Bundesliga Preview: Dortmund vs Hamburg

As reigning German champions Dortmund have the honour of kicking off the 49th Bundesliga season on Friday evening. Dortmund will play at home, and in front of an exuberant home- crowd this game should hopefully be an absolute cracker. Hamburg will bring a sizeable contingent of fans too, 6500 fans from the Hanseatic town are expected at the Westfalenstadion.

For the second time in a row, the opponent for the champion will be Hamburg. But this season’s HSV has very little to do with the Hamburg from last season. Almost all older, experienced players were sold or let go during the transfer period, instead Hamburg seems to be following the model established by other Bundesliga clubs in bringing in youth players to Hamburg (including four Chelsea reserve players, HSV sporting director Frank Arnesen be thanked).

However, this great changeover in personnel means that it is difficult to predict exactly how they will do this coming season. Apparently Hamburg had a mixed pre- season, with some good games during the LIGA TOTAL! Cup but also some disappointing friendlies, like yesterday, where they lost 2-1 to Valencia and looked pretty ordinary.

Coming to Dortmund, first off, the bad news. It seems that the injury that Lucas Barrios sustained during the Copa America is worse then expected. At first there was talk about him missing just two to three weeks, now the official Dortmund website says that they expect him to be out for at least five to six weeks! Dortmund officials are not happy with the Paraguayan FA, saying that they tried to downplay the seriousness of Barrios injury, and only a MRT scan back in Germany showed the extent of the damage caused.

Anyway, no use crying over spilled milk now, Barrios injury means that Robert Lewandowski should be the certain starter for the opening match. He scored two goals during the DFB Pokal, so he should be in good form.

Apart from that, the only other first-teamer that will be missing is Marcel Schmelzer, though his recovery is going well, and there are hopes that he’ll be fit for the game against Hoffenheim. Chris Löwe will in all probability be the one to replace him. The other big question concerning the starting line- up is between Kehl and Bender. Bender is fit again, and since it seems that Gündogan will start as the more attacking defensive midfielder, meaning that one of Bender and Kehl will have to sit on the bench. Apart from that I think that the team is pretty fixed, Weidenfeller in goal, Subotic, Hummels, Piszczek and Löwe in defense. The offensive midfield should be made up of Götze, Kagawa and one of Großkreutz/Perisic. Lewandowski will be the lone striker.

WFC Preview: Barcelona Meet Chivas In Record Match

A meeting of two giant clubs from Spain and Mexico will set a new attendance record for South Florida soccer on Wednesday in the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge match between FC Barcelona and CD Guadalajara from Sun Life Stadium.

More than 60,000 fans will be on hand for a match-up of two similarly dynamic, possession-oriented, attack-minded teams that play a wide-open style and trust in their younger academy products to carry through that same system of play.

While both teams enter the match winless thus far in the World Football Challenge, Guadalajara should enjoy the fitness edge as they plays their third Mexican league match this Saturday against Pumas UNAM. FC Barcelona face Real Madrid in their first competitive match of the season on Aug. 14.

This will mark the third time the two clubs have faced each other in the last four years. Back in 2008, FC Barcelona beat Chivas 5-2 at Soldier Field in a match which saw Javier “Chicharito” Hernández net a goal. One year later, the two sides tied 1-1 in San Francisco with the now departed Bojan Krkic canceling out a goal by former Chivas legend Ramón Morales.

Another one of the storylines of the match involves the two managers. Barcelona’s Josep “Pep” Guardiola closed out his career in Mexico with Dorados of Sinaloa in the 2005-2006, when current Chivas manager José Luis Real was the sporting director for the club.

FC BARCELONA

The 2-1 loss to Manchester United in their World Football Challenge debut last weekend did not create much alarm in Barça’s camp, especially since the defeat came early in the Spanish champions’ preseason (1-1-2 in four matches). However, as they continue to build up their fitness, the Blaugrana will hope to generate better scoring opportunities against Chivas on Wednesday.

