Augsburg suits us

In the 21st meeting between the Puppenkiste and the Werkself, FCA did not emerge victorious either. On the contrary, four goals were scored by our team and only one by Augsburg. Admittedly, our team only netted two out of four times itself, but own goals happen exactly when you aggressively pursue and put the opponent under pressure. Ultimately, the same description applies to the Augsburg goal against us. So the Werkself goes into the international break undefeated.

Nothing has been won yet, but you can't give away the points you have. After the break, it's important to show directly against Dortmund who's the master in the house and that in 2021/22 the path only goes past the Bayer. If you listen to the interviews with the players, it's clear that the boys are up for it and the mood in the team is good. But as I said, the road is still long and the tough English weeks are still to come, but with the latest signings, the squad is now probably broad enough to successfully meet these challenges.

A magic night at the BayArena

Who would have thought after the preparation and the start of the season so far that we would sweep Gladbach out of the stadium with a more than deserved 4:0. While the Werkself celebrated exhilarating football at times, the visitors failed at almost everything.

With the support of the crowd, our team started aggressively from the beginning and pursued the ball decisively. Our two full-backs, in particular, livened up the game considerably. You would wish that every home game was played to this standard, although of course we would all like 100% capacity even better than with 50%.

Next week we go to Augsburg. Yes, we've never lost there. But I remember that last year we equalised with the very last action in the 95th minute through Tapsoba. Guys, take the game seriously.  

Satisfied with the point at the Alte Försterei

Bayer 04 were unperturbed by the early irritations at the Alte Försterei stadium and deserved the one point in a 1-1 draw. After Diaby's equaliser, the Werkself was clearly the leading team until half-time. 

The game did not find a winner, but in the relevant statistics the Werkself was ahead. Twice as many shots on goal as the opponents, twice as much possession, advantages in tackling and passing - all this can be seen as positive after the unsuccessful preparation.

And all of this makes you want more, not least because the Foals from Ostholland are coming next Saturday for the top game. They, in turn, also feel like winners after the 1:1 against Bayern at home. Let's see what the game will bring, but one thing is clear: we have to score at home much more often than last year, because we lost the Champions League at the BayArena.

Tough, but successful

After the far from convincing preparation for the season so far, the team could only embarrass itself against fourth-division team Lok Leipzig in the first DFB Cup main round. In the end, however, the Werkself won 3:0 and thus advanced to the next round.

All in all, it was certainly a tough game, which is not really surprising given the decimated squad. Today's match is certainly no benchmark for what will come in the coming weeks. We took an early 2:0 lead and then actually played it down. At least during the whole match I didn't have the feeling that Lok could net once, even if they certainly had two or three chances.

So, to sum up, we did our homework today and will continue to work hard in the next few training sessions.

The never champions season forecast 2021/22

No sooner has the last season ended than the Bundesliga starts again. I'm not a prophet when I say that this will be another difficult season for all clubs, especially for those who play in international competitions and still have national players who joined the squad late.

With this season prediction, you can once again measure my football intelligence. My last season's predictions were consistent in the sense that I correctly predicted three out of four Champions League participants. My relegation predictions, on the other hand, were not particularly good. But as always: this year everything will be better.
And here are my entry expectations for the coming season:

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

2.) Borussia Dortmund: The team is in a good position and anything other than a ranking of three or worse would be a disappointment.

3.) Dose Leipzig: The team will certainly face a more difficult year after the personnel upheaval. The triple burden is also taking its toll. But we have also learned that we can make decisive additions to the team during the winter break if necessary.

4.) VfL Wolfsburg: Whether you like it or not, with this squad the Champions League must be in the cards. The structures have improved, but here, too, the triple burden will take its toll.

5.) WE: There will certainly be one or two things happening in both directions between now and the end of the transfer period. In view of the tight calendar, it is important to have a broad squad. It should definitely be enough for the EuroLeague, the rest remains to be seen.

6.) Eintracht Frankfurt: After a good previous year, the Eagles should attack again, especially as they have a tailwind with a new coach.

7.) Hoffenheim: Difficult to assess, but certainly stronger than last year. It is even possible that the first coaching dismissal will take place here before the village is brought back on track under a new aegis.

8.) Borussia M'Gladbach: In terms of self-portrayal, those responsible see themselves rather further ahead, but everyday life with a new coach looks different.

9.) Hertha BSC: At some point, as a club in the capital, you have to invest properly, market yourself properly and have crisp investors in order to do better. But that's no use if your investor has money but the right players don't necessarily want to come to the capital.

10.) Union Berlin: Good personnel, supported by the environment, should once again keep the class, given the continuing euphoria in the environment, even if not as easy as last year.

11.) VfL Bochum: The euphoria in the Pott helps to get the decisive points at home and thus to reach a secure midfield position.

12.) SC Freiburg: Consistency will also excel this year. Streich can also keep the class this year with the squad.

13) 1.FC Köln: Keeping in the class is realistic. One or two surprising home points should be enough to keep them in the lower end of the midfield.

14.) Mainz 05: After the strong second half of the season, the team will certainly start the new season with a tailwind, and the points should be enough to keep them in the league.

15.) FC Augsburg: Actually, this non-super team can't do any more than to finish just outside the relegation zone.

16.) VfB Stuttgart: The second year is the more difficult one. You want more according to your own self-image, but so does everyone else. This year, however, the #16 should be well ahead of the last two places.

17.) Arminia Bielefeld: Unfortunately, Arminia will not storm through the Bundesliga as they did last year, given their lack of financial resources. Thus, the club remains a clear relegation candidate in year two.

18.) SpVgg Greuther Fürth: Actually a likeable team, but unfortunately I fear direct relegation due to the lack of strength of the squad compared to other clubs.

 

You can find the bookmakers' prediction here:

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

 

The fans' prediction should be available soon at the following link:

https://www.bundesligabarometer.de/

And if you participate in betting games, have a look at the following link:

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