Bundesliga Bulletin Newsletter

In lieu of a long recap with lots of pictures and analysis that might be obsolote tomorrow (Champions League, etc) I’ve decided to record a solo pod answering 6 burning questions:1.How will Bayern’s squad\injury\Covid management? 2. Dortmund’s defense giving them a shot at the title but can they find a second scorer next to Haaland?3. Has the Nagelsmann magic spell been broken?4. Have the Foals been holding back?5. Bosz and B04 attack breaking out?6. Who is the best of the rest: FCA with #HahnSZN, Stuttgart’s wasted chances, Glasner can’t generate attacks, Hertha’s identity?Stay tuned for more Bundesliga Bulletin! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

RB Leipzig’s project had a wild season with Julian Nagelsmann at the helm, leading the Bundesliga midway through, before fading to 3rd place. However, RBL made a great run in the UCL into the semifinals. We assess that first campaign, discuss the offseason moves and figure out where Leipzig are heading into 2020\21 with a man who follows RB football. Introducing Jack Brace the founder of Red Bull Hub who helps me break down the following topics:* Hee-chan Hwang’s role in helping to replace Timo Werner and how others can help* improvement in depth, but not in quality?* is this gonna be Amadou Haidara’s season?* the midfield problems with Konny Laimer’s injury* Kampl vs Adams* who’s gonna play fullback and the role of Benni Henrichs* what happens to fringe squad players like Lookman/Forsberg, etc?* the Poulsen dilemma* Jean Kevin Augustin’s contract dispute and the legal battle vs Leeds* in praise of Gulácsi* outlook for 20\21 seasonThanks to https://www.bensound.com for the intro\outro track. If you like this newsletter, do consider sharing\subscribing\gifting a sub. Thanks, and we’ll be back with some more previews next week, but before that I’ll try to have some MD1 thoughts in writing!Abel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

Today’s team in our Bundesliga 2020\21 season preview is Werder Bremen. The Green and Whites’ nightmare season last time around ended with barely staying in the league against Heidenheim in the relegation playoffs. In spite of that, Bremen stuck with Florian Kohfeldt and brought him some help in the staff, as well as making a number of transfer moves. We discuss all this and more SVW with the excellent Florian Reinecke, who covers Bremen for a number of outlets, and follows/supports the club religiously. Topics we cover in order:-making sense of last season and its financial ramifications on and off the pitch (player loans\obligations-out with the old (Bargfrede, Sahin, Pizarro, etc) and in with the new (Tahith Chong, Patrick Erras, etc)-Pavlenka bounce back year?-the CB conundrum-Werder’s issues at number six and its consequences for the no. 8 spots-Osako and other options in attacking midfield-Tahith Chong starting as a winger?-What will happen to Milot Rashica and what should Bremen do, given their financial constraints?-Is it Sargent’s “army” up top or will Selke/Füllkrug play a bigger part?-Predictions for the seasonIn this second season of the newsletter, I appreciate any and all subscriptions, and I’d love it if you told more people about this project. In fact, you can even to someone who might enjoy some more Bundesliga content.Stay tuned for more to come,Abel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

In this season preview episode, I am joined by the world’s number one Tobias Raschl fan and Dortmund insider, Luca Gierl to break down the summer at BVB and how Lucien Favre’s team is getting ready for the new Bundesliga campaign. Here is what we discussed:-Why people within the club are even more impressed with Jude Bellingham. Could he start right away?-How good is Youssoufa Moukoko, why he’s similar to Sergio Aguer and how much playing time will he get? -Reinier’s role-Favre’s “Berlusconiesque” demands for two teams and why he has nothing to lose-Dortmund U23 team and Favre’s future-Back 4 or back 3-the starting XI and some surprise omissionsStay tuned for lots more previews in video, podcast and written formats and don’t forget to This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

The guest for this podcast is American performance analyst Aidan Reagh, who focuses on goalkeepers and is known to appear on Bundesliga podcasts, as well as this newsletter:You can and should follow him on Twitter and check out his chart on Bundesliga and big 5 GK’s comparing Post Shot xG and average distance from goal:On the episode we spend the first 30 minutes discussing and evaluating some of the Bundesliga’s best performing goalkeepers, figure out what makes them elite. We also touch on some of the not so great seasons from a GK perspective, talk data and eye test and other ways to evaluate GK performance. In the last 20 minutes or so, we go through some of the known transfers in the Bundesliga (Gikiewicz, Schwolow) and discuss some potential targets at the goalkeeper position.Enjoy,Abel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

Hello! Rather than talking about Bundesliga tactics, which we might have to get back to at some point in time, we discussed a number of topics with Spielverlagerung Editor in Chief, Constantin Eckner.-The discussion starts with a feuilleton, Constantin, who is a historian, wrote for Neue Zürcher Zeitung on the “Spanish” flu of 1918 and the differences to COVID19-at about the 7 minute mark, we discuss the financial and other implications on German football as the initial responses by the powers that be (Watzke, Rummenigge, Seifert) as well as the fans-around 20 minutes we talk about how the DFL is trying to resolve the issues and explore potential scenarios and the difficulties due to the different moving parts (local laws, Euro 2020, etc)- How has it affected football, TV and subscriptions? - we try to answer those questions at the 35 minute mark-Should the organizers try to think outside the box in terms of schedule? What sort of arguments are the for and against?-How to cope in these times and looking ahead?Thanks for listening and stay tuned for a LOT more content on this newsletter,Abel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

