Berlin (dpa) – The topic of corona also occupies the Bundesliga on the 19th matchday. At Bayern, the personnel situation is relaxing at least a little. Manuel Neuer should be back in goal. Six players and coaches to watch out for on Saturday:
VfL Wolfsburg – Hertha BSC
dodiLukebakio:Wolfsburg’s Dodi Lukebakio has only scored one goal this Bundesliga season – for the next opponent Hertha BSC. The 24-year-old Belgian scored 1-2 in the first leg to make it 1-0 for the Berliners and was then loaned out to VfL.
Lukebakio was also allowed to end his corona quarantine in time for this special game. And although Hertha wanted to get rid of him, Wolfsburg’s sports director Jörg Schmadtke praised: “I don’t see any lack of discipline or sloppiness in him. I see a highly talented and also very focused young man,” he told dpa. “He’s also trying to straighten out the image that has emerged of him. He’s doing a good job here. And I think it would be easier for him if the entire VfL Wolfsburg structure were a little more stable at the moment.”
1. FC Union Berlin – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
AndreiKramaric: In the midst of the current sporting high and after the extensions of Oliver Baumann, Ihlas Bebou and Kevin Vogt, that would fit into the picture: According to “Bild-Zeitung”, World Cup runner-up Andrej Kramaric has decided to extend his contract in Hoffenheim, which expires at the end of the season, on a long-term basis to extend. According to the report, in addition to the sporting situation, the private satisfaction of Kramaric and his family is also decisive. The Croatian has not yet publicly positioned himself on this topic, which has been floating around for months.
VfB Stuttgart – RB Leipzig
DomenicoTedesco:The detailed knowledge of VfB Stuttgart was unmistakable. Even VfB head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo was greeted live with “Hello Pelle, I know you’re listening” in Tedesco’s game day Pk. For the new RB coach, the away game is almost a home game.
The 36-year-old grew up in Esslingen, Swabia, and used to work in the VfB junior squad. His family still lives in Stuttgart. Nevertheless, Tedesco has to deliver in the old homeland. RB has been waiting for a win for eleven away games – a negative club record. “That’s actually madness,” said Tedesco.
1. FSV Mainz 05 – VfL Bochum
milosPantovic:Now he even hits his head! After Pantovic had thrilled the Bochum fans with two dream goals from a great distance earlier this season, the 25-year-old headed VfL in the 1-0 win against VfL Wolfsburg on the last matchday. Pantovic should also play against Mainz from the start. If he shoots or heads his team to victory again, the promoted team takes a big step towards staying up in the league against a direct competitor.
1. FC Cologne – Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer:The captain is back after his corona infection – and is expected to be back in the starting lineup. After Munich were missing a total of 13 professionals, including Neuer and eight other players who tested positive, in the 1-2 draw against Mönchengladbach, coach Julian Nagelsmann now has more choice again.
“No one is 100 percent fit yet,” said the coach. Most returnees are therefore not candidates for the starting eleven. Except for new ones. For a goalkeeper, the stress is different, said Nagelsmann. “Let’s at least hope he doesn’t get hit on goal all the time, that he has to make 50 saves.”
Borussia Monchengladbach – Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Marvin Friedrich:He played with Union Berlin at Bayer Leverkusen last Saturday and Friedrich could play again against the Werkself seven days later. After moving to Borussia, the central defender is a direct candidate for the starting XI at Gladbach.
Friedrich is to replace national player Matthias Ginter in the long term, who will leave the team from the Lower Rhine in the summer at the latest. However, Ginter is still there. It will be interesting to see how coach Adi Hütter deals with the new competition in the defense headquarters.
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