Five amazing goals that we’ve presented to the VfL fans in the past few days together...

Schalke’s 0-0 draw with VfB Stuttgart was a special day for Sascha Riether. The 36 year old only played a few minutes, but was celebrated during and after the match. The defender spoke to schalke04.de about the end of his career, his emotions and feelings on his substitution into the game, the parting gift from his teammates and his plans for the future.

“In the extended winter break we were able to work on important tactical aspects and to increase the depth of our squad. This gives me optimism for the 19 games that still lie ahead of us,” said FCA head coach Enrico Maaßen, looking ahead positively to the Bundesliga restart in the New Year. For their first game, FCA will travel to face Borussia Dortmund. The Black-Yellows currently lie in sixth place: “BVB have an excellent team and always have the potential to be high up the table come the end of the season. We have to work together, show willpower and also be prepared to suffer at times. If we do this, then we will get chances.”

Xavi will want a win to galvanize his squad for the rest of the season, after deflating losses to both Inter and Real Madrid in previous weeks. Bayern, meanwhile, still have top spot in the group to secure, and Julian Nagelsmann will doubtless want to come away from the Camp Nou with a win. Pride is at stake here. When you play against a big team in Europe, you give it your all. That’s just how it is.

There is also a lot of respect from SC’s opponents. Immediately after the game, Juventus‘ head coach Massimiliano Allegri, said, “We won against a strong opponent. The game in Germany will not be easy.” Midfielder Manuel Locatelli added to this: “We will need a mature performance in Freiburg to get through to the next round.”

Hertha BSC are heading to the United States once again, and not just for a training camp at the start of next year. The inaugural Innovation Conference took place in New Jersey in recent days. Together with Archetype Football Group and National Women’s Soccer League side NJ/NY Gotham FC, Hertha BSC invited various representatives from the world of U.S. sports to attend. The list of attendees included general managers, sporting directors and other partners from Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB). “A cross-sports conference like this is of huge benefit for everyone involved. The input received is incredibly valuable and helps to break down and expand one’s pattern of thinking,” said Fredi Bobic, managing director of the Hertha BSC. “It’s a great honour and extremely exciting to be able to host this conference, together with Hertha. We are providing a platform for experts in the field of sports data to network and connect with each other. As an American and a life-long Hertha fan, it’s a dream come true to watch both of my worlds come together and celebrate the progress being made in football and in sports data analytics,” said Josh Murphy, CEO of Archetype Football Group.

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A goalless draw at the MEWA ARENA kicked off the Zerofivers’ home Bundesliga campaign, as Mainz and Union Berlin shared the points. It was a result which reflected the run of the game, said the team, even if there were chances to win it in the closing stages.