Ottmar Hitzfeld was a defining character in the recent history of FC Bayern Munich. His induction into the German Football Hall of Fame recognises his extraordinary coaching career. Hitzfeld led FC Bayern to numerous titles, including five Bundesliga championships, three DFB Cup victories and, above all, the Champions League triumph in 2001. His calm, level-headed manner and strategic vision made him one of the most successful and popular coaches to have worked at Säbener Straße.
They named Dayot Upamecano (28.3%), Joshua Kimmich (69.1%), Jamal Musiala (59.7%), Harry Kane (77.5%) and Michael Olise (43.5%) in the Team of the Season, plus summer signing Jonathan Tah (54.5%) from his Bayer Leverkusen days. The team was completed by Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen, 28.3%), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz, 36.1%), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen, 84.8%), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg, 28.3%) and Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund, 45.0%).
Sport Bild now reports that there remains optimism the German national will put pen to paper on a new deal. However, decision-makers at Borussia Dortmund are keenly aware of the fact that the likes of Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid are circling. Nico Schlotterbeck is still stalling on Dortmund contract The simple fact of the matter is that Schlotterbeck isn't providing nearly enough encouragement with regard to his BVB future.
It is TRUE: Reported Bayern target Said El Mala is catching the eye of PSG and Inter Milan. Bayern have him on the list. They're not so afraid of these two clubs. However, we heard in Munich, and this could be interesting for the Premier League, that Manchester City also have him on their list. When City are at the table, Bayern Munich are always aware that things could get a little risky, as the two clubs are playing a similar style and Pep Guardiola is an attractive coach for a young player.
If Lukas Kwasniok had known at the start of the season that his side would be sitting in the top eight in the Bundesliga after eight matchdays, he would surely have considered it a great success. The Köln head coach had stressed back then that, as a newly-promoted team, the club should approach the mission of avoiding the drop "humbly" - knowing full well that things could get quite a bit more stormy in Germany's top flight than in the previous Bundesliga 2 season.
The Bundesliga champions received another promising news this week on the injury front. Jamal Musiala returned to the pitch for the first time since breaking his fibula and dislocating his ankle against Paris-Saint Germain in the Club World Cup at the start of July. Musiala was photographed on the pitch at Sabner Strasse as he takes a big step forward in his recovery.
The Austrian midfielder has seamlessly adapted to both full-back positions under Kompany. He has largely been used in the right-back position under Kompany in the last 18 months. However, the recent injury crisis in the left-back department has forced Kompany to use Laimer on the left side of the back four. The Austrian has not disappointed his head coach and delivered top performances in both full-back positions.
Niko Kovac's men would have been intent on taking something from the game to remain within striking distance. However, in the first half, Bayern were head and shoulders above Dortmund and deservedly took the lead midway through the half when Harry Kane headed in the opener from a Joshua Kimmich corner. Based on the balance of play and chances created, Die Roten should have a bigger lead going into the half-time interval.
