On match day 8 of the Bundesliga, Anthony Modeste returns to 1. FC Köln in a BVB jersey. The former “Bundesliga cracker” between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen has become a crisis duel, and in Leipzig and Bochum they are looking for the coach change effect.
With the live reports of the individual games in the full report or the conference, you won’t miss a goal at sportschau.de.
Bayern Munich – Bayer Leverkusen (Friday, 8.30 p.m.)
A “Bundesliga cracker” on Friday evening (September 30th, 2022) – that must have been the plan when this match was scheduled. But on the 8th Bundesliga matchday, both Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are somehow fighting to catch up.
Before the international break, Bayern had lost for the first time after three draws (in Augsburg). Coach Julian Nagelsmann didn’t leave the situation cold: “I had no thoughts of retiring, I just don’t want to not win the games.”
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, has only won once. And the Nations League games were not good for the numerous national players in both teams as an encouragement. The fact is: a draw doesn’t really help anyone, and the loser slips straight into the crisis.
Staff: Florian Wirtz and Karim Bellarabi will still be missing at Leverkusen. Amine Adli is available again after breaking his collarbone. At Bayern, captain Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka are operational after their corona diseases. injured missing Kingsley ComanLucas Hernandez, Bouna Sarr and talent Paul Wanner.
RB Leipzig – VfL Bochum (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.)
A point is always worth more if it is “gilded” in the following game. VfL Bochum is likely to do just that in Leipzig under new coach Thomas Letsch.
After the 1-1 draw against 1. FC Köln, predecessor Thomas Reis had to go. Letsch has his sights set on staying up, but “there are certainly easier tasks in the world”.
Saturday’s opponents are the only Bundesliga teams to have changed coaches this season. Marco Rose took over from Domenico Tedesco in Leipzig – the premiere at Borussia Dortmund was a brilliant success, followed by disaster at Borussia Mönchengladbach in the second game.
So the question arises as to which trainer effect has a more lasting effect. Also with Marco Rose, especially since Letsch has the premiere role: “New coach, new direction – that means a lot of speculation.”
Staff: Leipzig has to do without the sick Yussuf Poulsen. In the storm the decision is made between Timo Werner or André Silva.
SC Freiburg – FSV Mainz 05 (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.)
Whether Freiburg coach Christian Streich likes to hear that? Hardly likely. But SC Freiburg is not only on course for the Champions League, but also statistically. Extrapolating the 14 points from seven games, that would end up being 68 points – clubs have already won championships with this yield.
Mainz Bundesliga coach Bo Svensson speaks respectfully about Freiburg’s development: “They almost never have bad days. Their bad level is still very high.” Streich sees a “difficult” Opponents and added: “But which Bundesliga game isn’t difficult?”
Staff: Striker Jonathan Burkardt is available again for Mainz (after a foot injury). On the other hand, the Rheinhessen have to do without the injured Marlon Mustapha and Marcus Ingvartsen. Freiburg is hoping for the return of striker Lucas Höler, who could at least be on the bench.
1. FC Cologne – Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.)
The emotional return of Anthony Modest to Cologne-Müngersdorf somewhat overshadows the sporting importance. The BVB striker shouldn’t expect applause after his sudden departure at the start of the season. After all, he left 1. FC Köln for the second time before a European Cup season. Things aren’t going so well in Dortmund either.
At Borussia Dortmund, there was traditionally a good mood after the 1-0 win in the Revierderby during the international break. And if the efficiency continues like this, BVB can even conquer the top of the table. Borussia celebrated four of the five wins with a narrow 1-0.
Staff: Marco Reus is missing after his injury in the Revierderby, but should soon return to team training. Giovanni Reyna and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel are also out at BVB. Ex-Cologne Salih Özcan, on the other hand, could get fit after a break.
Eintracht Frankfurt – 1. FC Union Berlin (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.)
Eintracht Frankfurt has to face the challenge Champions League-Game against Tottenham Hotspur to banish from the mind. League leaders Union Berlin is also “a tough nut“Said Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner. “It’s going to be difficult, but it’s good when things start out difficult.“
Union coach Urs Fischer sent a signal with his contract extension on Wednesday: “I’m now in my fifth year at Union, it’s extraordinary to be at a club for so long“Now it’s up to the leaders to make the best of it. A look at the table should help. The 17 points collected so far are just for the coming weeks.”extreme important“.
Staff: Defensive player Kristijan Jakic (inflammation in the hip) is likely to be absent from Frankfurt. Right-back Almamy Touré (infection) is still unavailable. Left-backs Luca Pellegrini and Christopher Lenz have returned to training.
VfL Wolfsburg – VfB Stuttgart (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.)
After a difficult start to the season, VfB Stuttgart are still waiting for their first win in the Bundesliga. VfB is currently on the relegation rank, directly ahead of opponent VfL Wolfsburg. VfB coach Pellegrino Matarazzo: “The boys made a good impression in training. Now it’s important to implement that on the pitch.”
Wolfsburg is still waiting for the first home win of the season after two draws and one defeat. But someone else should probably score for that than Lukas Nmecha, who scored three of the four home goals.
Staff: Stuttgart’s left-back Borna Sosa is “with increased temperature” returned from the Croatian national team. Summer newcomer Josha Vagnoman (rehabilitation training) will definitely be out. Dan-Axel Zagadou joins “definitely an option from the bank“Said Matarazzo.
Werder Bremen – Borussia Mönchengladbach (Saturday, 6.30 p.m.)
In Bremen, the biggest challenge could be a change in the stadium. Because after 21 years, Werder had separated from stadium announcer Christian Stoll. The previous co-speaker Arnd Zeigler will initially make the announcements alone.
Mönchengladbach hopes that the momentum of the impressive home win against Leipzig has continued. “After a win like against Leipzig, the next game is always a bit more difficult”said coach Daniel Farke.
Staff: Goalscorer Marcus Thuram is probably with Borussia after missing training recently. at Alassane Plea an assignment is questionable, the long-term injured Ko Itakura, Hannes Wolf and Florian Neuhaus as well as Yvandro Borges Sanches, who has returned from the international match, are out.
Hertha BSC – TSG Hoffenheim (Sunday, 3.30 p.m.)
In the first Sunday game, consistency meets in a direct duel: Hoffenheim have one point more than defending champions Bayern Munich – the interim result is almost identical to the first Bundesliga year 2008/09, when Hoffenheim sensationally became champions in autumn.
Hertha BSC has also stabilized, one reason for this is the consistency in personnel. Coach Sandro Schwarz found his starting eleven early on. Christensen is in goal, the back four is in midfield with Plattenhardt, Kempf, Uremovic and Kenny tousart and Serdar set, in the storm Ejuke, Kanga and Lukebakio.
Staff: Hoffenheim’s Sebastian Rudy can run out with a splint after an operation as a result of a metacarpal fracture.
FC Schalke 04 – FC Augsburg (Sunday, 5.30 p.m.)
Augsburg have won three games this season, another win would set a new club record: four wins after eight match days have never been recorded in the Bundesliga before.
The question in the game after the derby of both clubs will be who takes the initiative: Because no other team had as little possession of the ball this season as Schalke (only 42 percent). And Augsburg also prefers to let the opponent have the ball (44 percent). Maybe that’s based on experience: This season, only the players from Bochum and Union were on average older than those from Schalke (27.4 years) and Augsburg (27.1).