Daily Schmankerl: Thomas Muller talks Bayern’s fighting spirit; Bastian Schweinsteiger is a man of the people; Minty freshness at the NFL Draft?; and MORE!

Muller: Bayern’s resilience is key (DFB.de)

In an interview with DFB.de, Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller gave his thoughts on why the Bavarians were able to gut out a win over Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal.

That is very important to us. It is important to be able to give an extra two or three percent, if necessary, at this level of football. It is important to have the willingness and doggishness on days like this. That is the case in matches like this where we don’t fall in beauty but instead claw out results just like other teams do against us. Overall, the team played well and it certainly wasn’t the easiest of tasks when you consider the current form Werder are in.

As for what’s next, Muller knows exactly what the team wants to do: “seal the deal.”

We will see what the next three weeks brings. Of course, we are highly motivated and now want to seal the deal in both competitions. The 5-0 win in Der Klassiker against Dortmund was the initial spark for you. We have a huge desire to win both competitions.

Yup, that was a minty fresh look during the NFL draft (@FCBayernUS)

When Louisiana State University corner back Greedy Williams was selected in the second round of the NFL draft, a familiar jersey popped on to the screen...you know it: Lava-mint!

Per some perceptive social media users, the man wearing the Bayern jersey is Williams’ stepfather Lonnie Bryant.

Schweinsteiger is a man of the people (@BSchweinsteiger)

Just a few weeks after meeting with the Südkurve Toronto fan group, Chicago Fire star and Bayern legend Bastian Schweinsteiger met with a group of Bayern supporters in New York City.

Witsel talks importance of Revierderby (BVB.de)

Borussia Dortmund midfielder has had a success first season with the Black and Yellows and has come to appreciate the significance of the squad’s clash with Schalke 04.

The moment when I realized how important it is to win the derby came when we returned to Dortmund on December 8th. We had beaten Schalke 2-1 away from home and the fans were awaiting us at the training ground, they wouldn’t stop singing and celebrating. We stepped out of the bus – and into the commotion. That was the moment when I knew what a derby win means to everyone.

A win today for Dortmund could push Schalke closer to relegation, but with a six-point lead over VfB Stuttgart for 16th place, Die Königsblauen should have just enough cushion to stay in the top flight.

Getting that three points, will not be easy.

The Revierderby comes at a very crazy time for both teams. Dortmund just needs to keep winning to have a shot at catching Bayern for the Meisterschale, while Schalke has to find some way to right itself and salvage some pride. Schalke has just one win and one draw in its last 13 games across all competitions and has just one win and three draws in the Bundesliga over its last dozen league matches.

Schalke has been an unmitigated disaster in the second half of the season and has somehow been even worse than it was in the first half. Changing coaches didn’t help. Rotating players hasn’t helped. Nothing...has helped. It’s hard to think that Dortmund will experience a letdown or that Schalke will somehow manage to pull itself together to even carve out a draw in this one. Die Königsblauen pretty much looks set up to be destroyed by Marco Reus, Mario Gotze, and Jadon Sancho in what will be yet another disappointing result for the Schalke faithful.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 4, Schalke 1

Neymar gets three game UCL ban (Bleacher Report)

Wherever Neymar is next season (likely still with Paris Saint-Germain), he’ll be facing a three-game suspension in the Champions League group stage.

An Instagram post has landed Neymar in trouble with UEFA, and the Paris Saint-Germain forward has been banned for three matches in the group stage of next season’s Champions League. European football’s governing body meted out punishment on Friday in response to Neymar’s post criticizing match officials when PSG were defeated by United in the round of 16 of the competition in March, per the Associated Press (h/t Sports Illustrated).

Manolas would stay in Rome for Conte (Transfer Market Web)

AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas was linked to Bayern just a few months back, but the whispers have died down of late. With the Bavarians having moved on, Atletico Madrid, Manchetser United, and Juventus are all keeping an eye on Manolas, but the defender may want to stay out...if Antonio Conte comes aboard.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Greek international center back Kostas Manolas (27) pointed out AS Roma club leaders he’s up to staying put, if Antonio Conte gets named new Giallorossi first-team head coach. The player is tracked by Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus.