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Tag: Bayern Munich

Bayern boss labels big spending ‘a sign of weakness’

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness feels it is an admission of failure for a club to spend big in the transfer market, as Paris Saint-Germain continue to be linked with an extraordinary €222million swoop to sign Neymar from Barcelona.

The Ligue 1 giants have been heavily tipped to smash the world transfer record by meeting the enormous release clause in the Brazil international’s contract, although Barca defender Gerard Pique suggested, via a Tweet on Sunday, that the 25-year-old has been convinced to remain at Camp Nou.

Addressing the media upon Bayern’s arrival in Singapore for their next International Champions Cup pre-season fixture against Chelsea, Hoeness took aim at the largesse of some rivals.

“This is rather a sign of weakness,” he said of the outlays being made across Europe.

“If I have to spend a lot of money to achieve nothing, it is more of a sign that I have not worked so well before. And that’s why I cannot be so interested.

“Not the most expensive transfer is the best, but the one who does the most.

“I think that is why, in this shark basin – €100m, €200m – we must find our own way.”

Bayern parted with a Bundesliga record fee of €41.5million to capture Corentin Tolisso from Lyon and brought in Niklas Sule from Hoffenheim for a reported €20m.

But they have also snared potential bargains in the form of Serge Gnabry, a cut-price arrival from Werder Bremen, James Rodriguez, signed on loan from Real Madrid, and free transfer Sebastian Rudy, as the team prepares to try and secure a sixth successive Bundesliga title.

RB Leipzig sprung a surprise to finish second to Bayern last season, but Hoeness expects a more predictable rival to vie for the championship in 2017-18.

“Leipzig will play a good season again, but the first challenger will surely be Borussia Dortmund,” he said.

Bayern were without a sporting director in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s first campaign in charge last term, after failing to replace Matthias Sammer, who stepped down in July 2016.

According to Hoeness, though, they are now close to making an appointment.

“We will announce a sporting director within the next six weeks,” he said.

“I’ve already said that [executive chairman] Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and I have been looking around, and there have been some talks taking place.”

July 24, 2017
Bayern Munich sign Corentin Tolisso from Lyon

Bayern Munich have signed Lyon star Corentin Tolisso for a fee believed to be in the region of £35million.

Tolisso passed a medical with the Bundesliga champions on Wednesday after an agreement was reached between the two teams and the player.

The club confirmed that Tolisso, 22, has signed a five year deal until 2022 after impressing in Ligue 1 last season.

He becomes Bayern’s fifth signing of the summer already as Carlo Ancelotti strengthens the Bundesliga champions ahead of next season.

Ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry has joined from Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim duo Sebastian Rudy and Niklas Sule agreed deals to move to Munich back in January. Kingsley Coman’s loan from Juventus was also made permanent.

Tolisso was an unused substitute as France beat England 3-2 in a friendly at the Stade de France on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old admitted earlier this month he was open to leaving Lyon after they failed to qualify for the Champions League and finished a disappointing fourth in Ligue 1.

He scored 14 times in 47 appearances for Lyon last season, earning him a call up to the France senior squad in March.

Fellow Lyon midfielder Maxime Gonalons’ agent revealed in April that a deal to take Tolisso to Napoli fell though last summer due to concerns over living in Naples – associated with watching TV show Gomorrah.

Bayern won their fifth straight Bundesliga title this season and made it to the Champions League quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Real Madrid.

June 14, 2017
Demichelis to retire at end of season

Malaga defender Martin Demichelis announced on Monday he would retire at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old left Manchester City last summer and joined Espanyol, before starting his second spell at Malaga in January.

His final game, if selected, will be Sunday’s home match against Real Madrid, who could win La Liga.

Demichelis, who also play in midfield, won 51 caps for Argentina and also played for River Plate and Bayern Munich.

“Unfortunately this day comes to us all. I’ve been deliberating it for some time, as I have always been very worried about the end of a professional football career.

“I am grateful to the profession, and in this case Malaga in particular, because they extended my career as a professional footballer,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Martin Demichelis played 106 times for Manchester City between 2013 and 2016.

May 16, 2017
Bayern Munich claim fifth straight Bundesliga title win

Bayern Munich clinched a record-extending fifth consecutive Bundesliga title thanks to a 6-0 battering of Wolfsburg.

