FC Bayern, Leon Goretzka: Coach Julian Nagelsmann cannot name a date for a comeback by Leon Goretzka at FC Bayern Munich. “Leon has no schedule,” said Nagelsmann on Thursday about the 26-year-old midfielder, who will miss the top game against RB Leipzig due to knee problems after the two-week Bundesliga break on Saturday (6:30 p.m. / Sky). Full-back Alphonso Davies is also still out. The Canadian has to take a complete break due to a mild myocarditis and will be missing the Bundesliga leaders for a few more weeks. Goretzka recently suffered a step backwards. He felt “a feeling of discomfort” in the knee joint, as Nagelsmann put it: “It may be that he comes back at extremely short notice in two weeks. But it may also be that it takes forever.”
During the winter break, the idea of an operation on the left knee was also considered at times. Goretzka last played for Bayern in early December in the 3-2 draw at Borussia Dormund. Nagelsmann can plan against Leipzig with Lucas Hernández. The defender had “taken a little hit” during training on Wednesday: “It wasn’t anything dramatic.” The Frenchman trained again on Thursday. Nagelsmann is looking forward to the duel with Leipzig: “Sure, it’s always exciting to play against your former club.” There is also a duel with RB coach Domenico Tedesco, with whom he completed the football teacher training course at Hoffenheim. Sometimes they formed a carpool. “We know each other well. I’m happy to see him again,” said Nagelsmann.
Soccer World Cup, Canada: Canada’s national team has maintained its lead in qualifying in North and Central America and is on the verge of a second World Cup appearance. On Wednesday evening (local time), the team of currently absent Bayern pro Alphonso Davies won 2-0 (0-0) at El Salvador at the end of the current qualifying window. The goals were scored by Atiba Hutchinson (66th minute) and Jonathan David (90+3). After the perfect start to the year with three wins from three games and a total of 25 points, leaders Canada are only missing one more success to be sure to be there in Qatar at the end of 2022 (November 21 to December 18). So far, 1986 was the country’s only participation. In the current qualification it was the sixth win in a row.
Things are also looking good for World Cup regulars Mexico and USA with 21 points each. Mexico won 1-0 (0-0) at home against Panama. The USA mastered their mandatory task in a 3-0 (2-0) win over Hondruas. At the game in Minnesota, temperatures of minus 20 degrees were an additional challenge. In 2026, the USA, Mexico and Canada will jointly host the World Cup, which will then feature 48 teams. Panama and Costa Rica, who won 1-0 (0-0) against Jamaica, are the biggest contenders for fourth place and thus participation in the playoffs. Fourth will face Oceania’s best team after the end of the group stage in June.
Basketball, FC Bayern: The Munich team continues to rely on the services of its long-time managing director Marko Pesic. The cup winner extended the contract with the former national player, which expires this summer, by a further three years until 2025. The club announced this on Thursday. Pesic started as sporting director after FC Bayern’s promotion to the Bundesliga in 2011. In 2013, the 45-year-old took over the position of Managing Director. “It is undisputed that Marko and his dedicated office team made sure, even in the very difficult phase of the corona pandemic, that basketball was developed as an important part of FC Bayern and that it has now also established itself internationally at a high level,” said Club President Herbert Hainer. During Pesic’s tenure, the Munich team won three championship titles and two cups. In addition, the first play-off participation of a German team in the EuroLeague (2020/21). Since the current season, FC Bayern has had the right to start in the premier class as an A license holder and shareholder.
Football, Scotland: With a derby win to the top: The 51-time Scottish football champions Celtic Glasgow took the lead in the Premiership for the first time this season on matchday 24. With a surprisingly safe 3-0 (3-0) in the 427th edition of the Old Firm Derby over city rivals Rangers, Celtic are now one point ahead of Rangers with 57 points. The Japanese newcomer Reo Hatate (5th and 41st) with a brace and Liel Abada (44th) ensured Celtic’s 160th success in the Glasgow city derby. The hosts dominated the early stages in front of 60,411 spectators in a sold-out Celtic Park. After the early lead, Celtic pushed for the second goal, but Rangers keeper Allan McGregor initially prevented further goals with strong saves. Celtic pulled away with a double strike just before half-time.
Basketball, Euroleague: Alba Berlin has stopped its negative run in the Euroleague. After the last four defeats in a row in the premier class, the basketball Bundesliga team won at home on Wednesday against the Russian top team Unics Kazan with a clear 81:53 (36:26). For Alba it was the seventh win in 22 games. Best Berlin throwers in front of 1600 spectators were Maodo Lo with 16 and Jaleen Smith with 14 points.
Soccer, Bundesliga: Unlike Manuel Neuer or Robert Lewandowski, those responsible for record champions Bayern Munich have apparently not yet felt Thomas Müller about a contract extension. “Nobody has approached me from the club yet,” said the international sports picture: “You have to see what the future will bring.” The contracts of Neuer, Lewandowski and Müller all expire in the summer of 2023. The club is said to have already largely agreed on further cooperation with goalkeeper Neuer, and the Polish star striker Lewandowski should also extend this season if possible.
When asked about a statement by Honorary President Uli Hoeneß (“At the moment I can’t imagine the years 2024 and 2025 without this trio”) Müller replied evasively: “Of course I share his opinion that we have been playing together successfully as a trio for a long time and that the team is in the have definitely made their mark in recent years. The rest will show.” The 32-year-old also left open whether he could imagine an adventure abroad at the end of his playing career: “What excites me the most is sporting success and football at the highest level.” Müller has been with Bayern for 22 years and is the biggest identification figure for the fans. The fact that the successful striker duo Müller/Lewandowski will no longer be chasing goals together from the coming season “would certainly be surprising,” said Müller, “when you consider how well things are going for everyone involved at the moment.” In football, however, “everything is possible”.
American Football Washington: The Washington Football Team around David Bada from Munich will appear as the Washington Commanders in the North American NFL from the coming season. This name is the result of an 18-month process, the club announced on Wednesday. A TV broadcaster’s drone had previously captured the new lettering on the stadium. “As an organization we look forward to coming together under our new identity and celebrating successes together,” said co-owner Dan Snyder in a statement from the club. “But at the same time, we’re also paying tribute to our local roots and what it means to represent the nation’s capital.”
As of 2020, the organization competed as the Washington Redskins for 87 years. However, this designation was perceived as racist. In addition to Commanders, the suffixes Admirals, Armada, Brigade, Sentinels, Defenders, Red Hogs and Presidents as well as the previous title Washington Football Team were also available. Washington missed the playoffs this season. With seven wins from 17 games, the team finished third in the NFC East division.
Joshua Kimmich, Vaccination: Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach would even personally vaccinate Bayern’s footballer Joshua Kimmich against the corona virus. “I offer him that I vaccinate him myself and explain all the risks,” Lauterbach told the magazine Colorful. Kimmich had expressed concerns for a long time. After being absent from the record champions for a long time due to quarantine and a corona infection, he finally managed to get a vaccination in December. That was “great,” said SPD politician Lauterbach, “I never judged him. The body is his capital, so he was afraid.”
Soccer, Bundesliga: Coach Steffen Baumgart is ill with Covid-19 and will therefore not be available for Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln against SC Freiburg next Saturday. As FC announced on Wednesday, Baumgart tested positive in the morning and immediately went into quarantine. “I didn’t feel so good and did a quick test at home. It turned out positive,” said the 50-year-old, who has “complete vaccination protection and no other symptoms so far”. Baumgart had tested negative on Tuesday. Confirmation by the PCR test is expected in the course of Wednesday.
If the findings are confirmed, Andre Pawlak will stand in for the head coach. “Everyone knows how much I look forward to every game, so it’s a shame that I’ll miss the game against Freiburg,” said Baumgart. “But our team is in good hands with Andre and my coaching staff.”