That's because the BL defenders are sh*tTweet
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At first glance I thought it was a ranking of u21 players, but then Benzema's inclusion seemed a bit odd
German Football 21/22 | Gladbach sign Farke
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Even Haaland feels too oldTweet
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At first glance I thought it was a ranking of u21 players, but then Benzema's inclusion seemed a bit odd
As talented as those two are, it's just a statistical anomaly. Musiala's ratios benefit from the fact that he's an impact sub, who mostly skips the slow minutes of games, where resistance to Bayern is highest. He also played most minutes against mid table/relegation table fodder like Hertha or Leipzig.That's because the BL defenders are sh*t
Wirtz is a player on a purple patch playing for a team on a purple patch and he also benefited from being an impact sub initially.
NRW, the state that hosts Gladbach, Cologne, Bochum and Dortmund, but also a lot of somewhat well known minnows, such as Schalke, has relaxed its Corona measures.
According to this Kicker article it's possible to sell seats at full capacity and standing areas at half capacity. Meaning Dortmund can sell around 67,000 tickets, instead of 25,000 under previous guidelines. The "2G" rule applies, meaning everyone has to either have recovered from the virus or be vaccinated against it.
https://www.kicker.de/neue-verordnung-in-nrw-bvb-erwartet-fast-70-000-zuschauer-873268/artikel
According to this Kicker article it's possible to sell seats at full capacity and standing areas at half capacity. Meaning Dortmund can sell around 67,000 tickets, instead of 25,000 under previous guidelines. The "2G" rule applies, meaning everyone has to either have recovered from the virus or be vaccinated against it.
https://www.kicker.de/neue-verordnung-in-nrw-bvb-erwartet-fast-70-000-zuschauer-873268/artikel
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It's good to have Dortmund almost back to full strength again. Last season was easily the most depressing season of football I've seen in decades.
No matter how Cologne-Fürth will end (currently 2-1) I just love Baumgart-ball
Playing a striker as an 8 in his 442 diamond (Mark Uth), not because he has to, but just because he wants to attack. Fürth may be dead last in the table, but that mentality to finish them off this way is spot on.
Playing a striker as an 8 in his 442 diamond (Mark Uth), not because he has to, but just because he wants to attack. Fürth may be dead last in the table, but that mentality to finish them off this way is spot on.
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The WolfxBrandt partnership has finally been unleashed.
Doppelpass, Max Eberl as the featured guest and Hertha is the main topic. They have finally arrived at the big boy table.
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and today he equalled Dieter Schatzschneiders Record.
11 Goals in 9 Games now. But Schalke still playing horrible Football under Grammozis
I thought these games only happen to Dortmund. Frankfurt were even completely out of breath after an hour.
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Nagelsmann's honeymoon period is over
I thought these games only happen to Dortmund. Frankfurt were even completely out of breath after an hour.
Massive win for Frankfurt, first win of the season, and that in Munich. Kostic hero of the day with a goal and an assist, that's also very good for them after the trouble on deadline day.
I don't think this means anything for Nagelsmann or the bigger picture. It was just a freak accident. It's nice that Frankfurt finally caught a break though. And I think Trapp was motm, that foot safe for Lewandowski's header was insane.Nagelsmann's honeymoon period is over
Massive win for Frankfurt, first win of the season, and that in Munich. Kostic hero of the day with a goal and an assist, that's also very good for them after the trouble on deadline day.
I agree it does not mean trouble, but I guess this is a little reality check for some Bayern fans I know who were already dreaming of world domination
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I feel the whole world gets a bit closer together whenever Bayern loses in the Bundesliga.
Trapp was on fire after being left behind for the #3 spot in the national team. Nagelsmann outcoached by Flick
Probably one for the Weird feelings of football thread but these last couple of years I have more faith in Frankfurt beating Bayern than Dortmund or anyone else really.
The last winning goal for Frankfurt in Munich before today was scored by Fjortoft.
In Munich it did not happen for a very long time like @do.ob posted. Against Munich however...