RB Leipzig’s goalless draw with Ingolstadt earlier on Saturday meant Bayern headed into the contest at the Volkswagen Arena knowing three points would be enough to retain their domestic crown with three games to spare.

And the Bavarians produced an emphatic performance as David Alaba’s strike, Robert Lewandowski’s brace and goals from Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich earned Carlo Ancelotti a league winners’ medal in his first season since replacing Pep Guardiola as head coach.

Wolfsburg – who had Luiz Gustavo sent off late on – had conceded 12 goals in their past three league meetings with Bayern and the champagne was on ice when Alaba opened the scoring with a stunning 19th-minute free-kick.

Lewandowski extended his brilliant record against Wolfsburg as his first-half double made it 10 goals in his past four matches against them.

Robben’s low effort and Muller’s predatory finish added to the rout after the break, before Joshua Kimmich ensured Bayern bettered the 5-0 win from December’s reverse fixture.

For Bayern, the title win will go some way to making up for a hugely disappointing April that has seen them exit the Champions League at the quarter-final stage while they crashed out of the DFB-Pokal at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

The Dortmund setback led to rumours that Ancelotti’s long-term future at the Allianz Arena may be in doubt, but the Italian refuted those reports and he can now start planning for another assault on domestic and European glory next season.

Bayern dominated the ball in the early stages, but were fortunate former striker Mario Gomez was unable to capitalise on rounding Sven Ulreich in the eighth minute.

It was a moment of genius that put the visitors ahead, though. Muller was felled by Daniel Didavi 25 yards from goal and Alaba curled a sumptuous free-kick into the top right-hand corner.

Buoyed by the goal, Bayern pushed on and Koen Casteels made a strong one-handed save from Lewandowski’s edge-of-the box drive before the goalkeeper showed immense reflexes to also keep out Muller’s follow up.

Casteels was helpless to prevent Bayern’s second, though.

Kingsley Coman led the break to play in Muller on the left of the area and he squared for Lewandowski, who took a touch to get it out of his feet and hammered his shot emphatically past Casteels.

It was game over before the break when Coman – who this week agreed to join Bayern on a permanent deal from Juventus for next season – turned away from Didavi and cut back for Lewandowski to drill home a third.

There was little change to the script after half-time and Alaba crashed an effort against the left-hand post shortly after the restart.

A fourth goal arrived in the 67th minute with a trademark goal from Robben, who cut in from the right and hit a 25-yard daisycutter into the bottom-right corner.

Wolfsburg’s misery worsened when ex-Bayern man Gustavo man was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, and the visitors continued to run riot with Muller shooting into an unguarded goal after Lewandowski’s effort had hit the post.

Bayern were not quite done, though, and Wolfsburg were hit for six when Robben’s cross from the left was collected at the far post by Kimmich and he drilled past Casteels.

April 29, 2017
Lahm bids ‘bitter farewell’ to Champions League

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm described Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid as a “bitter farewell” to the competition.

The holders secured a 4-2 win after extra-time at Santiago Bernabeu to seal a 6-3 aggregate triumph and a place in the semi-finals.

Bayern were on the wrong end of three controversial refereeing decisions, with Arturo Vidal given a second yellow card for what appeared to be a fair challenge, before Cristiano Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with two goals from offside positions in extra-time.

Lahm, who will retire at the end of the season, praised his team-mates for their fighting spirit, but conceded that it was a difficult way to play his last game in the competition.

“Despite a strong performance, it was not enough to continue to the semi-finals,” he wrote on Instagram. “It is a bitter farewell from the Champions League – especially for me personally, after so many years.

“However, the attitude of the team and their strength to fight against problems shows big potential – @FCBayern will be back!”

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge accused the officials of “killing” the Germans’ hopes during a hugely entertaining match.

“It was an extremely emotional spectacle. You can only compliment both teams. It was great football,” he said.

“Unfortunately it was determined by the referee, at our expense.

“It wasn’t even a foul by Vidal, but of course Vidal was already at risk. This weakened us, of course, as it did in the first leg when [Javi] Martinez was sent off.

“It killed us. That must be said very clearly. Arturo gets to the ball in front of the Madrid player. It was not a foul. That’s why it shouldn’t be a yellow-red card.

“If you play against a team like Real with 10, it becomes difficult. The whole team fought well. Then we were in extra-time and suddenly it’s 4-2 thanks to the most curious decisions from the officials.

