Their recent shortcomings have led to some criticism of Conte, but Merson believes he is doing a fantastic job.

Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund are set for their 100th clash in the Bundesliga and their...

Match facts ahead of #VFBBMG All the facts and stats ahead of Saturday’s away match against...

It has been a special week for Maximilian Philipp. The striker made his debut start for SV Werder against SC Freiburg, in which he was able to celebrate scoring a goal but not a win as Werder were defeated 2-1 in the end. Immediately after the game, the 29-year-old, along with his teammates, turned his focus to the upcoming task: the away match against Hertha BSC, which also meant a return to his former club.

Friday evening, floodlights – Borussia are in town! We are going to host the famous “Foals”...

The changing of the kick-off time and date came after Bayer Leverkusen’s desire to rearrange the fixture and the agreement of the security authorities and DAZN. The background: Bayer Leverkusen are the last German team in European competition and will be given more time to prepare for their UEFA Europa League semi-final against AS Roma.

FCA head coach Enrico Maaßen made three changes to the team that lost 3-1 at home to 1. FC Köln last time out. Tomáš Koubek replaced the injured Rafał Gikiewicz in goal and Mads Pedersen returned from suspension. Felix Uduokhai made his comeback from injury to start alongside Maximilian Bauer and Jeffrey Gouweleeuw in defence.

“I remember that we won a lot of games to start the season – but we played terribly. It really wasn’t good when you consider the incredible quality of players Bayern had back then.”

Sandro Schwarz announced the same starting eleven for matchday 27 on Saturday evening that picked up a point against Freiburg a week earlier. The five in midfield around Prince Boateng were in front of a back three of Filip Uremović, Marc Kempf and Márton Dárdai, with Wilfried Kanga and Dodi Lukébakio starting in attack. Marco Richter (yellow card suspension) and Stevan Jovetić (calf problems) returned to the squad. For RB Leipzig, Kevin Kampl and Emil Forsberg replaced the injured Konrad Laimer and Dani Olmo, who both started in their cup match.

There is always increased tension when two Bundesliga teams meet that are next to each other in the table, even more so when it is at the foot of the table. The ‘Old Lady’ take on FC Schalke 04 for three crucial points under the light at the Gelsenkirchener Arena on Friday night (20:30 CEST). Three points that are important, but not decisive on their own, as Sandro Schwarz suggested in the press conference ahead of the game. “We know the situation in the table and where we’re starting from, but we have to focus on the way we play with seven games still ahead of us. Still, it is a very important game and an enormous chance. We need stability on the pitch, have to put up a fight and channel our emotions properly, said the head coach. Benjamin Weber also emphasised the important of these things. “I’m expecting a certain aggression from both sides. In such a heated atmosphere, it will be even more important to focus on ourselves and stay concentrated,” said Hertha’s sporting director. herthabsc.com has summarised what Schwarz and sporting director Benjamin Weber had to say on…