Klopp Don't Let Dortmund Become Divided

Six months ago, Borussia Dortmund were the club supposedly set to provide the biggest challenge to apparent title favourites FC Bayern München in 2014/15.

At the halfway point in the season, however, BVB’s objectives have required radical alteration, with the club sitting second-bottom in the table - a staggering 30 points behind the leaders from Bavaria - after ten defeats in 17 games. Now, Jürgen Klopp’s target for the remaining 17 games is very simple: “Get some wins on the board and make sure we stay in the division. Right now, where we finish is of no interest to me.”

'From one catastrophe to another'

BVB’s winter training camp in La Manga, Spain has given the players an opportunity to get back onto the training ground and begin intensive preparation for the Bundesliga's resumption, but there is no doubt that their paltry points total in the Hinrunde still rankles. In a candid interview with German football magazine kicker, Dortmund’s coach since 2008 expanded in depth on his comment following Matchday 17's 2-1 defeat to SV Werder Bremen that it had been “the worst first half to a season of our lives”.

“We knew it would be tough, but nobody could have predicted the problems we ended up having, or the chain reactions that made them worse,” said the Stuttgart native. “Where we struggled wasn’t in identifying the problem but in finding the solutions. We tried to deal with the most pressing issues only, and swept everything else to one side. We lurched from one catastrophe to another and in the end didn’t have time to work out a proper solution.”

Positive to the hilt

The glass is always half-full with Klopp, though, and despite the misery they endured between August and December, the coach maintains the ordeal has helped his battered squad grow. With perfect conditions in which to train, prepare, analyse and plan for the second half of the season, and with some key players nearing a return to full fitness, Klopp now glimpses the outline of a bright future from the sunshine of southern Spain.

“In about a week, we’ve been able to train better here than we did than throughout the entire pre-season,” he continued. "We’ve been able to do what we couldn’t do before, and that’s practice our routines with a large group of players. Every player here training in La Manga is further in his development now than he was back in the summer. That’s what makes me optimistic.”

Praise for new arrival Kampl

Well-documented mistakes in defence were blamed as the cause for many of Borussia’s defeats in the Hinrunde, but in fact, a potentially graver problem was their inability to convert chances. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is their top scorer with five league goals, while summer arrivals Ciro Immobile, Adrian Ramos and Shinji Kagawa have added just three, two and one respectively.

To that end, Klopp has been able to add Kevin Kampl, an attacking midfielder with a promising record for previous club FC Salzburg (29 goals and 54 assists in 109 appearances) to the squad, and he is evidently excited at what the 24-year-old can bring to the team. “We need players with talent on the ball and a willingness to work hard on winning it back - he has both." Encouragingly for Klopp, Kampl, a boyhood BVB fan, has slotted in seamlessly into his new surroundings and impressed on his first appearance, a 1-0 friendly win over FC Sion.

LEGENDARY HEAD COACH UDO LATTEK DIES

Udo Lattek, the most successful Bundesliga head coach of all time, has passed away.

Lattek, who suffered two strokes and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, was 80 years old.

“The Bundesliga is mourning the passing of an extraordinary sportsman and an extraordinary person," said League President Dr. Reinhard Rauball upon hearing the news. "Like many in German football, I am losing a friend in Udo Lattek. We got to know and appreciate one another other 30 years ago. Honest, straightforward and sometimes stubborn - that was how Udo Lattek stood out. Yet at the same time he was also sensitive, and as a coach he was always receptive to the needs of his players. His success speaks for itself and eight German league titles will remain unmatched for a long time to come. He left an impression on several generations of players in German football and many of his former charges are still grateful to him to this day. Udo Lattek will be remembered as one of the Bundesliga’s outstanding figures. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife and family."

Serial trophy-winner

In his heyday, Lattek was regarded as one of the world’s best and most successful coaches, winning the Bundesliga title eight times - six times with FC Bayern München and twice with Borussia Mönchengladbach - and also lifting three DFB Cups.

Perhaps his greatest success came in winning the European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) with Bayern in 1974 with victory in a reply over Club Atletico de Madrid. His CV later included spells as coach of FC Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04.

'I have football to thank for everything'

More recently, he was a pundit on football chat show Doppelpass, from which he retired in May 2011, and despite his many achievements, Lattek remained humbled to the last about becoming the most successful coach in the Bundesliga’s history. "I’m a farmer’s son who came from nothing. I have football to thank for everything."

He was also recognised for his services to and achievements in German football with the Honorary Bundesliga prize in 2013, handed over to him by Dr. Rauball. “He was one of the most modern coaches in Europe and he shaped football like few others have done since,” commented 2014 FIFA World Coach of the Year Joachim Löw. “You have to respect his successes.”

BUNDESLIGA CLUBS' 2014/15 WINTER SCHEDULE

Di sini lah lokasi Kelab-kelab Bundesliga berlatih sepanjang musim sejuk sebelum bermulanya bahagian kedua saingan Bundesliga 2014/15 yang akan bermula pada 30 Januari 2015.

