MATCHDAY: Bundesliga resumes after 2-month winter break | Soccer
By The Associated Press (AP) – A look at what’s happening in European football on Friday:
GERMANY
The Bundesliga resumes after its unprecedented two-month winter break with league leaders and 10-time defending champions Bayern Munich visiting Leipzig. Bayern’s preparations took a hit when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer broke his leg in a skiing accident last month, ruling him out for the rest of the season. Bayern signed Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer to replace Neuer on Thursday. Sommer could go straight into the line-up or Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann could stay with long-serving replacement Sven Ulreich. It remains to be seen how Bayern’s German players react to their disappointing exit from the World Cup group stage. Nagelsmann tested positive after the team’s winter training camp in Qatar. Bayern will take a seven-point lead with a victory in Leipzig.
SPAIN
Celta Vigo are aiming for their second straight road win when they visit Mallorca in the Spanish Premier League. Celta’s victory to last place Elche in their last away game ended an eight-game winless streak for the Vigo side. Celta sit in 16th place, one point above the relegation zone. Midtable Mallorca are coming off defeats at Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey round of 16 and at Osasuna in the Spanish league. Prior to that, he had won six of his last nine games in all competitions. Mallorca are unbeaten in their last three home games in the league.
FRANCE
Marseille receives Rennes for a place in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. Marseille won the last of their 10 Coupe de France trophies in 1989. Winning it this season is a top priority for determined manager Igor Tudor, whose team organization has made Marseille difficult to beat. But Tudor’s side face a skilful and confident Rennes side after beating league leaders Paris Saint-Germain last weekend.
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