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

Goals:
40′ [0 - 1] V. Ibisevic
56′ [0 - 2] V. Ibisevic

Goals:
18′ [1 - 0] S. Papastathopoulos
45′ [2 - 0] C. Pizarro
55′ [3 - 0] M. Rosenberg
71′ [4 - 0] M. Arnautovic
86′ [4 - 1] M. Schäfer