Flick announced today that Rudiger is back in contention to play against North Macedonia after missing recent training sessions.

The former Roma player played all 90 minutes in Germany’s World Cup qualifier against Romania. After a stunning Ianis Hagi goal, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller spared the team’s blushes in a 2-1 win.

After that match, the Chelsea defender was absent from training over the weekend. Reports in Germany claimed that he was struggling with a back injury and would be doubtful to play.

In a pre-match press conference Flick told the media that Rudiger was undergoing treatment for a back problem but that it would not rule him out of Germany’s next match.

This is Rudiger playing in a back 4 pic.twitter.com/23H7q76MWC

— (@_NeverTakenAnL_) October 9, 2021

This will be great news for German and Chelsea fans as the 6’2” center-half is in the form of his life. He has shown that he is one of the best defenders in the world, being a major part of the Blues’ Champions League victory.

He is still yet to extend his contract at Chelsea with his deal running out in June. If the Stamford Bridge board cannot agree to make him the highest-paid defender in the league then he may still leave.

Some of Europe’s major teams have already started circling with rumors of Bayern Munich and PSG wanting the player. As it stands, the now Chelsea defender will focus on his next game for Germany.

Keep smiling …. always #Hustle #AlwaysBelieve pic.twitter.com/8PmRXgyEq6

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) October 5, 2021

Die Mannschaft will travel to North Macedonia for their upcoming game in the World Cup qualifiers. This top-of-the-table clash kicks off tonight, 11th October at 19:45 in Skopje. It will also be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League Ireland.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date club and international football news, click here.

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The three changes to the squad for this weekend are injury-enforced, with Gavin Mullin, Ed Kelly and Mark Roche, unfortunately, picking up injuries in Vancouver.

All three have been ruled out this week and have returned to Dublin while Olympians Billy Dardis and Jordan Conroy, and Aaron O’Sullivan return to action for the national side.

A new-look Ireland squad impressed last weekend in Vancouver as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returned after 18 months, and the side – led by Bryan Mollen – will be hoping to build further on those performances at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

A fourth-place finish in Vancouver was Ireland’s best placing as a World Series core team, and the exposure of nine debutants to international action across the weekend was a real positive at the start of a new Olympic cycle.

Commenting ahead of the Edmonton tournament, IRFU Director of Sevens Rugby Anthony Eddy says this weekend will provide the squad with another exciting opportunity to build experience and cohesion building towards the 2022 season.

“It was great to see to team perform so well in Vancouver and they have taken a lot of learnings from that tournament that should put them in a better position this weekend,” Eddy said.

“What is really exciting is to see some of the young men that have no experience of this level of competition perform so well and they will continue to develop and become very important players for the team during the 2021/2022 World Series.”

Ireland will open their campaign against Germany on Saturday, September 25 (9:44 am local time/4:44 pm Irish time), before further Pool C clashes against Jamaica (12:55 pm local time/7:55 pm Irish time) and Great Britain (4:28 pm local time/11:28 pm Irish time) later in the day.

Play-off matches will be played on Sunday, September 26 – all games will be available to watch on the World Rugby Sevens Series social media channels.

Ireland Squad – Edmonton 7s

Niall Comerford (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers)
Chris Cosgrave (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Seán Cribbin (Suttonians)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College)
Shane Jennings (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
Sean Kearns (Irish Sevens)
Steven Kilgallen (UCD RFC)
Bryan Mollen (Blackrock College)(Captain)
Ben Moxham (Ballymena/Ulster)
Aaron O’Sullivan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Conor Phillips (Young Munster/Munster)
Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster)

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Ireland came out on top against the Netherlands in a battle that determined who finished behind Scotland in the qualifiers.

The side had beaten France on Sunday morning to set up the showdown with the Dutch.

Batting first, Ireland posted 111/9, with Eimear Richardson hitting a half-century and posting 53 runs.

Gaby Lewis also put up a respectable 32 runs to help Ireland to a strong start against their opponents.

This left Lewis on 145 runs across the qualifiers – the most in the tournament.

Eva Lynch picked up four wickets for the Dutch, while Iris Zwilling also chipped in with three scalps.

In the chase, a lack of contribution from the batters, apart from Robine Rijke who added 32 runs to her cause, proved costly as the Netherlands fell short of the total by 24 runs.

