9 minute read
CONQUERING AMERICA
Barcelona and Liverpool-linked Bayer Leverkusen star has revealed that Lionel Messi is his role model. The 18-year-old has been one of the breakout performers of the season in the Bundesliga, with his success not going unnoticed by suitors such as the Blaugrana and the Reds. "I actually had a few posters hanging in my room, [like] Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele and Aubameyang, for example," Wirtz told Sky Sport Germany. "My fi rst jersey, however, was Messi's Argentina jersey. " Bayern Munich legend Arjen Robben completed his fi rst marathon, which he described as "not fun" while admitting "I made it, but that's about it!". Robben enjoyed an illustrious 21-year playing career with spells at Groningen, PSV, Chelsea and Real Madrid before joining Bayern in 2009, where he won eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. Robben was one of the thousands to take part in the annual Rotterdam marathon. The 38-year-old completed the race alongside former Olympic speed skater Erben Wennemars, posting a respectable time of three hours, 13 minutes and 40 seconds.
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THE UGLY
However, just as Bundesliga clubs are making major fi nancial decisions, the league could break a transfer record this summer. Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Braut Haaland looks set to be the transfer story of the summer with his future looking increasingly uncertain as Marco Rose gears up for a bidding war. Despite an injury disrupted campaign, Haaland’s incredible goalscoring fi gures have continued to impress across Europe, with Manchester City and Real Madrid the two main players in a possible tug-of-war. Haaland’s Dortmund contract includes a €75m release clause, which is activated at the end of 2021/22, but Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is certain to play hardball over his star asset. Watzke has openly confi rmed his knowledge of clubs interested in the former Red Bull Salzburg man, but neither he, nor the club, are under any pressure to sell. A €75m release clause is likely to be the start of Haaland’s transfer saga with Dortmund able to push the fi gure beyond €100m if needed. Regardless of whether both City and Real Madrid stay in the race past the €100m mark remains to be seen, with Kylian Mbappe’s future playing a role in Haaland’s next move. If Haaland departs, he is almost certain to break the €105m record of Ousmane Dembele’s 2017 move to Barcelona, but the escalating list of additional costs could sour prospective buyers from a making a fi rm o er. A minimum of €90m is expected to prise him away from Dortmund, as a base fee, with performance related add-ons totalling around €10m. But the addition of Haaland’s father, Alf Inge, and agent Mino Raiola, into the mix, could make or break a deal, with the pair in line to receive around €30m each. In total, alongside a fi ve-year contract of more than €40m annually, a bloated deal, in excess of €350m could put the breaks on even the fi nancial juggernaut of City, unless a compromise is reached.
FAR LEFT: Haaland unbelievable form has put him on the radar of every major European side
ABOVE: Coach of Dortmund, Marco Rose
LEFT: Watzke is confi dent of holding the key cards in any possible Haaland sale
TOP & BOTTOM LEFT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Werder Bremen players in action and celebration
TOP & BOTTOM RIGHT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Stuttgart seem set for relegation
GOING UP
Werder Bremen look set for an immediate bounce back to the top-fl ight this summer following their disastrous relegation in 2021. Die Grün-Weißen ended one of the longest unbroken top tier streaks last season with their fi rst relegation since 1982, but are on course to emerge on top in a tight Bundesliga 2 promotion race.
GOING DOWN
The Bundesliga relegation picture remains unclear ahead of the fi nal few weeks of the campaign but VfB Stuttgart fans will be wary of Bremen’s slip in 2021 with another big name on a slippery slope in 2022. Die Roten only returned to the top-fl ight in 2020 and are desperate to avoid a second relegation in six years.
For the fi rst time since 2008-09 (Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV), European semifi nals will be played by two German clubs without Bayern Munich participating. RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt have both made it into the Europa League last for this season. SC Freiburg have reached the fi nal of the DFB-Pokal for the fi rst time in their club history. Freiburg are the fi rst side to reach the fi nal despite playing away from home in each round since Werder Bremen in 2008-09.
