Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl targets Bayern upset

Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl has set his sights on causing the biggest upset of the season in a Bavarian derby with Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Bayern currently lead the Bundesliga with 38 points from 15 games, scoring 41 goals and conceding just six.

Augsburg, meanwhile, did manage to lift themselves off the bottom of the table last weekend, but they still have 30 points less than their guests and have scored just 11 times.

"Nobody gives us a chance of getting anything against Bayern, but that's precisely what we want to do," said Weinzierl.

"We want to win the game. In the cup, a third-division team can beat a Bundesliga side, and Nurnberg got a point against Bayern a few weeks ago, so why shouldn't we be successful?"

Despite the odds being stacked against Augsburg, Weinzierl has been encouraged by his side's recent performances, even if the results have not quite reflected this.

"We want to play well and impose ourselves on the game," he said at a press conference.

"If Bayern are constantly in or around our penalty area, then it's tough to get anything, which is why we have to keep them away from our goal and have faith in ourselves.

"One thing I can promise is that we will give everything to get a successful result."

The two sides will meet again in 10 days' time in the DFB-Pokal and, until then, Bayern will not be allowed to give an inch by their coach Jupp Heynckes.

"We are going to keep it up right through to the cup game," he said.

Heynckes is likely to be without Claudio Pizarro due to illness while Arjen Robben is not yet an option either, despite stepping up his comeback from an injury which has kept him out for the past three weeks.

Sebastian Langkamp is Augsburg's biggest doubt, but Tosten Oehrl is available.

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Source: SkySports

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez warns of tough derby against Augsburg

Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez believes that their upcoming match against Augsburg this weekend will be a difficult one.

The fellow Bavarian side currently sit 17th in Bundesliga and will be looking to spring a surprise for Jupp Heynckes' men, who visit the SGL Arena on Saturday.

"They will run until they collapse," the 27-year-old was quoted as saying on the club's official website. "We have to do the same, then we will win. Augsburg are already fighting relegation, and it is a derby."

Coach Heynckes echoed the player's sentiments, insisting that Augsburg will put in extra effort when they meet Bayern.

"Augsburg are a powerful team, which often loses only narrowly. They will go the extra mile against us."

His counterpart, Marcus Weinzierl, is confident that his team can deliver a good performance as long as they approach the match with the right mentality.

"No one thinks we can get points against Bayern, but that is exactly what we want to do. We want to win this match and will give everything for it.

"Nurnberg secured a point against Bayern just a couple of matchdays ago. Why shouldn't we be able to do the same?"

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Source: Goal

Bernd Schuster wants to coach a German team

Germany legend Bernd Schuster has revealed that he would like to coach in Germany once again, more than 13 years since leaving Koln in June 1999.

The former Blaugrana midfielder has been linked with a job on the sidelines at Hoffenheim as well as Wolfsburg, and the 52-year-old admitted that he would like to return to the Bundesliga.

"The coaches are already keeping an eye on these clubs and I have stated myself that I want to return to Germany," he was quoted as saying by Bild.

"Reason being, besides the [quality of] football, the great stadiums and their comfort. In Spain, most of the arenas are bad."

Officials from die Wolfe and the Sinsheim outfit, however, remain tight-lipped over a possible move for Schuster.

Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Muller and Klaus Allofs from Wolfsburg refused to comment on the matter, but did not rule out that such a possibility exists.

Schuster's last coaching job saw him take charge of Turkish club Besiktas, where he spent the 2010-11 campaign before resigning in March 2011 following bad results.

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Source: Goal

Ibrahim Afellay unsure over future

Ibrahim Afellay says he is enjoying his spell on loan with Schalke but does not expect to find out where his future lies until the end of the season.

Afellay joined Schalke on a year-long deal from Barcelona in the summer and has performed well for the German club this term.

He has been impressed by the quality of the Bundesliga and is looking forward to the rest of the campaign, before returning to Spain to hold talks with Barca.

"I have two years left on my Barcelona deal next summer," he told Bild.

"I am actually enjoying my loan spell in the Bundesliga, I like very much being at Schalke.

"We will see what might happen in the summer. I am sure we will have a few chats come the end of the campaign.

"I don't think anyone is able to know what will happen in the future."

Afellay has helped Schalke progress to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will be joined by fellow group winners Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

"The Bundesliga is a strong competition," said Afellay. "You can see that. Everyone knows how strong German teams are in European club competitions this season.

"No German team there has been eliminated. This is a signal of how strong this competition is."

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Source: SkySports

Fans riots a society problem, says Watzke

Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke has stated that football riots are a problem of society and called upon politicians to act.

According to German police statistics, acts of violence by fans in the country have raised by 120 per cent during the last 12 years, but the CEO disagrees with part of the public who are prompting clubs to solely take responsibility for the incidents.

"The issue is not within football itself," the 53-year-old told Sky Sport News, adding: "It is a society problem. There are more injuries [occurring due to riots] at Oktoberfest."

"Pyrotechnics are an absolute no-go, because they are simply too dangerous. That is a fact. We are constantly in controversial and constructive discussions with our fans. We try to convince our fans."

He then took the time to reflect on Dortmund's development in the league and commented on the Bundesliga title holders' goals for the season.

"We are satisfied with the draw [against Bayern Munich], because we showed that we can keep up with them," he explained.

