Bundesliga

MANUEL NEUER committed a huge error in Bayern Munich’s mad clash with RB Leipzig on Saturday.
First hosted second in the Bundesliga with the visitors getting the early breakthrough thanks to his rush of blood.

Neuer came and missed it! 😳Nkunku makes the Bayern defence pay in huge top of the table clash between Bayern and Leipzig ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/LJ29sCK9rF
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 5, 2020

Bayern were caught cold on the counter and Christopher Nkunku bore down on goal.
But the midfielder was still a full 30 yards out, giving Neuer a sniff at clearing the pass away.
Ever the one for an adventure out of his area, the German ran out but could not beat Nkunku to the ball.
And the Leipzig star toed the ball around the goalkeeper to create a clear path to goal – which he duly finished off.

Alas, it did not take Bayern long to stake their claim for top spot.
England youth international Jamal Musiala was subbed on after 25 minutes and quickly made his mark with a delicious drive from range.
Thomas Muller then gave Munich the lead before Leipzig were back in it via Justin Kluivert.
At 2-2 after only 36 minutes, it was no surprise to see the scoring continue after the break.

Manuel Neuer made a hash of his clearance in Saturday’s title showdownCredit: EPA

RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku was first to the ball as he opened the scoringCredit: EPA

A well-worked Leipzig move saw a cross from the left meet the unmarked Emil Forsberg to head them ahead once more, yet Muller scored again for 3-3.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side will now prepare for their huge Champions League clash with Manchester United on Tuesday.
Both sides kicked off on Saturday evening with the Red Devils winning away to West Ham.

Manuel Neuer lifts second Champions League trophy with Bayern Munich as German champions become first team ever to win ever game in a Champions League season More

BORUSSIA DORTMUND chief Michael Zorc has backed misfiring Jadon Sancho to return to goalscoring ways this season.
The England winger, 20, has scored just three goals and assisted a further four in 12 games after being strongly linked with a £108million move to Manchester United last summer.

Jadon Sancho has been to rediscovered his best form at Borussia DortmundCredit: EPA

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was desperate to bring Sancho back to the Premier League after he scored 20 goals and bagged 19 assists last term.
The campaign before saw Sancho score 13 and assist 16 more, making him one of Europe’s top forwards.
A move to Old Trafford never happened after United refused to meet his buyout clause.
And Sancho is now struggling to live up to his glittering reputation this term.

But Dortmund sporting director Zorc believes it’s just a matter of time until Sancho regains his confidence.
He said: “I believe it is easy to see he is not in the best of form.
“I can tell he tries hard when he’s subbed onto the pitch.
“He tries to force the lightness and fluidity that he has onto himself.

“Jadon is a player who doesn’t talk a lot but who delivers answers on the pitch.
“Whether this is tomorrow, in a week or at some other point, I don’t know.  What I do know is that it will happen.”
Whether United return for Sancho remains to be seen.
SunSport understands Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes has emerged as an option for Solskjaer.
But he could cost £60m and the Foxes are reluctant to sell this January.

Jadon Sancho scores goals in England training More

MATTEO GUENDOUZI has been ‘worth every penny’ since joining Hertha Berlin, sporting director Arne Friedrich has enthused.
The Frenchman was cast aside by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta following his spat with Neal Maupay in the fiery 2-1 defeat to Brighton back in June.

Matteo Guendouzi is on a season-long loan in the German capitalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Guendouzi, 21, had to bide his time on the fringes, before sealing a season-long loan move to Hertha on Deadline Day, after a recommendation from Friedrich’s former Germany team-mate, and Gunners academy boss, Per Mertesacker.
After recovering from coronavirus, Guendouzi has become an important figure for Hertha, featuring in their last four Bundesliga matches.
And Friedrich, 41, has raved about the Gunners misfit’s impact, while also highlighting Mertesacker’s role in the transfer.
He said: “He’s a fantastic player.

“We spoke to Arsenal before the transfer obviously, and I also spoke to Per Mertesacker, with whom I played in the national team.
“Our relationship is very honest, very transparent, and he had already said that he has such good quality and he’s showed it already.
“From the first day when he came here to Germany onwards, he had to go into quarantine, I don’t know what happened, I think either him or someone else tested positive so he had to sit in the hotel for the first two weeks here in a brand new city.
“He was so professional and we brought him some gear, a bike to work on and he was really, really ambitious to get on the field as soon as possible.