Captain Laura Delany and Cara Murray picked up three wickets apiece for the Irish.

With the victory, Ireland finished behind Scotland, accumulating 6 points in four matches.

Richardson was awarded Player of the Series after spectacular performances throughout the tournament.

Scotland finished at the top of the qualifiers with an unblemished record, earning maximum points and winning all four games.

The Scots comfortably beat France by ten wickets, much like Ireland did on Sunday morning, to finish with a 100% record.

The French were bowled out for 24 when they batted first as the Scottish bowlers wreaked havoc.

The French batters couldn’t register a double-figure score and Scotland gained control of the contest early on.

For the Scots, Megan McColl was the pick of the bowlers with astounding match-figures of 5/3 in her spell of four overs while Abbi Aitken-Drummond also picked up two wickets.

With a small total to chase, the Scottish women went hell for leather, which led to them losing three wickets. But the target was accomplished after only 2.2 overs, continuing their dominant run in the tournament, winning four matches out of four to top the Europe Qualifier.

Scotland will progress to the global qualifier which will begin in 2022 – Ireland have a chance to join them if they are the highest-ranked team on November 30 that did not win their group.

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The result leaves Ireland with two more chances to ensure a spot in the top four of the pool and subsequent progression to the tournament’s quarter-finals.

The side produced an impressive display against the Rio 2016 Bronze medalists but Germany were clinical in attack.

Sean Dancer’s Ireland was at a disadvantage from the beginning after Lisa Altenburg put the Germans in the lead.

The 31-year-old latched on to a smart lob pass and opened up a goalscoring chance for herself with a smart run.

That particular lob through to the right-wing was a common feature of Germany’s game plan throughout the match.

Sean Dancer’s women did not have a response for the Germans in the first quarter and finished the 15 minutes looking a level below their unbeaten opposition.

Ireland upped the ante in the second quarter and began to bring the game to the 2004 Olympic Champions.

A second penalty corner for the side almost birthed an equaliser with Hannah Matthews’ touch causing panic among the Germans.

However, it was the Germans who got the second goal of the game after a cross from Kira Horn found Cécile Pieper who scored with a lovely flick.

Chloe Watkins moved into a pocket of space which almost led to a first goal for the girls in green but the chance flattered to deceive.

Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran was great against the Germans and pulled off some strong saves throughout the match.

However, the German’s added a third via a penalty stroke when they had a woman advantage – Anna O’Flanagan received a 10-minute yellow moments before.

Altenburg made no mistake from the spot and put her side into a commanding lead.

Ireland fought their way back into the game, opening their scoring account for the game two minutes after Altenburg’s second.

Elena Tice saw her strike find the bottom corner of the German goal with Ireland third penalty corner.

The fourth quarter started as the third ended with Ireland visibly confident and pushing for a second goal to bring the tie back within reach.

Sarah Hawkshaw and Zara Malseed caused the German defence problems, with the latter forcing a penalty corner.

The side’s fourth penalty corner ended with a fifth being given and Hannah McLoughlin scored her first goal for Ireland with a lovely shot that went beyond German keeper Julia Sonntag.

Controversy marred the final minutes of the game with two questionable video-call referee decisions going in favour of the Olympic mainstays.

Franzisca Hauke put the tie beyond Ireland’s reach when she scored Germany’s fourth goal of the game, even though replays appeared to show Ayeisha McFerran was obstructed in the build-up.

Zara Malseed had put the ball in the German net to get what would have been her side’s third but the video-call referee deemed it to be back-stick and disallowed it.

Germany has advanced to the quarter-finals with their win against Ireland.

The Irish comeback was not to be but the two goals against the Germans could prove important if progression came down to goal difference.

Ireland faces India next on Friday, July 30th at 3:45 am, with a win guaranteeing the side a quarter-final spot.

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It was the national side’s first knockout win over the Germans in a major tournament since their 1966 World Cup win.

The two sides went head-to-head in front of 45,000 England fans in their national stadium.

To clarify, England were the only side with home advantage in the last 16.

Both sides set up in 3-4-3 formations with the Germans opting for an attacking variant of the formation and Gareth Southgate choosing to set his side up in the opposite.

However, Southgate’s plan worked quite well as wing-backs Trippier and Shaw locked down the ever-so-dangerous duo of Joshua Kimmich and Robin Gosens.