Today a 2-1 win in Munich
Last season a 2-1 win at home
In 19/20 a 5-1 at home (Bayern fired Kovac after this and replaced him with Flick)
in 17/18 Frankfurt won the cup final 3-1
For a mid table club 4 wins in 5 seasons is quite good, they even got a title by beating Bayern in a final and got a manager fired, so there were some "high profile" wins among this.
Same, really. Without looking up numbers i feel we have struggled and lost points against Frankfurt more than any top of the league team.
Not sure what matches this weekend but saw on a German footy Sunday show that VAR had some drama. Not sure if a good goal was chalked off as a heel of a player walking against the run of play was off or if the goal stood and the panel was debating. There was some VAR decisions in the second division from what I saw live, Hannover/FCN match.
Just saw the highlights of the Bayern game. What a great performance from Trapp, and an equally terrible attempt at a save by Neuer for Kostic's goal.
Bayern could've won this by a lot. Frankfurt with a real smash and grab.
Bayern could've won this by a lot. Frankfurt with a real smash and grab.
Them and Mönchengladbach
Was really frustrating to see him basically win this game on his own. Hansi Flick was there to watch so maybe Trapp had some extra motivation. He was not nominated for the next international games. I don`t see Leno ahead of him and he probably feels the same. I don`t get why none of the bigger clubs tried to get him after his stint at PSG.
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The highlight reel actually looks less impressive than I would have guess while watching the game. The Lewandowski save was pretty ridiculous, but not really an active reaction and against Sane's shot the timing with which he came off his line and the way he managed to remain upright and wide with his body while diving for the ball was textbook Neuer. But everything else was just disappointing finishing by Bayern's standards.
For anyone not spotting the issue: Bayern played against 5th league club "Bremer SV". That is in no way related to "SV Werder Bremen", who are playing in the 2nd league at the moment.
Quality sports journalism strikes again.
International break, and I'm bored so I guess I just give a little personal review of the Bundesliga start (and my expectations based on that) this season
1. Bayern Munich - 16 points - 5W 1D 1L - 24:7 GD
Business as usual here. Strong start to the season, really thrashed some minnows like Bochum, Berlin or Barcelona, but are not invincible. Nagelsmann mostly continues how Flick coached, tries to get the defence a bit more stable, but they are still not reliable at the back. The transfers they made in defence (Alaba and Boateng gone, Upamecano signed from Leipzig) so far did not change much, but their defenders look a bit more like real defenders again. Still absolutely the favourites to win the league and if they can improve in defence they might have a good shot at the CL too.
2. Bayer Leverkusen - 16 points - 5W 1D 1L - 20:7 GD
On par with bayern, their new manager Gerardo Seoane seems to be a strong signing and the most important one. After a subpar season they now look like a team that should qualify for the CL again. Next match against Bayern should be a very interesting one. Carried especially by young super talent Florian Wirtz and their striker Patrick Schick who finally scores a lot this season.
3. Borussia Dortmund - 15 points - 5W 0D 2L - 19:13 GD
Had a massive injury crisis in their defence at the start of the season and also a new manager in Marco Rose. Still seems to be working out how his team works best, not helped by those injuries. Under the circumstances a strong start, but there are still some small question marks around them for me. CL should be safe for them, but I don't feel like they could challenge for the title, especially not when Haaland or Reus are injured. Those two seem just to be absolutely crucial for them to score goals.
4. Freiburg - 15 points - 4W 3D 0L - 11:5 GD
The only team that is still unbeaten. And the first one who did not sign a new manager (actually Christian Streich will be managing them for a decade in a few months). Continuity and stability is their most important asset, as ever they are a hard working and hard to beat team that does not depend much on individual quality. Petersen as the best sub striker in the leagues history might be an exemption from this. Would be a sensation if they should qualify for the CL, but they are definitely in the mix for reaching the Europa (Conference) League.
5. Wolfsburg - 13 points - 4W 1D 2L - 9:8 GD
Massive doubts about their new manager Mark van Bommel. Started hilariously bad in the cup (disqualified for making one substitution too much), but very well in the league (leading the table after a few matchdays). Now they already dropped out of top four and I don't really think van Bommel is up to the task to qualify again for CL, let alone perform well in their current campaign. So far I think the worst new manager in the league.
6. Cologne - 12 points - 3W 3D 1L - 13:9 GD
My personal favourites this season. Almost got relegated last year, only survived in the playoffs, signed Steffen Baumgart as a new manager and he simply revived the whole club after years of dull and lethargic football. Now he lets them play his typical style - hard working, attacking, fearless football against everyone. Was even close to getting something in Munich (they equalised after being 2-0 down, still lost a bit unlucky 3-2 in the end there). I doubt their quality will be enough to stay so far up in the table (this is still the same almost relegated squad and did not really sign new crucial players), but they should be safe betwenn place 8-12 in the long run I guess. More important for the club might be, that the fans are rushing back into the stadium, the only club currently in the league that has no trouble to sell out.
7. Union Berlin - 12 points - 3W 3D 1L - 10:9 GD
Same spot they ended last season on. Quite consistent performance from them, had a lot of change in their squad but one of the few teams that kept their manager. Making first steps in the ECL also this season, could be about the level they reach again the Bundesliga to qualify for that. Sadly their fans are a bit of mess, seem to have a lot of right wingers among them, the ugly scenes against Maccabi in the ECL were just the last example of that.
8. RB Leipzig - 10 points - 3W 1D 3L - 15:7
A lot of hit and miss. Their new manager Jesse Marsch still does not seem to get them really going, but they showed better results in the last games. Not an excellent signing, but should be strong enough to get that squad up to top four I guess. But this is definitely the season where the project Leipzig has to prove itself, as it is the first time their development seems to be downward instead of improving the club as a whole.
9. Mainz - 10 points - 3W 1D 3L - 7:5
Should be quite happy with this, as they were dead last of the league just 10 months ago. I guess Bo Svensson can stabilize them somewhere around that position, I don't think there will be much trouble this season.
10. Borussia Mönchengladbach - 10 points - 3W 1D 3L - 9:10
Also signed a new coach as part of the big manager domino in the summer. After Rose announced he would be leaving for Dortmund, they were an absolute mess and it looks like their new manager Adi Hütter took some time to figure that out. Now appears to be on an upward trajectory, should soon fight for top six and the Europa League qualification.
11. Hoffenheim - 8 points - 2W 2D 3L - 12:11
Don't care, think they are boring. Apparently are not happy with that place and their coach Sebastian Hoeness (nephew of Uli), but I don't think there is much more potential than that.
12. Stuttgart - 8 points - 2W 2D 3L - 12:13
A bit similar to Hoffenheim. Might improve when their injured attackers become fit again, but not much to say about them for me.
13. Frankfurt - 8 points - 1W 5D 1L - 8:10
Similar situation to Gladbach. When Gladbach signed Hütter from Frankfurt, they signed Glasner from Wolfsburg. Similar development, especially the attack was misfiring so far after they transferred Silva to Leipzig. But their win against Bayern in Munich (!) obviously should give them a boost to start their crawl up to the top six.
14. Hertha BSC Berlin - 6 points - 2W 0D 5L - 8:20
Won against the two newcomers in the league. Apart from that, just horrible. Have to look down instead of up considering their current form. Big City Failure.
15. Augsburg - 5 points - 1W 2D 4L - 3:13
Next "don't care" club for me, guess they stay somewhere around that level, might get relegated.
16. Arminia Bielefeld - 4 points - 0W 4D 3L - 3:10
Second year in the league, did not really improve, will have to fight relegation again just like last year.
17. Bochum - 4 points - 1W 1D 5L - 4:16
New in the league and always look like they are learning something new. They will have to learn fast to stay another year.
18. Greuther Fürth - 1 point - 0W 1D 6L - 5:19
The other newcomer. Simply not up to it, will go straight down.
1. Bayern Munich - 16 points - 5W 1D 1L - 24:7 GD
Business as usual here. Strong start to the season, really thrashed some minnows like Bochum, Berlin or Barcelona, but are not invincible. Nagelsmann mostly continues how Flick coached, tries to get the defence a bit more stable, but they are still not reliable at the back. The transfers they made in defence (Alaba and Boateng gone, Upamecano signed from Leipzig) so far did not change much, but their defenders look a bit more like real defenders again. Still absolutely the favourites to win the league and if they can improve in defence they might have a good shot at the CL too.