Gunners academy chief Per Mertesacker recommended Guendouzi to HerthaCredit: Getty – Contributor

The Frenchman played his last game for Arsenal against Brighton back in JuneCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“Ever since, every day he shows in practice what a good player he is.
“He’s so calm. He wants every single ball, even under pressure. He has his own understanding that he wants to win games.
“He has this intrinsic motivation to just show the world how good he is. This is what we need, this is what everybody needs and he is highly confident, which is also very important for our team because our team is still looking for structure.
“We are very, very happy to have him here and he’s worth every penny.”
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi seals loan transfers away to Hertha Berlin More

ERLING HAALAND has eased fears over his injury and vowed to be ‘back soon’ for Borussia Dortmund.
The striker was believed to be out for the rest of 2020 after picking up a hamstring problem ahead of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Lazio in the Champions League.

Erling Haaland suffered an injury blow this week but has provided a positive updateCredit: Reuters

Fans of the German giants were left reeling at the thought of their 20-year-old hotshot being ruled out long-term.
But the star, son of ex-Premier League midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, has provided a positive update on his setback after being checked out.
Tweeting a snap of him with a thumbs-up, he wrote: “Good news! Spoke with my doctors. Back soon.”
Haaland has been a revelation since signing for the Germans almost 12 months ago, scoring 33 goals in just 32 games.

Prior to his arrival in the Bundesliga, the 20-year-old turned heads across Europe with 28 goals in just 22 matches for RB Salzburg.
Manchester United were strongly linked with a move before Haaland joined Dortmund.
But the Norway international will now be watching from the sidelines as he recovers from his hamstring setback.
Despite initially missing out on Haaland, United are reported to still be interested after he worked with Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde.

Indeed, Haaland is just three goals behind his former gaffer in European football.
And four goals would see Haaland become the highest-scoring Norwegian in Champions League history.
After picking up his hamstring injury, Haaland will have to wait until the knockout stages for another bite of the cherry.
But Solskjaer is confident he will break the record with ease, saying: “He will beat it very easily.
“The boy was great to work with and some part of me feels proud to have a little input in such a rise.
“I’m sure Erling will score many goals in the Champions League.”
Dortmund still managed a 1-1 draw against Lazio on Wednesday, with Raphael Guerreiro opening the scoring in the 44th minute.
But Lazio forward Ciro Immobile netted a penalty in the 67th minute to earn the Italians a point on the road.
The result means Dortmund have booked their place in the last 16.

Erling Haaland ruled out for rest of year after suffering hamstring injury in bitter blow for Borussia Dortmund More

ERLING HAALAND has been ruled out for the remainder of 2020 after suffering a hamstring injury.
Borussia Dortmund’s star striker will play no further part until next year after picking up the problem ahead of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Lazio in the Champions League.

Erling Haaland has been ruled out for the rest of the year with a hamstring injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Haaland has been a revelation since signing for the Germans almost 12 months ago, scoring 33 goals in just 32 games.
Prior to his arrival in the Bundesliga, the 20-year-old turned heads across Europe with 28 goals in just 22 matches for RB Salzburg.
Manchester United were strongly linked with a move before Haaland joined Dortmund.
But the Norway international will now be watching from the sidelines as he recovers from his hamstring setback for the next four weeks.

Despite initially missing out on Haaland, United are reported to still be interested after he worked with Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde.
Indeed, Haaland is just three goals behind his former gaffer in European football.
And four goals would see Haaland become the highest-scoring Norwegian in Champions League history.
After picking up his hamstring injury, Haaland will have to wait until the knockout stages for another bite of the cherry.

But Solskjaer is confident he will break the record with ease, saying: “He will beat it very easily.
“The boy was great to work with and some part of me feels proud to have a little input in such a rise.
“I’m sure Erling will score many goals in the Champions League.”
Dortmund still managed a 1-1 draw against Lazio on Wednesday, with Raphael Guerreiro opening the scoring in the 44th minute.
But Lazio forward Ciro Immobile netted a penalty in the 67th minute to earn the Italians a point on the road.
The result means Dortmund have booked their place in the last 16.
But Lazio face an anxious wait with just two points separating them from Belgian outfit Club Brugge.

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