1 month ago
After joining Borussia Dortmund on loan from ***** nal on deadline day, Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench to make his debut for the German club on Saturday.
The 19-year-old played a vital role in Dortmund's 3-2 comeback win over Hoffenheim, with his cross ultimately leading to Albion Hajdari putting the ball into his own net for BVB's third goal. Nwaneri subsequently received praise from head coach Niko Kovac.
"I liked what I saw," Kovac said of Nwaneri, according to AFP.
"That's what we brought him in for... Maybe it wasn't officially his goal, but he created it."
Germany legend Dietmar Hamann also spoke highly of Nwaneri, whom he sees as a promising addition to the BVB squad.
#borussia #saturday
The 19-year-old played a vital role in Dortmund's 3-2 comeback win over Hoffenheim, with his cross ultimately leading to Albion Hajdari putting the ball into his own net for BVB's third goal. Nwaneri subsequently received praise from head coach Niko Kovac.
"I liked what I saw," Kovac said of Nwaneri, according to AFP.
"That's what we brought him in for... Maybe it wasn't officially his goal, but he created it."
Germany legend Dietmar Hamann also spoke highly of Nwaneri, whom he sees as a promising addition to the BVB squad.
#borussia #saturday
2 months ago
After a blistering start to their domestic season, Celtic will begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday night by hosting LASK in the first leg of the play-off round. The spirit must be high in the camp after the weekend's thumping 4-0 League Cup win at Tannadice Park against Dundee United. But the Austrian heavyweights, who won their first league ****** le in 61 years, would be more resolute in deep defence.
Meanwhile, the LASK boss Dietmar Kühbauer considers the home side favourites for this European encounter. However, he calls for a balanced and proactive performance in Glasgow rather than a purely defensive approach, and this midweek contest would be a tactical battle between two domestic champions in their first-ever competitive meeting for a lucrative league-phase spot in this coveted tournament.
The Hoops are weighing up a move for another goalkeeper. But they are not in a rush, thanks to Viljami Sinisalo's command and composure ever since replacing the injured Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks earlier this year.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 25: Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic making a pass during Celtic v AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Alistair Johnston's injury is a massive blow, and the gaffer Martin O'Neill is likely to rely on Colby Donovan down the right, having preferred him over Anthony Ralston in recent fixtures. Liam Scales got the nod against the Tangerines as a left fullback, but could make way for Kieran Tierney, who remains the preferred choice for his flair, finesse and trademark crosses. The USMNT duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty should continue as the first-team central defensive pairing.
#league #lask #park
Meanwhile, the LASK boss Dietmar Kühbauer considers the home side favourites for this European encounter. However, he calls for a balanced and proactive performance in Glasgow rather than a purely defensive approach, and this midweek contest would be a tactical battle between two domestic champions in their first-ever competitive meeting for a lucrative league-phase spot in this coveted tournament.
The Hoops are weighing up a move for another goalkeeper. But they are not in a rush, thanks to Viljami Sinisalo's command and composure ever since replacing the injured Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks earlier this year.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 25: Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic making a pass during Celtic v AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Alistair Johnston's injury is a massive blow, and the gaffer Martin O'Neill is likely to rely on Colby Donovan down the right, having preferred him over Anthony Ralston in recent fixtures. Liam Scales got the nod against the Tangerines as a left fullback, but could make way for Kieran Tierney, who remains the preferred choice for his flair, finesse and trademark crosses. The USMNT duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty should continue as the first-team central defensive pairing.
#league #lask #park
2 months ago
Our next Get German Football News Bundesliga 2026/27 Tactical preview takes us…to Sinsheim. Right. All 18 clubs means all 18 clubs. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim belongs to the Bundesliga field whether we Germans happen to like it or not. The author can only promise the most level-headed ***** ysis his gritted teeth will allow. One would think he got most of his grievances off his chest last year. Regrettably, the political situation at the Kraichgau club over the course of the 2025/26 campaign only produced more grievances.
This time, the Hoffenheim fans themselves demanded more of a voice in club affairs. That definitely merited extensive coverage. In point of fact, such protest actions constituted the very definition of what can and should be newsworthy on the Bundesliga beat. Some disagreed. The chronicler makes no apologies. Dietmar Hopp promised to turn this project over to the burgeoning fan-base that's been supporting it for the past two decades. Potentially reneging on that promise counts as a story. Period.