Douglas Costa has adapted well to life in Los Angeles thus far
CONQUERING america
MARCO D’ONOFRIO TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO DOUGLAS COSTA’S WINTER MOVE TO THE LOS ANGELES GALAXY
When Douglas Costa opted to make the move across the pond and try a new experience in Major League Soccer, many were left wondering what the 31-year-old was still able to bring to the table following his rather unsuccessful loan spell with Gremio in Brazil. The veteran hadn’t exactly been obliterating the opposition in his native land, scoring three goals and providing just two assists in 26 appearances for Gremio. However, it has become abundantly clear that the Galaxy believe in the winger considering they have signed him as a Designated Player through the 2023 season. “Douglas is a world-class player and a proven champion at the highest level. His capacity to create and fi nish will add yet another level to our attack,” said Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney when Costa was signed.
w“We are excited to integrate him into the team as we push toward the start of the season.” Costa not only gives the Galaxy one of the league’s top wingers, but he also provides the club with international exposure considering how well known he is around the globe. He has three goals and six assists in 31 appearances for Brazil and has represented his country at both a Copa America and a World Cup. He would also have played in the Copa America Centenario that was held in the United States in 2016, but a left thigh injury forced him to pull out of that tournament. “Douglas is an exceptional talent who has played at some of the biggest clubs in the world,” said LA Galaxy technical director Jovan Kirovski. “He is a big addition to our team, and we believe he will be a di erence-maker in MLS.” The move is an initial six-month loan from
Gremio, with the player signing a one-and-ahalf-year deal with the Galaxy following it. He will obviously need some time to adapt to his new surroundings, but the skillset he provides the Galaxy is undeniable - even if he is no longer in the prime of his career. The Brazilian is also confident that it will work out. “I wasn’t worried about coming here and adapting,” Costa said, via the Los Angeles Daily News. “It was more about doing something new and coming to a new country.” “Truthfully, I feel great, my teammates have done everything to help me adapt,” he said. “I’m still adapting. It’s a new league that’s still growing. I’m happy to be here.” He also seems to be fitting in well with his teammates, confirming that fellow Designated Player Javier Hernandez has played a big role
ABOVE: The Swiss international left Lyon immediately when he heard of the Chicago Fire’s interest in him.
ABOVE RIGHT: Jesús Jiménez for Toronto FC
BELOW: Luquinhas, presented by the New York Red Bulls
in helping him get settled in. "Chicharito has been one of the first players, alongside Victor Vazquez, to make sure I've adapted quickly to the team and on the field," Costa said. "We're trying to make sure we're connecting and making scoring opportunities for the team." The Brazilian was able to find the back of the net for the first time in MLS against the Seattle Sounders in just his third game in the North American top-flight after working out a set-piece play with Chicharito. He is quickly becoming an important part of Vanney’s side and gives the tactician plenty of options given his creativity on the ball and the space he frees up for his teammates. “I think as his legs get under him over more time, he’ll continue to be more dangerous in
ACROSS THE POND
Marco D’Onofrio discusses five important players who are making the move from Europe to MLS in 2022.
LORENZO INSIGNE - TORONTO FC While he is still with Napoli trying to help them win their first Scudetto since the days of Diego Maradona, the signing of Lorenzo Insigne by Toronto FC cannot be understated. It’s a massive pick up for a club looking to get back to the success that they had during the days of Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.
DOUGLAS COSTA LOS ANGELES GALAXY After struggling the last couple of seasons to find a permanent home, the Brazilian opted to make the move to MLS and join the most successful franchise in league history as a Designated Player. He has adjusted well to his new surroundings so far and could make a real impact on Greg Vanney’s side.
JESÚS JIMÉNEZ - TORONTO FC The Spanish striker joined Toronto FC from Gornik Zabrze of Poland’s top division with little fanfare. Most TFC fans had never heard of Jiménez when he first arrived, but it wouldn’t take long for them to become familiar with him. Contributing to four of TFC’s opening seven goals of the season, he’s quickly become a crucial member of Bob Bradley’s squad.
XHERDAN SHAQIRI - CHICAGO FIRE Unlike Insigne, Xherdan Shaqiri decided to leave French club Lyon midway through the campaign to join the Chicago Fire immediately for the start of the 2022 MLS season. The 30-yearold has the ability to play in multiple positions and brings with him plenty of experience. It’s no wonder fans of the Fire were so excited when they heard of his impending arrival.
LUQUINHAS - NEW YORK RED BULLS The New York Red Bulls signed the 25-year-old from Polish club Legia Warsaw. The midfielder isn’t necessarily a goal-threat but is quite fast and o ers a ton of flexibility. He was signed as a Designated Player and could be a real under-the-radar signing when all is said and done.
