Bundesliga Column - Round 34: Cologne relegated, Hertha Berlin get relegation spot

As is usual in the last couple of German Bundesliga rounds all nine matches of Round 34, the final match day of the 2011/12 season were played simultaneously at 15.30 CET on Saturday. This is to ensure same chances for everyone fighting for the title, places in Europe and against relegation.

And what a match day it turned out to be though key decisions on champions, first team to be relegated and who gains places for Europe next season had already been taken. Champions Borussia Dortmund trashed an inform SC Freiburg 4-0 to finish with 81 points, a new record in the history of the Bundesliga.

The eyes were all on the relegation battle between 1.FC Köln and Hertha BSC Berlin, who would get relegated directly and who would get a second chance in the relegation playoff against the third-placed side in the 2.Bundesliga. FC Cologne that the difficult task of facing record champions FC Bayern Munich at home, while Hertha BSC Berlin faced 1899 Hoffenheim who had nothing to really play except that their coach Markus Babbel had been Hertha coach earlier on in the season.

As one would have expected Cologne suffered a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich, but Hertha Berlin won 3-1 against Hoffenheim to push Cologne into Division 2 while they face Fortuna Düsseldorf in the relegation playoff in the coming days to decide to play Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga next season.

The last Europa League spot was grabbed by Hannover 96 who beat relegated 1.FC Kaiserslautern 2-1 while VfL Wolfsburg, Werder Bremen and 1.FC Nürnberg all lost in their quest for European football next season.


Round 34 Results

Borussia Dortmund 4-0 SC Freiburg
Hertha BSC Berlin 3-1 1899 Hoffenheim
FC Augsburg 1-0 Hamburger SV
1.FC Nürnberg 1-4 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
SV Werder Bremen 2-3 FC Schalke 04
VfB Stuttgart 3-2 VfL Wolfsburg
Hannover 96 2-1 1.FC Kaiserslautern
1.FC Köln 1-4 FC Bayern München
1.FSV Mainz 05 0-3 Borussia Mönchengladbach

FC Cologne confirm Podolski joining FC Arsenal

The transfer of German international Lukas Podolski from his home club FC Cologne (1.FC Köln) to English Premier League side FC Arsenal was finally confirmed by both the clubs yesterday, weeks after the news had first come out in the media of both Germany and England. The exact transfer fee was not disclosed.

FC Cologne will be losing their own son and their identity as many say, but for Podolski personally moving to Arsenal under a coach like Arsene Wenger is a wise career move then moving back to Cologne in 2009 after three years in Bayern Munich has only been about stagnation for a player who should be regularly playing UEFA Champions League.

Podolski with his 18 goals has scored close to half of Cologne's 38 goals this season, but still the club will have to see what happens on the last match day against Bayern Munich and if they can retain the relegation playoff spot.

The timing of the announcement wasn't the best, but what has been this season for FC Cologne. Most likely the announcement was made by the club to give the fans a chance to say goodbye to their local hero at home at the Rhein-Energie Stadion.

About signing for Arsenal Podolski said, "I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal and the Premier League. They are one of the top clubs in Europe with a huge history."

"There are many top-quality players at Arsenal and their style is fantastic," Podolski added.

FC Arsenal are getting a real striker and winger who could be a great addition to Robin van Persie upfront and with Germany team mate Per Mertesacker at Arsenal this should make Podolski's arrival at the Gunners easier then he needs a suitable surrounding to perform.


Here an article I had written a few weeks ago: Could Lukas Podolski succeed at Arsenal?

Bundesliga Column - Round 33: Decisions at top, relegation battle on last day

As is usual in the German Bundesliga for the last couple of rounds all nine matches of Round 33 of the 2011/12 season were played simultaneously at 15.30 CET on Saturday. This is to ensure same chances for everyone fighting for the title, places in Europe and against relegation.

The matchday saw champions Borussia Dortmund visit relegated 1.Kaiserslautern in an inconsequential match which did have its moments as Dortmund won 5-2, while Schalke ensured third spot and direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League while Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart qualified for the UEFA Europa League.

But of bigger interest was the relegation battle then before the match day four teams still could face relegation or the playoff spot. But with 17th place Hertha BSC Berlin trashed 4-0 by Schalke 04 and 16th placed FC Cologne losing 1-4 at SC Freiburg it meant that goalless draws for FC Augsburg in Mönchengladbach and Hamburger SV against Mainz was enough to ensure their survival.

