Of the Soccer ticker on Thursday, March 18, 2021:
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Rolfes: A season without a European Cup for Bayer is unthinkable
Bayer Leverkusen’s sports director Simon Rolfes put pressure on the team before the duel with Hertha BSC on Sunday (3.30 p.m. / Sky). After the 1: 2 defeat against Arminia Bielefeld, the current sixth of the table threatens to miss an international competition. “Sunday’s game at Hertha BSC is extremely important for us in the battle for international places. We want to continue towards 4th place, but we also have to look at the teams behind us, ”said Rolfes of the“ Bild ”newspaper.
The 39-year-old made it clear: “With our squad, despite the many failures, a year without Europe is inconceivable.” Peter Bosz is now under pressure. “The coach has to draw the right conclusions from the game against Bielefeld and find solutions for Berlin with the players – that is now the most important task,” emphasized Bayer’s sports director.
Rolfes also made the professionals responsible: “In a situation like this, all players have to show attitude, aggressiveness and a clear will. The players are challenged – individually and as a team. We expect that. “
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New Barça boss wants to keep Messi
The new president of the prestigious Spanish club FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, wants to do everything possible to tie superstar Lionel Messi to the Catalans beyond the end of the season. “I’ll take a moment now, and then I’ll try to convince Leo that he’s staying,” said the club boss at his inauguration on Wednesday.
“We want to keep Messi because he is the best player in the history of this club,” said Laporta. “I love him more than anything, and Barcelona and Barça do too. When the stadium is filled with spectators again, when you are back in front of an audience you can’t leave us. ”Messi, like other Barça aces, was present at the inauguration at the Estadio Camp Nou and smiled at Laporta’s words.
In addition, the club boss wants to ensure that the traditional club from Catalonia, which is in debt with over a billion euros, is financially healthy: “The most important thing is that Barça is economically sustainable again.” Laporta was elected president for the second time on March 7th.
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All corona tests negative: Cologne is training again
After a positive corona test in the 1. FC Köln function team, the Bundesliga club did not have any further cases for the time being. “All PCR tests by players and staff on Thursday morning were negative,” said the club via Twitter. In consultation with the health department, coach Markus Gisdol’s players can now train together again.
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On Wednesday, FC canceled team training, after the positive test occurred. According to the club, the support staff and the players were tested on Wednesday morning – all negative. Next Saturday the game against Borussia Dortmund (3:30 p.m.) is on the program for Cologne in the Bundesliga.
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Bayern leaves Lewandowski’s storage open
FC Bayern has left it open whether he will assign Robert Lewandowski to the Polish national team’s World Cup qualifier in England. “We will wait and then decide in the interests of the club. We need all the players for the game against Leipzig, ”said coach Hansi Flick on TV channel Sky after Munich’s quarter-finals in the Champions League. “We’re still waiting to see what the authorities have to say about it and still have a few days to make the decision.”
There are special quarantine regulations for people entering Germany from the UK. Austria will play its first qualifying game for the 2022 World Cup on March 25 in Glasgow against Scotland without Germany legionnaires, i.e. without Bayern defender David Alaba. “David won’t be in the first game in Scotland,” confirmed Flick.
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Schalke manager Knäbel is planning for the 2nd division
The new sporting director Peter Knäbel plans at Schalke 04 in view of the almost hopeless situation on the basis of relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga. “Most of the planning now focuses on the 2nd league, you have to be that honest,” he said to the “kicker”: “But very clearly: Of course, we still make sure that our decisions would also make sense in the event of relegation . “
Knäbel would like to have clarity quickly on all of the personnel issues in the sporting management level. Above all, the Rangnick cause moves the club, “you can feel that clearly,” said the 54-year-old. He has “the greatest respect for Ralf Rangnick’s expertise and what he has achieved so far,” continued Knäbel. It is generally a matter of finding a solution for the post of sports director “for the benefit of the club”.
He himself had no problem moving back into the second tier and was “very happy” with his original role as Technical Director for Young Talent and Development, said the former director of professional football at HSV.
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Ortega is toying with a move to Bavaria
Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is open to the next step in his career after his strong performance for Arminia Bielefeld and would not be averse to a change as a representative of Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich. “I would always prefer the offer where I have the chance to play. But we’re talking about Bayern Munich, one of the best clubs in the world. In the end, it’s also a question of weighing up, ”said the 28-year-old to the“ kicker ”.
