Bayern launch assault on Dzeko

Bayern Munich are weighing up a move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, according to Bild.

The Bavarians were linked with Olivier Giroud, Luuk de Jong and Matias Suarez soon after they started the search for a new forward, but they eventually opted to sign Claudio Pizarro on a free transfer from Werder.

However, the German giants are looking to add another quality striker to the squad and Bild claims they have set their sights on Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko.

Bayern already have a world-class striker in Mario Gomez and the Bosnian is not the sort of player who is interested in playing second fiddle to anyone, but the German newspaper reveals that coach Jupp Heynckes plans to play the two forwards together.

The Bosnian is not entirely satisfied with his status at Manchester City, after falling behind Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Kun Aguero in the pecking order and he could jump at the opportunity to return to Bundesliga.

Dzeko currently earns around €7 million per campaign at Etihad and Bayern are prepared to offer him the same amount in order to lure him to Alianz Arena.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/bayern-launch-assault-on-dzeko/95564/

Loew tips Schweinsteiger to shine

Germany boss Joachim Loew expects Bastian Schweinsteiger to be fully fit for the start of their Euro 2012 campaign.

The Bayern Munich midfielder has been plagued by injuries in recent months and there are increasing doubts over what role he will play in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

Nonetheless, Loew is optimistic over Schweinsteiger’s availability for Germany’s curtain raiser against Portugal on June 9, but conceded that the 27-year-old may not feature in Thursday’s final warm-up clash against Israel.

“I do not know (if he will play) yet,” the coach told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

“He has a hematoma in the calf and this makes things difficult for him. Therefore, we must minimise the risk.

“He is not always training with the team, as you have to see how far he can go and how well he can deal with the pain. But he will have the necessary physical strength and power for the tournament.”

Loew then had some words of support for the four players who missed out on the final squad for Euro 2012, with 18-year-old midfielder Julian Draxler in particular receiving encouragement.

“They were all obviously incredibly disappointed,” he said.

“But we made our decision after much consideration, and we wanted to give players clarity on Monday, because you could feel their uncertainty.

“These are very young players. I told everyone that they have opened the door wide for themselves. Draxler, the youngest of the group, is a real winner from this camp.

“For us it is clear that these players are on the fringe of the squad, and will probably soon be with the national team.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/loew-tips-schweinsteiger-to-shine/95478/

Bayern claim win over Holland World Soccer Shop

Bayern Munich returned to the Allianz Arena after their Champions League disappointment to secure a 3-2 win over Holland at the Allianz Arena.

Robben: Featured for Holland against his club

In a game arranged by means of compensation to Bayern for an injury picked up by Arjen Robben while on international duty ended in victory for the Bundesliga club while Robben made an appearance in a Holland shirt.

Toni Kroos put Bayern in front, but Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Luciano Narsingh turned the game around within minutes.

Nils Petersen brought Bayern level before half time and Mario Gomez scored the winner later on as Bayern won in front of only a half-full stadium in Munich.

Kroos gave Bayern the lead in the 17th minute with a fine 25-yard effort which struck the underside of the bar on its way in.

Their lead lasted less than a minute, though, with Huntelaar replying.

The Schalke striker and Bundesliga top goalscorer this season was put through by Dirk Kuyt and threaded the ball inside Hans-Jorg Butt's near post.

The Dutch took the lead two minutes later when Holger Badstuber pushed up and got the offside trap all wrong, allowing Narsingh a free run on goal, and he chipped the ball over Butt.

Bayern levelled in the 28th minute with Petersen heading in a cross from Ivica Olic from six yards out.

Robben came on for Holland in the 75th minute, receiving boos from parts of the 33,000 fans whenever he touched the ball.

Franck Ribery also came on for Bayern and he set up Gomez to tap in the winner in the 87th minute to give the Bavarians something to smile about at the end of a disappointing few days and an equally disappointing season.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16954/bayern_claim_win_over_holland

Germany to rally around Bayern players

Mario Goetze says the German national team will help Bayern Munich players allay their Champions League woes.

The 19-year-old believes that Joachim Loew’s squad will be able to come together and support the Bavarian players who tasted defeat against Chelsea in the Champions League final last Saturday.

“We want to and will help them,” Goetze told Bild.

“When they are here we will rally around them and have the European Championship as a goal in mind, it will be a different situation for them.

“Of course it is a disaster as a player to a chance to win the Champions League and to have missed it. But it’s over now and they cannot change anything.

“You ask yourself, how would one do in this situation? This is not so easy, it sure does hurt a lot. But there remains nothing else than to forget about it and look forward.”

Goetze spent four months of Borussia Dortmund’s double-winning campaign on the sidelines due to injury but does not feel that he will be at a disadvantage due to his lack of playing time.

“It is annoying that I could not play for Dortmund more. My feeling about the double victory is therefore distant,” he said.

“But for the national team it is not bad. After such a long break I am just ready to play football again.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/germany-to-rally-around-bayern-players/95087/