The first half was a tense, cagey affair with both sides having the ability to attack but not the ability to finish.

Timo Werner missed a golden opportunity to put his country in the lead but Harry Kane outdid his miss, failing to convert from inside the six-yard box.

Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels was the reason he could not, putting in a fantastic last-ditch tackle to keep the side’s level and scoreless at the break.

Mats. Maschine. Mega. pic.twitter.com/kscfXM5A2p

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) June 29, 2021

Germany dominated possession for much of the second half but failed to fashion a quality chance.

Southgate’s defensive structure irritated the German’s with seven defensive-minded outfield players on the pitch for England.

Jack Grealish was brought on for Bukayo Saka in the 69th minute and suddenly England were able to threaten the German back three.

It must be said that Saka’s energy for those 69 minutes helped the situation as he tired defenders out with his pace.

The Matthias Ginter – Mats Hummels axis was exposed by Grealish, who worked well with Kane and Shaw to stretch them while Raheem Sterling ran into space to slot home the opener in the 75th minute.

Sterling’s ability to get in behind defenders with ease has led to all three of his goals in the competition so far.

His tendency to receive the ball from deep and dribble inside started the move he finished off.

Chelsea wonderboy Kai Havertz put Thomas Muller through in a quick counter-attack just minutes later but the Bayern star put his shot wide.

Shaw and Grealish were involved in the killer blow for Germany after Muller’s miss, with Shaw finding Grealish in the position the wing-back was in earlier and the Villa star finding Kane who headed the ball in.

Ginter’s positioning for both goals was abysmal and he gave too much space to the goalscorers.

Germany failed to break through the English defences and reply to the two unanswered goals, ending their Euro 2020 run as it began – with a timid loss.

The curtains have closed on Joachim Low’s Germany reign after the exit.

In contrast, Southgate and his men march on with an increased chance of going all the way after their performance.

England will face Ukraine at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, July 3rd at 20:00.

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Two great conquering nations in both history and sport are destined to be rivals when it comes to international football. England is set to meet Germany for the sixth time in a knockout competition this evening.

To compare trophies the Germans have won an immense four World Cups and three European championships. Competitors England hold only one solitary World Cup from 1966.

“I would never describe England as Germany’s biggest rivals,” former German player Dietmar Hamann told the Daily Telegraph.

“Our big rivals have always been seen as the most likely to challenge us.”

England haven't beaten Germany in a major tournament knockout game since 1966.

Thomas Müller sure knows it. #ENGGER #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/dqxuyX0nt6

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) June 28, 2021

That day in London in 1966 sparked this entire rivalry that has only grown more exciting and passionate with every game since.

England 4 – Germany 2, 1966 World Cup Final, England

England’s first home World Cup and their legendary team was to face Germany. This game contained everything football fan want, extra time drama, great goals, and infamous referee decisions.

Although many were happy to see Bobby Moore lift the Jules Rimet Trophy, the game will be remembered for a Geoff Hurst ‘goal’ that clearly landed on the line. This gave the Three Lions the lead in extra time, a lead which they held till the end.

Although, Germany will have their chance for some revenge later down the line.

1966: Moore & Seeler #ENGGER #ENG #GER #EURO2020

Offside66 via Getty Images pic.twitter.com/79UgZNkWRq

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 (@RothmansYears) June 29, 2021

Germany 3 – England 2, 1970 World Cup Quarterfinal, Mexico

Four years later, the Germans had their revenge. A complacent England team let their two-goal lead slip and the game went to extra time again.

This time Geoff Hurst had a goal mysteriously ruled out and Gerd Muller scored a fantastic volley to win them the match.

Germany 3 – England 1, 1972 Euros Quarterfinal, Over two legs

The English side seemed to have their confidence shattered from the World Cup defeat two years earlier.

They poorly lost in Wembley 3-1 and the return leg in Munich ended 0-0 to seal the win for Germany. The Germans’ efficiency showed throughout with England never looking like winning the tie.

Germany 1 – England 1, 1990 World Cup Semi-finals, Italy

Germany’s confidence was sky-high; their reunification process had just begun and with Franz Beckenbauer as head coach, they were one of the favourites of the competition.

England posed a threat as Gary Lineker scored an equalizer to send it to extra time. After David Platt’s winner was ruled out, the game was decided with penalties.

