Bayern Munich are not making too many fans lately, and it’s not because they continued their dominance of Bundesliga by claiming their 10th straight title.
In fact, Bayern lost their first match after clinching the championship as they were thumped 3-1 by Mainz. They went to a ‘team-building’ trip to Ibiza just hours later.
The whole situation has not pleased club legend Lothar Matthaus, as well as a former title-winning Bayern coach, who have publicly criticised the newly crowned champions.
Meanwhile, the Robert Lewandowski situation continues to rumble on, with Barcelona’s director responding to rumours of a meeting with Lewy’s agent.
And in non-Bayern Bundesliga 2022 news, Borussia Dortmund just landed one of the most promising young defenders in the country as they look to mount a legitimate challenge to Bayern’s dominance next season.
Read on as SBOTOP rounds up all the latest bits of news surrounding the Bundesliga.
Bayern blasted for party trip after Mainz loss
Bayern Munich are in hot water with a club legend after they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to Mainz in their first game since clinching their 10th consecutive Bundesliga championship.
Despite their disappointing performance, Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann still allowed his players to take Sunday and Monday off for what the club called a “team building measure,” and most of the team went off to the Spanish party island of Ibiza.
That decision did not sit well with former Bayern great Lothar Matthaus, who ripped Nagelsmann on German TV for not being “tougher” and not cancelling the trip.
“It’s not on at all, especially after such a game,” Matthaus told Sky TV. “If I were Julian Nagelsmann, I would have taken tougher action — the days off would have been scrapped after such a game.”
Aside from Matthaus, former Bayern coach Felix Magath, who led Bayern to back-to-back league titles in 2004-05 and 2005-06, also took exception to the trip.
“I would not have allowed a trip like that,” he said. “I don’t know how a team can say: ‘For us the season doesn’t go to the end, we finish three weeks early.’”
Magath, who is currently in charge of struggling Hertha Berlin, had also ripped Bayern’s lack of motivation in their loss to Mainz.
Barcelona chief responds to Lewandowski rumours
There’s more drama for Bayern off the pitch as the Robert Lewandowski saga rolls on. Barcelona director Mateu Alemany recently denied reports that the club has been in touch with Lewandowski’s agent over a potential transfer in the summer.
“There was no meeting with Lewandowski’s agent. Also, I don’t like to speak about the negotiations process – it’s something private.
“We don’t like to discuss players who are under contract with other clubs”.
Lewandowski is having another outstanding season with 49 goals to help Bayern to their 10th straight title. He has been linked with a move away from the Bavarian giants, and Barca reportedly have a keen interest to land him on a three-year deal.
Bayern Munich are trying to get a new deal done with Lewandowski, whose contract expires at the end of next season.
Dortmund sign Nico Schlotterbeck from Freiburg
Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of young centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck from SC Freiburg on a five-year deal.
The 22-year-old has been instrumental to Freiburg’s success this season as they’ve defied the Bundesliga 2022 odds and are currently in fourth and final Champions League spot. His fine form has also seen him called up to the German national team.
Schlotterbeck is set to form a new-look Dortmund backline that will also feature Niklas Sule, who has already joined BVB on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
“Nico is a young Germany international who’s had great development. His profile is perfect for BVB,” said outgoing sporting director Michael Zorc.
In related news, top football insider Fabrizio Romano reports that former Dortmund defender Matthias Ginter is set to replace Schlotterbeck at Freiburg. The 28-year-old Ginter will join Freiburg on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Romano also adds that with the Schlotterbeck deal done, Red Bull Salzburg striker Karim Adeyemi will be BVB’s next priority signing this summer.
Europa League semi-finalists both lose
And in on-the-pitch news, the Bundesliga’s two Europa League semi-finalists – Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig – both lost in the league ahead of their big European second legs in midweek.
Frankfurt lost 2-0 away to Bayer Leverkusen, who went three points clear in third place. Meanwhile, Leipzig lost 3-1 away to Borussia Monchengladbach. It was the Red Bulls’ second defeat in a row as they dropped to fifth in the table, one point behind Freiburg. Frankfurt will host West Ham in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final after winning the first leg in London 2-1. As for Leipzig, they will have a narrow 1-0 lead to protect after beating Rangers at home.
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