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Berlin (Germany), Feb 25 Ians) The excitement around Borussia Dortmund couldn’t be greater as the team is riding the wave delivering eight consecutive wins.

They are back in the national league’s title race and the successful first-leg encounter in the Round of 16 of the Champions League against Chelsea makes fans dream of the first national championship since 2012.

For the club, the winning streak simultaneously holds dangers as not only the team’s restructuring does continue behind the scenes, but coach Edin Terzic is repeatedly launching the message: “We haven’t reached anything yet and need to stay tuned.”

While silverware has come within reach, the club is building its next season squad, reports news agency Xinhua.

Reports speak of agreements with national rival performers such as Frankfurt’s courted Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada and Moenchengladbach’s defender Ramy Bensebaini.

At the same time the cases of aged team captain...

Berlin, Jan 23 (Ians) Dortmund worked out a 4-3 victory over stubborn Augsburg after Giovanni Reyna provided the winner in the closing stages of the 16th round.

The “Bvb” started brightly into the encounter, but the hosts had to wait until the 29th minute when Jude Bellingham danced through Augsburg’s defense before slotting home the opener, reports Xinhua news agency.

Mats Hummels had the chance to extend the lead from a promising position, but instead, Augsburg restored parity against the run of the game as Arne Meier benefitted on a miscued clearance and tapped home right-footed in the 40th minute.

Dortmund remained unimpressed and took the lead two minutes later after Nico Schlotterbeck utilized Julian Brandt’s free-kick to head home from ten meters.

The host’s advantage didn’t last long, though, as Augsburg leveled the scores out of the blue again in the dying seconds of the first...

Berlin (Germany), Jan 9 (Ians) The mountain of challenges ahead doesn’t seem to bother struggling Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund.

Enjoying the pleasant atmosphere in Southern Spain, the Black and Yellows in their winter break training camp in Marbella couldn’t be in a better mood as future troubles seem temporarily excluded.

The team’s uncertain future somehow seems masked by the return of Sebastien Haller (testicular cancer) and several other injured players.

Coach Edin Terzic is happy about the growing competition in his squad and is drawing an optimistic picture for the future.

A good start, the coach is convinced, might help to solve the 2012 German champions’ problems.

Having to make up nine points in the race for the national title and facing the English giant Chelsea in the Round of 16 of the Champions League appear as minor tasks compared to growing rumours regarding the future of the squads’ cornerstones.

Berlin (Germany), Nov 16 (Ians) Antonio Rudiger might not be the biggest name in Germany’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the 29-year-old Real Madrid defender is nothing less than a star.

While 2014 World Cup winners Germany are well equipped in midfield and upfront, Rudiger has to deal with a tricky challenge, to turn a newly-formed backline into a robust stronghold.

For some reason, the job appears a perfect match for him.

His early years in the so-called football cages in one of Berlin’s roughest areas might have taught him the lesson of his life.

The district of Neukolln came near a melting pot of cultures in a tough environment. In his case, things turned into a helpful school of life in many aspects.

It took him some years to attract attention on the big stage covered by TV cameras.

After his apprenticeship-like years in Stuttgart, the tall...

Berlin (Germany), Oct 28 (Ians) Selecting his squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar comes near a nail-biting puzzle for German coach Hansi Flick.

With roughly two weeks to go until the 57-year-old will announce the 26 players on November 10, Flick is facing several doubtful cases among key figures.

Uncertainties around team cornerstones such as Dortmund striker Marco Reus and Bayern’s Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller come along with doubts if the German defense can do without Mats Hummels.

While Neuer and Reus suffer from injuries and remain side-lined in their club teams, Muller is facing what the Bayern striker called the “on-and-off modus I am not used to.”

After recovering from a Covid-19 infection, the 33-year-old has to deal with back pain while the reasons for the injury remain in the dark, reports Xinhua.

“I am used to my body working well, this wasn’t the case over the past weeks; therefore,...

Berlin, Oct 12 (Ians) Borussia Dortmund have consolidated their second place in UEFA Champions League Group G after Jude Bellingham’s equaliser helped to clinch a 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Tuesday.

