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      Inside bizarre week of Germany star who was forced to build chicken coop in dungarees because of his Nutella addiction

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      WHEN you leave £60,000 in the back of a taxi you’d imagine it can’t get much worse.Yet it did for Max Kruse in 2016, who ended up building a chicken coop, having a Nutella addiction exposed and being fined by his club all within seven days.
      Max Kruse helped build a chicken coop after a strange week
      Kruse ended up being dropped from the German national teamCredit: EPA
      The disastrous episode all started when the then-Wolfsburg star snuck off to Berlin for a poker tournament.
      Kruse is an avid player and previously made the final of a World Series event.
      At the tournament in the German capital, the striker competed late into the night and walked away with £60,000 in winnings.
      But his first calamity struck when he somehow lost the earnings in a taxi home.
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      Kruse, now 35, phoned the police but the money was never recovered.
      He managed to keep the incident under wraps for months.
      But Wolfsburg, and the German press, eventually found out.
      And that led to another financial hit – as Kruse was fined £20,000 as punishment for playing in the first place.
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      Now £80,000 down, many would turn to their comfort food.
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      But not Kruse, as his peculiar seven days continued when German press then got wind of his addiction to Nutella.
      The Germany star had been told by his Bundesliga club to lay off the sugar-rich treat after he had been seen scoffing it at breakfast during a winter training camp.
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      Questioned about the two incidents, fuming Wolfsburg chief Klaus Allofs said: “Some people would have never seen so much money in their lives and certainly not in cash.
      “There was a conversation between Max, myself and our coach. We explained to him what kind of behaviour we expect from our players in their free time in public.”
      On his sweet tooth, Allofs added: “This sort of thing is dealt with internally. Max does need to correct a few things.
      “We speak with all of our players. The aim is support them in such a way that will put them in a position to deliver their optimum performance.”
      Chicken coop
      The week from hell for Kruse was then topped off as he was sent to take part in a community project on behalf of his club.
      The 14-time forward was mocked by Bild after being snapped putting on a pair of dungarees to help construct a chicken coop.
      By that point, it was all too much for national team manager Joachim Low.
      He ranted: “We need players who are focused on football and also understand their role as role models.
      “I talked with Max about what I expect from players on and off the pitch. His actions in the last weeks were unprofessional.”
      Kruse was never selected for a Germany squad again.
      He retired last summer after a lengthy career, having scored 97 Bundesliga goals.
      The legend played for the likes of Freiburg, Borussia Monchengladbach, Werder Bremen, Fenerbahce and Union Berlin.
      And he’s enjoying more hold’em in his retirement, regularly competing in World Series of Poker Europe events.
      Speaking in 2022, after winning an event, Kruse said: “I think this ranks pretty high.
      “This is a completely different thing. I’ve been training for soccer my whole life and normally I play (poker) just for fun so it’s nice to know that I’m not that bad. Hopefully, it won’t be the last one.” 
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      “I can only play as a hobby right now because of my (soccer) career but we’ll see after my career if I continue playing more poker.”
      Kruse is still playing poker and is a regular on the World Series of Poker tourCredit: WORLD SERIES OF POKER More

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      Harry Kane unhappy at Bayern Munich as fuming boss Thomas Tuchel blames England captain’s team-mates

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      HARRY KANE is unhappy at ­Bayern Munich — and boss Thomas Tuchel says his team-mates are to blame.England captain Kane’s dream of winning team silverware is threatening to turn into a nightmare.
      Harry Kane joined Bayern Munich from Tottenham to get his hands on silverwareCredit: AFP
      The England skipper has bagged a whopping 28 goals for the Bavarians so farCredit: GETTY
      But Bayern are in danger of ending the season without a trophyCredit: GETTY
      Bayern are being eclipsed in the Bundesliga by Bayer Leverkusen and also in danger of being turfed out of the Champions League.
      Kane’s personal contributions have also diminished rapidly.
      At the start of the month, he celebrated his 28th Bayern goal since leaving Tottenham last summer.
      But he failed to register a single shot on target in his last two games.
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      Tuchel said: “Harry takes care of himself. He doesn’t need me.
      “He’s not happy with the connection in games.
      “Neither are we. I’ve rarely seen such a discrepancy between training and matches.
      “The way he scores in training, the way he puts his chances away — it’s incredible.
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      Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is under mounting pressure at the Allianz ArenaCredit: GETTY
      “It’s world class. But then we rarely find him in matches.”
      A 3-0 league loss at Leverkusen and a 1-0 first-leg reverse in the Champions League against Lazio have put Tuchel in danger of the sack.
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      And Leverkusen’s 2-1 win at Heidenheim yesterday moved Xabi Alonso’s side eight points clear at the top.
      “Tuchel cannot afford another setback at struggling Bochum tomorrow.
      The former Chelsea boss added: “Maybe the current state of things will give us that decisive kick.
      “The atmosphere is obviously a little gloomy. That being said, we aren’t out of the Champions League just yet. We’re all committed to turning things around.
      “We’ll give it our all to muster up the energy we need to reverse our fortunes.
      “At Bayern it’s about always getting back up and putting your neck on the line.
      “We’re still in second place. We don’t need to be ashamed of that. We don’t need any sympathy.
      “I’m not expecting a walk in the park in Bochum. It’ll be a tough pitch, tough opponent, who’s got good results lately.
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      “We’ve also adapted our training but that’s normal.
      “After two defeats in a week it doesn’t make sense to just keep trotting along.” More

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      Tragedy in Germany after fan dies during RB Leipzig vs Borussia Monchengladbach as supporters go silent

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      A football fan in Germany tragically passed away during RB Leipzig’s game against Borussia Monchengladbach.Supporters fell silent inside the Red Bull Arena after resuscitation was attempted without success.
      Fans fell silent inside the Red Bull Arena following the tragic deathCredit: X / @DWSports
      According to DW Sports, the Leipzig fans remained “nearly silent” following the harrowing incident.
      It has also been reported that a car accident before the game took the life of a Monchengladbach fan.
      This further contributed to the sombre atmosphere in the ground.
      RB Leipzig claimed a 2-0 win over the visitors on a desperately sad night for both clubs.
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      Xavi Simons opened the scoring for the hosts in the 14th minute.
      And Lois Openda made sure of the victory shortly before the hour mark.
      The result sees Leipzig move just one point behind fourth-place Borussia Dortmund in the race for the Champions League spots.
      Meanwhile, Monchengladbach remain down in 14th as they continue to battle relegation from the Bundesliga.
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      At the top of the table, Bayer Leverkusen took a stronger grasp of the title race as they sealed a 2-1 win over Heidenheim.
      The result sees them move eight points ahead of Bayern Munich having played one game more.
      Match suspended after two remote control cars enter pitch and start doing flips in penalty area with player booting one
      Leverkusen thrashed Bayern 3-0 last weekend to hand Thomas Tuchel’s men a mountain to climb if they are to win a 12th successive league crown.
      And Harry Kane’s new club suffered more disappointment in midweek as they lost the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie 1-0 to Lazio. More

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      Matches stopped as remote control cars enter pitches and cause chaos with player booting one and others with flares on

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      REMOTE CONTROL cars have stopped Bundesliga matches this weekend.Fans across Germany have been up in arms against a proposed deal to sell a future stake in the league to a private equity investor.
      Remote-controlled cars carrying flares stopped a 2. Bundesliga matchCredit: Getty
      A steward tried removing one by kicking itCredit: Getty
      Fans also protested at Werder Bremen’s clash with FC Koln on FridayCredit: Rex
      Remote-controlled cars were sent onto the pitch with tennis ballsCredit: Rex
      Hansa Rostock and Hamburg’s 2. Bundesliga clash was stopped after remote control cars entered the pitch.
      The vehicles were carrying blue and white flares that caused smoke to cover the ground.
      Footage showed a steward chasing two remote cars and kicking one of them to try and get it off the pitch.
      It was not the first time a German match has been disrupted this weekend.
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      During Friday evening’s match, supporters once again displayed their animosity towards the proposal.
      Werder Bremen’s clash with FC Koln was halted for ten minutes in the second half as fan protests took over.
      Tennis balls were thrown into the penalty area, and two remote control cars went onto the pitch.
      A video from the stands captured the disruption as the players tried to remove the tennis balls.
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      The clip also showed one of the substitutes booting one of the remote control cars towards the touchline.
      The car appeared to be undamaged and continued to drive around the penalty area.
      Match suspended after two remote control cars enter pitch and start doing flips in penalty area with player booting one
      It then started to do flips around the box, while the other one drove over the penalty area.
      Previous protests have seen fans lob chocolate coins and apples onto pitches.
      In a 2. Bundesliga fixture between Hamburg and Hannover fans interrupted the action by padlocking a bike to the goalposts.
      Officials were only able to remove the bike with the use of a power saw.
      The game was eventually restarted as Werder Bremen returned to winning ways in the league.
      Forward Justin Njinmah netted the only goal of the game in the 70th minute.
      The defeat for FC Koln has worsened their relegation fears as they currently sit 16th with just 16 points, five off 15th-placed Union Berlin. More

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      Thomas Tuchel’s brutal seven-word assessment of Bayern Munich flops revealed with ex-Chelsea boss tipped for sack

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      THOMAS TUCHEL gave a harsh statement to his players after Bayern Munich’s miserable Champions League defeat against Lazio.To add to the pressure on the boss Bayern Munich have now slipped five points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen and it looks likely their 11-year reign at the top of the table will dribble to an end.
      Thomas Tuchel gave a brutal seven-word statement to his playersCredit: Rex
      Bayern Munich lost 1-0 against Lazio in the first leg of the round of 16 in the Champions LeagueCredit: Alamy
      After the recent 1-0 defeat at Lazio in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, Tuchel had some explaining to do about Bayern’s recent performances.
      And on Wednesday the Bayern boss caused some upset in the dressing with his explosive statement to his players.
      He blasted, “You’re not as good as I thought”, according to Sky presenter Riccardo Basile.
      But the fire really began for the German after his side failed to secure three points against Leverkusen who thrashed Tuchel’s side 3-0 last weekend.
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      The former Chelsea boss only joined the German giants 11 months ago and his contract is not due to expire until 2025.
      But according to The Times his future is hanging by a thread.
      Things cannot get worse for Bayern in the Bundesliga and they must make a comeback against Lazio in the second leg of their tie, otherwise a mid-season boot might be on the way.
      Hansi Flick, the only coach ever to be sacked from the German national team, is rumoured as a potential caretaker manager.
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      But it is Xabi Alonso they want and they are allegedly hoping the Spaniard will jump ship from their main Bundesliga rivals.
      Alonso played for Bayern between 2014 and 2017, and the German giants are likely hoping this might swing the odds in their favour.
      Harry Kane reacts to Bayern Munich’s shock Champions League defeat
      However, Alonso, 42, now going 31 games unbeaten has made him a popular candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and now Manchester City are even in the equation.
      So it’s hardly surprising that the out-of-form Bayern Munich have joined the race to get their hands on Europe’s hottest ticket. More

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      Bayern Munich ‘increasingly likely to SACK Thomas Tuchel as they join Liverpool in race to land Xabi Alonso’

