THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

Lewandowski has managed to replicate and better that achievement - and Gnabry is not even an out-and-out striker. These are just a handful of players who have played their roles in getting Bayern to where they need to be, but one must not forget another key to the team’s success has been their solid defence, shepherded by the evergreen Manuel Neuer. The 36-year-old is set to break Oliver Kahn’s record for most victories as a shotstopper by the time the current campaign comes to a close, having already matched that during Bayern’s hard-fought 3-2 win over RB Leipzig on matchday 21. As things stand, it will take a collapse of epic proportions for Bayern Munich not to be on the winner’s podium this May. Die Roten are simply head and shoulders above the rest of the chasing pack and with everyone getting in on the action, it’s no shock that they are again the highest-scoring team in the league. A closely-contested title race would have been exciting for rival fans and neutrals alike. Yet despite that being highly unlikely at this point, there’s still plenty to play for, including a spot in the Champions League. Before Bayern seized control of the table on matchday five, there was another team on top of the pile. Wolfsburg burst out of the gates and led the way, but that joy was short-lived. The team have gone from being potential dark horses in the title race to now barely hanging on to their top-flight status by the skin of their teeth, as they look to avoid being dragged down to join teams like Greuther Furth, Augsburg and Stuttgart in the dreaded relegation scrap. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will again have to hope they will have better luck in the title race next season. Die Schwarzgelben, who finished in third last time around, are now firmly focused on securing Champions League football. Marco Rose’s side aren’t alone in this

ABOVE: Robert Lewandowski was unlucky to miss out on the Ballon d’Or

RIGHT: Ricardo Pepi is the most expensive MLS export to Europe

BOTTOM LEFT: Union Berlin have been a breath of fresh air since arriving in the Bundesliga

BOTTOM RIGHT: Anthony Modeste celebrating a goal for Cologne

‘ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI HAS BEEN KEY TO BAYERN’S SUCCESS’

JULIAN NAGELSMANN IS GOING A GREAT JOB AT THE ALLIANZ ARENA

endeavour, with Leverkusen especially keen to have their say. After finishing sixth and settling for a spot in the Europa League last season, Die Werkself will naturally aim to feature in the Champions League next term. One team that have surprised many is Union Berlin, who are shaping up to be the next Leipzig - albeit with a deeper history. Die Eisernen secured top-flight status for the first time during the 2019-20 season, but one would not think them to be the new boys on the block based on the way they have held their own this season. It would be a monumental achievement in their journey thus far if they could secure a top-four spot. While Union Berlin have garnered quite a bit of attention, Koln have been quietly making steady improvements as well. Considering Die Geissbocke finished 16th last term, their showings so far have been impressive, spearheaded by the strong performances of loyal striker Anthony Modeste. Given they’re out of the DFB-Pokal, Koln can fully focus on finishing as high in the table as possible. A Europa League spot is within the realm of possibility if they can maintain their form. Depending on how things go between now and May, the battle for the last three Champions League spots could get really interesting. Koln, Leverkusen, Dortmund and Union Berlin, plus other potential contenders including RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Ho enheim, could all be jostling for a place at Europe’s top table. This would set up an intriguing scrap that should keep fans and neutrals entertained with the title already pretty much settled.

ABOVE: Julian Nagelsmann coaching his succesful team

BELOW: George Bello has said he’s trying to model his game on David Alaba

BOTTOM RIGHT: Zenit's Sardar Azmoun (L) scores the 2-1 goal against Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Michelle Osei Bonsu assesses the Bundesliga’s movers and shakers from the January transfer window

Bayern Munich didn’t create much of a buzz in the January transfer market. They did, however, bring in Chinese international shot-stopper Liu Shaoziyang from partner club Wuham Three Towns. The 18-year-old has been loaned straight out to Austrian Bundesliga club Austria Klagenfurt, and Die Roten will track his development as the season progresses. Bayern will say goodbye to defender Niklas Sule when the season ends, with the German international becoming the latest to cross the Munich-Dortmund divide on a free transfer. Bayern weren’t eager to add reinforcements this winter, although they have been linked with making moves for Chelsea defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in the summer. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund were also quiet during the January window. It’s a bit surprising that given Erling Haaland and Gio Reyna’s struggles with injuries and the former being linked with a move away, that Die Schwarzgelben didn’t reinforce their attacking options. Leverkusen, by contrast, were more active, signing Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun from Russian outfit Zenit. The 27-yearold was set to join in July, but after some smart negotiations, Die Werkself were able to get their player six months earlier. A number of the teams struggling to stay afloat, such as Augsburg and Arminia Bielefeld, made some of the most interesting signings this January, bringing in young American prospects Ricardo Pepi and George Bello from FC Dallas and Atlanta United respectively. Bello was born in Nigeria but went to the USA as a youngster and plays as a leftback. Pepi, meanwhile, arrived for $20m - making him Augsburg’s most expensive signing, as well as the most expensive transfer by a MLS player to Europe. Both Augsburg and Arminia Bielefeld will hope their investments pay dividends, not least in securing their top-flight status come the end of the season.