The visitors from Spain started brightly on the road and produced the first chance of the encounter with 12 minutes played when Ivan Raktic pulled a square pass over from a promising position.

Sevilla were rewarded for their courageous start six minutes later, after Tanguy Nianzou headed home a pinpoint free kick from Rakitic into the area.

The opener was a wake-up call for Dortmund as Karim Adeyemi pushed forward, but the youngster opted for a cutback instead of unleashing a shot on target with only Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to beat in the 24th minute, reports Xinhua.

Dortmund’s efforts paid off as Edin Terzic’s side eventually restored parity 10 minutes later after Thomas Meunier’s cross into the...

Berlin, Oct 12 (Ians) Borussia Dortmund have consolidated their second place in UEFA Champions League Group G after Jude Bellingham’s equaliser helped to clinch a 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Tuesday.

The visitors from Spain started brightly on the road and produced the first chance of the encounter with 12 minutes played when Ivan Raktic pulled a square pass over from a promising position.

Sevilla were rewarded for their courageous start six minutes later, after Tanguy Nianzou headed home a pinpoint free kick from Rakitic into the area.

The opener was a wake-up call for Dortmund as Karim Adeyemi pushed forward, but the youngster opted for a cutback instead of unleashing a shot on target with only Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to beat in the 24th minute, reports Xinhua.

Dortmund’s efforts paid off as Edin Terzic’s side eventually restored parity 10 minutes later after Thomas Meunier’s cross into the...

Berlin (Germany), Oct 4 (Ians) Good news currently seems a rare commodity when it comes to the German football club Borussia Dortmund.

Ahead of the Champions League group encounter against Sevilla this Wednesday, the 2012 German champion find themselves exposed to stiff headwinds.

Disappointments about three league defeats are accompanied by an unpleasant debate about the team’s mentality problem, triggered by coach Edin Terzic.

“The lack of determination has been following us over the past years,” Terzic complained.

Crucial duels against Sevilla (twice) and national issues against Bayern Munich and Bundesliga leader Union Berlin, therefore, turn into do-or-die tasks as the club’s future seems at stake.

Plans to challenge the national leagues’ dominant stag Bayern Munich seem already shattered early in the 2022-2023 season, reports Xinhua.

In the Champions League, a significant upswing is required to help survive a challenging group containing Manchester City next to resilient Sevilla.

An inevitable...

Manchester, Sep 15 (Ians) Two stunning late goals helped Manchester City come from behind to beat Dortmund in their Group G match in the Champions League here.

After a laboured first half, the visitors took the lead when Jude Bellingham stole in to head in Marco Reus’ driven cross. City struggled to break the resilient visitors down, and it took a fine strike from John Stones from outside the box to level.

That set the stage for Haaland’s spectacular winner against the side he departed this summer, converting a no-less stunning cross from João Cancelo.

while City won their second successive match in the group stage, the focus was on Haaland as he returned to the club where he became a star.

Haaland might have received the kiss of his life back in September 2021. At least it must have been one of the most surprising ones placed on his right...

Berlin (Germany), Sep 5 (Ians) Ahead of their Champions League curtain-raiser against Copenhagen this Tuesday evening, Borussia Dortmund have discovered a solid working spirit along with a sometimes less spectacular and risky game approach.

The loss of goal-machine Erling Haaland might be the reason for the change.

Borussia’s football artists have discovered teamwork in its fundamental meaning might take the side to more success.

While a narrow 1-0 victory seemed unlikely in the past, defending their goal in a lion-hearted way over 90 minutes, has become the new dogma.

Fans and officials seem pleased as the rebooted tactics are coming along with a smooth season start, flushing the team up to the second position in the top domestic league.

The number of goals scored among the first four of the Bundesliga might give proof, “we are happy the team manages to get a 1-0 over the line; something we failed to...