Although the team will be missing injured forward Ibrahim Afellay, Sporting Clube de Portugal transfer target Jeffren Suárez, recovering defenders Carles Puyol and Maxwell, in addition to five members of its South American contingent still on vacation (Lionel Messi, Gabriel Milito, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and Alexis Sánchez), manager Pep Guardiola can count on reinforcements in his club’s first-ever match in Miami.

Brazilian fullback Adriano has rejoined the team a week early and defender Sergi Gómez and forward Gerard Deulofeu took to the field for practice on Tuesday night after helping Spain win the Under-19 European championship in Romania against the Czech Republic. Star players Xavi Hernández and Gerard Piqué will also see their first minutes of the preseason on Wednesday after starting off slowly to safeguard Achilles and calf injuries, respectively.

CD GUADALAJARA

This young all-Mexican side led by Real is off to a strong start in league play, with two victories against Atlante and Jaguares that offset Chivas’ two World Football Challenge losses to Real Madrid and Juventus. The confidence gained during league play will be put to the test against the European champions.

Real has been upfront in his plans to start his regular lineup against FC Barcelona. While likely to lose defender Jonny Magallón to a muscle strain, Guadalajara will gain a veteran defender as Héctor Reynoso rejoins the fold, claiming he now feels 100 percent after injuring an adductor against Real Madrid in the club’s first 2011 World Football Challenge appearance.

While forward Omar Arellano leads the team with two of the club’s four goals in league play, the club will be missing five of its top young players, including Erick “Cubo” Torres, due to their participation in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with Mexico.

KEY PLAYERS

FC Barcelona: Thiago Alcántara

The midfielder continued his magical run with his fourth goal in the last three preseason matches for Barcelona. He’s quick, extremely technical and showed against Manchester United he can strike from distance. Will his coming out party rage on?

CD Guadalajara: Marco Fabián

The 22-year-old, who already has a goal to his credit in league play, has the talent to take over matches and his form will determine how well Chivas can threaten Barcelona’s back line, if at all.

Fiorentina Winger Wants Manchester City Move

Alessio Cerci has told Fiorentina he wants to join Manchester City, according to reports in Italy.

City manager Roberto Mancini has been linked with a move for the Italian winger, who is rated at around £6m by the Serie A side.

But the Premier League side club is unwilling to pay that much for the 24-year-old, who is still largely unproven having made less than 50 appearances in Serie A.

But Fiorentina could be ready to drop their asking price slightly with Cerci apparently desperate to link up with Mancini at Etihad Stadium.

The winger made it clear in a recent interview that his future lies away from Fiorentina, where he has struggled to settle since arriving from Roma a year ago.

And it has even been suggested that City are willing to offer him a contract worth around £1.75m a year, which is reportedly double what he is currently earning at Fiorentina.

Cerci scored seven times in 24 appearances for Fiorentina last season and the club had hoped he would become a more regular member of the side in the coming campaign.

But they could be ready to sell him for around £5m, which would net them a profit of over £1m in just one year at the club.

Juventus Battle Bayern Munich For Alex

Juventus will have to again tussle with Bayern Munich should they want to sign Chelsea stopper Alex.

The Old Lady is searching for a new centre-back and the Stamford Bridge defender has been linked.

Alex, formerly of Santos and PSV, could be allowed to leave Chelsea this summer for a fee in the region of €9m.

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta is keen on the Brazilian international, 29, but so too are Bayern Munich.

A war of words broke out between both clubs last month when the Italian outfit netted Arturo Vidal from Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern claimed that the Chilean had agreed to join them before putting pen to paper on a contract with the Bianconeri.

Chelsea Prepare Final £36m Bid For Main Striker Target

Chelsea will approach Santos with a new $60m (£36m) bid for their star striker Neymar after being given fresh hope in their attempts to sign the youngster.

