FRANKFURT - Bayern Munich began the defence of its Bundesliga title on Friday by beating Wolfsburg 2-1 with goals from Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben shortly before and after the interval.
Kyle Korver Cavaliers Jersey . Bayern dominated the match until a goal by Ivica Olic in the 52nd minute that breathed new life into Wolfsburgs game. Wolfsburg wasted a tremendous late opportunity to earn a point and Robben hit the crossbar in stoppage time. "It would have been difficult for us if they had made it 2-2," Bayern director Matthias Sammer said. Both teams were missing several injured players. Bayern was without Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger, among others. But central defender Holger Badstuber returned to the Bundesliga after missing 20 months with a knee injury and two operations. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola gave 17-year-old Gianluca Gaudino, son of former Germany international Maurizio Gaudino, his Bundesliga debut and the teenager had a good game, nearly setting up a goal. New Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski failed to score and was substituted late in the second half. Guardiola had predicted that his team would face a difficult first half of the season due to the many injuries and because many players were still getting into shape after the World Cup. But he started with five of his six Germany players, plus Robben, who also played throughout the World Cup with third-placed Netherlands. And Robben was one of the top players in the season opener. Lewandowski set up Mueller early but Mueller tried to play back the ball instead of shooting and the Wolfsburg defence cleared. Gaudino then chipped a pass and Lewandowski attempted an acrobatic first-time effort but Wolfsburgs goalkeeper Max Gruen palmed the ball over. Bayern opened the scoring in the 37th when Robben faked Luiz Gustavo and sent in a low cross that was knocked in from close range by Mueller. Mueller began the move that led to Bayerns second goal in the 47th, feeding Lewandowski, who launched Robben. Josuha Guilavogui appeared to move aside and Robben had the space he needed to slot the ball inside the post. Wolfsburg got back into the match when Olic picked up a throw-in and fired onto the underside of the crossbar and into the net of his former team. Junior Malanda should have salvaged the point for Wolfsburg in the 79th. He raced in to connect with a low cross from Maximilan Arnold but the ball hit Bayern and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuers leg and bounced off the crossbar. It fell to Malanda but he hit it with his shin and managed to miss the target from just one meter (yard) out. Bayerns substitute Sebastian Rode found the net in the 84th but the play was called offside in a questionable decision.
Alec Burks Jersey .A caravan greeted the former Boston Red Sox pitcher at the airport and took him to a public park in Santo Domingo, where a crowd lined a 19-mile stretch of highway to catch a glimpse of him.Once at the park, Martinez went on stage accompanied by players David Ortiz and Robinson Cano as merengue music played and fireworks lit up the sky.
LeBron James Cavaliers Jersey . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive.NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Titans quarterback Jake Locker will miss the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, leaving Tennessee trying to rally with Ryan Fitzpatrick. A discussion on their banged-up quarterbacks future with the Titans will have to wait until the off-season. "Were just concentrating on these seven weeks," coach Mike Munchak said Monday after announcing Lockers injury. "Thats all were concerned about. Next year is next year. Right now we just got to go forward and try to win a game." Not only did the Titans lose Locker on Sunday, they also became the first team to lose to previously winless Jacksonville this season 29-27. That loss dropped the Titans to 4-5, missing a chance to pull within a game of Indianapolis (6-3) in the AFC South. The quarterback was hurt in the second quarter of a 29-27 loss to Jacksonville at the end of an option play. Locker, who was on crutches and a walking boot, told reporters before leaving the stadium he hoped and prayed the injury wouldnt end his season. But further tests Monday confirmed the extent of the damage. "To lose him now is a huge blow," Munchak said. "I mean you watch any team that loses their quarterback its a big effect on the team." Munchak said whether Locker will need surgery to repair his foot will be decided in the next few days after consulting with surgeons. "So its hard for him," Munchak said. "I know how depressed he is, I know how hard this hurt him and our team. I mean, hes a fighter." The Titans drafted Locker with the eighth selection overall in 2011 to be their franchise quarterback, and he signed a four-year contract with an option for a fifth year. Locker is completing 60.7 per cent of his passes for 1,256 yards and has eight touchdowns with only four interceptions and a passer rating of 86.7. He is 8-10 since becoming a starter, but he will wind up missing 14 of a possible 32 starts in his first two seasons. Asked if he was worried Locker is injury prone, Munchaak said that will be a topic for discussion in February.
Kyle Korver Jersey. The Titans signed Fitzpatrick to back up Locker in March, and he went 0-2 against Kansas City and at Seattle when Locker hurt his right hip and knee Sept. 29 against the Jets. Fourth-year quarterback Rusty Smith will be Fitzpatricks backup and has been on the 53-man roster since Locker got hurt against the Jets. Fitzpatrick threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns as a reserve in the loss to the Jaguars, and he also ran for a touchdown trying to rally the Titans. Tight end Delanie Walker, who caught a 14-yard TD pass from Fitzpatrick with 40 seconds left, said Monday they need Fitzpatrick to step up. "Hes going to be the starting quarterback from now on because Jake is out for the year, so Ryan has no choice but to play good," Walker said. "I feel like he did a great job against the Jaguars. This is his opportunity to be the man now." Walker pointed at other NFL teams that have lost starters at that position. "But when its your turn to step up, youve got to step up and play, and thats where were at," Walker said. Safety Bernard Pollard said its time for the next man up. "So we trust and we are behind Fitz 100 per cent," Pollard said. Locker isnt the only injury the Titans are dealing with on a short week. Center Brian Schwenke hurt his right ankle and played only 15 snaps, with veteran Chris Spencer finishing the game. Munchak said Schwenke is day to day. Damian Williams hurt his hip on a punt return and was having tests Monday after leaving on crutches, forcing the Titans to look for a new returner. Alterraun Verner handled the job after Williams was hurt, but the cornerback is tied for the NFL lead with five interceptions and the Titans are reluctant to use him in that role. NOTES: The Titans injury report based on a walk-through session included RG Chance Warmack (ankle) out, along with LB Moise Fokou (left knee), LB Zaviar Gooden (hamstring). RT David Stewart (shoulder) was limited. ' ' '