Bundesliga

FIFA Club World Cup: Dortmund Set For Ulsan Challenge

Dortmund emerged from a tricky Matchday 2 encounter against the record South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns with three important points that put the Bundesliga side within sight of a place in the knockouts.

Level on four points atop the section with their opening Group F opponents Fluminense, Niko Kovač’s men know that victory against South Korea’s Ulsan would take them through, but improvements will be sought ahead of BVB’s next encounter at the TQL Stadium.

“There’s still a lot to improve on, both for me personally and for the team,” midfielder Jobe Bellingham – who scored his first goal for Die Schwarzgeleben in the 4-3 win against the Sundowns – said.

Bellingham was one of three changes Kovač made to his starting line-up following the scoreless draw against Fluminense and while further tweaks may be made for the Ulsan game, none of the long-term injured trio of Emre Can, Salih Özcan and Nico Schlotterbeck will be available to the coach.

“It was important that we won against Mamelodi Sundowns and that we now put in a good performance against the South Koreans; we want to win this group,” forward Maximilian Beier added.

Ulsan’s chances of progression were snuffed out after they followed an opening-day loss against the Sundowns with a 4-2 reverse against Fluminense. Despite that disappointment, the Tigers’ coach Kim Pan-gon insisted his side will be looking to bow out on a high against Dortmund.

“We have no hope to go to the round of 16, but for our supporters, our fans, we have to fight until the end of the tournament,” the 56-year-old said.

The two-time Asian Champions League winners will draw some confidence from the fact that they led Fluminense by 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Lee Jinhyun and Um Wonsang.

However, with just one win from their last six games in all competitions, causing an upset against their opponents from the Bundesliga in Ohio appears a tall order for the five-time K League champions.

Dortmund won the 1997 Intercontinental Cup – the Club World Cup’s direct predecessor – by beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro.

Kovač also lifted the Intercontinental Cup, after starting the 2001 final for Bayern (1-0 vs. Boca Juniors).
Like his brother Jude before him, Jobe Bellingham scored on his first competitive start for Dortmund.
Ulsan are the only Korean team at the Club World Cup.

The K-League side are seeking their first-ever win at a FIFA tournament, having lost their previous six games at this level.

US international Gio Reyna and American youngsters Cole Campbell and Mathis Albert are part of Dortmund’s squad.

Probable teams

Dortmund: Kobel – Süle, Anton, Bensebaini – Ryerson, Nmecha, Groß, Svensson – Bellingham, Brandt (c) – Guirassy
Out: Can (adductor), Özcan (knee), Schlotterbeck (knee)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Niko Kovač

Ulsan: Jo – Trojak, Seo, Kim (c), Ludwigson – Lee, Jung, Bojanić, Ko – Um, Farias
Out: –
Doubtful: –
Coach: Kim Pan-gon

Bundesliga.com

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Bundesliga

Musiala Dismisses Blame For Injury, Calls It Part Of The Game

Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala says “there’s no-one to blame” for the broken leg and dislocated ankle he suffered during their Club World Cup defeat by Paris St-Germain last week.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder was injured in the first half when he was caught by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while chasing down a ball near the byeline.

He was taken to hospital for assessment afterwards before flying back to Munich for surgery on Monday and is expected to be out “for the next few months”, according to Bayern.

“I think situations like this happen and now I’m just going to use the next period of time to build up my strength and positivity again,” Musiala said in a video posted on Instagram., external

“The surgery went really well, I’m in good care and I wanted to say there’s no-one to blame for this.”

Germany international Musiala cried out in pain following the challenge, while Donnarumma and other players were visibly shaken.

Musiala, who started his rehabilitation on Tuesday, scored 21 goals and finished with eight assists in all competitions last season as Bayern lifted the Bundesliga title.

Bbc.com

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Bundesliga

Bayern’s Musiala Hit By Fresh Injury Setback

Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala faces another spell on the sidelines after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury in his side’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

The return of the outstanding 22-year-old Bayern and Germany attacker had boosted Vincent Kompany’s men during their summer at the Club World Cup in the USA.

On making his first start since a Bundesliga match in Augsburg in April, he collided into PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma shortly before half-time and had to be stretchered off the field in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Musiala netted a hat-trick in a huge 10-0 win over Auckland City in Bayern’s opening tie in the tournament, but the player and club now face an anxious wait for a precise diagnosis with fears over a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Bundesliga.com

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Bundesliga

Leao Not A Bayern Priority, Says CEO

Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness confirmed there were some talks with Milan for Rafael Leao, but ‘they weren’t fruitful and it never became an advanced topic’ of discussion.

There were multiple reports over the last couple of months than the Bundesliga giants were going to push for Leao in the summer.

The 26-year-old has a release clause in his contract set at well over €110m, but several sides still attempted to negotiate a deal.

Bayern Munich liked Leao, but made no offer
However, while there were negotiations for Leao, Bayern Munich chief Hoeness insists they were only ever at an early stage.

“Max Everl told me that he had talks, but they weren’t fruitful and it was never an advanced topic of discussion,” the Bayern Munich legend told BR24Sport in Germany.

When asked if there would be an imminent offer to sign the Portugal international, he shook his head and assured “no, no.”

There had been reports the Germans were prepared to offer €75m cash plus either Leon Goretzka or Kingsley Coman.

Meanwhile, Rafael Leao is reportedly set to arrive at the Milan pre-season training camp on Sunday evening, ready to start work with new coach Max Allegri.

Football-italia.net

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