FC Bayern Munchen News

The winger was redeployed as a trequartista to sensational effect against Ecuador, scoring a hat-trick in a win that sealed his country’s place in the last 16 of World Cup 2014

Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld says Xherdan Shaqiri is capable of realising his full potential in an attacking midfield role.

The Bayern Munich winger was deployed as a trequartista to devastating effect in Wednesday’s crucial World Cup 2014 Group E clash with Honduras, with the 22-year-old scoring all three of his country’s unanswered goals as they progressed to the last 16.

“He really displayed today what he is capable of,” Hitzfeld said after the 3-0 win in Manaus. “This is the confirmation of all the potential he has.

“This is a new position for him. In midfield, he needs to run more and this tests his concentration, but we can only congratulate him for scoring three goals.”Switzerland must now take on Argentina, for whom Lionel Messi has been in inspirational form, scoring four goals in three games.

Stopping the Barcelona No.10 undoubtedly represents a daunting task but Hitzfeld is buoyed by the fact that all of the pressure is on the Albiceleste ahead of their Sao Paulo showdown.

“We are highly motivated,” the German coach stated. “We are going to write history. In fact, we have already done that by reaching the last 16 in a World Cup in South America.

“It’s not easy playing here but playing against Argentina … we have nothing to lose.

“We are going to have to see how we will line up against Argentina, but I’m not so concerned about it now.

“I know their team and their tactics, though I’m not going to talk about them now!”

Lionel Messi has been in sensational goalscoring form for the Albiceleste but the Bayern Munich attacker is looking forward to their meeting in Sao Paulo

Xherdan Shaqiri insists that “little” Switzerland are capable of upsetting Argentina in the last 16 of World Cup 2014, arguing that “anything is possible”.

Lionel Messi has been in majestic form for the Albiceleste, scoring four times in three games, including a double in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Nigeria.

However, after bagging a hat-trick in Switzerland’s qualification-sealing 3-0 win over Honduras just hours later, Shaqiri says he and his team-mates will savour their last-16 showdown with Argentina.

“It’s going to be a great match and while we also know that we are not the favourites, we will do whatever we can,” the Bayern Munich starlet stated. “Anything is possible for us; you never know.

“This has been a dream; little Switzerland in the World Cup. And now we are at the round of 16, we can really be proud.”

Shaqiri was understandably delighted by his crucial treble against Honduras – the 50th in World Cup finals history – which saw Switzerland progress to the last 16 at the expense of Ecuador, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Group E table-toppers France.

However, the attacking midfielder refused to accept all of the praise for what was a fine team performance.

“I am obviously very happy, as a hat-trick doesn’t happen every day,” he enthused. “I will never forget this.

“There has been a lot of speculation about the weather and towards the end things were getting tougher but we managed to deal with this well.

“I am very happy with what the team has done. We wanted to show our football and that’s what we did.

“Without my team I wouldn’t have scored three. I am very proud, as I played very well today.

“I am very proud of the hat-trick but I am proud of the whole team because everybody played excellent football.”

Los Blancos received €57.4 million for securing their 10th European title with a 4-1 extra-time win over city rivals Atletico Madrid in Lisbon back in May

Uefa has revealed that Champions League winners Real Madrid received the largest share of revenue from the competition for the 2013-14 season.

Los Blancos, who defeated city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time to claim their 10th European title in Lisbon in May, received €57.4 million for their triumphant run.

Despite going out at the quarter-final stage to Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain were awarded the next highest total, receiving €54.4m. Losing finalists Atletico were given just over €50m.

Manchester United – who will not participate in next season’s Champions League – received €44.8m, a higher figure than 2013 winners Bayern Munich (€44.6m), Barcelona (€41.9m) or last season’s semi-finalists Chelsea (€43.4m).

Manchester City received €35.4m for their run to the round of 16, while Arsenal were awarded €27.2m.

A total of €904.6m was distributed among the 32 Champions League clubs, with the size of each club’s share determined by performance level and the ‘market pool’ – the value of the TV market of the association represented.

Europa League winners Sevilla received €14.6m, just over €3m more than Czech side Viktoria Plzen earned for finishing bottom of their Champions League group.

The 20-year-old believes the Netherlands star is “one of the fastest players in the world” and is delighted to be able to train with him every day

Netherlands youngster Memphis Depay has heaped praise upon Arjen Robben, insisting the forward is “unstoppable”.

Robben has been the key man for Louis van Gaal’s side in the World Cup having scored three goals and picked up an assist as the Oranje beat Spain, Chile and Australia to finish top of Group B.

The Bayern Munich star’s assist was for Depay himself, who slotted in his second World Cup goal in the dying minutes of his side’s win over Chile and the 20-year-old is in awe of his team-mate.

“Robben is fantastic,” he told De Telegraaf. “It’s great to train with him every day. 

I can’t believe my eyes how fast he can dribble the ball and I think he’s one of the fastest players in the world. He’s a top player and it’s nice to play in a team with him.

“For my goal [against Chile] it was a great ball from Nigel de Jong and then nice play by Robben.

“Once Arjen is gone, he’s unstoppable. The goal is half his. He put the ball in well and I believed I could score, so I also pointed out Arjen after the goal.”

The PSV winger says he feels blessed to be at the tournament in Brazil and says the experience has made him a better player already.

“The world is very beautiful at the moment. It’s nice to be playing. I’ve scored twice on such a big stage and I’m really happy.

“In the last weeks I’ve become a better player. I’m learning so much from the guys here around me. They have made me wiser.”

After the World Cup, Van Gaal will begin work as Manchester United boss and Depay has been linked with a move to Old Trafford but he insists he isn’t thinking about it now. 

“I am still under contract with PSV until 2017 and I am now working at the World Cup. I want to stay completely focused on it.”

The three Selecao stars broke out the instruments and held their own mile-high jam session as their World Cup campaign gains momentum

After their 4-1 demolition of Cameroon to finish top of Group A, the Brazil squad are well and truly in party mood at the World Cup. 

So jovial and elated are the Selecao, they enjoyed a delightful samba jam and singing session on the plane. 

Dani Alves, Dante and Willian broke out the samba-banjo, drums and tambourines to kick off the party before they begin their preparations for the second round tie against Chile.