RB Leipzig
Nkunku confident Leipzig can win first trophy this season
Christopher Nkunku joined Leipzig two years ago and is desperate to continue his trophy-winning form by helping them the way he did PSG. Before they took to the pitch to play against Hoffenheim, star midfielder Christopher Nkunku sat down with Bundesliga.com to discuss the final few games of the season and what it would mean to the team and himself if they were to be victorious this season; “Everything is possible…We have six matches left – six finals you could say. We have to win, no matter who we’re up against. We’ll give our all to pick up three points in each game. If we want to finish the season without any regrets, we have to win each game. That’s the objective.” Speaking on possibly getting that first trophy by winning the DFB Pokal, Nkunku said: “Yes, we’re determined. We’re fighti...
Klopp, Nagelsmann and more: 5 managers who could replace Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich
Hansi Flick has done an exceptional job at Bayern Munich, winning the treble in his first season, having taken over from Niko Kovac in November 2019. This season, he has continued in a similar vein, sitting seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with just seven games remaining. However, they have already been knocked out of the DFB Pokal and are up against it in the Champions League after losing the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain. It now appears that Flick is ready to take on a new challenge, with Norwegian reporter Jan Aage Fjortoft claiming on Twitter that he is set to take over the German national team after the European Championships this summer. The 56-year-old previously worked as assistant manager for Die Mannschaft during their most succes...
Everton reportedly looking to pip Liverpool to 30-goal hitman
According to the Daily Star, Everton are keen on signing RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka this summer, joining the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United in the race for hitman. The 22-year-old has been in sensational form for the Austrian top-flight side this term, bagging 30 goals in 32 games across all competitions. 23 of those have come in 19 Austrian Bundesliga games, including an 11-minute hat-trick against Sturm Graz on Sunday. Daka is currently priced at £17 million, but that is most likely to skyrocket in the summer with a move to the Premier League on the cards. Sportslens View Everton want to bolster their striking options ahead of next season, and the Zambian would be a solid addition. However, Daka will be keen to play Champions League football, and he will not be sh...
Injuries galore for RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich ahead of big clash
RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich go head-to-head in a massive Bundesliga title six-pointer at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday. With four points separating the sides ahead of the kick-off, Leipzig will be looking to snap their five-game winless league run against Bayern (D4, L1) and remain in the title run-in. But it will be a daunting task for the home team to grab the victory here, knowing they have failed to score in two of their last three competitive H2Hs at this venue (D2, L1). RB Leipzig Preview Leipzig enjoyed an impressive eight-game unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga before the international break curtailed their momentum, dropping just two of the available 24 points in that run (W7, D1). Julian Naglesmann has shown he knows in-depth about building a fortress, having guided his side to ...
‘This is not an option’: Club sporting director delivers transfer verdict on £34m Liverpool target
RB Leipzig sporting director, Markus Krosche, has suggested that Ibrahima Konate won’t be sold in the summer transfer window. The Athletic (and several other media outlets) claimed yesterday that Liverpool are close to finalising a deal for Konate. The 21-year-old reportedly has a release clause of around £34.15 million (€40m), and Liverpool are looking to activate that option in the summer. However, Leipzig director Krosche said the France youth international has a big future ahead of him in Germany and that selling him is not an option for the club. Liverpool were also interested in his teammate Dayot Upamecano, but he is heading towards Bayern Munich instead. “I think that this is not an option for Ibu,” Krosche said of Konate, as quoted by Sky Sports. “He has a long cont...
Several Premier League clubs competing with Juventus and RB Leipzig for £21m Bundesliga forward
A number of Premier League clubs could be set to compete with RB Leipzig for the signature of Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic this summer, as reported by German publication Bild (via Transfermarkt). Kalajdzic has enjoyed a fine season in the Bundesliga. He is the league’s sixth top scorer with 13 goals – despite making only 15 starts. And, at just 23 years of age, the Austrian is expected to have a bright future. Kalajdzic celebrating one of his 13 league goals His form has got several clubs across Europe keeping an eye on the forward. Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle United, and West Ham United have both been linked from the Premier League, while Juventus have also been named as possible takers. Despite this, Leipzig remain the most likely destination. It has now been claimed that Stuttgart...
Barcelona and Real Madrid targeting Bundesliga defender
Barcelona and Real Madrid are eyeing up a move for RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate, reports Spanish outlet AS. Konate joined RB Leipzig from Sochaux in 2017. Since then, he has achieved reasonable success at the German side despite several injury troubles, reaching a Champions League semi-final last season. Konate in action for RB Leipzig His performances for Die Roten Bullen have attracted attention from several clubs across Europe, especially in the Premier League. Back in February, it was reported that three of the biggest English clubs were competing for his signature. The 21-year-old is now being linked with a move to La Liga, with AS reporting that Barcelona and Real Madrid are both in the hunt for his services. The article claims that Konate has a €45 million release clause. ...
Klopp’s plans for 27-year-old and how Liverpool could shape up vs RB Leipzig
Liverpool will look to finish the job and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League when they face RB Leipzig in Budapest on Wednesday night. The Reds won the first leg 2-0 at the Puskas Arena three weeks ago. With their hopes of finishing in the top-four gradually fading away, winning the Champions League remains the best option to salvage their season. Jurgen Klopp made seven changes from the home loss to Chelsea against Fulham but that didn’t result in a change of fortune. The Reds have now lost six games in a row at Anfield, but their away form has been comparatively better. Ozan Kabak has returned to training and is likely to feature alongside Nat Phillips at the back. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also expected to return in place of Neco Williams. In midfield, James Milner an...
As Bundesliga clubs suffer losses, Man Utd, Tottenham and co eye summer transfer deals
Clubs in the top two tiers of German football suffered a drop of 5.7% revenue in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may lead to increased pressure on Bundesliga clubs in the summer transfer window to sell some of their prized assets. Football in Germany was brought to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, with over a quarter of the season still left to play. The leagues eventually restarted again in May, with all games being played behind closed doors. Bundesliga matches have been played without spectators for the last year The new season kicked off in the middle of September, with spectators still not allowed back into stadiums. This has hampered the revenues of many clubs across the German leagues. The 18 Bundesliga clubs generated revenue of €3.8 billion for the 2019/...
Another injury blow for Liverpool, Barcelona sweating on key player
The Champions League has reached the knockout stage, and the round of 16 features some exciting UCL fixtures. We’ll update this story with reports, results and the latest Champions League highlights as the second-leg games are played. The action is already underway, with Juventus facing Porto while Borussia Dortmund host Sevilla. Juventus XI: Szczesny, Cuadrado, Bonucci, Demiral, Alex Sandro, Chiesa, Rabiot, Arthur, Ramsey, C Ronaldo, Morata. Porto XI: Marchesín, Manafa, Pepe, Mbemba, Zaidu, Sergio Oliveira, Uribe, Otavio, Corona, Marega, Taremi. Can Juve turn around their #UCL last 16 tie? — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 9, 2021 Dortmund take a 3-2 lead into their #UCL second-leg vs Sevilla… Dortmund XI: Hitz, Morey, Can, Hummels, Schulz, Delaney, Bellingham, Dahoud, Reus, Haza...
Boost for Barcelona as Paris Saint-Germain star misses out
The Champions League takes centre stage over the next two weeks as the eight second-leg ties in the round of 16 are played across Europe. The action gets underway on Tuesday with a pair of fixtures that are finely poised. Juventus head into their second meeting with Porto needing to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg. Borussia Dortmund will fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals as they hold a 3-2 advantage over Sevilla. Liverpool continue their quest for Champions League glory as they go head-to-head with RB Leipzig on Wednesday. The Reds lead 2-0 after the first leg, and it would be a surprise if they failed to progress to the last eight. Paris Saint-Germain are also well placed to go through as they hold a 4-1 lead over Barcelona. However, PSG star Neymar will miss th...
Bundesliga: RB Leipzig knock Bayern Munich from top after romp at Freiburg
RB Leipzig climbed top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 3-0 romp at Freiburg to replace previous leaders Bayern Munich, who later host Dortmund in Germany’s ‘Klassiker’. Christopher Nkunku, Alexander Sorloth and Emil Forsberg scored the goals in Freiburg which lifted Leipzig one point ahead of Bayern, who are at home to Dortmund (1730GMT). “That was a mature performance,” Leipzig sports director Markus Kroesche told Sky. “Anything is possible,” he replied when asked if Leipzig can stop Bayern winning a ninth straight league title this season. Leipzig impressed in their final tune-up before facing Liverpool in Budapest next Wednesday in the last 16 of the Champions League having lost the first leg 2-0. Leipzig took the lead at Freiburg after a first-half blunder by home goalkeeper Flori...