FEARGAL BRENNAN TAKES A LOOK AT THE WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN THE BUNDESLIGA WITH A ROUND OF THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY FROM GERMANY’S TOP FLIGHT MOMENTUMGAINERS

‘DOMENICO TEDESCO HAS LIT A FIRE UNDER THE RB LEIPZIG SQUAD’

THE GOOD

RB Leipzig’s decision to bring in Jesse Marsch as Julian Nagelsmann’s replacement at the start of 2021-22 was initially greeted with fan skepticism. The Bundesliga giants have enjoyed a strong relationship in player exchanges with their partner club in recent seasons, but coaches were viewed as di erent. Marsch’s move to the ‘top job’ between the two clubs was seen as a leap of faith on the German side of the deal, despite his strong coaching reputation. The managerial merrygo-round, triggered by Nagelsmann’s move to Bayern Munich, saw a reshu e across the big names of German football, with Marsch handed his golden chance. However, a mixture of pressure and poor performances saw the American unceremoniously removed from his post after just five wins from 14 league games in charge at the Red Bull Arena. That showing in domestic action, coupled with a Champions League group stage exit, albeit in a group containing Manchester City and Paris SaintGermain, proved too much for Marsch to withstand. The club gave themselves some time before appointing a permanent successor, with former Schalke 04 head coach Domenico Tedesco eventually drafted in. Tedesco was rumoured to be on Leipzig’s shortlist prior to appointing Marsch, after he opted not to renew his deal at Spartak Moscow in 2021. However, despite the early-season issues, Tedesco has lit a fire under the RB Leipzig squad following his arrival, as they look to push for a Champions League qualification spot in 2022. Andre Silva and Christopher Nkunku have been the main beneficiaries of Tedesco’s early bounce e ect, with those two players reportedly rejecting January exits from the club. Now it’s up to both players and coach to continue the momentum down the stretch.

STORY LINES

Borussia Dortmund have o cially confirmed the signing of Niklas Süle on a free transfer in the coming summer. The Germany defender confirmed last month he will not sign a new contract Bayern Munich and will be a free agent in the summer. Bayern paid around €20m to sign Süle from Ho enheim back in 2017 and he has gone on to make more than 150 appearances for the Bavarians. Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland named the seven strikers he thinks were better than him - but would back himself in a crunch tie. The seven was made up of five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski from rivals Bayern Munich. Three of the remaining five strikers also ply their trade in the Premier League with Tottenham hero Harry Kane, Roberto Firmino of Liverpool and Chelsea man Timo Werner - who has struggled to replicate his form from Germany at Stamford Bridge. New Barcelona ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the list, as is the man he replaced at the Nou Camp, Sergio Aguero, who was forced to retire last year.

Alphonso Davies has become the latest Bayern Munich star to report long-term health concerns following a positive Covid-19 infection within the club camp. The defender tested positive for the virus in early January, with boss Julian Nagelsmann confirming he would be out of action for an unspecified period of time as a result. Davies, who has established himself as a key figure within the Bavarians’ squad in recent seasons, has also missed out on international duty with his country. Canada national team head coach John Herdman was without his talismanic full-back for their 2022 World Cup qualifiers at the start of the year, as the Reds bid for a first World Cup place since 1986 in Qatar. Davies’ teammate, and Bayern’s midfield metronome Joshua Kimmich, has also su ered with complications following a positive test. Kimmich previously stated his controversial position on not taking a Covid vaccine, while not objecting to a future inoculation, with a subsequent lung problem impacting his staggered first team return. Nagelsmann has confirmed secondary tests for Davies have indicated a heart inflammation, with the club’s medical team opting for further investigations, and a removal from competitive action as the issue is explored. The former RB Leipzig coach did not hold back in his assessment of the situation, voicing his frustration at the lack of clarity, and his worried concern for a valued squad member. Davies will be privately confident of featuring again this season, but Nagelsmann’s plans have again been hit by key absences, as they aim for a Bundesliga title defence and Champions League challenge in the coming months.

FAR LEFT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Domenico Tedesco has made a good start as RB Leipzig coach

RIGHT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku (R) celebrates with teammates

RIGHT: Julian Nagelsmann will be without Davies

FAR RIGHT: Alphonso Davies is hoping to recover from Covid-related complications ASAP

‘ALPHONSO DAVIES HAS REPORTED LONGTERM HEALTH CONCERNS DUE TO HEART ISSUES’

Bayer Leverkusen and up-and-coming brand Castore have announced a longterm kit supplier deal until 2027. Sportswear brand Castore will make their first step in Germany in 2022 - Bayer Leverkusen's will be the brand's first-ever Bundesliga team. Max Kruse is the second player in Bundesliga history to convert at least one penalty for four di erent clubs (Union Berlin, Gladbach, Werder and for Wolfsburg), previously only Stefan Kuntz had done so. The new head of the German Football League, Donata Hopfen, has admitted she would be open to the idea of introducing a play-o system to decide the winner of the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich are well on their way to securing a 10th consecutive Bundesliga title and there are hopes that a play-o format would increase the likelihood of a new name on the trophy. The likes of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig would be the most open to the idea - given that they are normally Bayern's closest challengers, but unsurprisingly Bayern boss Julien Nagelsmann has dismissed the notion of introducing them.