Matters couldn't be busier in the Bundesrepublik as the 2020/21 campaign heads for a frenetic finish. Inside this week's re-post we've all the intrigue surrounding the goings on in Germany's top football flight for those who missed the Sunday column. League-wide Talking Points: Round 23 Prelude to the Basement Battle The inspiring story of a resurgent FSV Mainz 05 took a week off as Nullfünfter trainer Bo Svensson took no risks against Augsburg on a badly beat up home pitch. Kevin Stöger played from the beginning, working beside captain Danny Latzka in what looked like a bundled 3-3-2-2. This constituted something of curious choice considering that the condition of the pitch … [Read more...] about Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 23
Marco Rose
Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 22
With the snow melted and February nearly out, it's time to gear up for a great 2020/21 Bundesliga "stretch run". There's another fine weekend of football on tap. Here's the re-post for those who didn't have a chance to catch last Sunday's comprehensive breakdown of the previous round. League-Wide Talking Points: Round 22 The VfL Streaks Who can resist a nice and clean streak narrative? Oliver Glasner's Wolfsburg record their seventh consecutive clean sheet on the trot. Friday's 3-0 win over Bielefeld also marks the sixth consecutive time the VfL trainer deployed the exact same starting XI. We know for certain that one series is officially over. Defender John Anthony Brooks … [Read more...] about Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 22
Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 21
A four-day weekend leaves us with loads of stories on the Bundesliga beat. From the Friday night kickoff to the Monday six-goal thriller, we've got it all covered for those who missed out on the initial post. League-Wide Talking Points: Round 21 Nagelsmann defers until Tuesday The Friday night fixture between Leipzig and Augsburg predictably proved a wretched game of football. Heiko Herrlich's Fuggerstädter racked up four first-half bookings; two of which could be considered accumulator cards. The outclassed Bavarians engaged in so many wince-inducing tactical fouls that, with better finishing, the Saxons might have heading into the dressing room up 4-0. Heading into this … [Read more...] about Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 21
Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 16
The 2020/21 German Bundesliga's 16th round has come and gone. For those seeking to get ahead of the game, the bulletin for the subsequent round is already up. Those still catching up can, as always, find the repost here. League-Wide Talking Points: Round 16 Dortmund: The kids are all right We'll have to pin the latest BVB set back on the more experienced players. The 1-1 draw with lowly Mainz serves as so much more than an infinitely frustrating letdown after last week's potential breakthrough match. What one truly witnesses appears to be a lack of mental and physical endurance from the veterans. Note that this problem runs far deeper than the obvious target. Marco Reus' … [Read more...] about Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 16
Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 11
With the Bundesliga's first internal "Englischer Woche" set to kick-off just ahead of the holidays, we'll supply an early re-post for anyone who missed this week's hot-sheet. So much to talk about following another eventful weekend. It goes without saying that Lucien Favre earns quite a bit of space in this one. League-wide Talking Points: Round 11 Congratulations to the new "Spitzenreiter" What seemed probable heading into the weekend did indeed transpire. Another huge win for once-fired Dortmund head-coach Peter Bosz and the high-octane 4-1-4-1 we discussed last week. As noted then, they should be considered title contenders. Fatigue can't stop this team, even as so many … [Read more...] about Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round 11
Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round Six
While there may have regrettably been no fans on hand to watch it live, round six of the 2020/21 Bundesliga still delivered plenty of great action and intrigue for those who watched. Anyone understandably caught up with other developments can catch the repost of this weekend's bulletin here. League-Wide Talking Points: Round Six Bayern: Business unfinished Congratulations to German hero Thomas Müller on his 260th victory in a Bayern tricot. The result draws him with Oliver Kahn on the club all-time list. Teammate Manuel Neuer, on the other hand, missed out on his chance to tie an Oliver Kahn record when FC Köln scored a late goal. Neuer's 195 clean sheets remain just short of … [Read more...] about Bundesliga Tactics Talk–Round Six