Hecking ´furious´ with Wolfsburg defence

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking was frustrated with his side’s first half but hailed their response in their 5-3 win over Werder Bremen.

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking revealed his team’s first half performance against Werder Bremen made him “furious” but applauded the way they fought back to win 5-3 on Sunday.

Bremen moved ahead of Wolfsburg on three occasions before half-time at the Weserstadion in an open Bundesliga encounter, which was labelled “wild” by Hecking.

The home side hit the front in the ninth minute through Zlatko Junuzovic before Daniel Caligiuri equalised immediately, while Franco Di Santo’s 16th-minute goal was also cancelled out promptly by Maximilian Arnold.

Subotic rejects Serbia call-up

Radovan Curcic will not have Neven Subotic available for Serbia’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Portugal after the defender rejected a call-up.

Neven Subotic will not make his international return with Serbia this month, coach Radovan Curcic has revealed.

The Borussia Dortmund central defender has not featured for his country since 2013, when he expressed his frustration at their failure to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Subotic has since suffered a serious knee injury, but has nevertheless made 15 Bundesliga starts for Dortmund this season.

Porto agree deal for Andre Andre

Portuguese media outlet A Bola has learned that FC Porto have reached an agreement to sign talented midfielder Andre Filipe Bras Andre from Vitoria Guimaraes.

The Dragons decided to match the player’s €1.5 million release clause, with the 25-year-old in turn signing a four-year deal with the Portuguese giants.

According to A Bola, the transfer was agreed a month ago, meaning the highly rated footballer will be returning to Estadio do Dragao in the summer.

Van der Vaart in talks over MLS switch

Hamburger SV midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is currently considering an offer from Kansas City, according to Bild.

The Netherlands international will be out of contract at the end of the season and it looks as though he will not be offered a new deal at Imtech Arena.

Namely, van der Vaart is no longer considered an important member of the squad and club chiefs do not think his recent performances warrant a contract extension.

Ayew could stay with Marseille

Marseille forward Andre Ayew could remain at Stade Velodrome beyond the current season, according to his father Abedi Pele.

The Ghanaian is one of several star players whose contract is due to expire in June, and he was widely tipped to leave OM for greener pastures.

However, it appears that the 25-year-old is ready to consider an offer from Marseille before listening to proposals from abroad.

Monchengladbach visit rusty Offenbach

Fourth-tier Kickers Offenbach will head into their DFB Pokal last-16 tie with Borussia Monchengladbach light on match practice.

Kickers Offenbach will be light on match practice when they host Borussia Monchengladbach in the DFB Pokal round of 16 on Wednesday.

The 1970 DFB Pokal champions, who lead Germany’s Regionalliga Sudwest, had Friday’s league fixture away to Homburg postponed, after heavy rain left the pitch unplayable.

It means Offenbach will face Gladbach having not completed a competitive game since December 2 due to the German fourth-tier’s extended winter break, while the Bundesliga visitors will arrive with eight matches under their belt this year, including Sunday’s clash with Paderborn.

But Offenbach’s coach Rico Schmitt refused to get too down about his team’s situation, telling the Offenbach Post: “Then our launch is just the DFB Pokal match at a packed stadium.

Dortmund and Wolfsburg eyeing Belgian starlet

Bundesliga outfits Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg are keeping close tabs on Club Brugge defender, Het Nieuwsblad has revealed.

The 23-year-old has seen his stock rise a great deal over the last year or so and it appears he could soon be leaving Belgian giants for greener pastures.

According to Het Nieuwsblad, both Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg are showing interest in his services.

The same source has learned that the Millionaires had the full-back watched in Thursday’s Europa League clash against Club Brugge, and they could come forward with an official proposal in the summer transfer window seeing as BVB lack cover for Lukasz Piszczek on the right flank.

Late show seals dominant derby win, winning streak to four games

Borussia Dortmund strike late three times to see off local rivals Schalke in the Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund extended their Bundesliga winning streak to four games with a deserved 3-0 win over bitter rivals Schalke in the 146th Revierderby on Saturday.

A dominant first half at Signal Iduna Park saw Dortmund create a number of chances, but they could not find a way through.

