Goalkeeper Tjark Ernst will leave VfL Bochum 1848 with immediate effect and join Hertha BSC. The...

After scoring two goals in the opening friendly of the summer away against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, Ahmed Kutucu has made an exceptional start to pre-season. However, the 19 year-old certainly doesn’t want to overvalue those goals. In an interview with schalke04.de, the young striker spoke about his first season as professional footballer, balancing football and school, new Royal Blues head coach David Wagner and helping old friend and new teammate Ozan Kabak settle into his new surroundings.

The head coach discussed the first 17 games in Friday’s presser: “It’s a lot of fun working with the team here. We have shown good performances, especially against big teams, but we’ve had to deal with suspensions and bad luck with injuries,” explained Maaßen. FCA managed to finish their first half of the season on a positive note with a 1-0 home win over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Wednesday evening and the boss believes his side fully deserved the three points: “It was simply a nice feeling that we were rewarded for our performance. We did lots of things right. However, we can’t celebrate for too long because we have to go again. We’ll be taking the momentum from the game with us and we’re looking to go one better.”

Initial reactions and observations If Robert Lewandowski wasn’t regretting his move to FC Barcelona from Bayern...

 “SC Freiburg is currently going through what is probably the most successful period in the club’s history in terms of the football and business sides. Oliver Leki and Jochen Saier have played a key role in shaping this overall positive development over the past few years. We are very pleased that we were able to extend the contracts with both board members early,” said chairman of the supervisory board at SCF, Dr. Heinrich Breit. His deputy on the supervisory board, Johannes Baumgartner, added: “With their many years of service at the club, Oliver Leki and Jochen Saier represent the personnel continuity that makes our club as strong as it is. We in the supervisory board are convinced that they will continue to lead our club successfully with their proven abilities and personalities.”

On Thursday, following a 1-0 win in their final friendly against Eintracht Braunschweig, the first team departed on a well-earned winter break until 2nd December. The head coach was also looking forward to a few quiet days with the family. “I will spend Christmas with the family. Unfortunately, I will eat too much of this or that. What it will be? I’ll allow myself be surprised. I am responsible for decorating the tree,” said Sandro Schwarz with a laugh. At the same time, he explained the Berliner mantra for the next few weeks: Recharge the batteries, but stay on the ball. “This holiday is now about regenerating but also carrying out individual plans. We have clear expectations which we have spoken with the boys about for this time without training,” explained the head coach, suggesting the path for the coming weeks.

“Rino not only knows our club but also the vast majority of the first-team squad from his own experience. By the same token, we also know him and are therefore convinced that he is the right man for the head coach job,” said TSG director of football Alexander Rosen, who continued: “He not only led VfB Stuttgart to promotion but also proved his qualities by keeping them in the Bundesliga. He can cope with pressure and knows what is required in this situation. His philosophy of play, his vision of football and his way of dealing with people make him a 100% fit for TSG and its approach – well beyond the current situation.”

Dominant first half | Werner and Forsberg with RBL goals | Laimer and Silva miss chances for third

The winless streak in Augsburg is over. Lee’s dramatic header in 93rd minute gave his side all three points at the WWK-Arena for this first time in nearly six years. It took fight, spirit, smart substitutions and a strong performance.

Matchday 23 sees VfB Stuttgart host Bayern Munich on Saturday evening. Here are the facts and figures on the game against their southern rivals.