Lionel Messi scored five goals in a single game last week, becoming the first player in the Champions League ever to do so. Most were impressed; some were not. Against Bayer Leverkusen, they said: So what? It is a familiar argument -- and one that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in particular have been forced to confront time and time again. Between them, they have racked up astonishing goal scoring figures, breaking records at every turn -- Messi has scored 50 goals already this season, Ronaldo 40 -- but the nagging doubt lingers. Yeah, they say, but against who?
Germany international striker Mario Gomez grabbed a hat-trick as Bayern Munich routed Hoffenheim 7-1 Saturday.
With Germany's title race set to resume in earnest on Sunday, Bayer Leverkusen took center stage in Saturday's Bundesliga action by claiming fifth place with a 2-0 win at struggling Cologne.
Lionel Messi scored four times as Barcelona routed Valencia to keep alive their slim chances of overhauling Real Madrid at the top of Spain's La Liga.
Barcelona put one foot into the quarterfinals of the Champions League after completing a 3-1 win at Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
Japan winger Shinji Kagawa was on target for Borussia Dortmund in a 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday to keep the reigning champions at the top of the Bundesliga.
Schalke joined Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday after a 3-1 win over Stuttgart at the Veltins Arena.
It was a historic win of sorts -- Bayer Leverkusen had not won any of its last seven games against Spanish teams in Europe -- and remarkable in the most enigmatic of ways. After the 2-1 win over Valencia on Wednesday night, players and officials weren't quite sure whether they should revel in a rather sensational second-half comeback or be shocked about the opening 40 minutes, when the whole team had "disappeared into an abyss of horror," as Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote. Michael Ballack, a 35-year-old veteran who has been around the block a few times, declared that non-performance before the break "probably the worst I've been involved in as a footballer."
Bayern Munich's 10-match winning run came to a halt on Saturday with a 0-0 draw at Hoffenheim that saw goalkeeper Manuel Neuer go past 1,000 minutes without conceding a goal.
Bayern Munich remained two points clear at the top of the German Bundesliga table after a comprehensive 3-0 win at home to last season's runners-up Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Reigning champions Borussia Dortmund suffered their first defeat in the second week of the new Bundesliga season as they lost 1-0 at Hoffenheim on Saturday.
The first full day of the new Bundesliga season kicked-off Saturday with some promising wins for teams that struggled in last year's campaign.
Bayer Leverkusen and six-time winners Werder Bremen were both sent crashing out of the German Cup at the first round Saturday.
Jupp Heynckes ensured his job at Bayern Munich will be a little bit harder after ending his two-season stint at Bayer Leverkusen on a winning note on Saturday.
2009 German champions VfL Wolfsburg gave themselves a Bundesliga lifeline with a precious 1-0 win at Werder Bremen Friday.
Borussia Dortmund's title celebrations have been put on hold for another week after the champions-elect suffered a shock defeat on Saturday and closest rivals Bayer Leverkusen won.
updated: Thu Apr 21 2011 17:15:00
CNN's Pedro Pinto reports on the nightmare season that FC Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga are having.
Hannover moved up to third place in Germany with a 3-1 win at Freiburg on Thursday, knocking Bundesliga titleholders Bayern Munich out of the Champions League places.
German league leaders Borussia Dortmund overcame a midweek bomb scare to remain seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a 4-1 victory over Hannover that knocked the visiting team out of the Champions League places.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes has confirmed that he will be leaving the German Bundesliga club at the end of the season, paving the way for a return to Bayern Munich.
An injury-time goal from substitute Nilmar secured Villarreal a 3-2 at Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 Europa League tie on Thursday.
Borussia Dortmund are now a massive 15 points clear at the top of the German Bundesliga after a 1-0 victory over Cologne on Friday -- their 19th win from 25 games this season.
Bayern Munich's faint hopes of retaining the German league title were almost extinguished on Saturday following a shock 3-2 defeat by lowly Cologne.
Bayer Leverkusen moved within eight points of German Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund after a 2-0 victory over Hannover.
Bayer Leverkusen moved up to second place in the Bundesliga on Sunday after a 3-1 win at bottom side Moenchengladbach.
Bayern Munich's hopes of retaining the German Bundesliga title suffered another blow on Saturday as Louis van Gaal's team were held 1-1 at third-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen claimed third place in the German Bundesliga with a 1-0 victory over Schalke on Saturday night that left last season's runners-up deep in relegation trouble.
