Never endangered away victory in Düsseldorf

On days like these, it's quite enough to concentrate on the Bundesliga for just 45 minutes and still take the three-way home with you.  Bayer made use of his clear dominance in the first round after his early lead and added two more points. Even after the restart of the game, the management of the results didn't endanger the Werkself against a long time too harmless Fortuna.

Games against a potential relegator are the time of the point collecting, that was already last week against Paderborn so and now also against Düsseldorf. We all remember that the BVB probably missed last year's championship by losing to Düsseldorf when just before Christmas they thought they would go there to shoot down the home team.

But we must not overestimate this victory, even if it's good that much more worked out than a week ago. But three points are three points that no one can take away from us, no more and no less.

Wild bird victory

Of course, it has to be said that the home win against the promoted "Attacke Paderborn" was all in all happy. But still the three points that stay with us count. Statistically, it's also the first trio at the start of the season since 2015.

I believe that these three points will do us good in the course of the season. Let's all remember the carelessly wasted home points in the past years. Home defeat against Darmstadt, 2014 only 2:2 draw against Paderborn, to say nothing of the dull 2:2 in the past season against the relegated Hanover as Karim Bellarabi still compensated in the 93rd.

Yes, it did not fit also this time still everything. And Julian Baumgartlinger and Jonathan Tah know exactly that they belong to the accomplices in the conceding goals. But the old saying is: If you're not standing safely in the back, then you have to do one more in the front. And that's exactly what we did, no more and no less. And so it was a wild victory, and victory is victory.

Bayer moved on

Cup is not and will not remain a beautiful game. In the first round, you and your team are not yet in the game, so all you have to do is see that you are a Siger and that your logo is back in the pot for the next draw.

We won 4:1 in Aachen, not a brilliant performance, but that's not what it's all about. The pessimists already argued that will be kicked out, especially after the last of course not satisfying and convincing test match results. But please again: Please also have a look at the line-up at the test matches and then the expert will quickly recognize that our trainer has given many youngsters playing practice what I also consider to be absolutely right.

We have moved on, that's what counts. And it is important to have a noticeably better start to the season than last year, because I don't want to run after the top again the whole year. Our boys can and must play at the front, the team has the quality and I am sure that they will show it starting with the home game against Paderborn next Saturday.

The Never Champions Seasonal Forecast 2019/20

Just over a week until the start of the season in the first cup round in Aachen. The anticipation is growing, our sporting management has strengthened the squad in my opinion. I wouldn't overestimate the last friendly match results either, because our coach has tried a lot and also allowed many youngsters to play. The most important tasks are and remain: We have to strike more

successful and of course we have to be much better in our defence than last year. Perhaps it will also help a little, if the injury misery improves compared to the previous year.

With this seasonal forecast you can once again measure me and my football intelligence. Last year I had seen three of four Champions League participants correctly and with Gladbach also one Euro League participant. With the relegates, however, my forecasting power was clearly worse, as I had assessed all three relegates Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Hanover better.

And here are my running-in expectations for the coming season:

1.) Bayern Munich: Yes, unfortunately, the Bavarians will probably remain the measure of all things in the league again, even if many - like me - don't like it.

2.) Borussia Dortmund: I think the team is better positioned than last year, especially after the many departures and arrivals. The squad is still too big, which can cause unrest. Nevertheless, this year they are close to Bayern again.

3.) WIR: Peter Bosz has the CL qualification last year in the final spurt. Our squad has improved. Insofar we should run in a place better and can deny the last plays in peace, because then place 3 is safe upward and downward.

4.) Dose Leipzig: Have played good football last year, but the triple burden takes its toll. International place should be in it with a new coach.

5.) Werder Bremen: The team gets into the season with momentum, the coach constancy pays off, so that after a long time once again the participation in a European competition beckons.

6.) Borussia M'Gladbach: A lot depends on how fast the newcomers hit. The new coach will certainly bring momentum, but the finishing touches will still be missing at the beginning. But it will be settled at the end.