The Bundesliga is gaining an increasing number of fans in Malaysia.

DFL Sports Enterprises and Malaysian TV provider Astro extend deal to 2015

Following the Sportel Asia exhibition in Hong Kong (16-18 March), one of the most important of its kind in Asia, DFL Sports Enterprises and Malaysian Pay TV network Astro have agreed to extend the long-standing partnership between the Bundesliga and Astro for another three seasons. A verbal agreement has been reached by both parties and a written contract is likely to be signed by the end of March.

Astro hold exclusive media rights to broadcast the Bundesliga in Malaysia and Brunei for the seasons 2012/13 to 2014/15. The exclusive contract applies to all media types, including television, internet and mobile phones. Astro have already been broadcasting the Bundesliga since the 2006/07 campaign. The satellite channel has around three million subscribers..

"We're delighted to be continuing our work with this strong and reliable partner for another three years," said Jörg Daubitzer, Managing Director of DFL Sports Enterprises. He went on to explain how Asia has become one of the most important markets in the business of television rights, especially now that many players from the region are now active in the Bundesliga.

"The swift agreement on a new licensing deal with Astro is a great display of faith in the Bundesliga and once again emphasises its increased international standing," added Daubitzer.

Source: Bundeliga Malaysia

The hard way: Huge joy due to comeback victory

Roberto Di Matteo must have struck the right chords at half-time in the Benteler-Arena on Wednesday (17/12), because his team returned with a completely different attitude to the second half. Until then, most of the highlights in the match came courtesy of SC Paderborn 07.

"The coach made it quite clear that we couldn't go on like that," reveals Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who gave Schalke a somewhat flattering equaliser just before the break. This, as well as the difficult pitch conditions, were just side notes after 90 minutes, when Schalke joyfully approached the away fan stand where the S04 faithful – just like they had done against Stuttgart and Maribor recently – were able to celebrate three points with the team. 

"The pitch wasn't suitable for a team that wants to play football. But that's what we attempted in first half. It was only in the second half when we accepted the fight that you have to adopt to here," Horst Heldt explained afterwards. "It was a hard fought victory, but a very important one," added Dennis Aogo. "Paderborn deserve respect." The promoted side made life tough for Schalke over 90 minutes, the midfielder commented. 

"They had some opportunities, we had some opportunities," summarized Heldt. "If someone talks about this being a lucky victory, I would answer: 'We are taking the three points home.' Not a lot of teams have managed to do this here." Indeed only Borussia Mönchengladbach were able to celebrate an away triumph prior to Schalke. 

The moment leading up to the decisive goal was certainly no fluke. Roman Neustädter's header handing Schalke a 2-1 victory came from one of the long throw-ins by Christian Fuchs. "Finally it worked out," the Austrian international, who practices his throw-ins regularly, said after the game. 

"I was lying in wait for the defender to misjudge the ball so I could get to it. Then I headed it onwards and hoped it would land in the back of the net," Neustädter remembered later. And Choupo-Moting added: "We wanted to make a statement immediately and put up a big fight. We are FC Schalke 04 and can't afford to lose so many direct duels."

Meanwhile Klaas-Jun Huntelaar spoke of "some very important" points and gave credit to the Schalke fans who travelled to Paderborn on a workday evening. "I want to thank all fans for the great support. I am looking forward to seeing them on Saturday in the VELTINS-Arena."

The first half of the season comes to a close with the match against Hamburger SV on Saturday (20/12). For Choupo-Moting it's an encounter with his former club. "By now I am so professional that it's not a special occasion for me anymore," the Hamburg born attacker said. "At HSV all of the people with major roles, both players and officials, have changed. The only aspect which then still stands is that I am playing against the club from my home town." Regardless, there is only one obvious goal. Choupo-Moting: "We want to win."

Shaqiri mungkin akan di pinjamkan kepada Wolfsburg

Xherdan Shaqiri's ​Bayern Munich career looks to be coming to a swift end, but though Liverpool are thought to be very keen, there will now be serious competition from Wolfsburg.

​talkSPORT reports that Bayern's Bundesliga rivals are looking for a loan deal in January with a view to a permanent transfer for the 23-year-old midfield play maker in the summer.

Madrid Will Complete Mega Deal for Reus

​Real Madrid will complete a stunning move for Borussia Dortmund star Marcos Reus in the summer, a well-respected​ FIFA agent has claimed. 

"Real Madrid will sign Reus and operation will close within days," Francois Gallardo said.

"It is a very important player, if it comes to Real Madrid would be the icing for long-term project. He is following in a while and you want the best clubs, but he said no to all but the Real Madrid."

The German international, if he signed, would join arguably the most scintillating set of attacker in the world at Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Isco all on the books at the Bernabeu.