This moment began a dismal legacy for the Three Lions as England continued their dismal penalty record and Germany was as calm as ever. Germany won the penalty shootout 4-3.

Gazza tells us about the time he had a quick game of tennis the night before England's semi final with Germany at World Cup 1990 pic.twitter.com/mShwrroRCt

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) June 28, 2021

Germany 1 – England 1, 1996 Euros Semi-final, England

This game was a repeat of the match played six years earlier except this time England had much more confidence. Tournament top scorer Alan Shearer opened the scoring after less than five minutes. This was canceled out by Stefan Kuntz and the game went to penalties.

Eleven penalties were scored until the new England manager, Gareth Southgate stood up to take his spot-kick. That miss sealed England’s fourth lose in a row to the German’s at major competitions.

Revenge tomorrow… #eng #ENGGER pic.twitter.com/izSlrtW1i1

— Harry Mansell (@Harry_Mansell) June 28, 2021

Germany 4 – England 1, 2010 World Cup Round of 16, South Africa

What looks like a dominant victory by the Germans could have actually been a much closer game. A perfectly good Frank Lampard goal was not given before half time that would have left the scores a 2-2.

With VAR and goal-line technology not in use, Germany finally had the perfect revenge for 1966.

The match today seems like it could go either way. Both sides have not had the best performances in the tournament so far.

Can this young English team banish the demons of their past or will the Germans be as efficient as ever?

The match kicks off at 17:00 with RTE 2 starting their build-up at 16:30.

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France, Germany, Hungary, and Portugal will lock horns over the course of the group stage to determine who goes through.

There is a very high possibility that three from this group go through – which three it will be is a tougher question to answer.

FRANCE

France is the reigning World champion and will enter the tournament as favourites for the European crown.

The Euro 2016 runners-up are trying out a new formation currently which accommodates Karim Benzema.

Benzema made his first appearance for France after five years and seven months in exile against Wales.

The 4-3-1-2 formation can accommodate Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté and Adrien Rabiot in the centre of the pitch.

Ina addition to this, Antoine Griezmann can play as a number 10 behind Kylian Mbappé and Benzema.

This allows Benzema to play the way he does at Real Madrid.

The striker can hold up the ball for Mbappé and move into spaces to receive passes.

It was trialled in the tournament warm-up matches but we will not know how impactful it is for Les Bleus until the Euros.

Manager Didier Deschamps could lead France to a second major trophy in three years if his tinkering pays off, but they must get through this group before they even think of that.

GERMANY

Germany has been on the decline since their abysmal World Cup defence in Russia.

Head coach Joachim Löw is will leave his role after Germany’s Euro 2020 concludes.

The World Cup-winning coach has yet to fix the problems that have plagued Germany for several years.

Antonio Rüdiger has earned a starting spot for the Euros alongside Mats Hummels and Emre Can, who Löw plays often.

The Germans’ midfield is stacked but in a negative way – will Kimmich and Goretska play alongside each other or will Kroos take the latter’s place and Germany play with two 6s? It is hard to tell.

Thomas Müller and Ilkay Gündogan could also start, and their presence would provide the link between defence and attack that a double 6 midfield would need.

Serge Gnabry, Timo Werner and Kevin Volland are all candidates to lead the line for Die Mannschaft but it is unclear whether they will be isolated or provided adequate support to do their job.

Germany is the team that is the hardest to read going into Euro 2020 and, with home advantage for all three group games, may return to form or could go out in a blaze of glory.

They are suspect to an upset based on recent form, but they could also come out guns blazing with Thomas Müller and company back in the squad.

HUNGARY

Hungary will be looking to have another impressive European Championship after winning their group in 2016, which also included Portugal.

RB Leipzig’s Péter Gulácsi, his clubmate Willi Orban and Attila Szalai will provide Marco Rossi’s team with a solid defence.

Bristol City’s Ádám Nagy will patrol the space in front of them.

Winger Roland Sallai and captain Ádám Szalai will do what they can in the attacking third.

The side is without their best player through injury, RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai, and will struggle in attack.

What they do have, though, is a home advantage against France and Portugal.

It is unlikely that Marco Rossi’s side qualifies for the Round of 16, but it is far from impossible.

PORTUGAL

Portugal, in contrast, has their star man and have all positions covered with top-notch depth except centre-back as only three are part of the squad.