The Blues seemed to be out of the running for the player's signature after Real Madrid showed their hand though Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has dismissed that possibility after he revealed to a Brazilian website that they had rejected the offer from the Spanish giants. The fact that the two parties could not reach an agreement - believed to be due to the size of the transfer fee requested - has prompted Chelsea into action, according to those close to the Stamford Bridge club.

The Londoners have been tracking the 19-year-old prodigy for 18 months and had a £23m offer turned down last summer. Since then the forward has become a regular for the Brazil national team and recently scored a goal for his club against Flamengo of such sublime beauty that could only be scored by a very special footballer. Neymar has spoken positively about Chelsea's interest in the past, admitting that a life in London is tempting, and his suitors will hope to exploit that affection in order to tempt him to the Premier League.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas had been eyeing up a move for his international team mate Alexandre Pato but the latest twist in the Neymar saga has persuaded him to give the pursuit of this prodigious talent one last chance.

Tottenham In Sensational Swap Deal For £12m Blackburn Stopper

Tottenham last night proposed a shock player-plus-cash deal for Blackburn defender Chris Samba, according to The Mirror.

Arsenal and Everton are also keeping tabs on Samba, but it appears that Spurs have stolen a march on their rivals for the £12million-rated centre-back.

However, Spurs do not want to spend that much and have instead offered £10m plus the choice of either Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane, David Bentley or Sebastian Bassong.

Samba is understood to be keen on a move to Tottenham or Arsenal but both have failed to meet Rovers' asking price so far.

The Gunners have made a centre-back a priority this summer and have also targeted Everton's Phil Jagielka, but the North London club has been put off by his £18m price-tag.

Arsene Wenger could still be ready to make Samba an offer, who would cost less and demand a lower wage.

While Blackburn are likely to turn down Spurs' bid, boss Harry Redknapp remains in the driving seat for the Congo international.

Liverpool Switch Attention To Dutch International To Help Fill Problem Area

Liverpool’s reported search for a first choice left back has reportedly led to PSV Eindhoven’s Erik Pieters. Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish is said to have expressed an interest in the adaptable 23 year old who can also effectively fill the centre back berth, another area that the Merseyside club may look to strengthen as defensive frailties became all to clear during recent pre-season matches.

Pieters has been a regular at the Philips Stadion since his arrival at the club from FC Utrecht back in 2008 and has been a virtual ever present at left back for the Dutch national team following the retirement of veteran Giovanni van Bronckhorst following the 2010 World Cup.

The powerfully built 23 year old defender may well be tempted by a move to the Premier League club, not least as PSV have had a few lean years, with three seasons outside the Eredivisie top two which could be considered a big drop in form given that the Eindhoven club won the domestic title for the four previous campaigns.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of prospective purchases to help fill the left back spot, Gael Clichy was reportedly approached by the Arsenal man chose to join Man City. Newcastle United full back Jose Enrique may feel even more compelled to leave St James’ Park after the club chose to transfer list Joey Barton but the Magpies are thought to want a substantial fee for the Spaniard who has just one year left on his current contract.

A move for Pieters may be more cost effective and perhaps the fact that his international team-mate Dirk Kuyt is already at the club will aid any potential move.

Liverpool used a number of players in the left back role last term and Dalglish is seemingly not too enamored with the options in his current squad. Paul Konchesky has left for Leicester City, Emilio Insua and Fabio Aurelio have not impressed and youngster Jack Robinson at 17 is probably too young for regular Premier League action.

Spurs Winger Wanted In African Striker Deal

Manchester City will attempt to prize Aaron Lennon away from White Hart Lane in a deal that would see Emmanuel Adebayor join Spurs.

The Daily Mirror claims the Citizens are attempting to make a 'sensational swoop' for the England international, and are willing to offer the Togolese striker to the White Hart Lane outfit.

Harry Redknapp is known to be in the market for a forward this summer, with the Spurs boss already missing out on Giuseppe Rossi, Diego Forlan and Leandro Damiao in the current window.

