Bavaria
German football gets green light for fan return next season
Bundesliga clubs and other German sports venues will be allowed to welcome up to 25,000 spectators from next month, the city of Berlin said on Tuesday after a meeting of officials from Germany’s 16 states. Most matches in Germany’s top football league were played behind closed doors last season because of the Covid-19 virus. The new Bundesliga season starts on August 13 and with infection rates having fallen sharply, sports stadiums could be at 50 percent capacity, with the total number per match or event capped at 25,000. The only exception is reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, where up to 20,000 fans will be allowed into home games at the 75,000-capacity Allianz Arena because officials in Bavaria are allowing only 35 percent of capacity. The new rules apply until September 11 a...
Bayern star ready to accept pay cut for La Liga return
Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez is willing to take a pay cut to re-join Athletic Club Bilbao this month but negotiations have stalled, as per Marca. Martinez, 31, is said to have been negotiation to join on a two-year deal with the option of a third, with Bayern now open to selling for less than €10m – which was their original asking price. However, talks have hit a brick wall in recent days despite Martinez willing to reduce his salary from Bayern – reported to be €8m per annum – to be in line with others in the squad at San Mames. It is claimed by the report that Martinez only intends to return to Los Leones if he is to return to La Liga during his career and already has a verbal agreement to join the club this summer, should Bayern facilitate a deal. A year ago, the Basque club’s...
Bayern must stay focused – coach
Bayern Munich players will only let their stunning 8-2 UEFA Champions League quarter-final victory on Friday sink in for a day. Club head coach Hansi Flick believes, however, that if they are to win the title they still need to work hard. Flick, who was assistant coach of Germany in their historic 7-1 demolition of hosts Brazil en route to the World Cup title in 2014, said his players now needed to stay grounded. He said this was necessary ahead of a semi-final against either Manchester City or Olympique Lyonnais. Hi. Today we had a game against the junior team. I scored two goals. Now at home watching a movie. bye — Philipe Coutinho (@Phil_Coutinho) September 3, 2011 “You know that I do not look back because only the here and now matters,” Flick told reporters when asked about comparisons...
Bayern Munich confirm €120 million Philippe Coutinho purchase option has expired
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed that the Bundesliga champions have not activated their purchase option for Philippe Coutinho. Barcelona’s Brazilian midfielder joined on a season-long loan last summer, but has failed to fulfil his potential in Bavaria and Rummenigge says the clause has now expired. Coutinho, 27, arrived with the option to buy for €120million last August, but Bayern have opted not to exercise the deal, though Rummenigge did not totally close the door on a future for Coutinho in Germany. “The option expired and we haven’t activated it,” Rummenigge told German magazine Der Spiegel. “We’re going to plan our squad for next season and we’ll see if he still has a role to play with us or not.” The former Liverpool star has failed to hit the heights he did ...