Wolfsburg threw away a three-goal lead and three points against Mainz, Saturday, as Steve McClaren's team went down 4-3 in a pulsating match at the Volkswagen Arena.
Roberto Mancini will take Manchester City back to his homeland after the English club were paired with Italian giants Juventus in the Europa League draw.
Germany captain Michael Ballack enjoyed a dream return to the Bundesliga as his Bayer Leverkusen side claimed an impressive 2-0 victory at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
St. Pauli and Kaiserslautern both won on their return to the German Bundesliga on Saturday, while last season's runners-up Schalke and fellow title hopefuls Werder Bremen suffered defeats.
The 48th season of the Bundesliga will commence this week with champions Bayern Munich looking to defend their title against Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg.
Former Germany captain and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has signed a two-year deal with his former club Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich were left tantalizingly close to a 22nd German Bundesliga title after closest rivals Schalke suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to third-placed Werder Bremen in the penultimate round of the league season on Saturday.
Bayern Munich suffered a double injury blow ahead of the Champions League showdown with Lyon, as the German leaders' hopes of winning the Bundesliga title were dented by a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.
Bayern Munich smashed seven goals past struggling Hannover to re-establish the German giants' two-point lead in the Bundesliga on Saturday night.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich battled to 1-1 draw at third-placed Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday to stretch their advantage over Schalke to two points.
Bayern Munich's German title hopes suffered a blow on Saturday as Eintracht Frankfurt scored two late goals to inflict the Bundesliga leaders' first league defeat in six months.
Bayer Leverkusen moved to within three points of German Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich after a comfortable 4-2 home victory over Hamburg on Sunday.
Schalke are back on top of the German Bundesliga table by a point after defeating Stuttgart 2-1 on Friday evening, with all the goals coming in a 10-minute spell just after the interval.
Bayer Leverkusen saw their record unbeaten run come to an end with a 3-2 defeat at struggling Nuremberg which dents their Bundesliga title hopes.
Bayer Leverkusen reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga from Bayern Munich with a 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen to extend their unbeaten run to a record equaling 23 games.
Bayern Munich stayed level on points with German Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen after beating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in Saturday's late match.
Bayer Leverkusen scored three goals in four minutes late in the first half as they surged back to the top of the German Bundesliga with a 3-1 home win over Freiburg.
Bayer Leverkusen wrested back the Bundesliga leadership from Bayern Munich with an emphatic 3-0 win at Hoffenheim on Sunday.
Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga for the first time since May 2008 with a 2-0 victory at home to Hoffenheim on Friday night in the first match after the German winter break.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed Robinho will not be joining the La Liga champions after a bid for the forward was rejected by Manchester City.
Schalke moved to within a point of German Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen after winning 2-0 away to fellow title hopefuls Werder Bremen on Saturday night.
Bayer Leverkusen stumbled to a fifth draw in seven games but still extended their lead in the German Bundesliga to four points with a 0-0 stalemate at Hannover on Saturday.
Bayern Munich failed to make up ground in the Bundesliga title race as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by unbeaten leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Werder Bremen snatched top spot in the German Bundesliga after crushing Freiburg 6-0 on Saturday, as young playmaker Mesut Ozil stole the show.
The pressure is mounting on coach Louis van Gaal after Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 home draw by Schalke on Saturday.
Bayer Leverkusen opened a four-point lead at the top of the German Bundesliga after scoring three goals in the first 11 minutes on their way to a 4-0 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday.
Brazilian forward Maicosuel scored the only goal to give Hoffenheim a 1-0 win over Freiburg on Sunday, a result that lifts them up to fifth in the Bundesliga -- knocking Bayern Munich down to sixth.
Bayer Leverkusen will end the weekend at the top of the German Bundesliga despite being held 2-2 away to crisis club Schalke on Saturday night.
Bayer Leverkusen retained top spot in the German Bundesliga after coming away from second-placed Hamburg with a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.
SV Hamburg condemned Hertha Berlin to a seventh straight Bundesliga defeat with a 3-1 victory in the German capital on Sunday to continue their title charge.
Bayer Leverkusen went to the top of the German Bundesliga with a 4-0 thrashing of Nuremberg as defending champions Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich both drew on Saturday.
Inter Milan's new strikers Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito were on target again as they beat Napoli 3-1 in the San Siro on Wednesday to go top of Serie A.
Bayern Munich closed to within two points of Bundesliga leaders Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen with a 2-1 victory at home to Bavarian rivals Nuremberg on Saturday.
Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen remain level on points at the top of the German Bundesliga after victories on Saturday, while Bayern Munich stepped into form ahead of the Champions League group stages with a crushing win.
Paolo Guerrero scored twice as Hamburg took over top spot in the German Bundesliga on goal difference from Bayer Leverkusen after a 3-1 victory against bottom club Cologne on Sunday.
SV Hamburg continued their impressive start to the Bundesliga season with a superb 4-2 victory over defending champions VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday.
The new Bundesliga season kicked off on Friday when defending champions Wolfsburg beat Stuttgart 2-0 at the Volkswagen Arena -- Fanzone details what to expect from the new campaign:
Wolfsburg sparked wild celebrations when they clinched their first German Bundesliga crown after thrashing beaten UEFA Cup finalists Werder Bremen 5-1 on Saturday.
Brazilian ace Grafite grabbed a double as VfL Wolfsburg stayed three points clear of defending champions Bayern Munich with a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Ukrainian striker Andrei Voronin continued his rich vein of scoring form, netting the only goal to give Hertha Berlin a 1-0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen, a result that keeps them four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Holders Bayern Munich have crashed out of the German Cup, losing 4-2 at Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's quarterfinals.
Hertha Berlin beat reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich 2-1 on Saturday to go top in Germany.
Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim were hammered 4-1 at home by Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, meaning the winners of Saturday's showdown between Hertha Berlin and Bayern Munich will go top of the German table.
Germany striker Stefan Kiessling scored twice to help Bayer Leverkusen beat bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 to move up to third place in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Prolific striker Vedad Ibisevic scored his 17th goal of the season to help Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim beat Arminia Bielefeld 3-0 while champions Bayern Munich moved menacingly into second place after 15 rounds of the German title race.
Bayern Munich will be without captain Mark van Bommel, central defender Martin Demichelis and striker Lukas Podolski for Saturday's vital Bundesliga match at Bayer Leverkusen.
A late equalizer from American midfielder Michael Bradley earned Borussia Moenchengladbach a stunning 2-2 home draw with Bayern Munich, as Bayer Leverkusen remain top of the German Bundesliga.
Bundesliga's newcomers Hoffenheim went back to the top of the German standings with a 3-1 win at VfL Bochum on Wednesday.
Bayer Leverkusen took over at the top in Germany with a 2-0 win at Werder Bremen secured by two late goals from Arturo Vidal and and Manuel Friedrich.
Patrick Helmes scored a hat-trick on Friday night to lead Bayer Leverkusen to a 4-0 win over Hannover to claim second place in the Bundesliga ahead of the full weekend fixture list.
Germany coach Joachim Loew has named uncapped Stuttgart defender Serdar Tasci in his squad for next week's friendly international against Belgium in Nuremberg.
Bayer Leverkusen have turned to former German international striker Bruno Labbadia in a bid to revive their fortunes in the Bundesliga next season.
Bayern Munich are beginning to pay the price for the success that has kept them on target to pick up four trophies this season.
German League leaders Bayern Munich scored four times in the opening 22 minutes on their way to a 5-0 drubbing of Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
Zenit St. Petersburg took a giant stride towards the UEFA Cup semifinals with a 4-1 away victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday.
Bayern Munich, more used to contesting the late stages of the Champions League, will face Spaniards Getafe in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup and they could meet Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has been named in the Germany squad for Wednesday night's friendly against Austria in Vienna -- and is set to make his first international appearance for almost a year.
Bayern Munich will go into the German Bundesliga midwinter break as leaders despite being held to a dour goalless draw at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
Peguy Luyindula scored the only goal of the game as Paris St Germain scored a vital 1-0 win at Auxerre on Sunday to ease the club's relegation fears.
Bayer Leverkusen have moved up to fifth position in the German Bundesliga following a 2-1 victory at Wolfsburg.
Werder Bremen battled to a 1-1 draw at Schalke 04 on Saturday to maintain second place in the Bundesliga but are still trailing leaders Bayern Munich by five points.
Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni worked his scoring magic again as Bayern Munich won 1-0 at Bayer Leverkusen to go four points clear in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Schalke's Brazilian defender Rafinha fired them up to second place in the German Bundesliga table by converting a 44th minute penalty which gave them a 1-0 home win over Hertha Berlin.
Germany coach Joachim Loew is able to welcome back several key players including striker Miroslav Klose for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales in Cardiff.
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