Hey, Bundesliga, thanks for coming back!After a winter break filled with lots of player scouting and transfer stories, I’ve immersed myself by watching 6 full matches on MD18 (started Köln - Wolfsburg as well, but time is the great enemy) and in the interest of time, I thought I would share my observations/analysis in a podcast format. The schedule:* Augsburg - Dortmund* Schalke - Gladbach* Hertha - Bayern* TSG - Frankfurt* Leipzig - Union* Köln - Wolfsburg - first 15 minutes* Paderborn - LeverkusenHere are some images from these games:Thanks for listening and stay tuned for the Augsburg team analysis coming later this week.AbelOne last thing, I wanted to mention Voicing Football, a newsletter that curates five articles per week and I quite enjoy this idea, you can subscribe here:https://voicingfootball.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

This is a teaser of the podcast with Jan Gabriel Hartel of Paderball.com, to hear the whole episode (72 minutes) https://bundesligabulletin.substack.com/p/bvb-paderborn-and-all-things-scp0711 Freunde: Zur Mitte der Hinrunde, nach dem 4:4 gegen den SC Paderborn, schrieb der »Paderball«… Tim Walter Oh, der Text war toll. Den habe ich gern gelesen.  11F: In the middle of the Hinrunde, after the 4:4 against Paderborn, a blog called Paderball wrote….TW (then Holstein Kiel coach): Yes, that was a great post, really enjoyed it!When a 2. Bundesliga head coach as innovative as Tim Walter discusses a football blog, it’s enough of an accomplishment in of itself. It certainly is for Jan Gabriel Hartel, the founder of the wonderful website Paderball, a tactics blog on his favorite team, SC Paderborn. Since I discovered the German language blog, it’s not only become my go to destination about Steffen Baumgart’s team, but a valuable tool in learning about SCP’s match plans, squad management and overall footballing outlook. I first noticed Paderborn in what was my first time in Sport Tv’s studio in a semi-official capacity, observing their 6-0 loss in the DFB Pokal in February, 2018. The game, which is available on Footballia, showed a super ambitious high-pressing team take the game (and get punished for it) to Bayern, and despite the gaudy scoreline, it was a fascinating game. I had made a mental note to watch Paderborn and sometime during last year, when I found out about Paderball. I quickly became fascinated with their 2.Liga matches, watching several of them. My plan to have Jan as soon as they made it to the Bundesliga didn’t materialize as SCP’s early struggles (despite some entertaining\brave football in Leverkusen and against Bayern) saw them in last place.But now after what, despite giving up a 3 goal lead in Dortmund, is still a remarkable result, we should as Jan put it in his blog post: “Smile because it happened”.* We began our discussion with Steffen Baumgart’s role at SCP, what makes him so unique* at the 10 minute mark then switched to how SCP used a quick counterattacking\pressing 4-2-3-1 vs BVB, whose 4-2-3-1 was one of slow ball-possession and poor positions by the fullbacks* the issues with BVB’s CBs in possession and the lack of halfspace occupation* Witsel vs Vasiliadis* Jadon Sancho vs Jamilu Collins* Dortmund’s pressing issues* The improvements after the triple subs and the rest of the 2hAt around the 43 minute mark, the conversation switches to Paderborn’s season so far, with an insightful breakdown on each squad member! Thanks to Jan, for what is sure to be an enjoyable deep-dive on the BVB-SCP match and Paderborn in general! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

Another solo pod breaks down the remaining four fixtures including:The Union Berlin- Eintracht Frankfurt Friday night special, focusing on Union’s buildup issues, SGE’s use of Gelson Fernandes and their CBs in playing out of the backThen it’s on to Cologne, where Hertha won by 4 goals, but why did I not like Ante Covic’s game plan?Mainz-Wolfsburg had a shots statline of 15 to 4, yet both teams around around 1XG. How did that happen and why does Mainz’s 4-3-3 look better than their diamond?Finally, the Boszwagon rotated its tires (Tah, Lars Bender) and ultimately ran over Augsburg, after the home side came out pressing hard. I discuss some of their ball progression and FCA’s offensive struggles.Thanks for listening,Abel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

Discussing RBL-Schalke, Bayern - Paderborn, BVB-Werder and the underrated TSG-Gladbachlinks to Schalke piece for Statsbomb:https://statsbomb.com/2019/09/wagner-hits-all-the-right-notes-how-schalkes-new-manager-is-conducting-a-soaring-rise-for-last-years-biggest-bundesliga-disappointers/Freiburg for Sport TV (Hungarian) :http://www.sport1tv.hu/sztori/85231/meglepetescsapat-a-fekete-erdobol/and some tactical boards Bayern-PaderbornDortmund’s set up vs the presumed 5 defenders, which turned out to be 4 + Sahin for Werder (thanks, Herr Kohfeldt)Werder’s ball progression on the right wing via diagonal long balls and flick onsHoffenheim’s 3-1-4-2 vs Gladbach’s 4-3-3 and then some compactness plus some Skov loveWill be back with part 2 - touching on Leverkusen winning in Augsburg, Wolfsburg taking 3 points from Mainz on 4 shots, Union-Frankfurt and Köln-HerthaThanks for reading-listening,Abel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