April 19, 2017
CL: Perfect hat-trick for Ronaldo, beat Bayern Munich 4-2
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a perfect hat-trick as holders Real Madrid needed extra time to beat 10-man Bayern Munich 4-2 and reach the Champions League semi finals for the seventh straight season.

The Portuguese star took his tally to 100 in the competition as Los Blancos prevailed 6-3 on aggregate at the Bernabeu after the Bavarians had threatened a stunning comeback.

A Ronaldo brace had given Zinedine Zidane’s men a 2-1 victory in the first leg, but they struggled to control a determined Bayern side, who drew level in the tie at 3-3 on aggregate when Sergio Ramos put through his own net 13 minutes from time. It came just moments after Ronaldo had cancelled out Robert Lewandowski‘s penalty opener on the night.

However, the big turning point came when Arturo Vidal was harshly sent off for a second bookable offence six minutes from the end of normal time.

Bayern defied the odds by continuing to attack in extra time, but Ronaldo struck twice from offside positions to kill the tie. Substitute Marco Asensio then rubbed salt in Bayern’s wounds with a solo fourth.

The result brings a successful conclusion to the first part of a big week for Real, who can take a giant stride towards the La Liga title when they host rivals, Barcelona on Sunday evening.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat trickReuters

TALKING POINT

Real are clear favourites for a 12th crown – but shocking decisions cost Bayern. With Bayern out and Barcelona needing another miracle at the Nou Camp to progress, it’s looking like Los Blancos will be the stand-out name in the last four draw on Friday. You have to go back as far as AC Milan in 1990 for the last time a side retained the trophy, but Real are now in a strong position to break the hoodoo as the first team to successfully defend the title. Bayern will feel aggrieved. At 3-3 on aggregate and with the visitors on top, Vidal’s sending off for what looked like a fair challenge was no doubt a key moment. They will also point to the fact Ronaldo was offside for his second and third of the night as Real got lucky with the officials.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid). On any other night it would have been Marcelo. But Ronaldo is a pure match winner. He hits new landmarks for fun and was the major difference in the tie overall.

PLAYER RATINGS

REAL MADRID: Navas 6; Carvajal 8, Ramos 7, Nacho 7, Marcelo 8; Casemiro 6, Kroos 7, Modric 6; Isco 6, Benzema 6, Ronaldo 8. Subs: Asensio 7, Lucas Vazquez 6, Kovacic n/a.

BAYERN MUNICH: Neuer 8; Lahm 8, Boateng 7, Hummels 8, Alaba 6; Alonso 7, Vidal 6, Thiago 6; Robben 7, Ribery 7, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Kimmich 7, Costa 6, Muller 6.

Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary

KEY MOMENTS

9′ – BAYERN MUNICH CHANCE! Alaba and Ribery combine to tear Real’s defence to shreds on the left. The latter squares it for Thiago who sees a goalbound shot blocked by Marcelo with Robben smashing the loose ball into the side netting from a narrow angle.

51′ – BAYERN MUNICH CHANCE! Marcelo saves Real with a brilliant header off the line to clear Robben’s dinked effort with Navas stranded.

53′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH. Lewandowski coolly sends Navas the wrong way from the spot after Casemiro was penalised for tripping Robben on the left side of the area. (It’s 2-2 on aggregate, but Real still lead on away goals scored).

Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates a goalGetty Images

76′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 BAYERN MUNICH. Real are level and it’s that man Ronaldo once again. It’s 3-2 on aggregate as he powers a header into the far corner from Casemiro’s probing cross.

78′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-2 BAYERN MUNICH. Ramos with an own goal! It’s 2-1 to Bayern and 3-3 on aggregate. It’s all square in this tie. The Spanish defender inadvertently prods it into the corner after Lewandowski had caused anxiety to set into the Real rearguard.

84′ – RED CARD! Vidal gets a second yellow for a foul on Asensio. It looks like he got the ball… harsh decision!

105′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-2 BAYERN MUNICH. Real are level once again and it’s that man Ronaldo. It’s 99 in the CL as he takes down Ramos’ cross and fires beyond Neuer. It’s now 4-3 to Real on aggregate.

109′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-2 BAYERN MUNICH. HAT-TRICK! Ronaldo makes it 3-2 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate. Marcelo breaks free and puts it on a plate for the Portuguese to tap home his 100th goal in the CL. It’s a perfect treble too.