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      THOMAS TUCHEL looks increasingly likely to get the boot as Bayern Munich join Liverpool in the race to land Xabi Alonso.Bayern Munich have now slipped five points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen and it looks likely their 11 year reign at the top of the table will dribble to an end.
      Xabi Alonso has been rumoured to jump ship to Bayer Leverkusen’s biggest rivalsCredit: Rex
      Thomas Tuchel’s future at Bayern Munich hangs in the balanceCredit: Rex
      Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Lazio in the first leg of the Champions League – coming only four days after Leverkusen thrashed them 3-0 in the Bundesliga – spelled doom for Tuchel.
      The former Chelsea boss only joined the German giants 11 months ago and his contract is not due to expire until 2025.
      But according to The Times his future is hanging by a thread.
      If things get any worse for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, or if they fail to make a comeback against Lazio in the second leg of their tie, then a mid season sacking might be afoot.
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      Hansi Flick, the only coach ever to be sacked from the German national team, is rumoured as a potential caretaker manager.
      But it is Alonso they really want and they are allegedly hoping the Spaniard will jump ship from their main Bundesliga rivals.
      The Spaniard, 42, has already been touted to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and now Manchester City are even in the equation.
      So it’s hardly surprising that the out of form Bayern Munich have joined the race to get their hands on Europe’s hottest ticket.
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      Alonso played for Bayern between 2014 and 2017, and the German giants are likely hoping this might swing the odds in their favour.
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      Speaking after the Lazio fiasco in Rome, the Bayern Munich sporting director, Christoph Freund, said: “Of course Tuchel is struggling with the situation, which is very difficult for all of us.
      “We are all in the same boat.
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      “It is not easy, but we will get out of this together.
      “That is our goal.”
      Things are not going so well elsewhere in the Bayern Munich ranks.
      Harry Kane’s recent fall from glory has led fans to believe the striker has a ‘trophy curse’, as England’s record goalscorer just can’t seem to get his hands on any silverware.
      In an exciting twist, Tuchel has now been linked with Barca, who previously shortlisted him after Ronald Koeman’s exit in 2021. More

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      Fans just realising the only trophy Harry Kane could lift this season looks exactly like the Arsenal badge

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      HARRY KANE’S chances of winning a maiden trophy took another huge dent last night.The England captain, 30, joined Bayern Munich in a £104million deal last August in a bid to break his duck.
      Harry Kane was in Champions League action for Bayern Munich last nightCredit: Alamy
      The 30-year-old cut a dejected figure at the end of his side’s 1-0 defeat to LazioCredit: Getty
      Kane made his debut from the bench in the German Supercup on the day he signed, but couldn’t prevent his new side from losing 3-0 to RB Leipzig.
      He was then rested for both of Bayern’s DFB Pokal matches, with Thomas Tuchel’s men shockingly crashing out at the hands of third-tier Saarbrucken.
      Last Saturday the reigning champions fell five points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen after losing 3-0 to Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten side.
      Kane and Co kicked off their Champions League knockout campaign against Lazio in the Italian capital last night.
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      They were left with much work to do in the second leg by Maurizio Sarri’s men after losing 1-0 courtesy of Ciro Immobile’s penalty after Dayot Upamecano was sent off.
      While Kane’s chances of winning a first team trophy have been left hanging in the balance, the striker is likely to collect another individual accolade.
      He has been on fire in Germany, scoring 24 goals in just 21 Bundesliga appearances.
      The former Tottenham star is seven goals clear of second-placed Serhou Guirassy and looks to set to add another golden boot to the three he won in the Premier League and one at the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
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      Kane has tormented Arsenal down the years, scoring 14 goals against the Gunners.
      So their fans have been enjoying his trophy struggles extending to Germany.
      Harry Kane sets ANOTHER record at Bayern Munich after bagging 24th league goal of the season
      Some eagle-eyed observers have noticed that the Bundesliga’s top scorer trophy appears to resemble a cannon much like the Arsenal badge, to Gunners fans’ glee.
      One wrote on social media: “So, Harry Kane could finish this season as the Bundesliga’s top scorer, but still without a championship trophy to his name…
      “And the funniest part – Have you seen what the award for being top scorer in Germany actually looks like?”
      While a second gushed: “That’s absolutely amazing!”
      Another added: “This is brilliant.”
      Robert Lewandowski clutches the Bundesliga’s top scorer trophyCredit: AFP
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also among those to have won the accoladeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Kane remains determined to achieve his season goals despite a testing week.
      Speaking to TNT Sports after last night’s game, he said: “Really tough week. I thought the game today in the first half we started well.
      We have to find more energy, confidenceHarry Kane
      “We had some clear chances. One myself, Jamal (Musiala) had one, Josh (Kimmich) had one from the edge of the box.
      “And in these games they’re big moments and we weren’t able to take it in the first half.
      “But the second half was disappointing. We came out with less energy, less confidence. Too many balls given away and ultimately we got punished.
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      “Once you go down to ten men it’s always difficult to find a way back into the game but I think for us now we have to find it amongst ourselves. We have to find more energy, confidence.
      “We’re still in the race for the Bundesliga, still in this tie and they come to our stadium in a few weeks so we have to keep fighting and look forward and try to turn our momentum around.” More

