‘Players backing Bruce’
Stakes couldn’t be higher in Der Klassiker – Germany’s biggest grudge match – and Lambert says his old side have to win it
FROM BACK PAGE overnight. But Bruce’s position looks under threat despite guiding his hometown club to the brink of Premier League safety and a first FA Cup quarter-final for 13 years.
Many Magpies fans want to see a ‘high-profile’ manager appointed once the £300millon takeover is completed and current owner Mike Ashley (above) is replaced by the new regime.
But one dressing-room source said: “Steve is popular with the players, there’s a great atmosphere and a lot of them will be disappointed if he left.
“Footballers are accustomed to managers coming and going, but there is a great rapport between management and players. Everyone feels the team was in a good place when football stopped and there has been real progress here.”
PAUL LAMBERT says Borussia Dortmund have to win the biggest grudge match in German football tonight to remain in the Bundesliga title race.
The former Dortmund favourite insists Der Klassiker between his old club and Bayern rivals the Old Firm derby for intensity. The two German clubs not only hail from the historic warring states of Bavaria and Prussia, they also have conflicting images with Dortmund a working-class club versus the glamorous Munich outfit nicknamed ‘FC Hollywood’.
The rivalry is now the biggest in the Bundesliga with the two clubs meeting in the 2013 Champions League final. Tonight also sees the shoot-out between two of the hottest strikers around – Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski and teen sensation Erling Haaland of Dortmund.
Plus Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are fighting for this year’s German league title. Defending
TIMO WERNER is a perfect fit for Liverpool’s speedy style, according to Paul Lambert.
The RB Leipzig striker’s weekend hat-trick took to his tally to 30 goals this season.
Werner, 24, (right) has a £52million buyout clause in his contract, but Liverpool face potential competition for his signature from Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter Milan.
Former Borussia Dortmund star Lambert said: “I saw him playing a few years ago and he was lightning champions Bayern sit four points clear at the top and Lambert, now in charge of Ipswich, said: “Dortmund have to win.
“Bayern Munich can afford to lose. They will still be a point ahead if they lose, but Dortmund will be on their coat-tails if they win. Dortmund will quick. His model and Liverpool’s are the same. Everybody knows they play with speed, and he has that.
“Leipzig are a quick, quick side. That is their game. So would he fit in? Yes. Speed is definitely part of both teams’ DNA.”
But BT Sport’s Owen Hargreaves said Werner would struggle to take Roberto Firmino’s Anfield place.
He said: “The way United play, I could see him there. Chelsea could be a good fit. He’s perfect for Liverpool, but he’s not guaranteed to start.” 14 ...................... games 16 ......................... goals ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI 25 ..................... games 27 ........................ goals go for them – I don’t think they can play another way. The only thing missing is the intensity from the crowd.
“When you play in front of that crowd, that gives you another yard. The size of it and the volume of it.
“But Borussia Dortmund won’t sit off them. If Dortmund play as well as they can, they can get the result.” The Scot, who won the 1997 Champions League with Dortmund (circle), added: “The rivalry is really big.
“When you compare it to the Old Firm game, the intensity of both games is of the highest order.”
BT Sport is the home of the Bundesliga, with Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich exclusively live tonight. Tune into BT Sport 1 from 5pm for the top-of-the-table Der Klassiker clash