Gegenpressing: The Bundesliga Podcast Gegenpressing

Manu and Stefan are back to breakdown an incredible performance from Germany in the opening game of Euro 2024. Following a brief discussion about what it was like in Munich in the lead up to Friday’s game, the pair then break down what Germany got so right and what Scotland got so wrong. Julian Nagelsmann impressed immensely with his clever tactics, with a number of individual players looking back to their best. But will it be enough to top the group and potentially even win Euro 2024?

In this episode of the Gegenpressing Podcast, Manuel Veth and Stefan Bienkowski discuss Euro 2024 and their plans for covering the games. They also analyze Germany's performance in recent friendlies and highlight the concerns surrounding Ilkay Gundogan's role in the team. The hosts discuss the importance of pre-tournament friendlies and the challenges faced by national teams. They also touch on the significance of the captaincy and the potential impact of Toni Kroos' return to the team. Overall, they express optimism about Germany's chances in the tournament. The conversation discusses the performance of the German national team in their friendly match against Greece and delves into various topics such as the midfield struggles, the role of the fullbacks, the goalkeeper debate, and the overall team chemistry. The hosts analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the team and offer their insights on potential changes and strategies for upcoming matches. They also highlight the importance of squad chemistry and the unpredictable nature of tournament football.

In the final regular podcast of the 2023/24 season, Manu and Stefan present the podcast on location at Wembley Stadium, as they took in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League final against Real Madrid. Although the Bundesliga club were unable to win the European Cup, it was a fascinating clash both on and off the pitch and Gegenpressing was there to take it all in.

In the final bonus show of the week, Manu and Stefan sit down to preview Saturday’s Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. Edin Terzic’s side may be the underdogs for this tie, but as the pair explain in today’s show that doesn’t mean they can’t win the clash at Wembley with smart tactics and by exploiting Madrid’s notable weakpoints. All that and more is explained and discussed on today’s show. Enjoy!

On today’s bonus podcast Manu and Stefan discuss the imminent appointment of Vincent Kompany as the head coach of Bayern Munich, discussing his background, tactical approach, and the challenges he faces. The conversation also delves into the squad's composition, potential player movements, and the need for a long-term vision and stability at the club.

Chapters

00:00 Vincent Kompany's Appointment: A New Era for Bayern Munich

21:25 Stability and Long-Term Vision at Bayern Munich

32:41 Challenges and Expectations for Kompany, Eberl, and Freund

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