Bayern Munich

Gomez, 26, has been a vital player for Bayern over the past couple of seasons; he scored 41 goals in the 2010-11 campaign and looks set to beat that total this term having struck 35 times already.

The Germany striker’s current deal expires in 2013, but agent Uli Ferber claims he wants to pen an extension.

“Mario is very happy in Munich,” Ferber told Sport Bild. “That is why we have never been involved with other clubs. There is therefore no objection to a contract extension – we have no time constraints.”

With Croatia international Ivica Olic set to leave the Allianz Arena on a free transfer this summer, Bayern are thought to be weighing up a move for former striker Claudio Pizarro, who is currently at werder Bremen, to give them an alternative striking option to Gomez. (espn)

Bayern Munich

Bayern won only four of their last nine games, so the defending champions, Borussia Dortmund, can lead seven points clear at the top of the league standings.

When speculation peaked, German daily Bild on Wednesday claimed that Heynckes, whose contract will expire in June 2013, can be replaced by Borussia Moenchengladbach coach, Lucien Favre or Hanover 96 coach, Mirko Slomka.

However, officials of the club moved quickly to dismiss the rumors. “Bayern Munich have full confidence in Jupp Heynckes and his work,” Bayern said in a statement.

“Some of the medias have been speculating about the early resignation of Jupp Heynckes and some rumors stating that there had been discussions about the position of coach at the club.”

“The he authorized parties at Bayern Munich condemned the outrageous speculation by the media, which are not based on fact, in a very strong name.”

“We protest ‘journalism gossip’ like this, and will be investigating our legal options for the future.

Since Felix Magath was sacked in February 2007, when his team was only ranked fourth in the league after winning the previous two seasons in the league and German Cup, Bayern had a total of six coaches in five years.

Ottmar Hitzfeld, Jurgen Klinsmann, Heynckes (as an interim coach in 2009), Louis van Gaal, Andries Jonker, and Heynckes again, were all coaches of Bayern.

U.S. national team coach, Juergen Klinsmann was fired in April 2009, after only dealing with the club for ten months, while former Barcelona coach, Van Gaal was fired in April, despite having won two domestic titles and led Bayern to the Champions League final.

Heynckes is a close friend of Bayern president, Uli Hoeness, but the defeat against Basel and Moenchengladbach will certainly weaken his position.

Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl fired the defending champion ahead in the 48th minute and Lucas Barrios sealed the win in the 82nd, just 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

“It really wasn’t easy today, and that’s what makes the win so special,” said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp.

Dortmund shrugged off a wind chill of minus 17 degrees Celsius (1.4 Fahrenheit) to stretch its unbeaten run to 14 games.

However, Dortmund winger Kevin Grosskreutz played down talk of a title defense.

“Bayern (Munich) said they’ve more quality,” Grosskreutz said.

“There’s always this question. ‘Who’ll be champions? Who’ll be champions?’ We’ve just won a game.”

Bayern can reclaim the lead on goal difference with a win at Hamburger SV on Saturday, when Schalke can also move level on 43 points by beating Mainz at home.

The home side forced two good saves from Roman Weidenfeller early on, before Nuremberg ‘keeper Raphael Schaefer twice denied Robert Lewandowski and then Shinji Kagawa on the line.

The visitors finally got the breakthrough after the interval when Moritz Leitner split the Nuremberg defense with a fantastic through ball and Lukasz Piszczek pulled it back for Kehl to slot into the bottom left corner.

Barrios then scored his first goal of an injury-plagued season when he pounced on Schaefer’s save from Kagawa to secure the win.

“For me it’s super. It was a great day,” the Paraguay striker said.

Klopp’s only concern now is the fitness of Sven Bender. The influential midfielder was forced off in the 22nd minute due to suspected ligament damage to his left ankle. (AP)

Lukas Podolski

The German striker is believed to land at the Emirates Stadium in January, especially after Arsene Wenger made him as a prime target to add strength in his front line.

The news was later denied by Podolski’s agent, Kon Schramm. According to him, the 26-year-old player is not planning to leave in mid-season.

“The main priority for Podolski now is Koln. He wants to play to maintain a place in the national team to compete in Euro 2012,” said Schramm, according to the Guardian.

The contract of the player who is familiarly called as Poldi, will end in June 2013. Previously he played for Bayern Munich in 2006 and three years later returned to Koln.

Bayern Munich

Bayern currently tops the standings with three points clear of Borussia Dortmund and Schalke. Muller emphasized that it is very important for them to become champions after Dortmund won it last season.

“We will win the Bundesliga. Me and my friends want it. We have to be a champions again, “said Muller, accoridng to Bild.

“Bundesliga is very important to us, perhaps the most important trophy. There is only one option when Bayern lost the title, the champions should go back to Munich. ”

“It is in the minds of fans, and us also. We do not want to see Dortmund celebrate again. We did not fall behind by 14 points from them this season, and we are three points ahead. ”

Bayern’s first game after the winter holidays is an away match against Borussia Monchengladbach on January 20.

Netzer believes Robben will play a key role for Bayern to win the German Bundesliga this season despite missing most games in the first half of the competition due to injury.

“He’s a world class player for Bayern, Robben is great to watch,” said Netzer according to Express.

“For Bayern having players with quality like that is very important.”

“If he’s back fit, Robben would be a very important player for Bayern. He is an ambitious player, but it’s a good thing.”

“All the attacker has an individualistic attitude because they’re used to not be involved in the match but then they are able to score many goals.”

Bayern will start the second half of the season after the winter break by facing Borussia Monchengladbach, on January 20 .

Bastian Schweinsteiger

The comparison came from Bayern Munich coach, Jupp Heynckes, who thinks Schweinsteiger is like Xavi and Iniesta.

“They’re both great players, no doubt about that. But I consider myself a bit different, especially from the physical side,” said Schweinsteiger as reported by Bayern’s official website.

“I win air ball mainly due to physical advantages. I also have a different solution compared to them. But obviously, I understand what Jupp wants top  deliver.”

Schweinsteiger is expected to be back playing for Bayern after the winter break after recovering from a shoulder injury in the past two months.

Bayern Munich

The Croatia international has played just 285 minutes in seven games in all competitions this season, however, the 30-year-old has revealed that he will not leave Munich before June.

“I have reconciled with myself that I will stay here,” he told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.

When asked how he will plan for the second half of the season, Pranjic kept a positive attitude.

“Now, as every year, [I will] prepare under the impression that I will play.”

The former Heerenveen man is looking forward to the Bundesliga restart in January and feels that he and compatriot Ivica Olic, who has also struggled for playing time, will be given the chance to prove their worth.

“I think the coach will give myself and Ivica more opportunities,” he concluded.

Previous reports speculated that Pranjic might leave Munich for Hamburg in January. However, Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has been adamant that no player will be released before summer.

Pranjic and Olic both have contracts that will expire in June.

Goals:
20′ [1 - 0] C. Clemens
60′ [2 - 0] L. Podolski
66′ [3 - 0] C. Clemens
74′ [4 - 0] L. Podolski