“The decision to leave FCA, even if only temporarily, was definitely not an easy one for me. But, I would now like to once again experience a period where I am on the pitch regularly and getting a lot of playing experience. So, I asked those responsible to allow me this opportunity and I am unbelievably thankful that this has all happened so quickly and  uncomplicatedly,” said Raphael Framberger. “Not wearing an FCA shirt will definitely be a change for me at first, but I am looking forward to the new experience and I am certain that the loan will do me good from a sporting perspective.”

FC Barcelona watched its Champions League hopes die when Inter Milan downed FC Viktoria Plzeň. Later, Bayern Munich snatched its soul with a 3-0 drubbing.

Sandro Schwarz named an unchanged starting eleven from the team who started the competitive 3-2 loss against Bayern on Saturday. There were also no changes on the bench. VfB interim head coach Michael Wimmer made three changes from the 3-1 loss against Borussia Mönchengladbach, bringing in Hiroki Itō, Lilian Egloff and Silas Katompa Mvumpa in place of Pascal Stenzel, Luca Pfeiffer (both on the bench) and Chris Führich (out due to muscular problems).

Benni, in the end you said: “I can’t do this anymore”. How and when did you decide to bring your career to an end?

Test to take place at the home match against Gladbach | Tickets made available on the UEFA app

Bo Svensson spoke to the media on his 43rd birthday ahead of the start of the new Bundesliga season. His side will play VfL Bochum on matchday 1 away from home on Saturday at 15:30 CEST. When asked if his team got him a present, the Mainz head coach replied: “They sung for me, that was enough!” The focus quickly turned to this weekend. “I want us to play with real intensity at the weekend. We want to play as a team so that we can be successful in a loud stadium,” said Svensson. Around 1,300 Mainz fans will make the trip north to support their team.

Arriving from Freiburg in the winter, Heintz quickly found himself a vital role within the Union squad. He started the second game after the winter break, and the Rheinland-Palatinate born defender played a key role in the 2-1 win against TSG Hoffenheim. 

VfL Wolfsburg lost 3-0 in their home game against RB Leipzig on Saturday afternoon. The visitors took the lead through Emil Forsberg in the 14th minute and subsequently seized control of the game. The Wolves showed courage in the second half as they tried to find a way back, but were unable to make the most of the few chances they created. Konrad Laimer sealed the outcome with Leipzig’s second goal in the 85th minute, while Dominik Szoboszlai added a third in stoppage time (90’+2), leaving VfL waiting for their first win in the second half of the season.

Given how much money has been invested into the Villa side since Gerrard’s arrival, the expectations were always going to be high at Villa Park.

Edin Terzic: “It was the hard-fought and close game we expected. From the 25th minute on, we produced a really good away performance up until the break and could have led by more. It was more open in the second half. There were then a few close calls for us, but we also had lots of chances. Overall, I see it as a deserved victory against a strong team.”