Ortega (contract until 2022), who is a strong keeper and stands out among the promoted players, is said to have piqued the record champions’ interest. He perceives the rumors about himself and “likes to hear that too,” said the keeper: “But of course it stays that way: not me, but we all want to hold the league here in Bielefeld. Then you can think about everything, with time and calm. “
However, he set himself personal goals, said Ortega: “The Bundesliga was one thing, I have now achieved it. If there is a chance of international games, I would like to use it. “
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National team possibly without England legionnaires
Ilkay Gündogan, who is active at Manchester City, does not yet know whether he will be part of the German national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to possible travel restrictions. “I had a conversation with (national coach) Joachim Löw and (DFB director, editor) Oliver Bierhoff. Neither of them knew exactly whether they could nominate me, ”said Gündogan on“ Maischberger – die Woche ”on ARD.
Gündogan emphasized that he would be “already disappointed” if he could not come because of the British Corona mutation, but he would also understand: “It is not too far away, it starts on Monday. I don’t know. I have to be patient and wait. “
Should Gündogan not be able to arrive, this would probably also apply to the other England legionaries Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea FC) and Bernd Leno (Arsenal FC). The 30-year-old, who was sick himself after a positive corona test, warned again against underestimating the virus and advocated acceptance of the vaccines. These are the way out of the pandemic.
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Flick and Salihamidzic speak out
In the conflict at Bayern Munich between coach Hansi Flick and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, there has been a rapprochement. “We both approached each other and got rid of that in the interests of the club. We are very optimistic about the future of the club, ”said Flick on Sky after the triple winner made it into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Leading player Joshua Kimmich had previously requested a discussion. “You hear what is being written and discussed. It would be nicer with the success if there is calm and nothing is carried out internally, ”said Kimmich after the 2: 1 (1: 0) against Lazio Rome. It was “not a big burden” for the team, he added, “but of course it would be better if it were different”.
There have long been reports of differences between successful coach Flick, who is traded as the successor to national coach Joachim Löw, and Salihamidzic, especially with regard to personnel and squad planning. Flick has recently admitted problems. There is not “always agreement”, he said, “but that is quite normal in a partnership”.
Amnesty advises against boycotting the World Cup
Amnesty International Germany advises against a boycott of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “Amnesty relies on uncovering and making the grievances visible and engaging in dialogue with all those involved. Qatar has shown itself to be ready to talk and has initiated reforms, “said Regina Spöttl, Qatar expert at the human rights organization, to the news portal watson:” There is progress, and a boycott would set it back years. “
Most recently, Norwegian clubs led the way in their boycott demands. At the annual general meeting of the national association NFF last Sunday, however, only 61 representatives voted in favor of putting the debate on abandoning the agenda, 146 were against. A two-thirds majority would have been necessary. The decision was thus postponed.
Several first division clubs and many fan associations had recently called on the reluctant association to discuss a possible boycott. Tromso IL had the movement launched in response to reports of 6,500 deaths on construction sites in Qatar.
France’s clubs do not allow national players to travel long-distance
In the coming international break, French professional football will not provide any professionals for games outside the European Union or the European Economic Area. In addition to the 27 EU countries, this includes Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. The league association LFP announced on Wednesday after discussions with the club presidents of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. The reasons are various travel restrictions due to the corona pandemic and a lack of exemption that would free the players from quarantine after their return.
From March 25, qualifying games on the way to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be played not only in Europe, but also in North and Central America and the Caribbean. The games of the South American “Eliminatorias” had been postponed due to the uncertainties and risks, as had most of the Asian qualifiers.
VfB Lübeck scores, Dresden marches
VfB Lübeck achieved a 0-0 draw against aspirants TSV 1860 Munich in a catch-up game in the third division and surrendered the last place in the table to SpVgg Unterhaching. The Schleswig-Holsteiners, who are now four points away from the saving shore, have another home game against SV Verl on Saturday (2 p.m.) to make up more ground.
The SG Dynamo Dresden is meanwhile on a growth course. The Saxons prevailed in their catch-up game on Wednesday evening 1-0 (1-0) against SV Wehen Wiesbaden and at the same time extended their lead over FC Ingolstadt. The Hessians, on the other hand, suffered the third bankruptcy in a row and lose sight of the top positions. Dynamo attacker Pascal Sohm scored the decisive goal after eleven minutes.
In the pursuit duel, SC Verl and FCI separated 1: 1 (0: 0). Daniel Mikic saw the red card for the home side after just two minutes. However, the Schanzer did not capitalize on this and failed to take second place. They are now four points behind leaders Dresden (58 points) on the relegation place.