When it comes to the actual football produced by these Badeners, all coverage remains even-handed. TSG sporting director Andreas Schicker did a fabulous job reducing the roster last summer. The team supplied many memorable performances. Ahead of this season – were it not for the collapsed Fisnik Asllani transfer – Schicker would have produced nearly €100m in summer sales. The author concedes that such skillful administrating deserves praise as it would have theoretically negated the need for another Dietmar Hopp cash infusion.
Alas, we'll likely be reading about more direct benefactor financing next year.
From a straight footballing perspective, things are once again looking up for the 2026/27 Europa League participants. Schicker again put together a stellar offseason, cutting up transfer bait, and recruiting plenty of young promising talent. Dammit. The author literally can't get through the next section quickly enough. There's far too much to report. At least the sheer scale of the activity gives us an excuse to dispense with the rhetoric. Suffice to say that the squad planning and administrative enforcement was simply top-notch. Merely consider yourselves forewarned that this grouchy writer can only contain his disdain to a limited extent.
#hoffenheim #dietmar
This time, the Hoffenheim fans themselves demanded more of a voice in club affairs. That definitely merited extensive coverage. In point of fact, such protest actions constituted the very definition of what can and should be newsworthy on the Bundesliga beat. Some disagreed. The chronicler makes no apologies. Dietmar Hopp promised to turn this project over to the burgeoning fan-base that's been supporting it for the past two decades. Potentially reneging on that promise counts as a story. Period.
When it comes to the actual football produced by these Badeners, all coverage remains even-handed. TSG sporting director Andreas Schicker did a fabulous job reducing the roster last summer. The team supplied many memorable performances. Ahead of this season – were it not for the collapsed Fisnik Asllani transfer – Schicker would have produced nearly €100m in summer sales. The author concedes that such skillful administrating deserves praise as it would have theoretically negated the need for another Dietmar Hopp cash infusion.
Alas, we'll likely be reading about more direct benefactor financing next year.
From a straight footballing perspective, things are once again looking up for the 2026/27 Europa League participants. Schicker again put together a stellar offseason, cutting up transfer bait, and recruiting plenty of young promising talent. Dammit. The author literally can't get through the next section quickly enough. There's far too much to report. At least the sheer scale of the activity gives us an excuse to dispense with the rhetoric. Suffice to say that the squad planning and administrative enforcement was simply top-notch. Merely consider yourselves forewarned that this grouchy writer can only contain his disdain to a limited extent.
#hoffenheim #dietmar
2 months ago
What has become extremely evident this summer is that Bayern Munich had no intention of even considering a sale of star winger Michael Olise.
However, there was a prevailing theory that every man must surely has his price.
Maybe not per Didi Hamann:
Dietmar Hamann has explained to GOAL the only way that a move to Real Madrid happens for Michael Olise, with it possible that Bayern Munich would snub a €200 million-plus (£171m/$231m) bid for the France international. It has been suggested that the Blancos are, in their search for more 'Galacticos,' prepared to part with a record-shattering transfer fee.
The Blancos have no need to spend big on Olise in the current window, but may explore that option again in the not too distant future. The 24-year-old is said to have seen his head turned by interest from Santiago Bernabeu.
#hamann #didi
However, there was a prevailing theory that every man must surely has his price.
Maybe not per Didi Hamann:
Dietmar Hamann has explained to GOAL the only way that a move to Real Madrid happens for Michael Olise, with it possible that Bayern Munich would snub a €200 million-plus (£171m/$231m) bid for the France international. It has been suggested that the Blancos are, in their search for more 'Galacticos,' prepared to part with a record-shattering transfer fee.
The Blancos have no need to spend big on Olise in the current window, but may explore that option again in the not too distant future. The 24-year-old is said to have seen his head turned by interest from Santiago Bernabeu.
#hamann #didi
2 months ago
Austria ADMIRAL Bundesliga 20262027, Matchday 1, July 31, 2026: Linzer ASK LASK vs. Grazer AK 1902 GAK at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria. Pictured: Goal celebration, goal, Samuel Oluwabukunmi Adeniran, LASK, against GAK. Photo IIMAGO
Celtic were yesterday drawn against Austrian Champions LASK in the Champions League play-offs, and are arguably the toughest side we could have faced from the list of teams in our half of the draw.
