In this second part of our two episode review, we look at the sides at the top of the division. We discuss the star performers (look out for Richard’s Jadon Sancho monologue) and see how the top nine have done so far. We also cast an eye on to the last 17 games of the year. Where will each team finish? Who will come out on top? We answer all of those burning questions, and much more.
It’s not long before the second half of the season kicks off, so it’s the perfect time to look back at the campaign so far! We kick off our two-part review show by looking at the bottom nine sides in the table and how they have performed so far, whilst also casting an eye on what awaits them in the Ruckrunde.
The Winterpause is one of German football’s oddities, so we decided to delve deeper into the topic. We look at the reasoning behind it and the impact it has on all involved in the Bundesliga. We also compare the break with other leagues, and see if it offers any advantage.
Leverkusen win 3-1 against Hertha Berlin, but it is not enough to see Heiko Herrlich keep his job. He becomes the second managerial casualty of the season. Borussia Dortmund end the year on a high, winning again Borussia Monchengladbach, whilst Bayern and RB Leipzig also triumph.
This week saw the season’s second Englische Woche, and it didn’t disappoint! Fortuna upset Dortmund, whilst Bayern win against Leipzig and Monchengladbach beat Nuremberg. Wolfsburg continue to impress, this time beating Stuttgart.
Markus Weinzierl has had a tough time of it since taking over at Stuttgart. So he will be thankful for his team’s win against Hertha Berlin this weekend. Dortmund beat Bremen, whilst Bayern put Hannover to the sword. There are also impressive wins for Düsseldorf, as well as Leipzig, who recover from last week’s 3-0 loss against Freiburg.
Nothing can go wrong for Borussia Dortmund! As they continue to lead the way in the Bundesliga, they also beat rivals Schalke in the RevierDerby. Mönchengladbach and Bayern win 3-0 in comfortable outings, whilst Eintracht Frankfurt lose for the second game in succession, this time against Hertha Berlin. We discuss all of the action before moving on to our In Depth section. With the RevierDerby the centre of attention, we delve deeper in to what makes the rivalry tick.
Less goals than usual in the Bundesliga, but captivating all the same. Frankfurt finally succumb following their hot streak, with Wolfsburg putting an end to their 11 game unbeaten run. BVB win 2-0 against Freiburg as they move seven points clear at the top. We also saw wins for RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, whilst Hoffenheim and Schalke share the points in their encounter. Alongside all of the usual matchday analysis, we look at German players abroad in our In Depth section, following on from last week’s debate about foreign players in the Bundesliga. Each member chooses their personal favourite.
Nine points separate Bayern from the top after they draw 3-3 against Düsseldorf. Dortmund and Mönchengladbach win again, as do Eintracht Frankfurt. Schalke put five past Nürnberg, whilst VFB Stuttgart fail to score for the fourth game in five, this time against Bayer Leverkusen who prevail 2-0. The matchday discussion is followed by the In Depth section, which this time takes a look at the impact of foreign players in the Bundesliga. Each of the Buli Diaries team chooses their personal favourite player from overseas
With the Bundesliga taking a break due to the internationals, we took the chance to talk about what makes German football great, specifically its widely organised fan scene. First, we talk about the matchday experience and attempt to explain the German Ultra scene. Finally, we talk about the recent protests and clashes between ultras and the police. What does the future hold?