by Brian Sanders
European wins, Cancer survivors return to training, Wolfsburg’s Hecking successor selection process, and more on the Bundesliga weekend preview for match day 8.
Borussia Monchengladbach entered Celtic Park in Glasgow with a whopping zero points and in a difficult group was thinking that another spring would come without knockout European football. Andre Schubert and company did not let the fans down as a half strength Foals side dispatched the Scottish champions 2-0. Lars Stindl and Andre Hahn scored to make mascot Junter smile even more. Next match they host the same side, Europa League and Champions League knockout rounds are still a possibility.
After three consecutive matches without a win Bayern Munich unleashed their frustrations on Dutch champions PSV 4-1. Of note is that Joshua Kimmich has scored in yet another competitive fixture for FCB this season, the tally is two UCL goals in last three and a goal in last three Bundesliga matches. A commanding five points separate the Bavarians in second and a tie between Rostov and PSV in third and fourth so knockout qualification is merely a formality now.
Bayer Leverkusen played host to London’s Tottenham Hotspur and despite a goodly number of close opportunities it was all square at the Bay Arena, 0-0. Leverkusen will be kicking themselves for the squandered chances as after three matches, two at home, they have only three points from three draws. While knockout football seems likely, this group is so tightly packed together one bad result can mean Europa Leauge and two could mean no spring knockout football.
Borussia Dortmund had a difficult task away to Sporting Portugal in Lisbon but came away with a crucial 2-1 victory. A first half pair of goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a first professional goal from 21 year old Julian Weigl ensured that the Champions League knockout phase is very likely. The faith placed in Weigl is extraordinary. Watching BVB play this young midfielder really dictates everything, without receiving the proper praise when there have been other grander names to get the headlines. This is a future star and possibly German starter at next summer’s Confederation Cup.
In the Europa League Mainz 05 is locked in a three way tie for first on five points after a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht, with a return trip later in the month the knockout phase will still be difficult to get. Schalke 04 meanwhile look all but assured of knockout football as they won in Russia over Krasnodar 1-0. With nine points from three matches and two home matches remaining the Royal Blues look to keep momentum going.
In a feel good story Eintracht Frankfurt’s center back Marco Russ, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May, has been given the all clear from doctors and looks set to resume training. At the end of last season, after his diagnosis, Russ wore the captain’s armband in the final stretch of Frankfurt’s relegation survival. He scored the equalizing goal in a 2-1 win over Mainz in match day 31 to help the Eagles reach the relegation playoff where they defeated 1, FC Nurnberg on aggregate 2-1.
Currently the Frankfurt youth product is targeting the team’s winter break tour in Abu Dabi to return to full training with the team. Russ will be going through rehabilitation in the mean time.
Wolfsburg is currently under caretaker manager Valerien Ismael while the decision to hire the successor to Deiter Hecking still goes on.
After the firing of Hecking on Monday the first two names to come out as leaders for the new job were Portuguese coach Andre Villas Boas and Andre Breitenreiter. Former Belgian manager Marc Wilmots has dismissed speculation towards the post.
Wolfsburg has spent a lot of money in the past. With Volkswagen funds behind them they are an attractive option for some but, after the instagram post of Villas Boas in the last month, the Bundesliga looks enticing. With proper funding this could be another challenger at the top with the right man and plan.
Matches of the Week
Hertha Berlin might have bounced from the Europa League in the qualification but that has not phased them at all as they have started well in the hinrunde. At fourth place the squad who fell back at the end of last season is above all but Bayern among the European participants so perhaps a blessing in disguise.
The visitors to the capital city are the high flying Billy Goats FC Koln. After numerous decades of ups and downs manager Peter Stoger has built this team brick by brick. Survival one year, mid table the next, and now pushing for Europe. Suddenly they find themselves two points behind leaders Bayern Munich on the legs of league leading goal scorer Anthony Modeste. Mascot Hennes the VIII can only chew on the excitement of this match.
Saturday Topspiel has two traditional teams at the Allianz Arena as Bayern looks to turn Champions League momentum into Bundesliga success after two consecutive draws in the league. Joshua Kimmich has scored three of the last four goals in the last three matches. If Bayern expects to get more than a point it needs other players to step up and contribute, after all he is only 21.
Visitors Borussia Monchengladbach found themselves last season at the haunt of Munich and came away with a share of points. A road win in the Champions League eases the thoughts of the Foals fans. On the road in the Bundesliga one point from three matches while 10 points from four matches at home. If Borussia want to be a top team they need to pull out road results.
Sunday has a dozy of a match as SV Werder Bremen travels east to visit RasenBallsport Leipzig. RB Leipzig has so far exceeded expectations in this early stage of the season. Ralph Hasenhuttl has this team of young players who are hungry for success and the fact that they are playing with this chip on their shoulder has resulted in four wins and three draws from the first seven matches, good for third in the Bundesliga, and within range of leaders Bayern Munich. Only question is whom and what could derail this team.
Werder Bremen fired club legend in Viktor Skrypnyk on September 18 after earning zero points to start the season and a 12-2 goal disparity. Under Alexander Nori that has changed to 7-6 in favor of the green and white with seven points earned. There is a good team on this roster that needs grooming and yet a comfortable mid table finish is not out of the realm of possibility. This is a strong road test that could prove useful in the first Nordderby of the season at Hamburg in three weeks. After losing both last season the answer is yes, the fans are looking that far ahead.
Bundesliga on Fox Lineup
Friday starts off with Hamburg hosting in form Eintracht Frankfurt and hot commodity Marco Fabian on Fox Soccer Plus.
Saturday early slate has Bayer Leverkusen hosting undefeated TSG Hoffenheim on Fox Soccer Plus and Fox Deportes, out of form Ingolstadt hosts Borussia Dortmund on FS2.
Saturday topspiel is the tasty match up of Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach on FS2.
Sunday’s doubleheader starts us off with RB Leipzig and Werder Bremen on FS1. That is followed by the Europa League teams Schalke and Mainz on FS2.
