FC Bayern Munich

🤕 Sadly, Niklas #Süle did indeed suffer an ACL tear in his left knee yesterday and will undergo surgery later today.

Get well soon, Niklas 🙏 pic.twitter.com/1y8S0nM8Jg

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) October 20, 2019

Bayern Munich confirmed on Sunday that Niklas Sule will undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after he limped out of their 2-2 draw with Augsburg on Saturday.

The Bundesliga champions announced the news via Twitter:

He can do it too. Extraordinary player. Built like a fridge, but quick and good on the ball. Strong mentality too. If you were building a centre-back, he wouldn’t be far off. VVD the best right now, but Sule isn’t miles behind. https://t.co/qEOltdZWCe

— Kevin Hatchard 🎙⚽️ (@kevinhatchard) September 30, 2019

Sule had to be withdrawn just 12 minutes into the draw at the Augsburg Arena.

Although he was able to leave the pitch without needing to use a stretcher, Bayern boss Niko Kovac said he had "a very bad feeling" about Sule's injury, per Goal's Dom Farrell.

Sule has been an important player for Bayern since his arrival from Hoffenheim in 2017, particularly since Kovac took charge last year.

The 24-year-old was a regular fixture in the back line and had started every match for the Bavarians this season.

Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard is a big admirer:

The Germany international is arguably the team's best centre-back option, so his long-term absence from the side as he recovers from surgery is a blow to Bayern's ambitions.

Fortunately for Munich, though, they have several versatile options to partner Jerome Boateng in the centre of defence.

Summer signings Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez are often used as full-backs but are equally comfortable at centre-back. Javi Martinez can also play in that position as well as at holding midfield, and David Alaba can also cover there if needed.

Bayern won't be at their best until Sule returns, but they shouldn't be short of options as long as their other defenders stay fit.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski equalled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's record of scoring in the first eight Bundesliga matches of a season on Saturday with his goal against Augsburg.

After Bayern went behind to Martin Schmidt's strike inside the first minute, the Poland international rose to glance home Serge Gnabry's cross in the 14th minute (U.S. only):

Oh, @FCBayernUS need a goal?

Say no more. @lewy_official is on it. pic.twitter.com/2AeWMyouzw

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 19, 2019

Gnabry fired Bayern ahead shortly after the break, but Alfred Finnbogason salvaged a point for Augsburg in the 91st minute.

Lewandowski's goal saw him pull level with Arsenal striker Aubameyang, who scored in each of the first eight Bundesliga matches of the 2015-16 season with Borussia Dortmund:

Only two players have scored in eight straight Bundesliga games to start the season:

🇬🇦 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski

Robert LewanGOALski continues his lightning start to the campaign. pic.twitter.com/kJJ2E7gn3S

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 19, 2019

The 31-year-old's remarkable scoring run also matched a feat from former Bayern striker Roy Makaay:

8️⃣ - Robert Lewandowski is the first player to score in 8 consecutive Bundesliga matches of @FCBayern since Roy Makaay from April to August 2005. #FCAFCB

— Gracenote Live (@GracenoteLive) October 19, 2019

The goal was his 12th in the Bundesliga this season, his 16th for Bayern in all competitions and his 19th for club and country, following his hat-trick for Poland against Latvia on October 10.

Lewandowski can set a new record if he continues his hot streak with a goal at home to Union Berlin, who are 14th in the Bundesliga and without an away win this season.

Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac has said there is not another player like Serge Gnabry in the Bundesliga. 

The 24-year-old winger has been in sensational form recently for club and country.

He netted four times in Bayern's 7-2 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League and then enhanced his impeccable international record with a goal in Germany's 2-2 friendly draw against Argentina:

Serge Gnabry has now scored 10 goals in 11 games for the Germany National team.

An unreal talent for Die Mannschaft. pic.twitter.com/khNWTvcT21

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 9, 2019

Bayern are back in Bundesliga action at Augsburg on Saturday, and Kovac hailed Gnabry's abilities ahead of the visit to the WWK Arena, per Bundesliga.com:

"He's developed really well, but he can still get even better. Let's just wait and see what happens. If he can stay healthy and keep a clear head, he'll continue to develop.

"He's world-class. There's nobody else with his abilities in the Bundesliga. He can shoot with his left or right foot, but he could exploit his pace better in the final third and go deeper every now and again, as he's a real weapon there. He's a great guy."

The German champions slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim before the international break to fall two points behind league leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.

Kovac will be keen to see his side get back to winning ways against Augsburg ahead of a trip to Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Gnabry is not the only Bayern attacker in fine form at the moment.

Robert Lewandowski has found the target in all seven of Bayern's Bundesliga games this season, netting 11 in total, and he scored a hat-trick for Poland against Latvia during the international break:

Robert Lewandowski has already scored 42.9% of the goals in 2019/20 for club and country that he managed in 2018/19:

2018/19
👕 55 games
⚽ 42 goals

2019/20
👕 14 games
⚽ 18 goals

Off to an absolute flying start. pic.twitter.com/jVk4phBAj2

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 10, 2019

Augsburg are 14th in the German top flight and have conceded 19 goals already this season, the most in the Bundesliga.

They have also lost each of their last five home fixtures against Bayern by an aggregate score of 5-17, so Kovac's side will be confident of getting back to winning ways on Saturday.   

Christian Eriksen: Of the 72 players to attempt 10+ crosses from open player, Eriksen has a worse open play crosses success rate (5.6%) than any other player in the Premier League this season

For more player stats -- https://t.co/uKbjDPixvR pic.twitter.com/XdqX27SOf0

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) October 11, 2019

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has said he hopes the club don't pursue a transfer for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen as he's "too slow" for the way the team plays.

Eriksen's future has long been a topic of discussion, as the Denmark international's contract with the north London club is set to expire at the end of the campaign.

A number of high-profile clubs have been linked with the classy playmaker, although Matthaus, who won seven Bundesliga titles across two spells with the Munich club, said he doesn't want to see the German giants pursue Eriksen, per Sport 1 (h/t Sean Lunt of Sport Witness):

"I have been following the player for a long time, and he has disappointed me so far in 2019. A transfer to Bayern would not make any sense for me and would be very surprising. For me, he is not a player who helps Bayern.

"If he is not enough for Tottenham, he is not good enough for Bayern. Uli Hoeness has also said that Bayern do not need substitutes."

Matthaus went on to add that he believes Eriksen is a "fine technician", but is "too slow" for the style of football that manager Niko Kovac wants to play. He also said the German champions should concentrate on trying to sign Bayer Leverkusen starlet Kai Havertz, who operates as an attacking midfielder.

Per Lunt, Bayern have regularly been mentioned as possible suitors for Eriksen. If he doesn't agree an extension with Spurs, he'd be available for a cut-price amount in January or on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.

Eriksen's form has been inconsistent this term. Per WhoScored.com, the Dane's delivery, which is usually pinpoint, has been off the mark:

Eriksen just looks so distracted tonight. Doing things he wouldn't usually do. Dwelling on the ball in his own half, rushing into bad passes in the opposition's.

— James Maw (@JamesTMaw) September 18, 2019

Earlier in the campaign, James Maw of The Athletic commented on a sub-par performance from the midfielder against Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League:

Kai Havertz for Bayer Leverkusen since the start of the 2016/17 Bundesliga season:

⚽️ 25 goals
🅰️ 16 assists

At just 20-years old, is it time for Joachim Löw to give the youngster a starting berth? pic.twitter.com/HNA9wqCoSg

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 8, 2019

Bayern are well stocked in the attacking midfield positions, with Philippe Coutinho shining since joining the club on loan from Barcelona. However, it'd be a shock if the Munich club agreed to pay the €120 million needed to make the agreement permanent.

As relayed by Matthaus, Havertz has also been frequently linked with a switch to Bayern, having excelled for Leverkusen in recent seasons:

Eriksen may not be playing well at the moment, but he's been crucial to Tottenham developing into Champions League regulars under Mauricio Pochettino.

On the ball, he's adept at unlocking opposition defences with his inventiveness, whether that be whipping in a cross from out wide or threading passes through tight spaces. And while he may not be the quickest, off the ball he covers a lot of ground.

With that in mind, if he was available on a free transfer and Bayern did bring him in next summer, you sense plenty across Europe would hail a savvy piece of business. 

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has played down rumours star forward Thomas Muller could leave the club in the January transfer window, saying he's glad the German is upset with his current role.

Speaking to Welt am Sonntag (h/t Goal's Michael Plant), Rummenigge said the relationship between club and player remains solid, and a January exit is unlikely: "I can not imagine that. The relationship between Thomas and Bayern is totally intact and will remain an important part of our club. If Thomas would sit contentedly on the bench, he would be in the wrong club. That's the reaction we even want, but he still has to deal with the situation seriously. He's exemplary."

Per Plant, Muller fuelled the exit speculation when he said he will have to think about his future if his minor role doesn't change. Team-mate Joshua Kimmich also responded to the reports, saying he understands Muller's frustration, per AS.

Per the Liverpool Echo, the Reds are among the clubs linked with the 30-year-old:

Speculation is mounting over 30-year-old Thomas Muller's Bayern Munich future https://t.co/9dToA4HDqP

— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) October 12, 2019

Muller was born in Bavaria and spent a good portion of his youth days in the club's academy before making his professional debut in 2008. He has spent his entire senior career with Bayern and can be considered a club legend already.

The Bundesliga's official YouTube channel ran a profile of the unique forward:

Muller tends to do his best work in a free role, playing as an attacking midfielder and secondary striker and exploiting the space between defenders. Because he has no true set role, he's a nightmare to defend.

That versatility and unique playing style has worked against him under Niko Kovac, however. The manager has frequently gone to loanee Philippe Coutinho, a more traditional attacking midfielder, to start the season.

Muller has played in all seven Bundesliga matches so far for Bayern but started four on the bench and hasn't completed 90 minutes in any of his starts. Kovac has made it clear Muller is not a key player for him, per football writer Raphael Honigstein:

Niko Kovac looked like he was handling the gentle marginalisation of Thomas Muller quite nicely at Bayern, but then he opened his mouth and started talking about it. @honigstein has the latest.
Subscribe to the podcast --> https://t.co/WTxKz160iH pic.twitter.com/cMRm4WXvYr

— The Totally Football Show (@TheTotallyShow) October 8, 2019

With almost 500 career appearances and more than 180 goals, it would be hard to imagine Muller playing for a different club. Kovac has not been a rousing success at the Allianz Arena so far, and between the two, he seems the more likely to go if push comes to shove.

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has refused to rule out signing loanee Ivan Perisic on a permanent transfer from Inter Milan following his fast start at the Allianz Arena.

Rummenigge recently spoke at the Festival of Sport in Trento, Italy, and appeared open to the notion of purchasing Perisic's contract outright following his strong form in his return to the Bundesliga:

"We brought him in to play, and when he has played he has done well.

"He has scored a few goals. [Kingsley] Coman and [Serge] Gnabry are exploding, but Ivan is always good.

"I won't rule (signing Perisic permanently) out, he has had a good start to the season. We have an agreement with Inter to talk about it later, and we will also evaluate it with the player."

The Croatia international previously impressed during spells with Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg, joining Inter from the latter in August 2015.

It took Perisic just two appearances to re-open his account in the Bundesliga following his loan move to Bayern, recording a goal and an assist in their 6-1 win over Mainz, via Goal:

It didn't take long for Ivan Perisic to open his Bayern account 💪 pic.twitter.com/3hfSnC23GH

— GOAL (@goal) September 3, 2019

The veteran has impressed with two goals and two assists in six appearances for Die Roten this season, but Bayern may be slightly put off by the fact that Perisic turns 31 in February. Bild (h/t DW Sports) reported Bayern would have to pay around €20 million (£17.7 million) to make the move permanent.

Any positive feelings early on in the season-long agreement appear to be mutual after Perisic intimated a desire to sign a longer-term deal in Bavaria, per journalist Raphael Honigstein:

Interview with Ivan Perisic: ‘It was amazing when Jose called me. I really wanted to join United. Now I want to stay at Bayern’ https://t.co/GCEVRQmVDN

— Raphael Honigstein💙 (@honigstein) September 29, 2019

Bayern are sure to take stock of their wing options closer to the end of the season, however, before they make a final decision on the future of Perisic.

Veterans Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery left the Allianz Arena this past summer, while SportBild (h/t Metro) reported the German giants are prepared to make a renewed move for Manchester City star Leroy Sane.

Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry look established as starting options out wide for the defending Bundesliga champions, but Perisic could yet make for a capable option in a rotation. Alphonso Davies and Philippe Coutinho are also capable alternatives on the flanks.

Bayern are again reaping the benefits of their astute summer business, with Perisic combining with fellow loanee Coutinho in a 4-0 win against Koln, via Fox Sports (U.S. only):

Coutinho ➡️ Perisic

The two summer signings combine for Bayern's 4th as the goals are flowing like the beer right now in downtown Munich 🍻 #FCBKOL pic.twitter.com/SymXT0zeLY

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 21, 2019

Rummenigge seems content with the product he's seen from Perisic, though it's a standard he'll have to maintain if he'd prefer not return to the San Siro next summer.     

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has said he will have to consider his future at the Bundesliga side if he continues to struggle for game time at the Allianz Arena.

Muller told Kicker (h/t Goal's Robin Bairner) that he is not happy with life on the bench and may consider leaving if the club are unable to guarantee him regular playing time:

"Of course the new signings increased the competition in my best position but that's not the problem. That's not what it's all about. A manager has to make difficult decisions ahead of every game. But in the recent five games there has been a trend that doesn't make me happy. If the coaching staff see me as a sub in the future, I will have to think about my situation. I'm too ambitious to not do that."

Muller has appeared in seven Bundesliga outings for Bayern this season, contributing four assists. However, only three of those appearances have been as a starter.

Manager Niko Kovac has preferred an attack consisting of striker Robert Lewandowski with Philippe Coutinho as the No. 10 and Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry on the flanks.

According to Sport Bild (h/t Joe Strange for MailOnline), Muller is frustrated with life as a substitute and wants to leave the club in the January transfer window.

The 30-year-old has spent his entire career at Bayern and enjoyed great success with the German giants, clinching a host of titles that include eight Bundesliga crowns, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup:

Sport Bild are reporting that Thomas Müller has asked to leave Bayern this winter...

∙ 495 matches
∙ 186 goals
∙ 171 assists
∙ 21 trophies

He would do so a true Die Roten legend ❤️💙pic.twitter.com/MmWe4LTbwd

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 9, 2019

He has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past. Manchester United were keen in 2014 and 2015 and saw an £80 million bid rejected, while Arsenal and Liverpool wanted him in 2017, per Metro.

However, Bayern Munich consider Muller to be "irreplaceable" and will not allow him to depart in the winter. Indeed the club are keen to extend his contract next summer, according to Sky Sports.

Yet Muller's disillusionment at the club will only grow if he remains on the fringes, and a player of his quality and experience would attract plenty of interest from around Europe if he were to become available in January.

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said he's "irritated by the behaviour" of the French Football Federation (FFF) after they called up injured defender Lucas Hernandez.

Hernandez, 23, has missed Bayern's last two matches due to a knee injury, but Goal's James Westwood explained France demanded the defender appear for national team duty despite Bayern's protests.

Rummenigge, 63, released a statement via Bayern's official website (h/t Westwood) and aired his frustrations with France for selecting a player who hasn't been recently active for his club:

"I am irritated by the behaviour of the French federation. I would like to point out that Lucas Hernandez was not able to play in the Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur last Tuesday in London, nor in our Bundesliga match against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday. 

"The statement quoted by France coach Didier Deschamps was for Lucas Hernandez to be ready to 'play with one leg,' which was very surprising to us.

"Of the four requested French national players, of course, we will send the three healthy players—Kingsley Coman, Corentin Tolisso and Benjamin Pavard."

France face Iceland and Group H leaders Turkey in a pair of upcoming UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers, the latter of which will be considered a must-win for second-place France.

Quotes from Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, Bayern's club doctor, were also included, which read: "I am responsible for the health of Lucas Hernandez, and I say he cannot play in the upcoming matches of the French national team, so a call-up makes no sense."

German football writer Manuel Veth expanded upon the statement from Rummenigge, who added the German Football Federation had refrained from summoning its own unfit players:

#Bayern’s CEO Rummenigge, in particular, is irritated by Deschamps statement: “worst case Lucas could play with just one leg.” Furthermore, the club pointed out that the DFB did not call up the injured Kroos and Hector.

— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) October 7, 2019

Hernandez came off at half-time during the 3-2 win over Paderborn on September 28. Alphonso Davies and David Alaba provide alternative options at left-back, while Niklas Sule, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez have coped in central defence.

It's hardly surprising Die Roten are somewhat precious over a player who joined their ranks this summer in an €80 million deal from Atletico Madrid and has looked highly impressive early in his tenure.

Get German Football News provided comment from Rummenigge in April prior to Hernandez's arrival, whereby he gave a glowing review of the Frenchman:

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Lucas Hernández: "He was one of the best defensive players at the World Cup and can play at centre-back or left-back. We really wanted this player and we could only get him for €80m." https://t.co/SqPJogLz0n

— Get German Football News (@GGFN_) April 7, 2019

Les Bleus have the authority to pull rank in the matter considering FIFA rules prohibit clubs from withholding players who have received international call-ups.

France manager Didier Deschamps appears intent on at least having Hernandez as an option for the meetings with Iceland and Turkey; Bayern return to Bundesliga action away to Augsburg on Oct. 19.  

Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac believes his striker Robert Lewandowski and Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane are among the best three or four centre-forwards in the world. 

Kovac was speaking ahead of the UEFA Champions League meeting between the two sides in north London on Tuesday. While both teams have exceptional players throughout their squads, they are both geared towards getting the best out of their elite sharpshooters. 

Speaking about Kane prior to the match, Kovac said he will make specific plans for the striker, per Sky Sports:

"His quality in the Premier League but also in the England squad speaks for itself. He's sensational.

"He's a player that can do it all. He is great at keeping the ball, he's good with his head. There is nothing he cannot do.

"He's a very strong striker. Him and Lewandowski are probably in the top three, four in the world. That's the way it is at the moment. Both of them are hugely successful, and I look forward to seeing out things pan out tomorrow. I am going to give my team some information about Kane which I am not going to tell you."

Kane has earned the right to be considered alongside the likes of Lewandowski. The Premier League Statman account summed up how productive he has been since making his debut in the top flight:

Harry Kane scores his 130th Premier League goal

🏟 188 Appearances
⚽️ 130 Goals
🅰️ 19 Assists #THFC #COYS pic.twitter.com/A9uwrKcUfN

— EPL Statman (@EPLStatman) September 28, 2019

Kane was on the scoresheet for Tottenham on Saturday, with Mauricio Pochettino's team battling to a 2-1 win over Southampton on home soil:

Son ➡️ Eriksen ➡️ Kane

Was this Spurs team move the Goal of the Weekend?

Watch more and pick your favourite here: https://t.co/JsTPIEzc9i pic.twitter.com/O2J1vatxpu

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 1, 2019

That finish took Kane to five goals from his seven Premier League appearances, and the England captain appears on course to challenge for the Golden Boot once again.

Lewandowski is in even better form going into this clash with Spurs, though. 

In 2019-20, he's been ruthless, netting 11 times in seven games in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. Ronan Murphy of Goal noted that the Poland star is enjoying one of the best runs of his career:

Robert Lewandowski has scored in eight competitive matches in a row. It’s the longest streak in his career. Getting better with age. #FCBayern

— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) September 28, 2019

Per ESPN FC, no player has ever netted so many goals so quickly at the start of a Bundesliga season:

Unstoppable.

Robert Lewandowski is the first player in Bundesliga history to score 10 goals in the first six games of the season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jLHPWCFnBu

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 28, 2019

Bayern and Spurs will be the favourites to progress from their group in the Champions League, with Olympiacos and Red Star the other teams battling for a spot in the next round. On Matchday 1, Spurs drew 2-2 with the Greek side, while Bayern were comfortable 3-0 winners.

Expect the atmosphere in London to be red-hot for the visit of the German champions and the most in-form goalscorer in the world.

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has attempted to play down rumours linking the German champions with Manchester City's Leroy Sane, saying the club have "no eye on him at all."

Sane was strongly linked with a move to the Allianz Arena in the summer after being underused by Pep Guardiola in City's biggest matches last term. 

It was even reported he had agreed a deal to move to Bayern:

Bayern Munich still have to negotiate a final fee with Manchester City, but Leroy Sane has agreed to move, according to Bild. Negotiations over the fee may take another few days, and the total fee plus wage package is expected to be €200m. #FCBayern #MCFC

— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) August 1, 2019

The 23-year-old forward then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Community Shield in August, which ended any prospect of him departing the Etihad Stadium.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness recently hinted the club could revive their interest in Sane in January, per the Planet Futbol podcast (h/t Sky Sports News).

But Rummenigge has now denied Bayern are still keeping tabs on him, per Sean Wilson of Goal: "To be honest I have no eye on him at all because I don't speak about players of other clubs in public. The FIFA rules don't allow that anyway. And I will always stick to that."

Sane has posted superb numbers for City ever since joining them from Schalke in 2016.

After netting five Premier League goals and providing three assists in his debut campaign at the club, he scored 10 and assisted 15 in City's record-breaking 2017-18 title-winning campaign.

As a result of his efforts, he was named PFA Young Player of the Year:

Leroy Sane is the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Premier League and Young Player of the Year in the same season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6GNvU2SBIZ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 23, 2018

While his 2018-19 was less spectacular, he still netted 10 and provided 10 assists as City won another title.

Notably, though, he was benched by Guardiola for key late-season matches, including the Carabao Cup final, FA Cup semi-final and final, and both UEFA Champions League quarter-final legs against Tottenham Hotspur.

It is understandable Sane could have taken issue with such regular snubs from his manager, especially as he is talented enough to command a guaranteed starting place at a number of top clubs in Europe.

The Germany international's long-term injury has put any prospect of a move on hold for now.

As soon as Sane is back fit again, though, rumours are likely to re-emerge, and Bayern will surely be heavily linked again despite Rummenigge's latest comments.