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BAYERN

Guardiola happy with ever-improving Bayern

Pep Guardiola says Bayern Munich are improving from game to game after opening a four point lead in the Bundesliga on the back of their perfect Champions League record.

Guardiola happy with ever-improving Bayern
Photo: DPA

Bayern secured their second Champions League win on Tuesday with a 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow then enjoyed a 4-0 romp at home to Hanover 96 in the German league on Saturday with Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben both scoring twice.

Bayern were rarely troubled at home and dominated Hanover even with Thomas Müller and World Cup winner Mario Goetze left on the bench, as well as Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger out injured.

Guardiola's side have now not conceded a goal in their last seven games in all competitions as they look to win a third straight Bundesliga title.

"We're happy with the result," the Bayern coach, who is in his second season in Munich.

"Hanover were third or fourth in the table (before kick-off) and played with five at the back, which wasn't easy.

"We scored four, but it could have been more. The most important thing is that every game we're playing a little better than before.

"We're playing more and running less, so I'm happy with that."

Munich were 2-0 up after just 13 minutes as Lewandowski chested down a long ball and drilled his shot into the bottom corner, then Robben added a second after a trademark run through the heart of the Hanover defence.

Lewandowski netted again just seven minutes before the break after coolly controlling a Juan Bernat pass and hitting the goal's left corner.

Bayern kept up the pressure in the second-half as Robben fired home his second with 11 minutes left.

"It was a good game, we played really aggressively going forward and didn't give our opponents a chance," said Robben.

"Hanover only wanted to defend, but they didn't manage to put the breaks on us. It's nice to give our fans four goals, but we could have scored more."

Guardiola will take his squad for their traditional drink at Munich's world-famous Oktoberfest on Sunday and the Bavarians go into the international break in rude health — and arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund struggling in 13th place.

Bayern can further their stranglehold on the league with matches against Werder Bremen and Borussia Moenchengladbach later this month.

They can also take a big step towards the Champions League's knock-out phase with a victory at AS Roma on October 21th.

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BARCELONA

Barcelona stikes Coutinho loan deal with Bayern Munich

Barcelona have an "agreement in principle" to send Philippe Coutinho on loan to Bayern Munich, both clubs confirmed Friday.

Barcelona stikes Coutinho loan deal with Bayern Munich
The Brazilian midfielder joined Barcelona for €120m in January 2018. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP
Coutinho was left out of the squad for Barca's La Liga opener against Athletic Bilbao on Friday, with club director Guillermo Amor confirming the Brazilian is close to joining Bayern.
   
“We can confirm that there is an agreement in principle for the loan of Coutinho to Bayern and we just have to finalise the deal,” Amor told Movistar, ahead of the game at San Mames.
   
Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic also confirmed the loan deal later on Friday.
   
“I can confirm that we were in Barcelona and have agreed terms with the player and his agent,” Salihamidzic told broadcaster ZDF following Bayern's own league opener, a 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin.
   
“We have a good relationship with Barcelona. We are still missing a few details such as the signature and the medical, but we are happy to have got a player like him.”
   
Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for an initial 120 million euros ($133 million), plus another 40 million euros in potential add-ons.
   
But despite huge excitement around Coutinho's arrival, he has struggled to find his place at Camp Nou.
   
Initially tried in midfield, Coutinho was pushed into the front three by Ernesto Valverde last season in a bid to help him rediscover his best form.
   
Yet the 27-year-old was too often a bystander in games and some suggested his style and positioning clashed with Lionel Messi.
   
Gerard Pique was asked earlier this month about the possibility of Coutinho leaving. “I want him (Coutinho) to stay,” Pique said. “But at the end of the day it's what he wants and I want him to be happy.”
   
At Bayern, the Brazilian will provide welcome reinforcement in attack following the departure of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery at the end of last season.
   
Coutinho's departure to Bayern could also have implications for Barcelona's hopes of re-signing Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.
   
Barca have already spent around 250 million euros this summer and it had been suggested PSG were keen for Coutinho to be included in any bid.
   
“There is a lot of talk about Neymar at the moment,” Amor added. “He is in the newspapers every day and I don't think we should get into it now.   
 
“Anything can happen while the market is still open but for now there is nothing and Neymar is a PSG player.”
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