2. Bayer Leverkusen - 16 points - 5W 1D 1L - 20:7 GD
On par with bayern, their new manager Gerardo Seoane seems to be a strong signing and the most important one. After a subpar season they now look like a team that should qualify for the CL again. Next match against Bayern should be a very interesting one. Carried especially by young super talent Florian Wirtz and their striker Patrick Schick who finally scores a lot this season.
3. Borussia Dortmund - 15 points - 5W 0D 2L - 19:13 GD
Had a massive injury crisis in their defence at the start of the season and also a new manager in Marco Rose. Still seems to be working out how his team works best, not helped by those injuries. Under the circumstances a strong start, but there are still some small question marks around them for me. CL should be safe for them, but I don't feel like they could challenge for the title, especially not when Haaland or Reus are injured. Those two seem just to be absolutely crucial for them to score goals.
4. Freiburg - 15 points - 4W 3D 0L - 11:5 GD
The only team that is still unbeaten. And the first one who did not sign a new manager (actually Christian Streich will be managing them for a decade in a few months). Continuity and stability is their most important asset, as ever they are a hard working and hard to beat team that does not depend much on individual quality. Petersen as the best sub striker in the leagues history might be an exemption from this. Would be a sensation if they should qualify for the CL, but they are definitely in the mix for reaching the Europa (Conference) League.
5. Wolfsburg - 13 points - 4W 1D 2L - 9:8 GD
Massive doubts about their new manager Mark van Bommel. Started hilariously bad in the cup (disqualified for making one substitution too much), but very well in the league (leading the table after a few matchdays). Now they already dropped out of top four and I don't really think van Bommel is up to the task to qualify again for CL, let alone perform well in their current campaign. So far I think the worst new manager in the league.
6. Cologne - 12 points - 3W 3D 1L - 13:9 GD
My personal favourites this season
. Almost got relegated last year, only survived in the playoffs, signed Steffen Baumgart as a new manager and he simply revived the whole club after years of dull and lethargic football. Now he lets them play his typical style - hard working, attacking, fearless football against everyone. Was even close to getting something in Munich (they equalised after being 2-0 down, still lost a bit unlucky 3-2 in the end there). I doubt their quality will be enough to stay so far up in the table (this is still the same almost relegated squad and did not really sign new crucial players), but they should be safe betwenn place 8-12 in the long run I guess. More important for the club might be, that the fans are rushing back into the stadium, the only club currently in the league that has no trouble to sell out.7. Union Berlin - 12 points - 3W 3D 1L - 10:9 GD
Same spot they ended last season on. Quite consistent performance from them, had a lot of change in their squad but one of the few teams that kept their manager. Making first steps in the ECL also this season, could be about the level they reach again the Bundesliga to qualify for that. Sadly their fans are a bit of mess, seem to have a lot of right wingers among them, the ugly scenes against Maccabi in the ECL were just the last example of that.
8. RB Leipzig - 10 points - 3W 1D 3L - 15:7
A lot of hit and miss. Their new manager Jesse Marsch still does not seem to get them really going, but they showed better results in the last games. Not an excellent signing, but should be strong enough to get that squad up to top four I guess. But this is definitely the season where the project Leipzig has to prove itself, as it is the first time their development seems to be downward instead of improving the club as a whole.
9. Mainz - 10 points - 3W 1D 3L - 7:5
Should be quite happy with this, as they were dead last of the league just 10 months ago. I guess Bo Svensson can stabilize them somewhere around that position, I don't think there will be much trouble this season.
10. Borussia Mönchengladbach - 10 points - 3W 1D 3L - 9:10
Also signed a new coach as part of the big manager domino in the summer. After Rose announced he would be leaving for Dortmund, they were an absolute mess and it looks like their new manager Adi Hütter took some time to figure that out. Now appears to be on an upward trajectory, should soon fight for top six and the Europa League qualification.
