The Bundesliga Reaches Its Turning Point
The first half of the Bundesliga season is now in the books, and there’s no time to breathe as the second half kicks off immediately. After 17 games, a clearer picture is forming on the league table. At the top, a two-team race for the title is emerging, while Borussia Dortmund finds itself stuck in mediocrity. Meanwhile, the situation at the bottom of the table is becoming critical for several teams, with the threat of relegation looming large.
Thomas Müller Jokes About a Possible Transfer
Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller has hinted at uncertainty regarding his future with the club once his contract expires at the end of the season. Speaking after Bayern’s dominant 5-0 victory over TSG Hoffenheim, the 35-year-old played down speculation, saying, “We’ll see. It’s not a pressing issue for me right now.” However, he jokingly added, “It’s January, so technically, I could still be sold before the transfer window closes. Let’s just wait and see.”
Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, recently stated that the decision about Müller’s future would be entirely up to him. Müller, however, appears in no rush to decide. “Of course, I’m enjoying this,” he admitted. “There are pros and cons to weigh. I’m not exactly young anymore, so I’m taking it easy.” Club CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen affirmed Müller’s integral role, stating, “Thomas is part of this club and always will be, in one way or another.”
Müller showcased his enduring class during the Hoffenheim match, providing the assist for Leroy Sané’s opening goal in the 7th minute before being substituted in the 81st minute for Jamal Musiala.
Struggles for Germany’s Biathlon Men Continue
The German men’s biathlon team’s underwhelming performances remain a mystery to DSV sports director Felix Bitterling. Reflecting on the disappointing individual 20-kilometer race at the Ruhpolding World Cup, Bitterling noted, “Things still aren’t clicking. Either we ski well and falter in shooting, as we did in Oberhof, or we face a mix of both issues, like today.”
Despite high hopes for improvement, the team has yet to deliver a significant turnaround. Justus Strelow was the best-performing German in Ruhpolding, finishing a lackluster 11th place.
The DSV men will have another chance to redeem themselves in Saturday’s 4×7.5-kilometer relay, followed by Sunday’s 15-kilometer mass start event. Only three Germans—Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, and Danilo Riethmüller—have qualified for the mass start. With just under four weeks left until the World Championships in Lenzerheide (February 12–23), the pressure is mounting for the team to find their form.
