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Bundesliga wrap: Bayern top Schalke; BVB’s Batman stars again

By Nicholas MendolaFeb 10, 2018, 2:30 PM EDT
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Congestion remains the name of the game as the Bundesliga’s top teams duke it out for Champions League places, though familiar faces sit 1-2-3 after wins from RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

[ MORE: U.S. Soccer elects new president ]

Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Hamburg

Michy Batshuayi continues his fine form, now with three goals and an assist for BVB since arriving on loan from Chelsea. His goal came was Dortmund’s opener, and was the second of his tenure to be assisted by Christian Pulisic.

Mario Gotze scored BVB’s other goal in the win, as the hosts moved third on the table.

Bayern Munich 2-1 Schalke

Robert Lewandowski gave the hosts the lead when scored in his 11th straight home match, tying a Bayern Munich record set by current manager Jupp Heynckes, but Schalke found an equalizer from Franco Di Santo in the 29th minute.

Thomas Mueller restored the advantage within seven minutes at the Allianz Arena.

Elsewhere
RB Leipzig 2-0 Augsburg — Friday
Hannover 96 2-1 Freiburg
Hoffenheim 4-2 Mainz
Eintracht Frankfurt 4-2 Koln
Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Hertha Berlin
Stuttgart vs. Borussia Monchengladbach — 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday
Werder Bremen vs. Wolfsburg — Noon ET Sunday

STANDINGS

Team GP W D L GF GA GD Home Away PTS
 Bayern Munich 22 18 2 2 53 17 36 10-1-0 8-1-2 56
 RB Leipzig 22 11 5 6 35 29 6 7-3-1 4-2-5 38
 Borussia Dortmund 22 10 7 5 47 29 18 5-3-3 5-4-2 37
 Eintracht Frankfurt 22 10 6 6 30 25 5 4-3-4 6-3-2 36
 Bayer Leverkusen 22 9 8 5 41 29 12 5-4-2 4-4-3 35
 FC Schalke 04 22 9 7 6 34 29 5 5-4-2 4-3-4 34
 FC Augsburg 22 8 7 7 32 28 4 5-4-2 3-3-5 31
 1899 Hoffenheim 22 8 7 7 36 35 1 6-3-2 2-4-5 31
 Hannover 96 22 8 7 7 31 32 -1 6-3-2 2-4-5 31
 Mönchengladbach 21 9 4 8 30 33 -3 6-2-3 3-2-5 31
 Hertha BSC Berlin 22 7 9 6 30 28 2 4-4-3 3-5-3 30
 SC Freiburg 22 5 10 7 23 37 -14 4-6-1 1-4-6 25
 VfL Wolfsburg 21 4 12 5 24 25 -1 2-7-2 2-5-3 24
 VfB Stuttgart 21 6 3 12 17 27 -10 6-1-3 0-2-9 21
 Werder Bremen 21 4 8 9 18 26 -8 2-4-4 2-4-5 20
 FSV Mainz 05 22 5 5 12 26 41 -15 5-1-5 0-4-7 20
 Hamburger SV 22 4 5 13 17 32 -15 3-3-5 1-2-8 17
 1. FC Köln 22 3 4 15 19 41 -22 2-2-7 1-2-8 13

Transfer rumors: Willian, Alderweireld to Manchester United

AP Photo/Frank Augstein
By Nicholas MendolaMay 21, 2018, 2:10 PM EDT
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The transfer rumor mill is picking up steam this Monday, including some persistent whispers regarding two Premier League players with possible futures at Old Trafford.

Both of these make a lot of sense.

[ MORE: Nashville hires ex-Liverpool CEO ]

A day after Nemanja Matic stressed the need for experienced players at United, two good fits hit the rumor mill (again).

Matic’s old Chelsea pal Willian has interest from United if he seeks a way out of London — which seems likely — where he’s said to be ready to go if Antonio Conte remains as manager.

Then there’s Toby Alderweireld, whose been very strong at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur but reportedly fallen out with current Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

During a rut, the Tottenham manager claimed that Alderweireld was held out of Spurs’ lineup due to the form of the players in front of him.

Also from Sky, we’ll leave this quote from PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi on the idea of possibly selling Kylian Mbappe.

Al-Khelaifi told Canal+: “You want me to give you a number? More than €1bn! Yes, I said one billion! And even if you gave me a billion, I wouldn’t sell him.”

Pogba: Mourinho “made me progress in leadership”

Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
By Nicholas MendolaMay 21, 2018, 1:10 PM EDT
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Paul Pogba says “we are never sure of anything but contractually, it’s sure” that he’ll remain at Manchester United.

That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement from United’s most expensive transfer purchase, as many have linked him with a move away from Old Trafford.

[ MORE: No World Cup for Chelsea trio ]

He also said he’s not worried about his relationship with United boss Jose Mourinho, and pointed out that his problems and growth in Manchester are a natural part of a player’s progression. From Sky Sports:

“There were times where I wasn’t playing, I was on the bench. There was a lot of talk, people thought it wasn’t working out,” Pogba added.

“But a coach and a player don’t have to be best friends, we don’t have to go to restaurants together. I had a few little problems too… football is sometimes all about the mental side. He put me on the bench and I gave my response on the pitch. I always give everything I’ve got.

“He made me progress in leadership. I had the armband with Mourinho, it was the first time in a club, it’s important for me, it makes me grow to be also a leader in the France team.”

In a candid talk, the 25-year-old Pogba was asked about Paris Saint-Germain and told French television that he’d be open to representing the club in the future despite the fact that his parents are Marseille supporters.

Moore takes hold of West Brom’s promotion bid

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By Nicholas MendolaMay 21, 2018, 10:43 AM EDT
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Darren Moore‘s spell as West Brom caretaker manager couldn’t quite pull off a miraculous run to Premier League safety, but the promise it contained has helped him to the first chance at earning promotion back to the top flight.

West Bromwich Albion announced Moore as its new manager on Monday, with the boss promising his Baggies would play attractive football while also being a side “that’s willing to fight and scrap for every ball.”

[ MORE: No World Cup for Chelsea trio ]

Moore is also happy to carry a flame for minority coaches — called BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) — in England.

“If it does inspire others, I would be extremely proud,” he said. “I don’t just speak on behalf of BAME coaches but the young, aspiring British coaches across the board.”

Moore, 44, only lost one of his six PL matches as WBA boss, winning three times and inspiring many to wonder what would’ve happened had the Baggies’ pulled the plug on Alan Pardew — and Tony Pulis before him — earlier.

A center back in his playing career, Moore spent 18 seasons between a number of clubs including West Brom, Derby County, and Doncaster Rovers. He won promotion as a player twice with West Brom, and again with Derby.

Belgium goes to World Cup without Nainggolan

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Associated PressMay 21, 2018, 9:55 AM EDT
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BRUSSELS (AP) Belgium left midfielder Radja Nainggolan out of its World Cup squad despite a standout season with Champions League semifinalist Roma.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has long had a difficult relationship with the stormy midfielder. But after being called up for a warm-up game in March against Saudi Arabia, expectations had been that he would be on the 28-man roster announced Monday.

[ MORE: No World Cup for Chelsea trio ]

On top of the troubled relationship, Nainggolan was also the victim of the unparalleled wealth of talent the small nation has produced over the past few years.

Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku were all named in the squad, which will be cut to 23 before the World Cup.