112′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 4-2 BAYERN MUNICH. It’s 4-2 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate. Asensio seals the tie with a mazy run and lovely right-foot finish beyond Neuer and into the far corner.

Toni Kroos of Real Madrid, Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich, Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid, Marcelo of Real Madrid, goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Real Madridduring the UEFA Champions League quarter final match between Real Madrid and Bayern MunichGetty Images

KEY STATS
- Real Madrid have reached the semis for a record seven seasons in a row.
- Ronaldo has become the first player to score 100 Champions League goals.
- Only Juventus (22) have had more red cards in the Champions League than Bayern Munich (19).
April 18, 2017
Madrid Punish Bayern 2-1, Ronaldo reaches 100 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo reached 100 goals in European football as Bayern Munich rued a missed penalty and a red card in a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.

Bayern, unbeaten at home for over a year going into the tie, started well when Arturo Vidal powered a header past Keylor Navas from a corner.

Real created little in the first-half but they were level just a couple of minutes into the second-half when Ronaldo volleyed home a cross from Dani Carvajal.

Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammatesAFP

The turning point for the game came when Javi Martinez was shown two yellow cards in just a few minutes and was rightly shown his marching orders.

This was the catalyst for some intense Real pressure and only a couple of magnificent saves from Manuel Neuer kept the scores level.

However Ronaldo was not to be denied and he poked home following a good cross from the impressive Marco Asensio.

TALKING POINT

Ronaldo still the man for the big occasion. A lot of criticism has been levelled at Ronaldo this season, some fair some not so. There can be no denying that nowadays he really doesn’t contribute much to the overall team performance. He’s not as quick as he was, he’s not even as sharp with the ball at his feet. Yet there can be equally no denying that when a big goal is needed he can still step up. His 99th and 100th European goals have put Real in the driving seat and he comes alive in the penalty area. Even at 32 he’s still one of the biggest goal threats the game has ever seen.

Ronaldo – Bayern-Real MadridAFP

MAN OF THE MATCH

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) If it wasn’t for Neuer Bayern would already be dead and buried. Perhaps he could have done a bit better with Ronaldo’s second but it was an excellent finish from the Portuguese. Besides, Neuer made two genuinely world-class saves. In the first half he flung himself into the air to tip Benzema‘s header onto the bar and in the second he produced something extraordinary to stop Ronaldo. The Real man found space in the box and smashed it from close range but Neuer stuck out a wrist at the last minute and made the save. In a season where Neuer’s status as the best keeper in the world has been questioned this was a timely reminder of just how good he is.

Manuel Neuer makes a save from Cristiano Ronaldo.AFP

PLAYER RATINGS

Bayern Munich – Neuer 8, Lahm 7, Martinez 4, Boateng 5, Alaba 5, Thiago 6, Alonso 5, Vidal 6, Robben 7, Ribery 5, Muller 5. Subs – Bernat 5, Costa 5, Coman 5.

Real Madrid – Navas 5, Carvajal 7, Ramos 6, Nacho 5, Marcelo 6, Casemiro 6, Kroos 5, Modric 6, Bale 5, Benzema 4, Ronaldo 8. Subs – Asensio 7, James 5, Kovacic 5.

KEY MOMENTS

18′ – BAR! That’s a terrific save from Manuel Neuer! Kroos is given way too much time to pick a cross and he gets it on Benzema’s head. The ball bounces down and is looping into the top corner before Neuer gets the faintest of touches to tip it onto the woodwork. He gets lucky and is able to gather the re-bound.

25′ – GOAL! BAYERN 1-0 REAL (VIDAL) Oh what a header that is! The first corner is played short and eventually a Ribery volley is headed away and then Marcelo is forced to put it behind. The second corner is met by a thumping header from Vidal and Navas has no chance.

45+1′ – MISSED PENALTY! That’s terribe from the goalscorer as Vidal smashes the ball miles over. Real will think justice has been done. That is honestly terrible.

Bayern Munich’s Chilian midfielder Arturo Vidal reacts after missing a penaltyAFP

47′ – GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 1-1 REAL MADRID (RONALDO) Within minutes Real Madrid are back in it. Casemiro spreads it wide to Carvajal. He cuts it back to the penalty spot and Ronaldo volleys past Neuer. Game on!

61′ – RED CARD! JAVI MARTINEZ That’s rash, that’s really rash from Martinez. As Ronaldo goes bursting away from him he catches the forward and that is his second yellow. Less than three minutes between the two cards. Big problems for Bayern.

