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The Bundesliga season is set to start and Bayern Munich is about to defend their league crown. Last season was all about Bayern. The German club managed took its place atop the standings in the eighth week of match play and never looked back. Pep Guardiolas club clinched the league title in record fashion on Match Day 27 with seven games remaining in the season, one upping their previous record set in 2012-13. Can any team stop Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season? During the off-season the Reds underwent some major changes. Bayern managed to add the leagues top scorer of last season while sending a blow to arguably their biggest competition. They signed Robert Lewandowski from arguably their biggest competition, Borussia Dortmund to a five year deal. Like the saying goes, if you cant beat them, join them. Munich did however lose Mario Mandzukic to Atletico Madrid. The 28-year-old Croatian international led Bayern in scoring with 18 goals last season. A bigger blow was the loss of World Cup standout Toni Kroos who transferred to Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee. Despite those losses Bayerns 23-man roster could potentially be one of the best in Europe. Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben will most likely start up front. Both are over 30 but still have command over the pitch. Theres also a plethora of young talent including one of the World Cups most valuable players in Thomas Muller as well as Mario Gotze and Xherdan Shaqiri. The trio was a reason the Munich club finished 19 points clear of second place Dortmund last season. Borussia is the closest team in terms of talent to Bayern. Although they lost their leading scorer in Lewandowski, they added Serie As top goal-getter of last season, Ciro Immobile. The 24-year-old Italian scored 22 goals in 33 appearances for Torino. Theyll still have to lean heavily on their star Marco Reus. Although the German international couldnt compete in the World Cup after suffering an ankle injury hes fit to play and will look to add to his successful 16-goal campaign last season. Hell get support with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the right and Henrikh Mkhitaryan dictating play from the centre for a three-tiered midfield attack. With Mats Hummels still in the fold despite rumours circulating of a departure, he will be key in Dortmunds backfield if he is not moved before the transfer window ends. So, is there any team in the Bundesliga capable of topping Bayern Munich in 2014-15? As always its Your! Call. . Although taking two of three from the Baltimore Orioles wasnt nearly as uplifting as winning the World Series, it still felt pretty darn good. Felix Doubront and four relievers combined kept Baltimores potent lineup in check, and David Ortiz had three of Bostons 12 hits off Wei-Yin Chen in a 4-3 victory Thursday night. . The three goals bring Messis career tally for Barcelona to 371 in all games -- including friendlies -- breaking the club record of 369 held by Paulino Alcantara since 1927. The 26-year-old Messi was already the clubs all-time leading scorer in official games. Messi assured Barcelonas fans they will enjoy his goals for years to come, saying "as long as people want me, I will stay here. . -- The Green Bay Packers have signed quarterback Graham Harrell to the active roster from the practice squad and placed tight end Andrew Quarless on injured reserve. . Cleveland released the troubled wide receiver on Wednesday, an expected ending after Bess was arrested in January for assaulting a law enforcement officer at an airport and other bizarre behaviour. . The Force had two men, including former Wallabies No. 8 Ben McCalman, in the sin-bin in the dying minutes of the match, but were able to resist a late Highlanders surge to post a four-try, bonus point win.Glenn Howard and his Ontario rink will not play the TSN Pintys All-Star Curling Skins Game after all. The veteran skip was set to play in the big money event, but a surprising loss to Aaron Squires in an Ontario regional playdown over the weekend means the rinks plans have changed. Howard will need to play in Ontarios Challenge Round - which occurs over the same period as the Skins - in order to qualify for the Ontario Tankard provincial tournament. Winning the Tankard gives a rink a spot in the Tim Hortons Brier, Feeb.dddddddddddd 28 - March 8 in Calgary. Mike McEwen, the World Curling Tours top money winner this season, will take Howards spot in the Skins Game lineup. “Our team is absolutely thrilled to compete in the TSN skins event,” said McEwen. “We are going to relish the opportunity to play and entertain fans in such an exciting format. We can’t wait to join the rest of the teams in Banff.” The Pintys All-Star Skins Game runs from Jan. 16-18 from Banff, Alberta and you can catch all the action on TSN. ' ' '
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