Gegenpressing: The Bundesliga Podcast Gegenpressing

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

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.