But between Hertha Berlin and FC Cologne it will only be decided on next Saturday who goes down directly and which team will get another chance for survival in the relegation playoff spot. Currently Cologne are on 30 points, two ahead of Hertha Berlin. But both sides have tough final day encounters with Cologne set to face Bayern Munich, while Hertha Berlin take on Hoffenheim who are coached by former Hertha coach Markus Babbel who was fired late last year.


Round 33 Results

FC Schalke 04 4-0 Hertha BSC Berlin
Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1-0 Hannover 96
SC Freiburg 4-1 1.FC Köln
1.FC Kaiserslautern 2-5 Borussia Dortmund
1899 Hoffenheim 2-3 1.FC Nürnberg
VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 SV Werder Bremen
Hamburger SV 0-0 1.FSV Mainz 05
FC Bayern München 2-0 VfB Stuttgart
Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-0 FC Augsburg

Bundesliga Column - Round 31: Derby win propels Dortmund closer to title

Round 31 of the 2011/12 Bundesliga season was about derbies in the west and the north of the country. While Dortmund won 2-1 away to Schalke to close in on defending their Bundesliga title, Mönchengladbach trashed FC Cologne 3-0 to keep their direct Champions League qualification hopes alive while Cologne's relegation worries grew even further and Hamburger SV scored a vital win against Hannover 96 in their fight to avoid relegation.

Borussia Dortmund just three days after winning against FC Bayern Munich had to dig deep to beat archrivals FC Schalke 2-1 in a closely contested Ruhr valley derby. With Bayern Munich only drawing goalless against 1.FSV Mainz 05 this derby win puts Dortmund eight points clear at the top with three matches to go and now remaining undefeated in their 25 straight game setting a new Bundesliga record.

In the race to avoid relegation Kaiserlautern are just one point away to confirm their 2.Bundesliga status next season. Another loss, this time 0-2 against 1.FC Nürnberg didn't help their cause. But Hertha BSC Berlin, who are in 17th place, fought back from two goals down against Bayer 04 Leverkusen to even go 3-2 ahead but they had to settle for a 3-3 draw which in their situation isn't enough.

FC Cologne went into the Rhine derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach under a new interim coach in Frank Schaefer, but they lost 0-3 to stay in the relegation playoff spot. But the gap to the teams above them widened then Hamburger SV won at home against Hannover 96, while FC Augsburg scored a surprise 2-1 away win to VfL Wolfsburg.

The Bundesliga title looks decided, the first relegated team is also clear but everything else is to play for with three rounds of matches remaining.


Round 31 Results

VfB Stuttgart 4-1 SV Werder Bremen
FC Schalke 04 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
Hamburger SV 1-0 Hannover 96
1.FC Kaiserslautern 0-2 1.FC Nürnberg
VfL Wolfsburg 1-2 FC Augsburg
Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3-3 Hertha BSC Berlin
FC Bayern München 0-0 1.FSV Mainz 05
Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0 1.FC Köln
SC Freiburg 0-0 1899 Hoffenheim

Bundesliga Column - Round 30: Dortmund on way to title!

Round 30 of the 2011/12 Bundesliga season was all about the top of the table clash between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich at the Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile in the relegation battle the bottom five all lost which close to ensures Kaiserslautern's relegation while Hamburg, Augsburg, Cologne and Hertha Berlin fight for survival.

The match BVB vs FCB was about one against two in the table, defending champions vs record champions, it was billed as the match of the season. It had a slow start as Dortmund were in control in the first session, but after the break Bayern Munich had more of the game but it was Dortmund who scored through a great flick from Robert Lewandowski of a Kevin Großkreutz shot. Arjen Robben was the unlucky man for Bayern Munich as his penalty was saved by Roman Weidenfeller and close to the end shot over from about five yards out. Dortmund are now six points ahead with four matches to play and anything but the title would now be a big surprise.

In other matches VfB Stuttgart maintained their impressive run with a 3-1 away win in Augsburg to stay fifth ahead of Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Hannover 96 who also won their games, while 1.FC Nürnberg trashed FC Schalke 04 4-1, Freiburg won 2-1 away to Hertha BSC Berlin while 1.FSV Mainz 05 hammered 1.FC Köln 4-0 to all move away from the relegation zone.

This leaves now five instead of eight clubs to fight for survival. In the relegation battle things did not look good for Hamburger SV (0-4 in Hoffenheim), FC Augsburg (1-3 at home against Stuttgart), FC Cologne (0-4 in Mainz), Hertha BSC Berlin (1-2 against Freiburg) and Kaiserslautern (1-3 in Leverkusen)


Round 30 Results

Hertha BSC Berlin 1-2 SC Freiburg
FC Augsburg 1-3 VfB Stuttgart
1.FSV Mainz 05 4-0 1.FC Köln
SV Werder Bremen 2-2 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 FC Bayern München
1.FC Nürnberg 4-1 FC Schalke 04
1899 Hoffenheim 4-0 Hamburger SV
Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3-1 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Hannover 96 2-0 VfL Wolfsburg

Could Lukas Podolski succeed at Arsenal?

The transfer of German international Lukas Podolski from his home club FC Cologne (1.FC Köln) to English Premier League side FC Arsenal is according to the German and English media a done deal, only the official confirmation is awaited from the two clubs and the player.

Podolski, who has a contract until summer 2013 at FC Cologne, has been sought after by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for quite some time now. He had bid for Podolski last summer and in the winter transfer window, but Cologne and the player did not want to make the transfer happen at the time.

Things have changed over the last few weeks with Podolski no longer happy with the non-existent progress in Cologne and is said to have handed in a transfer request for this summer, which has been accepted by the club. As per reports in the German tabloid Bild the transfer fee is in the region of 13 Million Euros with Podolski set to earn 7 Million Euros at Arsenal.

The question that comes to mind is if Podolski can make it in London? The Gliwice-born (lies in Poland) footballer had joined FC Cologne in 1995 as a youth player, made his professional debut at the club and then went on to play three years in-between from 2006 onwards for FC Bayern Munich, but things didn't work out and he returned to Cologne in 2009 for a fee of 10 Million Euros.

Since then it is said that Podolski can only perform at FC Cologne and for the German national team. But now Podolski, who turns 27 this summer, could opt to try his luck in London where he would find a fellow German international in Per Mertesacker and a manager in Arsene Wenger, who speaks German and is known to handle players very well. It could be the right step to further develop his career.

This season Lukas Podolski is the lifeline of FC Cologne in the Bundesliga relegation battle with the striker having scored 16 of the clubs 31 overall goals. And he has reiterated that he would give everything for the club until the very end, which nobody doubts knowing his affection for the club and the city.

VIDEO: Ball bursts in Bayern Munich vs FC Cologne match

In a rare incidence in a professional football match on Friday evening in the German Bundesliga the match ball burst following a free-kick from Bayern's Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten. And the other players have a laugh...

Could Lukas Podolski be leaving FC Cologne?

Lukas Podolski and 1.FC Cologne are something which belong together. The German international has played his best club football for the Rhineland Bundesliga club, but his performances in recent weeks has attracted interest from clubs from across Europe. The names of FC Arsenal, AC Milan and Locomotive Moscow have been mentioned in connection with his name.

Podolski still has a contract until summer 2013 and the club want to extend that contract with the players, who many regard to be today's FC Cologne; but Podolski isn't happy with the clubs development.

Podolski feels the club officials haven't done enough to push to be a club challenging for European competition and if things don't change then he could move away from his beloved FC Cologne.

Another issue which many thought was over and done with, is still in Podolski's mind. The taking away of the captains armband in pre-season by new Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken. Podolski has said that he would have had liked more support from the club management.

Podolski is in great form and he has the triumph cards on his side, then Cologne will surely not want to lose their superstar. But Podolski needs to consider his own personal future in the German national team. Maybe a move to a big European club would be in his interest.

Trouble at FC Cologne as Podolski no longer captain

New Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken has taken a bold decision at Bundesliga side FC Cologne (1.FC Köln) by taking the captaincy away from local hero Lukas Podolski and handing it to Brazilian defender Pedro Geromel. Solbakken only made the official announcement regarding his new captain on Monday, but this story has been making big headlines especially in the local tabloids since Friday.

"I can understand the reactions this decision will provoke and I can understand the disappointment of some fans," the coach told journalists.

"But I ask the fans to understand my decision is for the benefit of the whole team. Pedro Geromel will as captain exemplify the new culture of the team and embody our new overall sporting concept," Solbakken added.

"In my conversations with him, Lukas has expressed his disappointment but at the same time respected and understood the reasons for my decision."

German international Podolski only got the captaincy in January 2011 from former coach Frank Schaefer, but the local boy who has played now 13 seasons from youth over the second team to the first team with only a three year break at FC Bayern Munich in-between, is loyal to his home club. And Podolski has said what an honour it is to wear the Cologne captains armband.

Solbakken thought otherwise, now it will be interesting to see how the very emotional fans in Cologne react to the decision. Solbakken will need success to steem any discontent for this decision.

Bundesliga Clubs sign further Japanese players

The instant success of Borussia Dortmund's 21 year old midfielder Shinji Kagawa has created a big interest amongst German Bundesliga clubs for Japanese talent. Besides Kagawa Dortmund's archrivals FC Schalke 04 had signed right back Atsuto Uchida in the summer. Uchida intially had problems but since then has become a key member of his team. And then there is Japan captain Makoto Hasebe (26) who joined VfL Wolfsburg in January 2008 and was a key player for Wolfsburg when they won the Bundesliga title in 2008/09.

Another Japanese player in striker Kisho Jano was signed by SC Freiburg from Albirex Niigata over the summer, while left back Takahito Soma had been signed by 2.Bundesliga club Energie Cottbus. Now new talent from the country of the Rising Sun are joining or are set to join different Bundesliga clubs.

Just before christmas Bayer 04 Leverkusen announced the signing of midfielder Hajime Hosogai. The 24 year old has signed a contract until summer 2013, but he has been loaned out by Bayer 04 to second Bundesliga league leaders FC Augsburg until summer 2012 to gain necessary experience in German football. Hosogai comes to Germany as the captain of Urawa Red Diamonds.

Yesterday struggling FC Cologne signed defensive allrounder Tomoaki Makino from J-league club Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The 23 year old has been given a contract until summer 2013, but he would have to undergo a medical once in Germany. Cologne's new Director of Sports Volker Finke, a former Urawa Red Diamonds coach, said about the signing, "I am delighted that Tomoaki Makino has signed for FC Cologne. I have been tracking the player while in Japan and am convinced about his qualities."

Another struggling side in VfB Stuttgart are also looking at Japanese talent in Shinji Okazaki to strengthen their attack. The 24 year old international forward is being tracked by Stuttgart and a signing looks imminent.

But all new signings along with Hasebe, Kagawa and Uchida will miss a number of league matches in January as Japan play in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, but this hasn't deterred the clubs from signing these players. And with further good performances in the Asian Cup even more Japanese players might be coming to Germany.

Goalie Rensing signs for FC Cologne

Former FC Bayern Munich goalkeeper Michael Rensing has signed a contract until the end of the season with 1.FC Cologne which the keeper hopes will resurrect his career. Since the end of last season Rensing has been without a club after Bayern Munich released him, while Cologne were on the lookout for a new keeper as current goalie Faryd Mondragón is leaving the club over the winter after having played for Cologne since summer 2007.

In his Bayern Munich days Michael Rensing was seen as one of the brightest German goalkeeping prospects and the heir of Oliver Kahn. When Kahn retired in 2008 Rensing took over, but he never could prove that he is a suitable replacement and seasoned Hans-Joerg Butt took over with former coach Juergen Klinsmann and Louis van Gaal giving Rensing numerous chances to prove himself, but he failed. In the summer Bayern did not renew his contract and suddenly Rensing was on the road.

Since then 26 year old Rensing has had offers from Spanish side Real Mallorca, English Championship club Leicester City, 2.Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin and from other clubs; but he waited for further offers. And then Cologne came along and it was perfect timing with both sides looking for a suitable solution.

FC Cologne is fighting for survival and after the first half of the Bundesliga season they are in 16th spot, which would mean a playoff against the third team from the 2.Bundesliga at the end of the season in a fight for survival. And this is something which the club will want to avoid.

Cologne were looking for a new keeper as their Columbian goalie Faryd Mondragón a few weeks ago placed a request with the club to leave in the winter to join MLS club Philadelphia Union in the new year. And the 39 year old's request was granted and the search for a replacement started. Initially it looked former Cologne keeper Markus Proell would come back to the club, but in the end the decision fell on Rensing, who will now have to prove his Bundesliga worth.