7.) VfL Wolfsburg: Actually there should be more in it with the squad. The structures have improved, but here, too, the new coach needs time to fine-tune the game.

8.) Eintracht Frankfurt: The Euro League Fighters 2018/19 have to be careful that they survive the qualification for the Euro League without any damage, because otherwise the worm is in this time from the beginning, especially since important storm supports have left the club.

9.) Hoffenheim: On balance, bloodletting in the player's blanket: good players gone, some brought in, but who still have to settle in. In addition, the coach is new and has to settle in. More than a midfield place is not possible this year.

10.) Hertha BSC: 2019/20 will again be a year of mediocrity for the capital. At some point, as a capital city club, you have to invest properly, market yourself properly and not just have crisp investors to do better.

11.) Schalke 04: I think young coaches are good. But the structural improvement doesn't happen overnight. In this respect I expect Schalke to improve a bit, but not more.

12) 1.FC Cologne: Class retention is absolutely realistic. The one or other surprising home point should be enough to sort yourself in at the lower end of the midfield.

13.) SC Freiburg: Stability will be distinguished again this year. The SC can hold the class with the squad also this year.

14.) FC Augsburg: I have to admit that I had a much worse opinion of the puppeteers last year. Actually, this non-overman team can't do more than to sort itself in just before the relegation ranks.

15.) Union Berlin: In view of the euphoria in the year of promotion, good personal data, carried by the environment, should keep the class, because the second year is usually the more difficult one.

16.) Mainz 05: I expect the first coach release of the season in Mainz. The teams in direct competition will certainly benefit from the higher euphoria. But should be enough for a relegation place.

17.) SC Paderborn: Unfortunately, Paderborn should not be able to convert the offensive spirit of the second league one to one in the Bundesliga. Therefore the Ostwestfalen will have it probably very heavily to hold the class.

18.) Fortuna Düsseldorf: The second year is always the most difficult. There is absolutely nothing more in it with the squad. Funkel won't be sitting on his chair at the beginning of the carnival.

The prediction of the bookmakers can be found here:

http://www.fussballportal.de/wettquoten-deutscher-meister

Those of the fans under the following link:

https://www.bundesligabarometer.de/

And if you take part in betting games, then have a look at the following link:

https://www.bundesliga-prognose.de/

We remain attractive

The discussion about Julian Brandt's unfortunate change now flies by quickly. Nevertheless, thanks again to Julian for five and a half fire-tastic years under the Bayer Cross.

Unfortunately, a young player is trying to find the best way for his career. We have qualified for the Champions League and yet he is still the temptation of the BVB inferior. Without a doubt Julian is a great talent, but irreplaceable? No, no player is irreplaceable.
 
Even if only a quarter of the current rumours on the transfer market are true. Bayer Leverkusen is once again an attractive place to be, and that's a positive sign.

The anthem resounds again in the BayArena

To be honest, I didn't think that was possible for a long time and the team has shown all critics what is possible in the last weeks and months. With a precision landing on the last matchday and a 5:1 victory in Berlin that was never at risk, the Werkself moved up to 4th place in the final table and entered the Champions League.

Today one could see in view of the constellations on the other places what the supposed point win against Schalke at home last week was worth.

Today I'm celebrating, but I'm sure that from tomorrow on the gazettes will start to speculate about potential retirements and new players. That's what they call a summer break. Anyway, I first register the CL match days in my calendar and nobody takes them out of my calendar.

Now it can only get better

The first message of the day is: Next year we will definitely play in an international competition.

The second message is: Even though our boys only scored one point against Schalke today and thus qualified for the Euro League, the Champions League is still within reach.

Our potential opponents have the more difficult tasks in a home match against Dortmund or an away match in Munich than we do in Berlin. But of course, first we have to do our homework and then see what the rest does. But please don't miss the CL again like last year because of the goal ratio.

So full concentration on the last of 45 games and once again give everything for the better European Cup.