Adebayor has also been placed on the Tottenham Hotspur radar in the past, although it's unclear if fans of the north London club would be keen on the move given his Arsenal connections.

The British paper claims 'high-level' talks are already underway between both clubs over the deal, but Real Madrid could yet provide a stumbling block between the two parties.

Adebayor enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Bernabeu last season, and with the Spanish giants yet to tie up a deal for Brazilian starlet Neymar, talkSPORT claims Jose Mourinho is targeting the player as part of his 'contingency plans'.

It's also unknown if Lennon would be interested in leaving Spurs this summer, with competition for places on the flanks fierce at Eastlands alongside Adam Johnson and Sean Wright-Phillips.

With Redknapp claiming earlier in the summer that players will have to be sold before additions are made at Tottenham Hotspur, a swap deal might be the best way of bringing fresh faces to north London, although this particular deal still has a way to go before becoming complete.

Bastian Schweinsteiger Targets Champions League Final With Bayern Munich

Bastian Schweinsteiger says Bayern Munich are desperate to make an impact in the Champions League in 2011-12 and stated that they have set their sights on making it to the final at the Allianz Arena.

The German giants made it to the same stage in 2010 when they were beaten 2-0 by Inter, while the Italians proved to be too strong in the round of 16 last term.

Nevertheless, Schweinsteiger is aware of the fact that they have to qualify for the group stage of Europe's elite club tournament first and admitted that the road to the final is long.

"It is our goal to qualify for the Champions League final in Munich. However, we know that it won't be easy. We have to qualify first. We don't have any influence on who will be our opponents in the play-offs. Nevertheless, I think that our upcoming opponents have more reasons to be disappointed than we with the draw," Schweinsteiger said to Goal.com.

"I think that we can go a long way once we've managed to progress to the group stage. We don't feel any pressure to go all the way though. We dream of making it to the final and it's our objective, but we realise that it's still a long way to go."

The midfielder then went on to discuss his side's domestic ambitions and made it clear that Bayern want to regain their Bundesliga trophy.

He added: "The domestic trophies are very important for us. Everybody expects us to win the Bundesliga again this year. That won't be easy though and we have to take it one game at a time."

Bayern start the 2011-12 Bundesliga campaign with a home match against Borussia Monchengladbach on August 7.

Juventus Ready To Include Amauri & Jorge Martinez In Deal For Juan Vargas

Juventus are keen to add Fiorentina winger Juan Vargas to their roster this summer and are ready to include Amauri and Jorge Martinez in the deal in an attempt to convince the Tuscans to let go of the Peruvian, Tuttosport reports.

The Turin side have long been after a new left winger and have been linked with players such as Lyon's Michel Bastos, Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe and Sevilla's Diego Perotti in the past few weeks, but they have now apparently turned their attention to Vargas again.

The Fiorentina man has a contract with his current club until the summer of 2013 and the Artemio Franchi outfit is keen to hold on to the 27-year-old.

Nevertheless, Juve are hopeful that the inclusion of Amauri and Martinez will change their Serie A rivals' stance.

Amauri, 31, is no longer needed at the Turin giants following the arrival of Mirko Vucinic earlier this week, while the 28-year-old Martinez has been unable to make an impact since joining Juventus from Catania and is ready to move on again.

Juventus have yet to table an official offer for Vargas, but could make a formal approach for the wide-man in the coming days.

Gonzalez In Roma Link

Marseille are ready to sell Lucho Gonzalez to Roma, but agreeing personal terms may be a problem.

Reports from France suggest that the two clubs have reached an agreement over a transfer fee for the 30-year-old.

Nevertheless, in order for the move to be completed, the Argentine midfielder would have to accept a pay-cut at the Olimpico.

Gonzalez reportedly earns around €3m a season, while the Giallorossi don’t want to go over the €2m mark.

Roma boss Luis Enrique yesterday asked for reinforcements ahead of the 2011-12 campaign.

Gonzalez started his career at Huracan, before moves to River Plate and then Porto. He joined his present side in 2009.