The Bundesliga Connection

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Bayern Munich are just as dangerous as they were in their 2019/20 treble-winning season, they currently sit top of the Bundesliga and grabbed 16 points from a possible 18 in their UEFA Champions League (UCL) group, but the reality is quite sobering. Bayern were knocked out of the German Cup by a second division side (Holstein Keil), and they have conceded 25 times in 16 league fixtures. It comes as no surprise then that their defence has come under fire.

In the SL Podcast’s latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington discusses how Bayern’s Bundesliga rivals & future UCL opposition will be studying their defensive weaknesses. Harrington argues that this could derail the defending champion’s defence of their two remaining titles. In the full podcast, Harrington also discusses how RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia dropped points

This past weekend brought more twists in the Bundesliga table, as Borussia Mönchengladbach fought back from two goals down to defeat Bayern Munich 3-2. The defending league champions had the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points, as RB Leipzig had lost their match against Borussia Dortmund, but ‘Gladbach’ had other plans. The five-goal thriller of a match is only Bayern’s second in the league this season, but keeps the title race wide open, with only five points separating first and fourth position.

In the SL Podcast’s latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington provides his analysis on the latest weekend of German domestic football and breaks down how Gladbach exposed Bayern’s lingering defensive weaknesses. Harrington also discusses Borussia Dortmund’s impressive 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig, and how Sancho & Haaland led the line for the black and yellow.

The Bundesliga title race picture is becoming clearer with every passing matchday, and even though teams like RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen & Borussia Dortmund still have a realistic shot at the league trophy, Bayern Munich remain favourites to retain their crown. This past weekend saw Bayern tested against a struggling Mainz side who surprised everyone by taking a 2-0 lead into the halftime break, but the defending champions dominated the second half and staged a dramatic comeback to win 5-2.

In the SL Podcast’s latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington provides his analysis on the latest weekend of German domestic football and discusses what he believes to be Bayern’s ‘secret ingredient’. Harrington argues that while every team in the top four has the talent necessary for league success, Bayern’s experience will see them defend their title successfully

Golden Boy winner Erling Haaland is currently sidelined with injury but after starting the season in impressive form, scoring 17 goals in 14 appearances for Borussia Dortmund so far, the highly sought-after 20-year-old striker has been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Manchester City and other top European clubs. Haaland has proven himself for both club & country since his breakout season for Red Bull Salzburg in 2019, and is currently contracted with Dortmund through 2024. Despite reports of a £68million release clause, Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke has denied the existence of such an agreement, meaning the young Norwegian could easily be valued higher ahead of any potential move away from the club.

In the SL Podcast’s latest episode of The Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington discusses whether Haaland is ready for a move to a bigger after only a year with Dortmund, and argues that with Dortmund struggling for form, he has every right to take his talents elsewhere. Harrington also breaks down Borussia Dortmund’s recent decision to part ways with head coach Lucien Favre after the team’s stunning 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart, stating that firing Favre was the “right decision” as the club can’t seem to find consistency despite having a talented side with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Gio Reyna.

RB Leipzig enter the final matchday of Group H in the UEFA Champions League with the chance to join to book their spot in the Round of 16 knockout phase. They face a tricky route through the ‘Group of Death’, as they sit level on nine points alongside both Manchester United & PSG, with only goal difference separating the three teams. Leipzig came within 15 minutes (plus injury time) of defeating UCL reigning champions Bayern Munich when the two faced off in the Bundesliga, and may feel confident heading into their fixture against Red Devils, as their attack broke down Bayern’s backline three times.

In the SL Podcast’s latest episode of The Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington, discusses Leipzig’s impressive performance against Bayern Munich, as details RB Leipzig’s only guaranteed path to the knockout phase, victory. Harrington also breaks down Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland’s injury concerns, and how long the young star striker could be sidelined for. In the full podcast, find previews for Borussia Mönchengladbach’s tough fixture against Real Madrid in the group phase and hear about Bayern’s newest teenage sensation.

Bayern Munich head into their UEFA Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid riding high, having remained unbeaten in just over three months in all competitions. The defending champions also have 15 goals in four UCL group stage victories, and will look to add insult to injury against an Atletico side who suffered their joint-worst defeat in the competition against them when they were handed a 4-0 thrashing at the Allianz Arena. Bayern have already secured top spot in Group A, so many could argue that the Spanish side have more to play for, especially on home turf. However, Bayern have been known to be ruthless in this competition.

In the latest episode of the SL Podcast’s ‘The Bundesliga Connection’, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington provides a UCL preview for the German sides in the competition, reminding listeners “Don’t forget what Bayern did to Atletico the first time” in reference to their first tie. He also breaks down why viewers should pay attention to Borussia Dortmund’s tie against Lazio, as BVB aim to bounce back from their loss to FC Koln in the Bundesliga, which led Harrington to label them “serial disappointers”.

Borussia Dortmund have made a solid start to the 2020/21 campaign, playing some of the most exciting football in both the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League (UCL). Despite this, questions have been asked of highly-rated star Jadon Sancho after his recent transfer saga which saw him linked with a £108million move to Manchester United. Despite his recent slump, it could be argued that Dortmund are doing just fine thanks to the rest of their young talent. Domestically, BVB occupy second position in league standings with just one point separating them from defending champions Bayern Munich, while they lead Group F in the UCL. Golden Boy winner Erling Haaland has stolen the show, netting 15 goals in 12 matches in all competitions.

In the latest episode of the SL Podcast’s ‘The Bundesliga Connection’, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington suggests that Dortmund may not need Sancho as much as they did during his breakout campaign last season. Harrington states “Jadon Sancho being on the bench, I think that’s problematic because it was just last season that Sancho was heralded as the biggest prospect in the Bundesliga and he’s only collecting dust right now and proving himself to be expendable”. In the full podcast, Harrington also recaps other matches from the most recent weekend of Bundesliga action and provides a preview of this week’ UCL action.

DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington breaks down Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer’s latest national team record and the latest news surrounding Germany ahead of their clash with Spain in the UEFA Nation’s League.

Borussia Dortmund has in recent years become a club known for developing and then selling some of Europe's best young talent.

In this episode of the Bundesliga Connection, analyst Kres Harrington explains how holding on to Haaland can help Dortmund close the revolving door.

Kres Harrington gives us a little history lesson on the scandals that have played German football over the last 50 years and how the scandal that coincided with Apartheid saw some of those banned from German football arriving on South African shores to play the beautiful game.