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Holders Bayern Munich are through to the quarterfinals of the German Cup after a thrilling 6-3 victory at nine-man Stuttgart.

The Bavarian giants had beaten the same opponents 5-3 at the weekend, but they went one goal better on Wednesday, thanks to three late goals.

Andreas Ottl and Mario Gomez gave the visitors a two-goal lead in the first eight minutes, but the home side fought back to level 2-2 at the interval thanks to a double strike from Pavel Pogrebnyak.

A frantic second 45 minutes saw Miroslav Klose put Bayern back into the lead before Stuttgart had Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz sent off for a second yellow card offense.

Remarkably Stuttgart then missed a penalty before Mattieu Delpierre levelled matters with 13 minutes remaining.

However, the man advantage began to tell, and late goals from Thomas Muller and a second from Klose put Bayern in control.

Delpierre was then shown his marching orders before an injury time goal from Franck Ribery put the gloss on an extraordinary match. (continue reading…)

Louis van Gaal said “We scored some good goals from some good moves, but there’s no way we should be conceding any more goals. It’s a shame that’s happened. I know that, and the players know that. It’s often been the case, and it’s something that has to improve. Dortmund are a long way ahead, but we can make up a four-point gap to second place. The cup tie on Wednesday is a new game altogether, it starts 0-0, and it’s a death or gladioli game.”

Bayern ended an occasionally problematic first half of the Bundesliga campaign on a high with a valuable win in a remarkable encounter with strugglers Stuttgart, a result and a performance which hands Louis van Gaal’s side a psychological edge ahead of the teams’ cup meeting in three days’ time, but also bodes well for the double winners’ domestic ambitions in the new year.

The 40,500 capacity crowd at the partially-renovated Mercedes-Benz-Arena saw Mario Gomez, Thomas Müller and Franck Ribery crack three past the woeful home defence in a devastating quarter-hour before half-time. Stuttgart sub Martin Harnik pulled one back soon after the restart, but Gomez instantly restored the visitors’ three-goal lead and then completed his hat-trick to put FCB four clear before the hour was up.

Harnik scored again and Christian Gentner sneaked one in at the far post as the game took an unexpected twist midway through the second period, but FCB eventually restored a semblance of order to make certain of the points.

The win means Van Gaal’s men lie fifth in the Bundesliga standings at the midpoint of the campaign on 29 points from 17 matches, four off Leverkusen and Mainz in third and second, but still 14 adrift of leaders Dortmund. Bayern’s final fixture before the winter break is on the same ground against the same opponents in the last sixteen of the cup next Wednesday.
Van Gaal made two changes to the side which beat St Pauli in the league last weekend. Toni Kroos currently has a leg in plaster, and Bastian Schweinsteiger stayed at home in Munich with a heavy cold, so Andi Ottl came into central midfield, and fit-again Gomez resumed up front against his former club, with the playmaking duties passing to Müller. (continue reading…)

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Bastian Schweinsteiger will not be going anywhere until 2012.

The Germany international has yet to commit himself to a new deal beyond 2012 and it has been rumoured that Bayern may sell him next summer should he not sign an extension by then, otherwise they risk losing him on a free transfer 12 months later.

However, speaking at the club’s Annual General Meeting last night, Rummenigge ruled out that eventuality and said he still hopes Schweinsteiger will pledge his long-term future to the club.

“We will not be letting the player go before his contract ends in 2012 in any case,” he said.

“Bastian has developed a great deal in the last two years and I am very optimistic that we and his agents can find an agreement.

“Our aim is to give Bastian a long-term contract.”

Rummenigge’s words were met with resounding applause from the members present at last night’s AGM. (continue reading…)

Bayern suffered an unexpected setback at the start of the new Bundesliga campaign, losing away to promoted Kaiserslautern despite claiming almost three-quarters of the possession and creating chance after chance in the second half, only to be undone by the underdogs’ prodigious effort and willpower.

The 49,780 capacity crowd at the Fritz-Walter stadium saw the visitors boss the play from the off, but Thomas Müller squandered a golden opportunity to hand his side the lead, and Ivo Ilicevic and Srdjan Lakic stunned the champions with two goals in 60 seconds ten minutes before half-time. Louis van Gaal’s men laid siege to the home goal in the second half, but the shooting was too often wayward and the home side’s resistance too dogged on an off night for the men from Munich.

With no league fixtures next weekend due to Euro 2012 qualifying, the Bavarians are next in Bundesliga action at 6.30 in the evening on Saturday 11 September, when fellow Champions League hopefuls Werder Bremen visit the Allianz Arena.

