Hummels: Dortmund's attack among Europe's best

The Germany international has praised his side’s strength in attack and believes they fully deserve their place in the Champions League final

Mats Hummels has praised Borussia Dortmund’s attacking prowess ahead of the Champions League final against Bayern Munich and feels they fully deserve their place in the showpiece at Wembley later this month.

Players such as Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus and Mario Gotze impressed throughout the tournament as BVB saw off the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Ajax, Shakhtar Donetsk and Malaga to book their ticket for the final on May 25.

“We have a strong defence under Jurgen Klopp, while our attack is one of the best around in Europe,” Hummels said at a press conference.

“It is a bit of a surprise that we have made it to the final. I think that we fully deserve to be here, though.

“We were on the verge of elimination against Malaga, while Bayern nearly went out against Arsenal, but I think we both deserved to make the final.

“The fact that we meet Bayern is not an extra motivation. The fact that we have the chance to win the Champions League is motivation enough.”

Borussia Dortmund last won the Champions League in 1997 when they beat Juventus 3-1.

Kehl wants to ruin Bayern's season

The BVB skipper has stressed that the pressure is on the Bavarians and is optimistic about his side’s chances of causing an upset on May 25

Sebastian Kehl believes that Bayern Munich will not be too high on confidence ahead of the Champions League final following their recent results against Borussia Dortmund and believes the game at Wembley is a must-win for the Bundesliga champions.

The midfielder has not forgotten about BVB’s 5-2 cup final win last term and believes Dortmund have a good chance to beat Bayern again later this month.

“Bayern wanted to blow us out of the water in last year’s DFB-Pokal final, too. That didn’t work out too well for them,” Kehl told Der Westen.

“They have not been able to beat us in the Bundesliga this season either. They will be quite nervous about what could happen in London.

“Their season will be ruined if they do not win the Champions League final.

“We have earned a lot of respect in the past few years and I think that we have a good chance to beat Bayern in London.”

The Champions League final will take place at Wembley on May 25.

Bundesliga Team of the Season: Kroos & Muller among six Bayern players

Goal runs through the best players in the German top flight in 2012-13 and picks out the top 11 players over the course of the campaign

It’s been an incredible season in the Bundesliga. After punishing Bayern Munich for the last two editions of the league, Borussia Dortmund failed to mount a credible title challenge, leaving the Bavarians to run out convincing winners.

Jupp Heynckes’ side were in supreme form, sweeping up a host of records along the way and, predictably, they are well represented in Goal‘s Team of the Season. There were many top performers from across Germany but find out who makes the cut below.

It’s been a great season for Rene Adler. After being discarded by Bayer Leverkusen, the goalkeeper made his way to Hamburg and had an excellent campaign, winning back his place in the Germany set-up with his performances. Indeed, the 28-year-old has even been linked with a move to Arsenal, with HSV unlikely to make it to Europe.
Dani Carvajal arrived at Bayer Leverkusen from Real Madrid’s B-Team as a virtual unknown but did not hesitate to make an impression at right-back, putting in a string of accomplished performances which belied his years, scoring once and setting up eight others for team-mates with his dangerous crossing.

Many doubted whether Dante would be a valuable addition to the Bayern ranks after his summer move from Borussia Monchengladbach but the Brazilian has proven everyone wrong, becoming a key member of Heynckes’ side and when he is not playing, his absence is felt.

The final defender is Philipp Lahm. Having made the switch from left-back to right-back permanently last season, the Germany skipper has come on leaps and bounds, putting in performances of remarkable consistency and supplying 10 assists. That he has only made two appearances in Goal’s Team of the Week speaks volumes for his ability to get the job done with no fuss.

The next Bayern star to make the cut is Thomas Muller. After enduring a rocky season last term, the Germany international rocketed back to top form this season. He currently leads his club’s scoring charts with 22 in all competitions and has a knack for scoring at vital times.

Another Bavarian midfielder to have a breakthrough season is Toni Kroos. Previously played in a variety of roles, the 23-year-old has cemented his place behind the striker for the Bavarians and found a goalscoring touch, netting nine in all competitions, his best-ever total for the club.

Mario Gotze looked eager to make up for lost time for BVB after missing much of last season. Shifted into the middle by Jurgen Klopp, the young German turned in many a fine display, combining brilliantly with Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski to form a potent attacking trio.

Franck Ribery completes the midfield quartet. The Frenchman has largely been able to steer clear of injuries this campaign and made a stunning 13 appearances in Goal’s Team of the Week, leading his side’s title charge with eight goals and 12 assists.

The first striker of our front three is Mario Mandzukic, who arrived at Bayern Munich as back-up to Mario Gomez, but soon ousted the former Stuttgart star from Heynckes’ first team, scoring a surprising number of goals with remarkable consistency until the league title was wrapped up.

The next attacker is Robert Lewandowski. The Borussia Dortmund star was another vital cog in the BVB front line which has stunned Europe this season and the Pole went on a remarkable scoring run that saw him score in 12 matches, just four fewer than Gerd Muller’s long-standing all-time record.

Finally, we have Stefan Kiessling, who has stunned everyone with a remarkable season. The Bayer Leverkusen man has been fantastically consistent up front and few would believe that he would be leading the division’s scoring charts with just one matchday remaining. One wonders what more he has to do to win a Germany recall.

Bayern will not bid for Rooney, claims Sammer

The 27-year-old shocked Manchester United with his desire to leave in the summer but the Bavarians’ sporting director is adamant that there are no plans to pursue the forward

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has rubbished reports of a possible summer move for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
The wantaway forward has indicated his desire to leave Old Trafford in the summer and Arsenal and Chelsea are among those monitoring his availability.

Sammer, however, is adamant that links between his side and the England international are wide of the mark.

“There is no contact and he’s not on the agenda. No, no. Absolutely not,” the Roten official told reporters at Wembley.

“I don’t know what Rooney would bring to the Bundesliga. I can’t answer that. I can answer that we have great respect for Wayne Rooney but there has been no contact with him.”

David Moyes, who will take over management of Manchester United in the summer, is expected to hold talks with the former Toffees striker, whom he describes as “an exceptional talent”, over his future.

Schweinsteiger: I will step up to the spot again

The Germany international insists he bears no scars from last season’s penalty miss and will happily take responsibility again

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has revealed he is mentally prepared to take a penalty in this season’s Champions League final – despite suffering spot-kick heartbreak last term.

The 28-year-old failed to convert from 12 yards in the shootout at the Allianz Arena last May, which handed Chelsea the opportunity to win the title.

But should similar events transpire against Borussia Dortmund, Schweinsteiger insists he will not shy away from the task.

“Well, we try these things purely with the best intentions and sometimes it doesn’t work out,” he told reporters.

“I will take another one and keep trying as many possible until I score. It’s clear; if the coach wants me to take one, I will step up.”

Jupp Heynckes’ men have sealed the Bundesliga title and will face rivals Dortmund on May 25, before turning their attentions toward Stuttgart and the final of the DFB-Pokal as they bid to complete an unprecedented treble this season.