Over 15M viewers watched reigning World Cup champions France edge out Germany on France’s M6 Tuesday night in the first major head-to-head of Euro 2020 which runs through July 11 and is being played in various locations throughout Europe and the UK. That was good for a 57.5 share from 9Pm local and included a peak of 17.4M viewers. Tuesday’s match drew the highest TV ratings since 2018, M6 said. These figures don’t take into account public venue screenings, and there were plenty of supporters watching at bars, restaurants and fan zones.

Vous étiez 15.1 M (17.4 M au pic) à regarder la victoire de l’@equipedefrance hier soir sur @M6 : meilleure audience TV depuis 2018. Allez les bleus !

Seville, June 16 (Ians) When Cristiano Ronaldo stepped onto the pitch in Portugal's Euro 2020 opener against Hungary on Tuesday, history had already been made -- the 36-year-old became the first player to appear at five editions of the European Championship. But it was not the only record he set that day -- the double he hit in Portugal's 3-0 win made him the all-time top-scorer in competition history, breaking away from French legend Michel Platini to stand alone at the top with 11 Euro goals.

"It was essential to start on the right note in order to gain confidence," said Ronaldo. "Now, we have to continue and win the next game."

"It was a difficult game, against an opponent who defended very well during 90 minutes, but we scored three goals, and I am very grateful to the team for helping me score two goals," he added.

Now the Juventus striker has his...

Berlin, May 19 (Ians) World Cup winners Thomas Mueller and Mats Hummels will return to the German national team following an absence of more than two years after coach Joachim Loew confirmed on Wednesday they will be in the squad for Euro 2020.

Bayern Munich attacker Mueller, 31, earned the last of his 100 caps in November 2018 and was dropped from the squad by Loew, along with defenders Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, a few months later.

But Loew has struggled to refresh the squad which has failed to find top form since the disastrous exit from the 2018 World Cup in the group stage as reigning champions, reports Dpa.

And with Loew himself leaving his post after the Euros, which were delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic, Mueller's contribution to Bayern winning the 2020 treble and this season's Bundesliga brought him back into contention.

"I'm happy to be part of the national team again,...

Berlin, May 18 (Ians) Anger is brewing among fans of German football club Bayern Munich following the departure of head coach Hansi Flick and icons such as David Alaba, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez.

The anger is being directed at the designated chairman of the club, Oliver Kahn, and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, who have been accused of jeopardising the club's motto "Mia san Mia" (We are what we are), reports Xinhua.

Bayern has more than 358,000 enrolled members and 4,500 fan clubs.

Fans say that Salihamidzic had turned the motto into "Me-myself-and I".

The fans have also started targeting new Bayern coach, 33-year-old Julian Nagelsmann, who, they say, is the reason behind the latest departure of assistant coaches Miroslav Klose and Hermann Gerland.

"How can it be that there is no space for the fans' biggest heroes?" a fan asked on social media.

Gerland has served Bayern in different roles for over...

Berlin, Dec 6 (Ians) Borussia Dortmund came from behind against Eintracht Frankfurt after Giovanni Reyna had to cancel out Daichi Kamada's first-half opener in the 10th round of Bundesliga.

Both teams needed no time to get into gears on Saturday evening as the first chance of the game fell at Dortmund's feet when captain Mats Hummels pulled wide from close range after three minutes, reports Xinhua news agency.

Six minutes later, the "Eagles" opened the scoring with their first chance as Martin Hinteregger's through ball allowed Kamada to beat onrushing Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki.

With the lead, Frankfurt focused on counter-attacks and caught Dortmund almost flatfooted in the 15th minute when Filip Kostic missed the far post corner.

The "Bvb" turned up and threatened Frankfurt's defense twice through youngster Jadon Sancho, who lacked accuracy in the 20th and 26th minutes.

Frankfurt nearly doubled its advantage against the run of the...

Federico Gambarini/dpa/Corbis

Although performances have certainly picked up since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool still find themselves unable to string a meaningful series of results together. They currently sit in 7th, a disappointingly low position in the minds of many fans – particularly after a bumper summer which saw the likes of Christian Benteke, Roberto Firminho, Nathaniel Clyne, and James Milner join their ranks.