"However, we should not just talk about Dortmund and Munich. Bayern lost two points of their lead over Bayer Leverkusen. The league is not completely lacking tension."

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Source: Goal

Dortmund boss Klopp: Wolfsburg game would be tough

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is expecting a difficult encounter when his side meet Wolfsburg on Saturday in the Bundesliga.

The reigning league champions held Bayern Munich to a draw last weekend and will be hoping to go one better against a Wolfsburg side languishing near the foot of the table.

Despite their struggles however, Klopp believes Lorenz-Günther Köstner's side will pose a problem for his men, who on Tuesday night, defeated Manchester City in the Champions League.

"We have to expect a team that has fun when they play football. Regardless of their situation I believe their team is still behind their coach. For them, some good results are due and they will certainly fight for it," Klopp said in a press conference.

"Wolfsburg have rediscovered the joy of playing football again. This is not good for their opponents. They have always had great quality in their side, but, now everything is easier."

Although asked, Klopp gave little away as to what players he is planning on calling up, though, he did reveal that there may be a change in his side's tactical approach.

"I cannot say definitively who will play. I have the option of playing a 4-3-3. We still have to think about it though as I have not yet decided," he added.

"I will decide closer to the game. Some of my players have a good understanding of this system. I have a team able to change their game with little extra training."

Dortmund are currently third in the Bundesliga and have lost just once at home this season. But Wolfsburg will be buoyed by the fact that 10 of the 16 points they have accumulated so far, have come on their travels.

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Source: Goal

Jupp Heynckes: Bayern Munich not interested in Sneijder

Jupp Heynckes has laughed off rumours that Bayern Munich are interested in signing Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder from Inter.

The attacking midfielder is unhappy at the Giuseppe Meazza side following an ongoing contract dispute, but Bayern have no intention to make a move for Sneijder according to the Roten head coach.

"There's absolutely no truth in these reports. If we would sign every player who's being linked with a move to Bayern, we would end up with more players than Wolfsburg!" joked Heynckes to TZ.

Sneijder has a contract with Inter until the summer of 2015, but a transfer seems inevitable following his refusal to accept a pay-cut.

The former Real Madrid star was allegedly close to joining Manchester United two seasons ago, and is now being linked with clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Anzhi Makhachkala and Fenerbahce, although the latter have revealed that a transfer is not an option for now either.

"We can say that, as of now, our interest in Sneijder is zero. If there is any, it is without my knowledge and I have no comment," head coach Aykut Kocaman told Radyspor.

"As of now, we have not made any attempts to transfer anyone. However, on the other hand, we are going through a critical and delicate period."

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Source: Goal

Robben to miss the remainder of 2012

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has received some disappointing news from the treatment table as he looks set to have to make do without the services of Arjen Robben for the remainder of 2012.

The winger sustained a muscular problem while away on international duty with Netherlands back in November and has since been out of action.

Bayern were initially hopeful that Robben would be match fit in time for last weekend's Bundesliga clash against Borussia Dortmund, but the Dutchman eventually did not make the squad, and he has now revealed that his comeback has been delayed due to a recovery setback.

"The muscle injury has healed, but my back is causing me problems again. I had pain in my back once more last week," Robben told Bild.

"I don't know whether I can make my comeback this year. We will keep on working on my recovery and try and shake off the back problem with the help of the doctors.

"I will bounce back, though. I am looking forward to 2013. I am highly motivated to help the team and play a key role. The past three years have shown that I hardly miss any games after the winter break."

Robben has made only 10 appearances in all competitions for die Roten this term.

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Source: Goal

Slomka set for new Hannover deal

Hannover manager Mirko Slomka is set to sign a new contract with his club, according to the club's president, having recently been linked with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

In November, Martin Kind had fuelled speculation that Slomka could leave the club, when he had told the press that all talks had been delayed until the winter break.

Slomka had been linked with the Bayern job but a recent slump in form with three defeats in their last four games including a 5-0 defeat away to Bayern Munich had silenced the rumors, and he is close to committing his future to the AWD-Arena.

"I would even bet on it," Kind told German radio NDR 2 at the weekend. "I am optimistic and am now even convinced that we will have three more years of Mirko Slomka after July 1, 2013."

Slomka, who had also been linked with Wolfsburg, could put his name underneath a 2016 contract in Hannover on Wednesday, Bild is reporting.

Hannover have qualified for the knockout phase in Europa League, but their recent poor form has seen them drop down to 12th in the Bundesliga. They face in-form Bayer Leverkusen at home.

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Source: ESPN

Heynckes could stay at Bayern for another year

Bayern Munich general manager Matthias Sammer has praised boss Jupp Heynckes and said he is open to prolonging the coach's stay at the club.

Jupp Heynckes, 67, currently has a contract at Bayern until 2013, and it has been reported he could call time on his coaching career after this season.

However, it seems Heynckes could stay on at the Allianz Arena for a further year, despite the German club being linked with Pep Guardiola and Mirko Slomka.

"Heynckes is my go-to-guy for all my transfer plans and discussing mindset for the years 2013 and 2014," Sammer told Sky News.

"There is no bigger act of faith for me. Having said that, I am totally open regarding that matter.

"His human and professional skills make him an exceptional person, an exceptional coach and a very exceptional character."

Bayern have been in impressive form in the Bundesliga this season, as they currently top the table by eight points.

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Source: ESPN