The Pál Dárdai era after four and a half years as coach is sort of over at Hertha BSC, though the Hungarian legend who played 15 years in Berlin will still work in the youth system. With the founder of https://herthabase.com/ , Marc Schwitzky we discuss the end of Dárdai and the beginning of the Ante Covic era at BSC. In the 50 minute conversation, we start out by dissecting what the Lars Windhorst purchase (I dare not call it a windfall), detailed in great depth by the excellent Nik Wildhagen of the Bundesliga Fanatic here, ) means for the capital club. From then on Marc tells us about the philosophical differences between Dárdai and Michael Preetz and how the search for candidates led to an internal solution in Ante Covic. We touch upon how and why Hertha were able to splash some cash for Dodi Lukebakio, Eduard Löwen and others, as well as discussing the departures of Valentino Lazaro. After an analysis of preseason and the cup match the conversation turns to preparing for the season opener against Bayern Munich, before ending it with expectations for Hertha’s 2019\20 Bundesliga campaign. We will be back tomorrow with a guest post on VfL Wolfsburg’s offseason before their campaign kicks off. Once the matchday is over, expect some match analysis\observations in the Monday\Tuesday range! As always, thanks for your support!Abel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

First, I just want to thank all of you for the continued support, there are nearly 500 readers of this newsletter. I’m thrilled and honored by all of the positive feedback and thanks to all of you for reading\sharing\retweeting this project! You guys rock! AbelSecond: it was my pleasure to chat with one of the most knowledgeable and funniest Dortmund fan\Twitter accounts in Luca Gierl, whose observations and insights are only matched by his wit. If you don’t know Luca, first of all you’re missing out, he’s been a content creator for the Best Dortmund outlet, The Yellow Wall Podcast and always has great sources and unique angles/takes on all things BVB. In this excerpt we talked about the new BVB signings (Julian Brandt, Nico Schulz, Thorgan Hazard, Mateu Morey and Mats Hummels) and how they fit into Lucien Favre’s system. We also discuss how that system is going to look like in terms of personnel. To hear the entire conversation please This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

Hey there guys,first off I just wanted to say that I’m really excited with the responses to the newsletter so far, I’m beyond thankful for all the love. It’s really nice to get so much positive vibes and great feedback and I’m grateful for all of you reaching out and spreading the word about this project. I hope that the Bundesliga Bulletin will continue to grow and evolve, as we get closer to the season.With that in mind, we have a SuperCup to watch on Saturday, and since I’m still on my Bayern analysis kick, I’ve got an interview\podcast with Bayern expert, blogger and author Justin Kraft. Justin is perhaps best-known for his book Generation Lahmsteiger, which you can get here, and as one of the main voices of the blog Miasanrot in English and German. You can and should follow him on Twitter and read his work (if you can read German) for publications, such as Focus.de and ntv.de.In this portion of the interview, we discuss Bayern hiring Hansi Flick, to hear the full length of the podcast you should This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com

In honor of Hansi Flick and Bayern winning the treble, I’ve decided to rerelease this for everyone.Cheers, AbelHey there guys, first off I just wanted to say that I’m really excited with the responses to the newsletter so far, I’m beyond thankful for all the love. It’s really nice to get so much positive vibes and great feedback and I’m grateful for all of you reaching out and spreading the word about this project. I hope that the Bundesliga Bulletin will continue to grow and evolve, as we get closer to the season.With that in mind, we have a SuperCup to watch on Saturday, and since I’m still on my Bayern analysis kick, I’ve got an interview\podcast with Bayern expert, blogger and author Justin Kraft. Justin is perhaps best-known for his book Generation Lahmsteiger, which you can get here, and as one of the main voices of the blog Miasanrot in English and German. You can and should follow him on Twitter and read his work (if you can read German) for publications, such as Focus.de and ntv.de. We began our conversation by discussing the aftermath of Uli Hoeness’ reported stepping down and its consequence regarding Bayern’s stature in football before delving into the post-Hoeness era with Oliver Kahn and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.At around the 15 minute mark we shifted our focus on Bayern’s summer and squad management and discussed the issue of a small squad vis a vis Kovac’s role at the club. After that we went on to discuss the preseason and I asked Justin whether he thought new co-trainer Hansi Flick was perhaps the best move Bayern made. We also touched on his relationship with Kovac and what improvements the former Jogi Löw assistant could bring to FCB.Finally in the last 15 minutes we covered some tactical questions about Bayern’s 2019\20 campaign including style, formation, important players, surprises of the preseason and and finished off by discussing what would constitute a successful for the club. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bundesligabulletin.substack.com