Van Gaal made just one change to the side which sealed a last-gasp win over Wolfsburg in the restart fixture a week ago, fit-again Ivica Olic taking over from Toni Kroos. Otherwise, keeper Jörg Butt lined up behind full-backs Philipp Lahm and Diego Contento, and central defenders Daniel van Buyten and Holger Badstuber. (continue reading…)

Real Madrid’s talismanic striker Raul, forced out of the Bernabeu after 16 record-breaking seasons, has signed for Schalke at the age of 33, the Bundesliga club said on Wednesday.

Raul, who scored 323 times in 741 games for Real including a record 66 Champions League goals and is Spain’s alltime leading scorer, will try to revive his career in industrial Gelsenkirchen after falling out of favour at the club where he made his name.

“This is a great piece of news for Schalke 04,” coach Felix Magath told the club’s website after completing one of their biggest-ever signings.

“I’m happy that we’ve succeeded in inspiring such an outstanding footballer and world class player into changing to the Bundesliga and to Schalke. (continue reading…)

FRANCK RIBERY admits he would love Manchester United and Chelsea to make bids for him.

The French winger, 26, is set to decide on his future at Bayern Munich in the next few months.

Real Madrid are the favourites to land Ribery, with reports claiming he already has a deal in place to move to the Bernabeu in the summer.

But United and the Blues have made offers for him in the past and Ribery wants them to try to sign him again.

Ribery said: “I haven’t signed anything with anybody yet.

“Last season, I had many possibilities with Manchester United, Real, Barcelona or Chelsea.

“I hope I’ll have the same ones plus Bayern next summer. Things can go one way or another.

“I think I’ll know before the end of March. I want my mind to be free to play the World Cup.

“I want to play with the most competitive team as possible, the one that will give me a chance to win as many trophies as possible, whether it is Bayern or another.

“I’ll be 27 in April and my career is at a turning point.”

Will Louis van Gaal lead Bayern Munich to the title?

Yes, who else could? Van Gaal definitely has the team under control. Order and discipline are important to him.

Let’s be honest, Bayern have dug deep into their pockets to strengthen the side. After splashing out €30 million for Mario Gomez you don’t want to be playing in the Europa League. You MUST win the title.

Will Luca Toni and Franck Ribery cause trouble?

I’ve always said that Ribery is amongst the three or four best footballers in the world. After the saga with Real Madrid this summer I expect him to commit to Bayern with his efforts on the pitch. I am sure he will go for it.

Luca Toni will get unhappy if he is just sitting on the bench but he will not kick up a fuss. He will have to face up to the competition for places with Klose, Gomez and Olic.

How will Magath get on at Schalke?

Felix Magath will get a lot more out of Schalke. The club have not filled their potential in the last few years. It will be different with Felix at the helm.

Slacking and indiscipline will not be tolerated and with Manuel Neuer he has the best goalkeeper in the league. Under Magath Schalke should become serious rivals to Bayern in the long term - not just this season. (continue reading…)

Jupp Heynckes and his rejuvenated Bayer Leverkusen side are in pole position, but Bayern Munich and their wing twins Robben and Ribery are right behind them and Schalke and Borussia Dortmund are also in hot pursuit.

The Bundesliga championship race is hotting up - but who will grab the glory? Germany football Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer gives his tip for the title.

And what about Hamburg with their newly-signed Dutch star Ruud van Nistelrooy?

Franz Beckenbauer (64) tackled the big questions ahead of match day 20 and revealed his predictions to BILD for all of the games of the five main candidates for the title.

The Kaiser speaks about one person when it comes to HSV: “Hamburg have got a world class goalscorer with Ruud van Nistelrooy, who can alone decide many games – if he is fit.”

But who will lift the trophy on May 8?

Beckenbauer: “In the end it will be my Bayern! Although Jupp Heynckes could only have to suffer defeat once in the whole season. Leverkusen have received a super footballer from us in Toni Kroos…” (continue reading…)

Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel, revealed, the tension between Luca Toni and the club are implications to the team’s performance. According to him, after Toni leave, the conditions better team and focus on pursuing a degree.

“The atmosphere in Munich was incredible today. Every person cared about one another and none of those who disturb the peace,” said Van Bommel.

Toni joined the Munich since 2007 earlier. Toni did not disappoint his new club because he has delivered three trophies for “The Bavarian”.


However, Toni was more action this season with the arrival of brand-new coach Louis van Gaal. Dutch coach is a waste of his ability to put more on the bench.

Feeling tired and worried about losing a place in the Italian national team that appeared in the 2010 World Cup South Africa, Toni chose left. He returned to Italy to join AS Roma.

According to Van Bommel, since the departure of Toni, a team situation is much better and be more focused in their pursuit of a degree. Van Bommel has admitted, the tension between the club and Toni is very big influence on the team. (continue reading…)