Mid table fights and surprising challenges in this week’s Bundesliga preview of Matchday 21.
Bundesliga Talking Points
In an interview with BBC Leon Balogun of 1 FSV Mainz 05 admitted that during his team’s match against Hannover 96 in January that he was subject to racist chants emanating from the home fans.
For a country like Germany where they are so accepting of outsiders it is strange that an instance such as this would occur. To Balogun, a born and raised German of Nigerian descent, this was of a particular surprise to him.
It should be stressed that racism has no place anywhere and that includes football. Here is hoping that some action will be taken in a league as progressive as the Bundesliga.
Transfer Flurries
With the close of the winter transfer window some Bundesliga clubs have changed their make up but some more so than others.
Borussia Dortmund has been the biggest mover as after many issues Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moved to London England side Arsenal for 65 million Euros and change. Their temporary pickup was signing Michy Batshuay on loan from London side Chelsea. In addition Marc Barta moved to Spanish La Liga side Real Betis and American turncoat Nevin Subotic moved to Saint Etienne.
Notable was relegation threatened Werder Bremen who strengthened with two permanent signings and one on loan from Bayern. FC Augsburg was the opposite as two players moved out on permanent deals with five leaving on loan.
Matches of the Week
FC Koln welcomes back to the Rhine Energie Stadion former manager Peter Stoger as Borussia Dortmund starts the weekend on the Friday match in a that will bring back the old manager to his old stomping grounds. Stoger only was in charge of Koln for four and a half seasons, a decent length of time.
With the start of the ruckrunde FC Koln has put in a strong fight in attempting to avoid relegation. BVB has been attempting to find their path but there has been a lack of direction at the club and it is understandable why players have left of late.
Hertha Berlin was in this recent Europa League as was Hoffenheim for the group phase. Both failed in qualifying to the knock out phase and yet both possess the ability to return. Currently each side reside in the table four and five points off the chase for the Europa League, and that’s not taking into account that four of the eight left in the Pokal are currently in the top six in the table.
Bundesliga on Fox
Friday match between FC Koln and Borussia Dortmund is being shown on Fox Sports 1.
Saturday returns the full three matches for the early time slot. On FS1 Mainz takes on Bayern Munich. On Fox Sports 2 Schalke takes on Werder Bremen. On Fox Soccer Plus Freiburg faces Bayer Leverkusen.
Saturday late match or Topspiel is on FS2 pitting Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig.
Sunday doubleheader starts on FS1 as Augsburg host Eintracht Frankfurt. FS2 follows showing HSV and Hannover 96.
