Bayern Munich 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
A brace from striker Miroslav Klose helped Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich to beat arch rivals Borussia Dortmund 3-1 at the Allianz Arena on Sunday evening. The result lifted Bayern above Hamburg and Hertha Berlin, and Jurgen Klinsmann’s team are now just one point behind leaders TSG Hoffenheim.
Bayern were the only team in the top four of the Bundesliga to win this week. Hoffenheim and Hertha drew with Borussia Monchengladbach and Arminia Bielefeld respectively, while Martin Jol’s Hamburg were stunned 3-2 by Karlsruher SC.
Dortmund took the lead in the 2nd minute of the game through Paragayuan forward Nelson Haeldo Valdez, who took advantage of a Martin Demichelis slip to fire past Michael Rensing.
Bayern were stung by the early Dortmund goal, and strove forward in search of an equaliser. They got it in the 24th minute when Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller parried Franck Ribery’s attempt into the path of Ze Roberto, who duly scored from close range.
Dortmund allowed Bayern to dictate possession ( Bayern had a whopping 62% of possession), although Jurgen Klopp’s side did have a couple of chances of their own- both Mohamed Zidan and Florian Kringe were guilty of failing to score from easy positions.
Bayern took the lead in the 87th minute, when Dortmund defender Felipe Santana failed to deal with Mark Van Bommel’s long ball correctly and headed it into the path of Klose, who gleefully fired home.
There was another one to come for Bayern towards the end, and this time Ribery and Klose combined together to signal the end of Dortmund’s chances of taking anything from the game.
Quaresma hopes to revive his career at the Bridge
Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma has said that he wishes to revive his career at Stamford Bridge after a forgettable season at Internazionale. Quaresma was brought on loan by Luis Felipe Scolari till the end of the season, and the winger is hoping that he can discover the form that made him such a success in his native Portugal with FC Porto.
Quaresma has struggled to perform at two big clubs- Barcelona and Inter, prior to this move. Will Chelsea be another forgettable experience, or will the winger set the Premiership alight?
With a Portuguese coach, and several Portuguese internationals already at Chelsea, it might not be that surprising if Quaresma flourishes at the Bridge.
Toni Kroos joins Bayer Leverkusen on loan
Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos has joined former Champions League finalists Bayer Leverkusen on loan till the end of the season. Kroos is Leverkusen’s third winter signing after Thomas Zdebel and Gabor Kiraly.
The 19 year old Kroos made his Bayern Munich debut in September 2007. He was sold by Rostock to Bayern in 2006 for €100,000.
Kroos is regarded as the one of the hottest talents in German football, and has been tipped by the legendary Uli Hoeneß as a future number 10.
Kroos is the second Bayern player to go out on loan in January. Reserves player Georg Niedermeier was the first, going to Stuttgart on a one and a half year loan.
Tottenham Hotspur sign Carlo Cudicini
Soccermouth.com had reported here that Spurs were interested in signing Carlo Cudicini. And today, Chelsea FC have stated on their official site that the veteran Italian goalkeeper has left on a free transfer to White Hart Lane.
Former AC Milan and Lazio stopper Cudicini had joined Chelsea from Castel di Sangro a decade ago for £160,000. He was first choice keeper at Stamford Bridge till the arrival of Czech international Petr Cech from Rennes. He was Chelsea Player of the Year in 2002.
Cudicini will compete with Brazilian Heurelho Gomes for the right to start in goal.
Valencia to sign Cesar Sanchez
Valencia are all set to bring Tottenham reserve goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez to the Mestalla on loan till the end of the season. Sanchez, 37, had moved to Tottenham from Zaragoza in August 2008, but has never started a game in goal for Spurs.
The former Real Madrid and Valladoid custodian is not very highly regarded by Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who chose to play Heurelho Gomes against Portsmouth despite the Brazilian having an injury. After the game, Redknapp said, “We need another good goalkeeper and if I’d had confidence in the Spanish keeper [Cesar Sanchez] then I would’ve played him”
Valencia recently parted company with Timo Hildebrand, who has joined German Bundesliga leaders TSG Hoffenheim.
Redknapp is also considering bringing Carlo Cudicini to White Hart Lane as backup for Gomes.