Top games in the Bundesliga on matchday 14: Dortmund and Leipzig meet, Bayern have to go to Frankfurt. But the most attractive football could be offered elsewhere.
If a café conversation becomes the biggest topic of the week at Bayern Munich, it should be clear: there was nothing going on. While a large part of the Bundesliga competition was struggling in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup and coach Thomas Tuchel met club icon Bastian Schweinsteiger for coffee and water, the players of the German record champions were able to put their feet up. Thanks to the defeat in Saarbrücken in the second cup round.
Not good news for Eintracht fans
So Harry Kane and his friends can compete against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (3:30 p.m.) rested and full of energy. This is by no means good news for the Eintracht supporters, who are likely to have been looking towards the Bavarian goal factory with concern given their team’s increasingly embarrassing results in recent weeks.
That definitely hasn’t been processed yet 0:2, which Eintracht now has in Saarbrücken happened, caused a really bad mood among the Hessians. The fourth competitive defeat in a row was particularly bitter for sports director Markus Krösche because it caused the Hessians to carelessly squander a chance for the title this season. “I’m angry because we were in the final last year and wanted to go there again this season,” said Krösche.
RB Leipzig against a black and yellow bulwark?
While Bayern could possibly have an easy time with a destructive opponent, RB Leipzig also has to be prepared for a run against a defensive bulwark. Only a few weeks ago the East Germans would never have expected that this defensive wall could one day have a black and yellow color pattern.
But that’s how it is now at Borussia Dortmund. The sporting management around coach Edin Terzic seems to have accepted: “We can’t keep up with the really good teams in the league.” As a result, Borussia is now putting itself at the back in such games – and is hoping for the good Lord or the fast Karim Adeyemi up front. If he has a good day. Something that hasn’t happened in a while.
Top football on Sunday
The visually most attractive football sport will therefore probably only be visible in the Sunday morning game in the Bundesliga this weekend. Then VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen meet. Those two teams that seem to be really enjoying the game at the moment. And therefore also brings joy to those who are allowed to watch them.
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s VfB is the team of the hour – no question. The Swabians’ offensive game runs like clockwork. Probably no other team in the league is currently able to produce so many goal-threatening scenes so easily and playfully.
Offensi Quartet of VfB – it’s running
With the two nimble dribblers Chris Führich (left) and Silas (right), the opponents are outcompeted from the wings – in the center the dangerous Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav reap the rewards: both are scoring at will at the moment. In addition, the VfB players are increasingly confident in their defensive work, which is directed by chief clearer Waldemar Anton.
Leverkusen is also likely to have problems with this package. But if a Bundesliga team can currently be trusted to crack VfB, it is actually the Leverkusen team under coach Xabi Alonso. And they know exactly: In the remaining weeks before the winter break, the points cushion must be as large as possible.
Worry about the Africa Cup, Wirtz probably fit for action
From January onwards, three important regular players, Victor Boniface, Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossonou, who were employed at the Africa Cup, will have to be replaced by others for a few weeks. But that is a bit more distant music of the future. They are happy in Leverkusen that Florian Wirtz is there.
And that he should probably be fit for action again on Sunday after being substituted due to injury in the cup game against Paderborn (3-1). “It doesn’t seem so bad. We hope to be able to use him on Sunday,” said Alonso.