Hamburg have not dropped out of the top division of German football since the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963. By the end of this season, however, that could change. What makes this looming threat all the more painful for Hamburg is that they could be playing in the second division for the first time […]
Author : Ben Hardy
Talking points from the Bundesliga weekend
Bremen pile the pressure on Hamburg with vital win Hamburg suffered their third successive defeat at the hands of a Werder Bremen side, who are looking far more likely to avoid the Bundesliga drop. An own-goal in the 86th minute by Dutch centre-back Rick Van Drongelen ensured Bremen clinched the points in a tight battle […]
The two young managers to keep an eye on in the Bundesliga
Saturday’s match-up between Schalke and Hoffenheim showcased an interesting battle between the two youngest managers in the history of the Bundesliga. 32 year-old, Domenico Tedesco’s side triumphed 2-1 over 30 year-old, Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim as Schalke responded in the perfect manner to their previous two league defeats. The two managers have now won one game […]
Talking points from Bundesliga weekend
Bayern win without coach present Jupp Heynckes was ill and unable to be in attendance as Bayern Munich hosted Schalke at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. Assistant coach Peter Hermann was in the dugout. Despite the change in personnel on the side-lines, the result was still the same as Bayern registered their 18th win of […]
Can Batshuayi be a Bundesliga success?
Following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund ran out 3-2 winners in the Friday evening Bundesliga clash away to Cologne. Michy Batshuayi scored twice on his debut as Peter Stoger’s men made the perfect start to life without their departed Gabon star. Stoger said how Batshuayi’s desire to have regular game time in order […]
Aubameyang starts for Dortmund but is he on his way out of Bundesliga?
After going three league games without starting, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang played the full ninety minutes as Borussia Dortmund rescued a last gasp point at home to Freiburg. The Gabon international has been a hot topic of January transfer speculation with Arsenal reportedly trying to bring him to North London. The fact that the forward was left […]
The most notable Bundesliga transfers so far this January
It’s that time of year when clubs go in search of the players who they think will bolster their squad as teams look to improve for the second-half of the Bundesliga campaign. With less than two weeks to go until the transfer window is closed for business, there have already been some shrewd captures. Leon […]
How do the players of league-leaders Bayern Munich and Man City compare?
Bayern Munich returned to winning ways after the winter-break with a 3-1 victory away to Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night. The league-leaders are over ten points clear at the top, seemingly on course for another league title. Likewise, in England, Manchester City also appear unstoppable as they have a significant lead over ten points as […]
The joys of the winter break
Over 20 days to recover mid-way through the domestic season enables Bundesliga players to rest-up and travel to warmer climates, leaving the wintry German conditions behind them. For league-leaders and defending champions, Bayern Munich, there is a 22 day hiatus between their last game against Borussia Dortmund in the cup on the 20th December, and […]
The fight for survival in the Premier League
With the champions of the Premier League being fairly easy to predict given Manchester City’s vast superiority so far this season, it is at the bottom of the table where things are much more unpredictable. Indeed, just nine points separate Swansea City, at the foot of the table, from tenth placed Watford. What’s more, The […]
Bundesliga: Who has particularly impressed so far?
The winter break has arrived in Germany with fixtures resuming on Friday 12th January when Bayer Leverkusen take on Bayern Munich, kicking off the 18th round of fixtures. With the latter, 11 points clear at the top of the table, it is clear Jupp Heynckes’ side have been the stand-out team in the division. Alongside […]
Brazilians in the Premier League
With Samba stars such as Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus lighting up the Premier League, it is clear that Brazilian players can come to England and enjoy success, even if the climate is somewhat different to what it is in South America. For all the quality of the aforementioned names, there have […]
German Bundesliga: New Manager Watch
A change of personnel in the managerial hot seats at Cologne and Borussia Dortmund has brought some much-needed joy to the fans of both clubs, particularly at Dortmund with the side winning back-to-back games for the first time since August. Peter Stoger’s appointment from bottom side Cologne, where he had not won a match this […]
Robert Pires: Premier League Legend
Goatee, gloves, shoulder-length hair. Robert Pires was simply an iconic figure within a team that was a cut above the rest. Playing on the left-wing of the Invincibles Arsenal side, Pires was a joy to watch, teaming up with Henry, Bergkamp, Vieira et al. to create a special side that every fan respected whatever their […]
Dortmund appoint Stoger who has not won a game this season
After sacking Peter Bosz, Borussia Dortmund made the somewhat surprising step of appointing a manager, who had himself been sacked last week. Peter Stoger takes up the mantle of Dortmund boss after FC Cologne sacked him last week. Given that Stoger left Cologne with the side firmly cemented at the bottom of The Bundesliga table, […]
Bristol snatch late winner to elevate their Premier League dreams
Bristol City’s quest for promotion continued with a late winner against 10-man Sheffield United last night in a top four Championship clash. Defender Aden Flint scored in injury time as The Robins registered their third successive victory, to cement their position in third place as they look to break into the top two over the […]
The battle at the bottom of Bundesliga
F.C Koln appear to be doomed at the foot of the Bundesliga table with a measly three points. A 2-2 draw with third placed Schalke on Saturday was a very good result in itself, but Stefan Ruthenbeck’s side are requiring much more if they are to avoid the drop. Indeed, having finished fifth at the […]
Last Gasp City Break Record After Win Over Southampton
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are on a roll. After swashbuckling performances against the likes of Leicester, Stoke, Liverpool and Arsenal, City have shown another side to their winning streak by grinding out consecutive 2-1 wins over Huddersfield and Southampton courtesy of late Raheem Sterling winners. Momentum is a wondrous asset to have, and right now, […]
The three greatest performances from The Bundesliga weekend
#1: Schalke Despite Borussia Dortmund being on an atrocious run of form, with just one point from five Bundesliga matches prior to the weekend, there is no taking away from the heroic nature of Schalke’s recovery from being four goals down to snatch a point at the Signal Iduna Park. It had initially been a […]
Premier League Legends: Jay-Jay Okocha
There are certain players that every football fans warms to regardless of allegiance. Jay-Jay Okocha certainly falls under this category. ‘‘So good they named him twice’’ was an infamous line that summed up the adoration lavished upon the creative midfielder. Okocha brought African flair to the Reebok Stadium during his four years at Bolton, and […]