Those three in question are Ruben Dias, Pepe, and José Fonte though, so that evens it out.

However, Pepe and Fonte were born in 1983.

Selecting a fourth centre-back would have been high on any other manager’s list.

Portugal under-21-star Diogo Leite would have been an ideal inclusion, but Portugal boss Fernando Santos opted against it.

Defensive midfielder Danilo can play there if needed.

Their midfield is packed with defensive-minded players.

Fullbacks João Cancelo and Raphaël Guerreiro will play high and wide, the former acting as a playmaker when needed.

Sergio Oliveira and Renato Sanches can add attacking ability to the midfield if needed.

João Felix will cut inside from his wide role and either move through the middle or create space for Cristiano Ronaldo or Guerreiro.

Ronaldo will look to get the ball in any position in the final third and do his thing, as he so usually does.

Diogo Jota and Andre Silva provide options for the forward line if a Ronaldo-led attack is deemed to need them.

Santos’ Portugal will play defensive against fellow favourites France but may choose to be more attacking against those with weaker defences.

Ronaldo and the rest should not have a problem, much like France, unless Germany or Hungary can change their tune.

Group F Fixtures:

Hungary v Portugal Tuesday, 15th June 17:00.

France v Germany Tuesday, 15th June 20:00.

Hungary v France Saturday 19th June 14:00.

Portugal v Germany Saturday, 19th June 17:00.

Portugal v France Wednesday, 23rd June 20:00.

Germany v Hungary Wednesday, 23rd June 20:00.

Betting Group F Winner

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Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka and Aphonso Davies applied the finishes in four of those goals. A own goal from Martin Hinteregger completed the rout. This means that Bayern are still ahead in the table by 4 points. They play Borrusia Dortmund on Tuesday night in what is essentially a title decider.

Bayern will be disappointed with their defending though. They conceded two goals from set pieces within four minutes. In fact those two goals from Hinteregger. The sides had previously met earlier in the season when it was Frankfurt that put five goals past the then Niko Kovac coached side. However, that 5-1 ultimately cost Kovac his job at the Allianz Arena.

In other Bundesliga games, Borussia Dortmund scored twice to beat Wolfsburg 2-0. The goals coming from Raphael Guerreiro and Achraf Hakimi. The win keeps them just four points adrift of Btable toppers Bayern Munich. Bayer Leverkusen also had a good win over Borrusia Moncengladbach. Leverkusen winning 3-1. Goals coming from Kai Havertz who scored a brace, while Sven Bender also headed in on 81 minutes. Marcus Thuram pulled one back for Moncengladbach but it was two little to late as Leverkusen slide into third place.

Werder Bremen had a 1-0 over Freiberg. The winner for Bremen coming from Leonardo Bittencourt. The win sees them remain in the relegation zone but with a game in hand of their opponents. Hoffenheim and Paderborn played out a 1-1 draw. Robert Skov had an early goal cancelled out by Dennis Srbeny.

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It was announced last week that the German football league would resume. Their first and second divisions from Saturday will resume action after a two month suspension. However, strict guidelines will be required, obviously this means stadiums will almost empty. Only 300 essential staff will be able to attend, such as tv crew and some press. Furthermore, players have been told not to spit. They have also been told to celebrate in group or touch hands. RTE Sport report that some clubs in fact will use music and cardboard cutouts of fans to enhance atmosphere.

The Bundesliga have said they wish to complete the season by June 30th. However, they are aware of the risk of another suspension if there are large number of cases among players. The league have said a further suspension would hurt clubs financially, stating another suspension would be “disastrous” for both league and teams. The Premier League, La Liga and Serie A have no yet resumed so the Bundesliga will become the big league with many people looking for some soccer to watch.

Bayern Munich, who are looking for their 8th league title in a row will play away to FC Union Berlin. Borussia Dortmund will entertain Schalke 04. The CEO of Bayern Munich Rummenigge said, “With the Bundesliga as the only league to be broadcast on TV, I expect we will have an audience of a billion.”

Moreover, It is great finally to have something to watch for sports fanatics. It is also great for those in the area of sports journalist. It is something to cover in this difficult time with no sport on. All the action can be viewed on various channels over the weekend with some games also showing on BT Sport. So, if you want your fix of soccer this weekend be sure to watch the Bundesliga.

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