Thuram recently addressed the Bayern Munich links to French outlet L’Equipe (via @iMiaSanMia). For now, he’s not interested in thinking about what lies ahead for him after Borussia Monchengladbach. His current contract with Die Fohlen runs only through June 2023, though, and without discussions about a renewal at Gladbach, he’ll soon be free to negotiate with other clubs for his next contract.

SC, meanwhile, have dealt well with the added workload that comes with competing in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Europa League, and remain on track to qualify for Europe once again. The final weeks of the season will be crucial in determining where the team end the season. “We have achieved the maximum possible for us at the moment. We’re very satisfied with how things have gone so far, but are still ambitious enough to say that we’re heading to Bremen looking to win again,” said Christian Streich.

Hertha tried everything, didn’t give up and fought to the end, but at the end of the game, the team return to Berlin with nothing having lost 3-0 in Frankfurt. In part, this was due to the good form of the hosts and their excellent striker Randal Kolo Muani, but also due to a first 45 minutes which, all in all, were not good enough. “We were still asleep in the first half, Frankfurt were the better team. If we let the game get away from us like that up until half time, it will always be incredibly difficult here,” said Florian Niederlechner, who was critical of the performance after his first start in a Hertha shirt. “The coach found clear words in the dressing room and had the expectation that we would show a difficult side of us. After that, we were more in the game and had our chances.” Even if the mood is not good after four straight defeats in the New Year, the new signing appealed to the importance of togetherness. “After the game, it is difficult to stay positive. But, we have to stick together; if we do that, then I am certain that we will be able to get out of this hole we’re in.”  herthabsc.com has summarised the intial reaction to the game in Frankfurt.

Friday Tickets for the away sector in Freiburg available via box office 1,500 Hoffenheim fans will...

Interview with RBL defender Benny Henrichs before tomorrow’s DFB-Pokal quarterfinal

At VfL Bochum, Maxim Leitsch was a regular starter, a top performer and a leader at the back and many were surprised when the 24-year-old left for Bundesliga rivals FSV Mainz. “Everyone used to say that I would never leave Bochum because all of my family are from that neck of the woods,” explained the new centre-back in a press conference after Mainz’s training session on Tuesday.

After scoring his first goal of the season at Bochum, Hiroki Ito is looking ahead to Saturday’s match against Borussia Dortmund with optimism.

Just like the day before, the team warmed up on the side pitch and then focused on attacking on the main field. In the first session of the day, almost the entire squad practiced switching play on the full court. Meanwhile, a small portion of the team focused on fun with a game of football tennis. After the practice of the transitions, two groups then practiced finishing in front of goal.

With just one week to go before the Bundesliga restart, VfL Wolfsburg recorded a win and a defeat in their friendly double-header against FC Augsburg on Saturday. The Wolves emerged as 4-0 victors in the first game thanks to goals from Lukas Ambros, Felix Nmecha and a Ridle Baku brace, but narrowly lost the second match 1-0 following Ruben Vargas’ penalty. Maximilian Arnold had a spot-kick of his own saved by Rafal Gikiewicz in the third minute of stoppage time.

The Green-and-Whites host SC Freiburg at the Volkswagen Arena in the Bundesliga on Saturday 21 January at 15:30 CET.

Before the match, Klopp took a swipe at Newcastle, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain – who are all owned by Gulf states – over their ownership models with the Liverpool boss claiming his club cannot compete.