As all Bundesliga golf equipment relaxation over the Christmas break in preparation for the start of the rückrunde (begin of the second half of the season) in January, we glance again on the primary half of the season and assess how every membership’s marketing campaign goes to date.
Right here is the GGFN mid-season Bundesliga Overview 2024/25.
Bayern Munich
Present place: 1st
Present high goalscorer: Harry Kane (14)
Grade: B
In Vincent Kompany’s first season in cost at Bayern they might have been aiming to complete high of the tree come Christmas and that’s precisely what they’ve finished. They at the moment prepared the ground by 4 factors having solely simply misplaced as soon as within the league to date. Kompany’s facet have, for one of the best half, been defensively well-drilled and allowed the likes of Kane, Musiala, and Olise to do their factor. Nevertheless, it’s noticeable when Musiala is out of the workforce and so they lack that distinctive artistic spark. Having completed 2024 with a thumping 5-1 victory over RB Leipzig, Bayern are actually favourites to win the Bundesliga title.
Bayer Leverkusen
Present place: 2nd
Present high goalscorer: Patrik Schick (9)
Grade: C+
B04 had a tough begin to the marketing campaign and had been struggling to maintain clear sheets; in actual fact they’ve solely managed two within the Bundesliga to date. Regardless of this, Xabi Alonso’s facet have improved because the months have progressed and now discover themselves second within the desk. With the harm to Victor Boniface, former frontman Patrick Schick has needed to step as much as the plate and he’s finished simply that. Formally linked with a transfer to Italy, the Czech worldwide will now be key to B04’s success within the rückrunde. Granted, they’re not the identical facet as final season, however who genuinely believed they might replicate that? Nonetheless inside touching distance of the leaders, Leverkusen must be pleased with how their Bundesliga marketing campaign goes to date.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Present place: third
Present high goalscorer: Omar Marmoush (13)
Grade: B+
Frankfurt have been an entertaining watch to date this season. They’re wonderful on the break and have the excellent Omar Marmoush of their ranks. The Egyptian worldwide has proven his class to date this season and appears like he’ll be taking part in on the high of European soccer for years to come back. Moreover, it’s been a breakout season for Nathaniel Brown. The left-wing again has solely performed eight Bundesliga video games however already has three objectives and three assists. It’s value mentioning that the 21 yr outdated is accessible to play for america in addition to Germany internationally. Frankfurt spent a lot of the opening months in second place however have just lately dropped into third having not received any of their final 5 matches in all competitions. Frankfurt will probably be delighted the place they’re proper now, contemplating they’ve the youngest workforce within the division.
RB Leipzig
Present place: 4th
Present high goalscorer: Loïs Openda (6)
Grade: C
It’s been a combined bag for RB Leipzig. Head coach Marco Rose was very near shedding his job again in November however managed to show the nook having not received a single recreation in that month. Many believed that the Saxons would be capable of lastly make the step up this marketing campaign and at last grow to be severe title contenders. Nevertheless, it’s wanting extra doubtless that they’ll fall quick as soon as once more and look to solidify a high 4 place. Their 5-1 defeat to Bayern earlier than the winter break solely highlighted simply how far they’re away from the title. General, the Bundesliga season isn’t going too unhealthy however there’s nonetheless room for enchancment.
Mainz 05
Present place: fifth
Present high goalscorer: Jonathan Burkardt (10)
Grade: B+
Not many would have had Mainz to be fifth at Christmas however right here we’re! Bo Henriksen’s workforce have confirmed to be robust to beat, significantly on the highway having solely misplaced as soon as on their travels. High goalscorer, Jonathan Burkardt, has just lately grow to be the membership’s all-time Bundesliga purpose scorer and has proven no indicators of slowing down. Mainz received their final two video games towards Bayern and Frankfurt, simply let that inform you how far this workforce has come within the house of 1 season. Solely 10 factors off final season’s whole (35), Mainz will probably be aiming to take care of this momentum and end in a European spot.
Borussia Dortmund
Present place: sixth
Present high goalscorer: Serhou Guirassy (6)
Grade: D
Fairly merely, this isn’t the Bundesliga season BVB would have envisioned and once more it’s a narrative of two full opposites for the membership. At residence, Dortmund haven’t misplaced within the league, having received six and drawn two. Nevertheless, on their travels they’ve received only one recreation, drawn two, and misplaced 4. Now 11 factors off the league leaders, Nuri Şahin’s facet will probably be extra focussed on solidating a Champions League place reasonably than Bundesliga silverware. Maybe Dortmund’s saving grace is that these above them haven’t pulled away. In actual fact, from third to tenth, simply 4 factors separate the groups. The New Yr for BVB will probably be about sustaining their residence report while drastically bettering their away kind. As all the time, it’s by no means plain crusing for Dortmund.
Werder Bremen
Present place: seventh
Present high goalscorer: Jens Stage (7)
Grade: B
It’s been an impressive season to date for Bremen. