund reported to be worth €85 million ($100m / £72.5m), rising to €90 million with bonuses and add-ons. "Jadon epitomizes the type of player I want to bring to the club, he is a forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United," said head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "He will form an integral part of my squad for years to come and we look forward to seeing him blossom. His goals and assists records speak for themselves and he will also bring tremendous pace, flair and creativity to the team." Sancho himself said: "I’ll always be grateful to Dortmund for giving me the opportunity to play first team football, although I always knew that I would return to England one day. The chance to join Manchester United is a dream come …

[Read more...] about Jadon Sancho officially unveiled at Manchester United

Manchester United have at last completed a £72.9million deal for England star Jadon Sancho , with the former Borussia Dortmund winger signing an five-year contract, which included an option for a sixth, with the Red Devils. After a long transfer saga dating back to last summer, United agreed a fee for the 21-year-old on July 1 but the deal could not be completed until after the conclusion of Euro 2020. Almost two weeks ago, shortly after England’s heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat against Italy – in which Sancho missed one of the spot-kicks – he visited United’s Carrington training complex to undergo a medical. But it has taken a while for the final details of the deal to be rubber-stamped and now, at last, the Premier League giants have formally announced Sancho’s arrival, bringing to an end his four-year stay in Germany. Sancho spent two years in the academy of United’s fierce rivals Manchester City, having started his career at Watford, but left to join Dortmund in …

[Read more...] about Manchester United finally complete £72.9m signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund