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The stragglers are in the DFB Cup. An encounter between two Bundesliga teams and a north-south duel with a class difference, in which the record winner from Munich should not afford such a mistake as last in the championship fight.
FC Bayern will continue in an English week on Sunday in the Bundesliga at home against the strengthened SC Freiburg.
DFB-Pokal I: A cup success against the downward trend? Bayer Leverkusen was already considered a possible candidate for the title after a furious start to the season. But coach Bosz’s team seems to be paying a little tribute to the pace and stress of the first few weeks. After a few failures, the Bayer-Elf last won three times in the league. Progress in the cup would be important for the mood, but the catch-up game is actually inconvenient right now and increases the burden even more.
DFB-Pokal II: The second division Christmas champion welcomes the German record champions: But the excitement about the duel on Wednesday (8.45 p.m.) with FC Bayern Munich is limited at Holstein Kiel. The third place in the table is more focused on the second division than on the cup freestyle. “Let’s take a look at what Bayern are doing. Then we think about what to do. And then we’ll see what comes out on Wednesday ”, is the somewhat succinct match schedule from coach Ole Werner. After the 2: 3 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach, the star ensemble from the south in the far north wants to avoid the next slip and at least stay clean against a second division team.
BUNDESLIGA: Are the Schalkers going after their first win after 30 games at Eintracht Frankfurt? And what do the recently victorious Dortmunders do without the seriously injured Alex Witsel? Matchday 16 begins with a duel for the Champions League ranks between 1. FC Union Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen, which was certainly not expected. BVB receives the league bottom FSV Mainz on Saturday. Bayern are on Sunday against the sports club from Freiburg.
ABROAD I: Thomas Tuchel’s successor can win his first title in his third game as coach of Paris Saint-Germain. On Wednesday there will be a decision in the Supercup in France. The opponent for Mauricio Pochettino’s team is Olympique Marseille. The southern French slipped in Ligue 1 by a zero number in the relegation candidate Dijon FCO from the international ranks. In the Champions League, OM coach André Villas-Boas’ team suffered five defeats in six games last year and only scored two goals. Reasons enough to challenge the rich capital club for the Supercup title.
ABROAD II: In Italy, the Coppa Italia round of 16 matches are on the program on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Serie A leaders AC Milan will host FC Turin on Tuesday – on Saturday Milan won the duel in the league 2-0, defending champions SSC Napoli the next day against FC Empoli as well as champions Juventus Turin with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo against CFC Genoa. In the championship, Inter Milan will play against Juventus Turin on Sunday.
ABROAD III: In England only Monday is the day of rest. In the Premier League, games of the 18th round as well as rescheduled matches are scheduled for Tuesday. The highlight on Sunday: Liverpool FC versus Manchester United. (dpa)
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