11. Hoffenheim - 8 points - 2W 2D 3L - 12:11
Don't care, think they are boring. Apparently are not happy with that place and their coach Sebastian Hoeness (nephew of Uli), but I don't think there is much more potential than that.
12. Stuttgart - 8 points - 2W 2D 3L - 12:13
A bit similar to Hoffenheim. Might improve when their injured attackers become fit again, but not much to say about them for me.
13. Frankfurt - 8 points - 1W 5D 1L - 8:10
Similar situation to Gladbach. When Gladbach signed Hütter from Frankfurt, they signed Glasner from Wolfsburg. Similar development, especially the attack was misfiring so far after they transferred Silva to Leipzig. But their win against Bayern in Munich (!) obviously should give them a boost to start their crawl up to the top six.
14. Hertha BSC Berlin - 6 points - 2W 0D 5L - 8:20
Won against the two newcomers in the league. Apart from that, just horrible. Have to look down instead of up considering their current form. Big City Failure.
15. Augsburg - 5 points - 1W 2D 4L - 3:13
Next "don't care" club for me, guess they stay somewhere around that level, might get relegated.
16. Arminia Bielefeld - 4 points - 0W 4D 3L - 3:10
Second year in the league, did not really improve, will have to fight relegation again just like last year.
17. Bochum - 4 points - 1W 1D 5L - 4:16
New in the league and always look like they are learning something new. They will have to learn fast to stay another year.
18. Greuther Fürth - 1 point - 0W 1D 6L - 5:19
The other newcomer. Simply not up to it, will go straight down.
Good summary, though I'm not sure whether I can trust you to be objective when it comes to VW Wolfsburg.. van Bommel worse than Marsch?
Let's hope Freiburg aren't negatively affected by leaving their old stadium for a new one these days
Let's hope Freiburg aren't negatively affected by leaving their old stadium for a new one these days
What do you mean Dortmund had an injury crisis in defense? Excluding defenders: Haaland has missed three games, Reus has fitness issues as well, Reyna has been injured for weeks, Brandt had Corona and a bonus injury afterwards, Can got his first minutes last match, Hazard has been injured for most games, Wolf even started a game and promptly got injured as well. As a bonus Malen had a slow start and a fitness deficit.
The season thus far has been mostly damage control and improvisation and little can be gathered about where things will be heading under Rose in the mid term.
I still distrust Leverkusen, they defied xG, they got early leads in most of their matches, often aided by their opposition, Wirtz won't get close to sustaining his current output, Schick hasn't been a synonym for consistency either.
I think you're underrating Hoffenheim a bit, they have a talented squad and a good age profile for short term success. They should be playing for top 7.
Wolfsburg looks like they did last season to me: they have a pretty good squad in terms of individual quality and a very solid tactical approach, they may not finish top 4, but I don't necessarily expect any drama either. I also think Schmadtke is quite underrated, every single club he's been in charge of made it into Europe and considering his former employers were Aachen, Cologne and Hannover that's quite the achievement. His falling out with two coaches in a row raises some eyebrows, but it's hard to deny that Wolfsburg have found consistency again despite these changes and the squad looks cohesive and well stocked in depth.
I don't expect much more than a mediocre season from Gladbach, it feels like half their squad would have liked to move on in the summer, but deals didn't really materialize and now they have to wait out the season without EL/CL football even. Injuries haven't been kind to them either.
Leipzig are a curious case, their squad is as strong as ever, Silva should have been the missing piece on paper. But the reality is that Marsch immediately gave up on most of what Nagelsmann enhanced their corporate DNA with and all they got in return is a more daring pressing game that rather leaves themselves exposed than their opponents at the moment. Truly tragic.
I think big Hertha and Augsburg, maybe even Stuttgart, after Kalajdzic's injury, would all be at risk in a season with a strong bottom, but Fürth may even be worse than Schalke and Bielefeld and Bochum are crippled by their squad quality as well. It's hard to see both of them escaping direct relegation.
The season thus far has been mostly damage control and improvisation and little can be gathered about where things will be heading under Rose in the mid term.
I still distrust Leverkusen, they defied xG, they got early leads in most of their matches, often aided by their opposition, Wirtz won't get close to sustaining his current output, Schick hasn't been a synonym for consistency either.