The home faithful may have feared a frustrating stalemate, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was on hand 12 minutes from time to pounce on a defensive error and slot home, before Henrikh Mkhitaryan converted Ilkay Gundogan’s cross to make the result safe.

Having made a string of saves earlier in the match, 19-year-old goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther’s first taste of the Ruhr clash was soured as his dawdling in possession gifted Marco Reus Dortmund’s third.

Dortmund value Aubameyang at €40m, Carlo Ancelotti has suggested Isco’s place in Los Blancos

Real Madrid C.F. manager Carlo Ancelotti has suggested Isco’s place in Los Blancos’ starting XI is ‘non-negotiable’ if the player maintains his current form.

The Spain international, who joined Real from Malaga for €30 million in the summer of 2013, has impressed in a deeper, more defensive role while the likes of James Rodriguez, Luka Modric and Sami Khedira have missed time due to injury.

“If [Isco] keeps playing like he has been, his place is non-negotiable,” Ancelotti said.

“He’s played well in every position. I think we should use him more going forward than in defense, although the key to his current run of form has been his defensive attitude.”

Additionally, Ancelotti went on to praise Gareth Bale’s performance against Elche last weekend.

Klopp´s ´perfect´ afternoon

Jurgen Klopp was delighted with Dortmund’s win over bitter rivals Schalke, singling out Henrikh Mkhitaryan for particularly high praise.

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp could not hide his delight at watching his side earn a deserved 3-0 win over local Bundesliga rivals Schalke in the 146th Revierderby on Saturday.

A dominant performance was not rewarded until 12 minutes from time, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slotted home the opener following a defensive error.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a second just a minute later, before young goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther was caught in possession by Marco Reus, allowing the Germany international to roll the ball into an empty net.

The result extends Dortmund’s winning streak in the Bundesliga to four games and leaves them eight points outside of the Champions League places.

Derby win for Dortmund superheroes, Leverkusen go fourth

There were derby heroics from Borussia Dortmund – and a celebration to match – while Bayer Leverkusen moved up to fourth in the Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund continued their recent resurgence with a dominant 3-0 derby win over Schalke in the Bundesliga.

Jurgen Klopp’s team found themselves in unlikely relegation trouble a month ago but their fourth consecutive league victory moves them up to 10th in the standings – just eight points adrift of the fourth UEFA Champions League qualification spot.

Dortmund controlled the 146th Revierderby for long periods but had to wait until 12 minutes from time for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to open the scoring – the Gabon international then producing Batman and Robin masks for himself and Marco Reus to embark upon a memorable celebration.

Barca keep tabs on Fulgini, Dortmund eyeing Max Kruse, Valencia join race for Falcao

Valencia join race for Falcao

ESPN is reporting that La Liga giants Valencia are exploring the possibility of recruiting Monaco striker Radamel Falcao.

The Colombian is currently on loan until the end of the season at Manchester United, but even though the Red Devils have the option to buy, they are unlikely to exercise it.

According to ESPN, Valencia aim to take advantage of the situation and lure the striker to Mestalla, with their owner Peter Lim enjoying very good relations with the player’s agent Jorge Mendes.

But, while los Che plan to sign Falcao on loan with an option to buy, Monaco would prefer an outright sale.

Radamel Falcao joined Manchester United as a marquee signing in the summer, but he hasn’t quite managed to prove his worth in English Premier League.

Bayern Munich moved 11 points clear at the top of the table

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich moved 11 points clear at the top of the table with a routine 4-1 win over Cologne on Friday.

Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 11 points with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Cologne at the Allianz Arena.

Pep Guardiola’s side had thumped Hamburg 8-0 and thrashed Paderborn 6-0 in their last two league outings, and it looked as though Cologne were on course for a similarly heavy defeat on Friday when Bayern went two up inside 10 minutes.

Bastian Schweinsteiger headed in from a corner in the third minute before Franck Ribery struck a fine individual effort, and Cologne fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst.

However, the side with the second best away record in the league – behind only Bayern – rallied and halved the deficit through Anthony Ujah’s header in first-half stoppage time.

Guardiola satisfied with Cologne victory

Pep Guardiola was pleased with his players after Bayern Munich moved 11 points clear in the Bundesliga with a 4-1 win over Cologne.

Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola was left satisfied with another victory after his team’s 4-1 defeat of Cologne at the Allianz Arena.

The reigning Bundesliga champions had scored 14 goals in their previous two league outings, and they looked in the mood for another heavy win on Friday as they went 2-0 up inside 10 minutes courtesy of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribery.

However, Cologne pulled one back on the stroke of half-time through Anthony Ujah, and the striker would have levelled after the interval had it not been for a fine stop from Manuel Neuer, who also kept out Marcel Risse from the resulting corner.

Dortmund set for Ruhr derby, Bayern host Cologne

Borussia Dortmund welcome rivals Schalke to Signal Iduna Park in the Bundesliga this weekend looking for a fourth successive league win.

Schalke will look to end the resurgence of fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in the hotly anticipated Ruhr derby at Signal Iduna Park.

Having struggled during the first half of the Bundesliga season, Jurgen Klopp’s side have lifted themselves away from relegation trouble with three successive league victories.

They sit three points above the danger zone in 12th, but face a tough test to make it four triumphs in a row this weekend.

Matches between the two sides are one of the spectacles within the German top-flight season, although both clubs will be hoping no trouble erupts as it did in 2013 when eight Dortmund fans were arrested.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side have enjoyed much more success this season with 10 wins helping them into the top four, and in a battle for the final automatic UEFA Champions League spot.

Resurgent Borussia Dortmund 7/1 to finish top-four in the German Bundesliga 2015

Competition: German Bundesliga 2015
Market: Dortmund to finish top-four
Odds: 7/1 @ Bet 365

German side Borussia Dortmund are finally getting a run of results together in the league that sees them climbing the table. Jurgen Klopp’s men have recently won three on the bounce to haul themselves from the drop zone, and now closer to the top-half of the Bundesliga. After such a poor start, many were worried where they were going to end up come May, but the Germans appear back on track.

Liverpool linked with Khedira move

Liverpool are lining up a summer move for Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, according to the Metro.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is currently on the look-out for a replacement for outgoing captain Steven Gerrard, who will move to the MLS at the end of the season.

Gerrard has been at Anfield his entire career, but is ready to swap Merseyside for Los Angeles and team up with former teammate Robbie Keane at the Galaxy.

Schalke are readying summer bid for Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira

German media outlet Sport Bild has learned that Schalke are readying summer bid for Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.

The 27-year-old will be out of contract in the summer and he is almost certain to leave los Blancos on a free transfer at the end of the season.

According to Sport Bild, Schalke have joined the chase for his signature, although they will have to pay top dollar if they want to lure Khedira to Veltins Arena.

Bayern Munich v Cologne: Lewandowski wants more of the same from champions

Robert Lewandowski wants Bayern Munich to maintain their devastating Bundesliga form ahead of the clash with Cologne on Friday.

Bayern Munich will go 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga if they win at Cologne on Friday, but Robert Lewandowski believes it is still all to play for in the title race.

Paderborn coach Andre Breitenreiter lauded the German champions as “the best team in the world” after his side were on the end of a 6-0 home defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men last weekend.

Ruthless Bayern – eight points clear of second-placed Wolfsburg – had consigned Hamburg to a humiliating 8-0 thrashing in their previous league match and should have too much firepower for a Cologne side who are without a win in four matches and in danger of being relegated.

Striker Lewandowski responded to being dropped to the bench in the UEFA Champions League stalemate at Shakhtar Donetsk by netting twice at Paderborn and the Poland striker has stressed the importance of free-scoring Bayern maintaining their ominous form.

Piszczek blow for Dortmund

Lukasz Piszczek will be out for six weeks after sustaining an ankle injury in Borussia Dortmund’s UEFA Champions League loss at Juventus.

Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek has been ruled out for six weeks after sustaining an ankle injury in Tuesday’s 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat at Juventus.

The Poland right-back last just over half an hour of the round of 16 first leg in Turin before limping off after following a challenge from Paul Pogba that left him in agony.

Dortmund revealed on Wednesday that Piszczek, who has been unfortunate with injuries during his time at the Bundesliga club,  is set for another spell on the sidelines.

Jurgen Klopp has had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, so the absence of Piszczek is another blow for the Dortmund coach.