Bayern Munich
Arjen Robben has warned his Bayern Munich teammates to be wary today when they travel to German Division 3 side Munster in the first round of the DFB Cup today. The Bundesliga champions lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the German Supercup on Wednesday and Robben said: “Everybody knows we’re back in the action now and we cannot afford to be negligent.” Jens Truckenbrod, the Munster captain, said he and his teammates were aiming to make the most of their day in the limelight. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” he said. “I can’t wait to play against such players.”
Paris Saint-Germain
Laurent Blanc wants an immediate reaction from his PSG side after his French Ligue 1 champions had begun their bid for a third successive title in disappointing fashion last weekend. They were held to a 2-2 draw at Reims and Blanc wants to get a first victory of the season on the board today against Bastia, who also drew their opening game of the season, finishing 3-3 with Marseille. “We’re preparing very seriously because I think we lost two points at Reims, without wishing to offend them,” he said. “We have to deliver a good home performance to put that right this Saturday.”
Valencia
Singaporean businessman Peter Lim will complete a record deal to buy Spanish Primera Liga Valencia in the next couple of weeks after overcoming the final hurdle on the restructuring of the team’s huge debts, the club’s president Amadeo Salvo Lillo has confirmed. “We are in the final stage. Fortunately yesterday Meriton Holdings, Mr Lim’s company, and Bankia, the main creditor, they arrive in agreement at the (final) three points,” Lillo said. “We are in the last step and we hope that in a few weeks they can sign the final transaction. It’s very positive for the club.”
Fiorentina
Giuseppe Rossi has had a fresh injury setback during training for Fiorentina’s friendly with Real Madrid. The Italy striker, who has had two operations to reconstruct damaged cruciate ligaments, missed the World Cup finals because of a knee injury he suffered in January. Rossi, 27, was looking to step up his recovery against Real in Warsaw tonight but has been ruled out. A Fiorentina club statement said: “Giuseppe Rossi sustained a thigh muscle injury during Thursday’s training session and therefore will not take part in the match against Real Madrid in Warsaw.”
Wolfsburg
Bundesliga side Wolfsburg have completed the signing of former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner on a three-year contract. The 26-year-old Dane, who also had loan spells with Birmingham City, Sunderland and Juventus, will provide Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking with an additional attacking option for the new season. Klaus Allofs, the club’s director of sport, said: “He’s in his prime and, although his career has not always gone smoothly, he’s still been able to gain plenty of international experience.”
Barcelona
Barcelona have agreed to loan midfielder Gerard Deulofeu to Primera Liga rivals Sevilla for the news season. Deulofeu spent last season on loan at English Premier League club Everton, making 29 appearances and scoring four goals.
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE