Gegenpressing: The Bundesliga Podcast Gegenpressing

On this week’s show Manu and Stefan are joined by AFP German football reporter Dan Wighton to discuss Bayer Leverkusen’s hard-fought victory over Kaiserslautern and what the conclusion to this season means for the start of next season for Xabi Alonso’s side. The trio also discuss Bochum’s heroic comeback in the promotion/relegation play-off, which saw the club beat Fortuna Düsseldorf on penalties to remain in the German top-flight next season.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Bochum beating Fortuna in the play-offs

07:19 Implications of the Relegation Playoff System and Its Impact on Teams

12:16 Insights into the DFB Pokal Final: Atmosphere and Fan Support

29:45 Xabi Alonso's Coaching Decisions and Future Plans for Leverkusen

35:22 Strategic Squad Changes and the Path to Future Success

The Gegenpressing Podcast previews the German Cup final between Kaiserslautern and Bayer Leverkusen. The hosts discuss the historical significance of Kaiserslautern and their underdog status, as well as Leverkusen's recent fatigue and loss in the Europa League final. They explore the potential impact of winning the cup on both teams, with Leverkusen aiming for the double and Kaiserslautern seeking to resurrect their club. The hosts also highlight the importance of the German Cup in German football and the excitement of having two teams that aren’t Bayern Munich in the final.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:04 Kaiserslautern's Historical Significance

09:02 Leverkusen's Fatigue and Loss in the Europa League Final

13:31 The Importance of Winning the German Cup

25:08 The Excitement of Two Novelty Teams in the Final

35:48 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

On today’s bonus show Manu and Stefan tally up the Gegenpressing votes from our paid subscribers to decide the 2023/24 Bundesliga player of the season. Before diving in to the top 10, the duo take a look at a number of honourable mentions for players that performed admirably but didn’t quite make the cut. Enjoy the show and let us know what you think of the final ranking in the comments below.

Bayer Leverkusen suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Atalanta in the Europa League final. The loss ended Leverkusen's 51-game unbeaten streak and highlighted some tactical and selection mistakes made by coach Xabi Alonso. Leverkusen played with a lineup that didn't reflect their strengths and failed to dominate the game as they usually do. The team lacked presence in the final third and struggled to create chances. Atalanta, on the other hand, played brilliantly and capitalized on Leverkusen's weaknesses. This defeat serves as a learning experience for Leverkusen and Alonso as they look to bounce back in the German Cup final.

The last main show of the Bundesliga season covers various topics, including the impressive performances of Stuttgart and Heidenheim, the coaching situation at Bayern Munich, and the thrilling relegation battle. The hosts reflect on the season and discuss the final matchday, highlighting the intense games and dramatic moments. They also touch on the struggles of certain clubs and the need for reflection and improvement in the upcoming season. In this conversation, Manu and Stefan discuss the recent matches and outcomes of FC Köln, VfL Bochum, and Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. They analyze the performance and future prospects of each team, highlighting the challenges they face. The conversation also touches on the impact of club size and membership structure on team success. They conclude by previewing upcoming matches and discussing the voting for the Player of the Year.





Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Season Reflection

02:10 Passing of the Bundesliga “Farmer’s league” Torch to the Premier League

04:23 Impressive Performances of Stuttgart and Heidenheim

08:29 Uncertainty in the Coaching Situation at Bayern Munich

09:26 Upcoming Matches and Heidenheim's European Qualification

14:33 Thrilling Relegation Battle

25:48 Challenges and Disappointments for FC Köln, VfL Bochum, and Union Berlin

29:02 Relegation Playoffs: Determining the Fate of Bundesliga Teams

38:41 The Impact of Club Size and Membership Structure on Team Success

52:06 Voting for the Player of the Year: Subscribers Participate in Selection Process

In the final preview show of the 2023-2024 Bundesliga season, Manuel and Stefan reflect on the season and discuss the upcoming matches. They highlight the importance of the Stuttgart vs. Gladbach match, as Stuttgart can still finish second and potentially host the DFL Super Cup. They also discuss Marco Reus' goodbye game for Dortmund and predict a for result for their clash with Darmstadt. Leverkusen will be hoping to win against Augsburg and celebrate their first trophy of the season. The relegation battle is intense, with Bochum, Union Berlin, Mainz, and Köln fighting to secure their positions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Appreciation

02:15 Previewing the Matches

12:26 The Coaching Situation at Bayern Munich

15:23 Relegation Battles at the Bottom of the Table