As always, however, deadline day represents one last chance to give the team a boost before the business end of the season. When manager of Borussia Dortmund, Klopp was known for his shrewd activity in the transfer market, bringing players such as Mats Hummels and Marco Reus to the club.

The areas in which Liverpool need to improve are no secret. Options up front are lacking, with Danny Ings injured and Christian Benteke inconsistent. The most glaring area is in defence, with the team...

John Walton/Empics Sport

Borussia Dortmund will be hoping their recent upturn in fortunes can continue when they travel to Juventus in the Champions League round of 16 tonight.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have returned to form in the Bundesliga by winning their last three games to climb to 12th in the table. Inexplicably, Der Bvb have spent the majority of the season in the Bundesliga’s relegation zone.

Despite this, they finished joint top of group D alongside Arsenal on 13 points, claiming first position on goal difference. They actually handed The Gunners one of the most comprehensive 2-0 defeats in the history of football.

The 2013 finalists face a stern challenge in getting past the Italian Giants and into the quarter-finals.

Juve have won the last three Serie A titles, and look set to make it four on the spin as they currently sit nine points ahead of second-place Roma.

They finished second in group A,...

Martin Meissner/AP

It might have been a mostly quiet transfer window for Manchester United, apart from clearing out some of the dead wood, but there is some good news that they can possibly cement their strong showing in the Premier League this season in the summer with a big name defensive signing.

The Red Devils have been linked with a big money move for Mats Hummels for almost a year now, and it always seemed like a matter of when and not if for the German, who has been a big part of Dortmund’s successes (though not this season, clearly).

According to Sky Deutschland’s David Marcour, Hummels will leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer and Manchester United have immediately become favourites to sign him from the Germans.

That will be a massive deal for United, who have looked shaky at the back even with improvements made this summer,...

Michel Euler/AP

Silly season is in full swing and with Sky Sports no doubt feeling their grip on millions of viewers slipping with every mention of Stuart Armstrong to Celtic and Graham Dorrans to Norwich as Big Deals, people are just plucking rumours out of the air.

The latest – and silliest – rumours has suggested that Real Madrid’s imperious centre-back Raphael Varane is on the verge of a last minute move to Man United. The player allegedly turned the former Champions down back in 2011 because they’d just signed Phil Jones, and United have been linked with renewed interest in him.

But Guillem Balague has rubbished those rumours on Twitter, calling them out as entirely false:

Rubbish story of the night: Varane Is Not going to Manchester United, before anybody gets too excited. #Mufc signing nobody today

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 2, 2015

So not only is the Frenchman not coming,...

John Walton/Empics Sport

Wilfried Zaha’s unfortunate time at Manchester United has come to an end as Crystal Palace have taken up the option to make his loan deal permanent for an undisclosed amount ahead of the end of the transfer window.

The winger had been Palace’s biggest player back in 2013 before attracting the attention of then United boss Sir Alex Ferguson but he was left out in the cold when David Moyes took the reigns and clearly didn’t fancy him as a Red Devil. Louis Van Gaal clearly felt the same way and the player now becomes Palace’s latest signing after the acquisitions of Yaya Sanogo and Shola Ameobi.

Alan Pardew had been attracted to Zaha when he was at Newcastle, but his say in transfers at the North East club were limited to between nothing and very little, but he’s now got his...

Matthias Schrader/AP

Despite this winter transfer window being uncharacteristically slow in terms of money spent, there are some big moves in the pipeline for the movers and shakers at the top of the Premier League. Chelsea are likely to sign Juan Cuadrado, Liverpool are looking at Danny Ings and Tottenham want Delle Ali, but Man Utd might be about to trump everyone by spending a massive £67m on two major European talents.

According to the Express, United are plotting a sensational deadline day double swoop for ex-Chelsea star Kevin De Bruyne who is at Wolfsburg, and Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels.

With his side broken into the top four and looking to cement some strong performances this season with some more defensive steel (something they’ve missed badly at times), and a bit more bite in midfield, Louis Van Gaal is ready to spend some of his reported £150m kitty on the pair.