German football season 2023/24

[DaBroons]

BVB's in a weird spot were some of their key performers during last season's strong finish have started this season much more poorly, but the overall results have been too good to justify massive changes. Can & Haller in particular both made significant contributions to their push for the title, but have been mediocre at best this campaign.

But yeah, if Mouki doesn't start getting regular game time again, they should loan him to us. Becker - Behrens - Mouki would be lovely once Khedira gets back to solidify things behind them...

Thanks for your comments. I was heartened by the changes that were made in the 2nd half, which seemed to turn the game around.

Personally, I don't think this team is as good as last year's minus Bellingham. They added some good players, but no difference makers. Moreover, Bayern and Leverkusen are both much stronger.

 

[JoVel]

I will be at the Westfalenstadion in two weeks for BVB vs Werder. First game there since 1969 in the old Rote Erde stadion, where I saw BVB vs HSV. Still have the program in mint condition. Sigi Held and Uwe Seeler wore the #9 shirts, respectively, the two strikers on the 1966 FIFA WC finalists.

I'll be there too later this year for a game against Leipzig. Haven't attended any BuLi game, or any other top football league for that matter before.

 

[cgf]

Thanks for your comments. I was heartened by the changes that were made in the 2nd half, which seemed to turn the game around.

Personally, I don't think this team is as good as last year's minus Bellingham. They added some good players, but no difference makers. Moreover, Bayern and Leverkusen are both much stronger.

I didn't get to watch this weekend but I don't disagree with anything you said. I will point out that it's a team with a lot of young talent that could explode into a new stratosphere at any point...and as they settle in, Bellingham's departure could pave the path for others to take more central roles the way Haaland's departure did for Jude.

Kids like Adeyemi, Moukoko, Bynoe Gittens, Nmecha, etc. have all of the talent in the world to decide games when on form and playing with confidence, and they haven't had this much defensive talent since Hummels' prime. But those kids need a stable structure and further polish to do it consistently.

That all said, I feel like they're in a better spot than they were last season at this time...before s***ting the bed at the end, they had to go on an absolute tear last ruckrunde to get back into the race.

And I'm not sure about Bayern looking stronger, I feel like they're much more vulnerable than they were under Nagelsmann despite now having the big time #9 that they were so desperate for. Leverkusen do look much stronger, but it's Leverkusen. I'll trust the pill pushers when they've proven they can actually get the job done.

 

[DaBroons]

I'll be there too later this year for a game against Leipzig. Haven't attended any BuLi game, or any other top football league for that matter before.

You will absolutely love it! The only thing that compares to the pageantry of European football is American college football. Everything from the pre-game singing to the walkout.

Last spring I took my my son to Liverpool, Everton, West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Man Utd.

Previously, I have been to Dortmund (Rote Erde), Prussian Munster, Sunderland (Roker Park), Newcastle, Hibernian, White Hart Lane, Arsenal, and PSG. Never a bad game. Always a thrill.

 

[cgf]

I will recommend the Alte Försterei to anyone going to Germany during the season. Even for the BuLi it's a unique atmosphere; from the walk through the woods to the stadium, to the standing room only ground, to the fanbase itself.

 

[DaBroons]

I will recommend the Alte Försterei to anyone going to Germany during the season. Even for the BuLi it's a unique atmosphere; from the walk through the woods to the stadium, to the standing room only ground, to the fanbase itself.

Thanks. I wanted to go, I will be in Berlin this weekend, but this weekend is international break. Grrr.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Last I heard, it's very very difficult to get tickets for Union games at this time unless you're a member of the club. It got pretty crowded on that bandwagon, and it's a small stadium. Maybe a few more stretches like the last month or so will resolve that issue though.

 

[cgf]

Last I heard, it's very very difficult to get tickets for Union games at this time unless you're a member of the club. It got pretty crowded on that bandwagon, and it's a small stadium. Maybe a few more stretches like the last month or so will resolve that issue though.

If this is a problem, PM me. My uncle usually has at least one buddy who won't make it to any given match, so with a little heads up I should be able to help anyone making the trip to Berlin...as long as I remember to check my PMs

 

[luiginb]

I finally got around to watching that Manchester City All or Nothing documentary they did about their 17/18 season, and even though he didn't end up winning any individual awards for some reason at that point in time Leroy Sane was as good as anyone in world football, absolutely electric and unplayable by defenses. The good news for German fans is that he seems to be rediscovering his form this year.

 

[cgf]

I finally got around to watching that Manchester City All or Nothing documentary they did about their 17/18 season, and even though he didn't end up winning any individual awards for some reason at that point in time Leroy Sane was as good as anyone in world football, absolutely electric and unplayable by defenses. The good news for German fans is that he seems to be rediscovering his form this year.

He's playing as well as he did two years ago again. Now we just need him and Musiala to be at their best at the same time

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

This squad looks so much better playing with a real 6 and only one of Gundogan/Kimmich/Goretzka and also with an actual 9. Great to see Tah renewing himself on the national stage as well. Long may it continue.

