Bayern Munich
Juventus seeking buyers for Douglas Costa in the summer
Juventus are looking to sell Brazilian winger Douglas Costa on a permanent basis in the coming months, as reported by Spox. Costa has spent the 2020/21 season on loan at German giants Bayern Munich, after new manager Andrea Pirlo made it clear that he was not in his plans. Costa has not been as impressive in his second spell at Bayern Munich His return to the Allianz Arena has not gone as hoped. The Brazil international has been given just six starts in all competitions by manager Hans-Dieter Flick, who generally prefers the likes of Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane on the wings. He has only one goal and two assists this season. Despite his limited game time, Flick has come out in support of Costa, claiming that he is “on the right track” (via Spox). Nonetheless, it looks like h...
Bundesliga Player of the Month nominees for December announced
The shortlist for the Bundesliga’s Player of the Month award for December has been announced. The six-man shortlist is made up of two players from table-toppers Bayern Munich, another two from third-placed Bayer Leverkusen, and then one each from Borussia Monchengladbach and Freiburg. Here is a closer look at each of the nominees. Robert Lewandowski Lewandowski celebrates one of many, many goals Who’s shocked? I’m not. Robert Lewandowski once again starred for Bayern in the last month. After drawing a blank in the 3-3 draw against RB Leipzig, the Poland international netted the equaliser against Union Berlin, then bagged consecutive braces against Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen. He scored literally every goal for the Bavarians in those three games. Lewandowski will be looking for his secon...
Opinion: Bayern must look to sign 28-yr-old’s long-term replacement this month
Bayern Munich have done well in the Bundesliga so far and they will be hoping to pull further clear at the top of the table in the coming weeks. However, RB Leipzig are currently breathing down their next and the German champions must look to strengthen in January in order to gain an edge over their rivals. Key areas that need strengthening Bayern Munich Must look to improve defensively during the January transfer window. The German champions have conceded 21 League goals in 14 matches and that is simply not good enough. It will be interesting to see if they invest in a quality centre back this month. Furthermore, David Alaba is expected to be on his way out of the club and Bayern must look to secure his replacement as soon as possible. Also, Bayern must improve their defensive options if ...
Will Leipzig and Leverkusen mount an effective title challenge to Lewandowski and co?
After a curtailed winter break, the Bundesliga is back. The story of the season so far has been one of fairy-tale overachievement for some, spectacular underachievement for others, teams struggling to score, scoring at will and drama on and off the pitch. The Rückrunde is set to be no different. Here’s a preview to whet the appetite. The title race: new challengers? Despite Bayern Munich going into the Christmas break top of the Bundesliga table by two points and looking to win their ninth consecutive Meisterschale, this year could very well see other clubs knock them off the top spot. The Rekordmeister have certainly not been fully firing this term when you look at last season’s treble-winning campaign. Worries over Bayern’s pre-season squad depth have only intensified throughout th...
Thomas Muller and wife venture into horse sperm business
After making a good show of his soccer career with numerous laurels to show for his efforts, German international Thomas Muller and his wife Lisa have ventured into horse sperm business. In fact they are tipped to soon become ‘horse sperm millionaires’, according to German newspaper Bild. The Mullers are selling horse sperm online and are reportedly progressing in that regard. The World Cup and Champions League winner Muller is the self-titled ‘director of carrots’ at his wife Lisa’s stables. She is a champion dressage rider so knows a thing or two about all things equine. Now their breeding farm has been named ‘EU Insemination Station’ for 2021. This means breeders can order semen from their stallions, including Muller’s favourite D’Avie (or Dave as it’s also known as). Two ‘installments’...
2020 In Review: From COVID-19 to Liverpool to Maradona, looking back at a wild, wild year
2020 has been quite the year, one for the history books, for better or worse. We break down the 10 things we will remember 2020 for. Lunch is on Marcus: Rashford’s campaign to help school children Footballers have a unique position of influence, especially the younger ones in today’s era, with their millions of followers on Twitter and Instagram. While almost all players take part in some form of community service or philanthropic endeavours, Marcus Rashford decided to use his social media as a platform to appeal to UK lawmakers who were about to end a program that allows free lunches to millions of schoolchildren. Eventually, the lawmakers decided to cave into his request and made sure the program stays running. This not only bought to light the potential influence a young footballer can ...
The Best Late Goals in Football
Scoring a late goal is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling parts of football – unless you happen to be on the receiving end! The sport’s history is littered with late goals that have helped teams win trophies, clinch promotion, avoid relegation or get one over their closest rivals. As none of the Sportslens team can remember much further back than the 1970s, we take a look at some of the best late goals of the past five decades. Michael Thomas vs Arsenal (1989) Arsenal travelled to Liverpool on the final day of the 1988/89 season needing to win by two clear goals to pip the Merseyside outfit to the title. Leading 1-0 with just seconds to play, Michael Thomas broke free of Liverpool’s defence to fire home and secure top spot for the Gunners. The look of abject horror in the home ranks mer...
Qatar to host FIFA Club World Cup 2020 across three venues
Qatar will host the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 from February 1 to 11, 2021, after it was postponed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Six continental confederations, as well as the host nation’s league champions, will compete in the tournament, which will be held across three FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums — Ahmad Bin Ali, Khalifa International and Education City. The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, inaugurated just last week on December 18, will stage the opening match between Qatari champions Al Duhail and Auckland City of New Zealand on February 1, and the final will be played at Education City Stadium on February 11. Joining the two teams will be European champions and German side FC Bayern Munich, CONCACAF champions Tigres UANL from Mexico, Al Ahly SC, Egyptian side and winners ...
David Alaba rejects new deal at Bayern Munich amidst January transfer rumors
One of Bayern’s longest-tenured players could be on his way out of the club. Defender David Alaba has been linked with a move away from the European champions for several months now, with Chelsea, Real Madrid, and PSG said to be keen. According to the Daily Mail, Bayern president Karl-Heinze Rummenigge has done everything in his power to sway Alaba in the direction of staying in Munich, but the Austrian international wants to move on. His current deal is up next summer, but the 28-year old will be allowed to talk to clubs in January. Alaba has become more of a centre-back over the last year due to the outstanding rise of youngster Alphonso Davies at left-back. However, he’s done a good job at the position, helping the Bundesliga giants win the quadruple last season. Alaba is a versatile de...
Champions League Round of 16 Draw Announced
The fixtures for this season’s Champions League round of 16 have been announced. Borussia Monchengladbach will play their first-ever Champions League knockout game at home to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, while last season’s winners Bayern Munich will travel to Lazio. Atletico Madrid meet Chelsea in a repeat of the 2014 semi-final, which the Spanish side won. Jurgen Klopp will return to his home country to bring his Liverpool side to RB Leipzig, while it’s also a homecoming for Cristiano Ronaldo, who visits his native Portugal to face Porto. The most enticing tie of the round came when Barcelona were drawn against French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Last time the two sides met, Barcelona won 6-1 at the Camp Nou, completing an incredible comeback after losing the first leg 4-0. Rounding o...
Where Next For Barcelona’s Superstars?
The last 18 months at Barcelona have been turbulent to say the very least. A rare trophyless season, humiliation in the Champions League for the third year running, Lionel Messi’s transfer request, mass protests against the club president, three different managers. And, at the end of it all, a worrying financial situation. Last summer, several of the club’s biggest names departed, including Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. The upcoming transfer windows are expected to be no different, with a number of players rumoured to be nearing the exit door. Of course, the question remains: where will they go? Let’s have a look. Lionel Messi Messi almost left the Camp Nou last summer Lionel Messi dropped a bombshell on the world of football last summer by announcing that he wanted to leave Barcelona. Ho...
FIFPro Announce 2020 World XI Nominees
The shortlist for the 2020 FIFPro World XI has been announced. Every professional footballer around the world was invited to vote for the best player in each position. The ones with the most votes made it into the 55-man shortlist. The goalkeeper with the most votes, as well as the top three defenders, midfielders, and forwards, will be inducted into the FIFPro World XI. The remaining spot will go to the outfield player with the most votes. Bayern Munich are the most represented team in the shortlist, boasting 11 players. Title winners Real Madrid and Liverpool come in joint-second with eight players each. Bayern completed the treble with a win over PSG in August Despite going trophyless last year, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur both make it into the top five, with six and five candidates...