LASK won the Austrian double last year, and in a league that contains RB Salzburg, SK Sturm Graz and our old pals Rapid Vienna it's a magnificent achievement, and showcases the ability they undoubtedly possess.
Managed by former Austrian International Didi Kuhbauer, LASK won both of the top honours in Austria, only the second time they had won either trophy in their 126 year history.
Austria ADMIRAL Bundesliga 20262027, Matchday 1, July 31, 2026: Linzer ASK LASK vs. Grazer AK 1902 GAK at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austriafeatured on SKY, interview with Dietmar Kuehbauer, coach, LASK, Dietmar Didi Kuehbauer, before the match against GAK, Raiffeisen Arena, Admiral Bundesliga. Photo IMAGO
#arena
Celtic were yesterday drawn against Austrian Champions LASK in the Champions League play-offs, and are arguably the toughest side we could have faced from the list of teams in our half of the draw.
LASK won the Austrian double last year, and in a league that contains RB Salzburg, SK Sturm Graz and our old pals Rapid Vienna it's a magnificent achievement, and showcases the ability they undoubtedly possess.
Managed by former Austrian International Didi Kuhbauer, LASK won both of the top honours in Austria, only the second time they had won either trophy in their 126 year history.
Austria ADMIRAL Bundesliga 20262027, Matchday 1, July 31, 2026: Linzer ASK LASK vs. Grazer AK 1902 GAK at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austriafeatured on SKY, interview with Dietmar Kuehbauer, coach, LASK, Dietmar Didi Kuehbauer, before the match against GAK, Raiffeisen Arena, Admiral Bundesliga. Photo IMAGO
#arena
2 months ago
Of the sides involved at the start of Champions League qualifying, Celtic's play-off opponents, LASK, are ranked slightly below Omonia Nicosia and just above Shamrock Rovers.
But that is largely down to the Linz club's relatively long absence from Europe's top table.
Dietmar Kuhbauer's side ended a 61-year wait to win the Austrian Bundesliga for just the second time last season.
And, like Celtic, they won their domestic league after coming from behind after the league split.
Having finished the regular season in third, one point behind Sturm Graz, they would finish top by two points, with Red Bull Salzburg collapsing in Rangers style into a distant third.
#league #nicosia
But that is largely down to the Linz club's relatively long absence from Europe's top table.
Dietmar Kuhbauer's side ended a 61-year wait to win the Austrian Bundesliga for just the second time last season.
And, like Celtic, they won their domestic league after coming from behind after the league split.
Having finished the regular season in third, one point behind Sturm Graz, they would finish top by two points, with Red Bull Salzburg collapsing in Rangers style into a distant third.
#league #nicosia
3 months ago
A new Kicker financial investigation reveals that Dietmar Hopp injected another €40m into Hoffenheim in the summer of 2025. Together with the €80m contribution made one year earlier, the software billionaire pumped €120m into the club between August 2024 and August 2025.
The money helped cover losses of €23.2m in 2023/24 and €26.6m in 2024/25. It also left Hoffenheim with an impressive €219.1m in equity.
Therein lies the paradox. Hoffenheim presently maintain one of the strongest balance sheets in German football. They also remain dependent on one individual repeatedly covering the consequences of their operating model.
Hopp relinquished his majority voting rights in 2023. At the time, the decision was presented as the beginning of a new era in which Hoffenheim could develop a more conventional member-controlled identity.
Events since then have demonstrated otherwise.
#hoffenheim #hopp #kicker #Events
The money helped cover losses of €23.2m in 2023/24 and €26.6m in 2024/25. It also left Hoffenheim with an impressive €219.1m in equity.
Therein lies the paradox. Hoffenheim presently maintain one of the strongest balance sheets in German football. They also remain dependent on one individual repeatedly covering the consequences of their operating model.
Hopp relinquished his majority voting rights in 2023. At the time, the decision was presented as the beginning of a new era in which Hoffenheim could develop a more conventional member-controlled identity.
Events since then have demonstrated otherwise.
#hoffenheim #hopp #kicker #Events