I think you're underrating Hoffenheim a bit, they have a talented squad and a good age profile for short term success. They should be playing for top 7.
Wolfsburg looks like they did last season to me: they have a pretty good squad in terms of individual quality and a very solid tactical approach, they may not finish top 4, but I don't necessarily expect any drama either. I also think Schmadtke is quite underrated, every single club he's been in charge of made it into Europe and considering his former employers were Aachen, Cologne and Hannover that's quite the achievement. His falling out with two coaches in a row raises some eyebrows, but it's hard to deny that Wolfsburg have found consistency again despite these changes and the squad looks cohesive and well stocked in depth.
I don't expect much more than a mediocre season from Gladbach, it feels like half their squad would have liked to move on in the summer, but deals didn't really materialize and now they have to wait out the season without EL/CL football even. Injuries haven't been kind to them either.
Leipzig are a curious case, their squad is as strong as ever, Silva should have been the missing piece on paper. But the reality is that Marsch immediately gave up on most of what Nagelsmann enhanced their corporate DNA with and all they got in return is a more daring pressing game that rather leaves themselves exposed than their opponents at the moment. Truly tragic.
I think big Hertha and Augsburg, maybe even Stuttgart, after Kalajdzic's injury, would all be at risk in a season with a strong bottom, but Fürth may even be worse than Schalke and Bielefeld and Bochum are crippled by their squad quality as well. It's hard to see both of them escaping direct relegation.
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I have to disagree with the bolded part. After the first few games the defense looked much more solid than last season, especially in terms of not eating so many counter attacks. I think we're allowing a third fewer counters per game or something in that ballpark.
Upamecano was in Kostic's pocket a couple of times against Frankfurt, but apart from that he's put in some of the most solid CB performances we've seen in a Bayern shirt these past few years. I've become so used to watching Alaba and Boateng provide a shuttle service for attackers without daring to go into a 1 on 1 for so long that seeing Upcamecano proactively shut down attacks felt almost surreal. He's still a little error prone sometimes, but I'll take that over the shambles that was the Alaba/Boateng-pairing any day of the week.
Right, that's exactly what I meant that they "look like defenders again".
Still error prone as you said, so Bayern is still vulnerable. But I understand why you like to see this compared to last season.
Not to mention that the other absolute monster of a defender that is Lucas Hernandez is actually starting now
I am still at a loss for words why Flick played Hernandez at LB and Alaba at CB. It just doesn’t make sense to me.
Or why Flick played Sane at right wing last season and left wing now at the NT
I mean, it must have made a hell of a lot of sense to Flick, because Alaba at LCB was his most stubborn selection.
And while I was as perplexed as you at this stubbornness at times (especially mid-last season when Alaba was having a months long public saga about leaving the club and signing with another club accompanied by rather questionable, or downright atrocious, defensive performances), I can't deny that Flick's selection brought us a lot of joy. The Alaba-Boateng combo simply was enormously spielstark, for lack of a good English word. And Alaba was integral for a decade of strong, dominant ball playing performances of our team.
The stubbornness must have been connected to Flick's vision of build-up play - I've seen now under Nagelsmann a midfielder dropping deep to receive the ball again (Goretzka), if I recall correctly that didn't happen under Flick so much, the defenders properly started the build up and passed forward.
It must also have been a main reason for the friction with Brazzo - the way Flick kept freezing out Lucas on the LCB position when that was likely exactly the position Brazzo had previously identified as a weak spot to improve on, with a massive big money signing like Lucas was, for which Brazzo put his neck on the line..
But yeah, I think Lucas is an absolutely amazing defender and I like to see him on the team sheet.
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The story behind that - 4 years ago his then girlfriend (today wife) and he were fighting with each other on the street - she was scratching his car and his face with a key - he then slapped her face twice.
A Madrid court ordered both two each 31 one days of community work and 180 EURs - and ordered them to some months contact ban...
They did not keep the contact ban, in this time married and went into honeymoon... They are married and have a 3 year old child now.
But - there is still the topic that he did not keep that court sentence and had contact with her...
How likely is it that he actually does time?