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 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”.
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.”
Football, World Cup Qualification: The footballers from Brazil, who have already qualified for the World Cup, easily won against the defeated team from Paraguay. The Seleção without Neymar won 4-0 (1-0) at the Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. Leeds United’s Raphinha put Brazil ahead after a long pass from Marquinhos in the 28th minute. The other goals were scored by former Bundesliga professional Philippe Coutinho (62′), Antony (86′) and Rodrygo (88′).
In the stands, there were clashes between supporters of city rivals Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro from Belo Horizonte, as was seen on Brazilian television. The police arrested several people.
In the South American qualifier for the World Cup in Qatar this year, Brazil (39 points) leads ahead of Argentina (35), who have also already qualified, and Ecuador is third (24). Argentina without Lionel Messi beat Colombia 1-0 in Cordoba on Tuesday. Earlier, Uruguay beat bottom-placed Venezuela 4-1 in Montevideo. The two-time world champion has thus significantly increased his chances of a ticket to Qatar. Ecuador could secure World Cup participation with a win against Peru in Lima.
Basketball, EuroLeague: The basketball players from Bayern Munich have once again presented themselves in strong form on the international stage – but suffered an avoidable defeat at the great FC Barcelona. Coach Andrea Trinchieri’s team lost in the EuroLeague game on Tuesday at last year’s finalists by 66:71 (29:28), after five wins in all competitions, Munich once again left the field as losers.
“We tried a lot, we had very good moments,” said Trinchieri at MagentaSport: “We deserved more, but that’s how it is. I’m proud of my team.” Despite the narrow defeat at the second-best EuroLeague team of the season so far, Munich can still hope for the play-offs. The Bundesliga leader is now in ninth place with 11 wins and 12 defeats. The first eight places qualify for participation in the knockout phase.