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      Fans convinced Harry Kane’s ‘trophy curse is real’ as Bayern Munich fall to shock Champions League defeat

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      HARRY KANE is on course to go trophyless again after Ciro Immobile heaped more misery on ten-man Bayern Munich after Dayot Upamecano was sent.Immobile’s ice-cool spotkick on 69 minutes to made it four Champions League goals for the Italia striker. 
      Harry Kane saw Bayern Munich lose 1-0 to LazioCredit: Rex
      Kane is facing down another trophyless seasonCredit: Rex
      The game changed when Dayot Upamecano was sent off for this challengeCredit: AFP
      Upamecano was subsequently given his marching ordersCredit: Reuters
      Ciro Immobile converted from the spotCredit: Getty

      The penalty was awarded after France centre-back Upamecano lunged in wildly and landed on Gustav Isaksen’s ankle in the box. 
      Thomas Tuchel is clearly feeling the heat, with cameras catching the ex-Chelsea boss with his head in his hands at the Stadio Olimpico. 
      Kane joined the club from Tottenham in a club-record deal in the summer, setting his sights on a first-major trophy. 
      But it feels like after eight months at the club he has already turned them into the toothless North Londoners. 
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      Before he arrived at Bayern they had won the Bundesliga 11-years on the spin before but are in second place in the table, five points behind Bayer Leverkusen. 
      Kane saw also Bayern lose the DFL Supercup at the start of the season before crashing out of the DFB-Pokal in the second round in November.
      And a bleak performance for Tuchel’s side, who failed to have a shot on target in the first-half of the Champions League for the first time this season, has left fans convinced Kane is “cursed”.
      The last time that happened was against Manchester City last April.
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      It was also the first time they have lost the first leg of a Champions League last-16 game for the first time in 11 seasons.
      Reacting on social media, one fan said: “Harry Kane trophy curse real.”
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      A second said: “Kane trophy curse is actually real.”
      Another said: “Harry Kane came to win trophies at Bayern Munich but right now the trophy wants to win him.”
      A fourth added: “I blame Kane. He is jinxed, the man can’t win a trophy.”
      The two best chances of the opening half were thanks to ex-Spurs striker Kane with a close-range shot he would have normally gobbled up. 
      Later on Jamal Musiala fired over the bar after latching onto the end of a pretty passing sequence. 
      Tuchel cut an animated figure on the touchline and no doubt gave his players a tongue-lashing at the break. 
      But it was Lazio who emerged from the restart with a fire in their bellies. 
      They should have been ahead when a lofted ball floated from Luis Alberto to Isaksen who was one on one with Manuel Neuer. 
      Here’s how the two teams fared
      Bayern dominated most of the game but failed to land any punches
      Kane dropped very deep to try and get involved in play
      Kane had a limited impact on the game
      He had the time to gather his footing but his shot was saved by an outstretched leg from the German shot-stopper 
      Kane headed over from 14 yards out, but in fairness to him the cross was looping high in the first place. 
      Things went from bad to worse for Bayern when Upamecano’s moment of madness sent him packing before Lazio broke the deadlock. 
      Tuchel hauled off Leroy Sane and Thomas Muller for forwards Mathys Tel and Eric Maxim Choup-Moting but they didn’t inject any more oomph into Bayern. 
      Kane blasted a free-kick at Lazio’s wall and that summed up the visitors’ frustrations for the night.
      Speaking after the game, Kane told TNT Sports: “It’s been a really tough week.
      “We started well. We had clear chances, myself, Jamaal had one, Josh had one, but in these games they are big moments and we weren’t able to take them.
      “The second half was disappointing, we came out with less energy and confidence and we gave too many balls away.
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      “Ultimately we got punished. Once you go down to ten men, it’s always difficult to find a way back into the game. We need to find more energy and confidence among ourselves.
      “We’re still in the race for the Bundesliga and still in this tie when they come to our stadium in a few weeks. We have to keep fighting and turn the momentum around.” More