75′ – HOW HAVE YOU KEPT THAT OUT NEUER?! How on earth has he saved that. Benzema holds the ball up really well and squares it to Ronaldo. He slams it from close range and Neuer just sticks out a massive hand and makes the save. That was remarkable.

77′ – GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 1-2 REAL MADRID (RONALDO) Finally Real get the second breakthrough. Asensio plays a wonderful ball over the defence and round to Ronaldo and he pokes it through Neuer.

April 12, 2017
Hat-tricks normal for Lewandowski – Ancelotti

Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Robert Lewandowski has made phenomenal goal scoring feats the norm.

Lewandowksi fired a hat-trick as Bayern moved a step closer to their fifth consecutive Bundesliga title with a 6-0 demolition of Bavarian neighbours Augsburg at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

The Poland international is now on to 24 for the season in the top flight and also chipped in with a pair of assists to draw praise from the experienced Italian coach.

“We had a really good game. Lewandowski did what he normally does,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“He has scored three goals and made two more, so what more can I saw about him.

“He is a striker who scores in more or less every game.”

Lewandowski and Thomas Muller had Bayern two goals to the good at the break, but Ancelotti sensed some nerves early in the second period before Thiago Alcantara and Muller weighed in alongside the man of the hour.

“We had some problems after the interval but the spirit and the quality of our game were good,” he added. “We made a very good game from start to finish.”

Bayern centre-back Jerome Boateng completed 90 minutes as he continued to build fitness on his return from chest and shoulder surgery.

“We played well,” said the Germany international. “We scored the goals quickly.

“In the second half we switched down a gear. I am glad that I could play 90 minutes and look forward to the coming weeks.

“The mood in the team is good, we are good and feel good. Everyone has to give full throttle.”

Bayern are 13 points ahead of closest challengers RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga table with eight matches remaining.

April 1, 2017
Butragueno laments Madrid’s Bayern draw

Emilio Butragueno conceded Bayern Munich represented “one of the worst possible opponents” for Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Madrid were paired with Bundesliga leaders Bayern in Friday’s draw, meaning a return to the Santiago Bernabeu for Carlo Ancelotti, the man who led the Spanish giants to La Decima – their 10th European Cup/Champions League triumph – in 2014.

Bayern hammered Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate in the round of 16 and will pose a strong challenge for Zinedine Zidane’s men.

Butragueno, Madrid’s director of institutional relations, said: “Bayern were one of the hardest opponents that we could have drawn, although I’m sure they’re saying the same thing. The two sides know each other very well.

“Carlo Ancelotti is their coach and he knows us very well. They’ve got top players all over the park and they have a lot of experience.

“We’d have liked to have faced them further on in the competition but that’s the draw.”

Madrid do, at least, have the small advantage of playing the second leg at home but former Madrid and Spain striker Butragueno is wary of the damage Bayern can do at the Allianz Arena.

He added: “The second leg at home gives you a small advantage, but we need to play well in Germany.

“We know that 20 good minutes in Germany can be deadly. It’s not the best draw we could’ve got, but we have great players with experience. It’ll be a great tie to play in.”

March 17, 2017
Champions league: Ribery can’t wait to finish Arsenal

Bayern Munich’s dominant 3-0 Bundesliga win over Koln was good preparation for confirming Arsenal’s Champions League demise, according to Franck Ribery.
The French forward came off the bench and netted the final goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s side cruised to a comfortable victory at RheinEnergie Stadion on Saturday, the first away team to come out on top in a league match at the venue for 11 months.
Next up for Germany’s domestic title-holders is a visit to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, where Bayern hold a 5-1 aggregate lead from a dominant victory in the first leg at home, with a spot in the quarter-finals surely a mere formality.
“We have to go on like this,” Ribery said.
“It was a tough game today, but we did well – 3-0 in Koln [is not easy].
“They are a good team, they have played a good season so far. This is also important for Tuesday against Arsenal.
“We always want to attack, but we have to be careful. We scored the first goal nicely. The second goal was very important for the game,” he added, referring to strikes from Javi Martinez and Juan Bernat either side of half-time.
Of Bayern’s injury problems, he said: “Jerome Boateng is still missing, Renato Sanches was a bit sick, but we need all players for this season. It’s very nice when we are complete.”
Now seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, Bayern are at home to Eintracht Frankfurt next weekend.

March 4, 2017