FC Bayern München goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (pictured) believes Mats Hummels will be an invaluable addition to the club. - © © gettyimages / Marc Mueller
FC Bayern München goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (pictured) believes Mats Hummels will be an invaluable addition to the club. - © © gettyimages / Marc Mueller

Bundesliga Daily: 24 August

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Bundesliga Daily keeps you right up to date with all the important events concerning the 18 Bundesliga clubs. Here's all you need to know from 24 August...

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Neuer bigs up Hummels

With the new Bundesliga campaign's curtain-raising fixture between defending champions FC Bayern München and SV Werder Bremen just two days away, Manuel Neuer has been speaking about what summer signing Mats Hummels will bring to the table.

"Mats is a world-class defender," Neuer said at a press conference. "He really applies himself, that's important for organisation. He'll be an important leader in the team. We're happy the deal went through. Personally, I'm happy that we now play together [for club and country]."

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Watch: Bayern's Manuel Neuer talks Bremen and Mats Hummels:

- © gettyimages / Oliver Hardt

Champions League obstacles

Borussia Dortmund have been named alongside Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Pot 2 for Thursday's 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco. Country protection means the Bundesliga rivals cannot be drawn against Pot 1 representatives Bayern, but they will have to face one from holders Real Madrid CF or national title winners FC Barcelona, Leicester City FC, Juventus FC, SL Benfica, Paris-Saint Germain and CSKA Moskva.

Should they qualify, Borussia Mönchengladbach will be in Pot 4.

Ekdal making progress

Hamburger SV midfielder Albin Ekdal will not be considered for selection in Saturday's home game against FC Ingolstadt 04, despite coming through full team training unscathed on Wednesday, following injury.

The 27-year-old Sweden international picked up an ankle knock in HSV's pre-season draw with Cagliari Calcio a fortnight ago, but is unlikely to be risked until after the September international break.