 

[Bon Esprit]

Agree, but not sure that Haller is deserving of any game time at the moment.

I will be at the Westfalenstadion in two weeks for BVB vs Werder. First game there since 1969 in the old Rote Erde stadion, where I saw BVB vs HSV. Still have the program in mint condition. Sigi Held and Uwe Seeler wore the #9 shirts, respectively, the two strikers on the 1966 FIFA WC finalists.

Then on Sunday, I will be at FC Koln vs 'Gladbach.

Looking forward to it. I saw 4 EPL games the last week of April during an "English Week" in the EPL Ruckrunde.

When it comes to rivalries the usual suspects are Schalke-Dortmund, Bayern-Stuttgart or HSV-Bremen.
IMO the most underrated rivalry in German football is the Gladbach-Köln derby. God, they really hate each other.

 

[cgf]

This squad looks so much better playing with a real 6 and only one of Gundogan/Kimmich/Goretzka and also with an actual 9. Great to see Tah renewing himself on the national stage as well. Long may it continue.

Yeah. We won and I can’t say Groß played poorly, but a better defending 6 would’ve stopped Pulisic before that movement got to the back 4…and I can’t help feeling like that period of disarray around the goal wouldn’t have happened if we had had a Camavinga or Tchoumeni sitting next to Ilkay. Martel can’t develop quickly enough.

Glad we got our best front 4 out there cause this team lacks chemistry. Flick’s experiments all made sense in isolation/on paper, but the team didn’t have the underlying cohesion for any of them to be successful. So I hope that JN is prioritizing getting this new core gelled.

…cause even if we can’t stop leaking goals, we should pour them in with Sane, Musiala, & Wirtz behind Füllkrug + our depth.

If Hummels is back in the fold I hope Rüdiger gets relegated. I didn’t mind having Rudi as the veteran leader, with Mats for that role I’d rather we surround him with Tah/Süle or the kids.

 

[luiginb]

I thought Tah as right back was horrible.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

I thought Tah as right back was horrible.

It's more a 3CB + 1LB, with both Rudiger and Tah free to push up wide as they are able, just like JN did with Bayern (albeit Pavard as as a RB/CB was a more natural fit for that).

 

[DaBroons]

When it comes to rivalries the usual suspects are Schalke-Dortmund, Bayern-Stuttgart or HSV-Bremen.
IMO the most underrated rivalry in German football is the Gladbach-Köln derby. God, they really hate each other.

Great, I'm looking forward to both games. In Berlin now, but alas the Bundesliga 2 is also off for the international break, so no Hertha this weekend. And die Mannschaft is in North America. :-(

 

[cgf]

I thought Tah as right back was horrible.

Like I said in the other thread I couldn’t watch very closely, but I don’t love Tah for that CB/RB role despite his good game against France.

TBH I still want to play Henrichs & Kimmich / Groß / Klostermann as defensive FBs, but I also get sticking with the 3CBs + FB set up given how little time they have to learn a new one.

Though my preference would be for Süle / Schlotterbeck & Thiaw to flank Hummels if we do; with Henrichs as the FB and Can or Khedira at the 6; if we are keeping this shape.

We don’t need the back 5 to provide that much support if we’ve got 4 of Sane / Musiala / Wirtz / Havertz / Gundogan / Kimmich behind Füllkrug, so I’d prefer to focus on our defense with the back 4 + #6

 

[gary69]

Apparently Bayern having issues with Mazraoui who posted some anti-Semitic stuff.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Did you read what he posted lol

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

There's a genocide happening before our eyes and the energy of German football clubs is on condemning their Muslim players. Great vibes going on here.

 

[cgf]

There's a genocide happening before our eyes and the energy of German football clubs is on condemning their Muslim players. Great vibes going on here.

*condemning their muslim players that have taken to social media to root for Israel to be conquered.

The vast majority of muslim players in the BuLi haven't been condemned by their clubs. One has been and one has gotten a stern talking to...El Ghazi & Mazraoui respectively...but what European clubs wouldn't have issues with their players posting what they have been? Germany is generally very pro-palastinian, but there's still a line.

 

[bluesfan94]

*condemning their muslim players that have taken to social media to root for Israel to be conquered.

The vast majority of muslim players in the BuLi haven't been condemned. Two were (Mazraoui & El Ghazi), but what European clubs wouldn't have issues with their players posting what they have been? Germany is generally very pro-palastinian, but there's still a line.

Yeah, to be clear, from ocean to sea is a call for genocide in its own right.

 

[cgf]

Yeah, to be clear, from ocean to sea is a call for genocide in its own right.

Yeah. I'm generally pro-palastinian but Mainz did the right thing with El Ghazi. There's a line and if Mazraoui tip-toed across it, El Ghazi said "motherf*** a line" and tried to erase it behind him.

 

[luiginb]

Germany is generally very pro-palastinian

which makes you guys anti...?

 

[cgf]

which makes you guys anti...?

authoritarianism/fascism

Trust us, we know it when we see it.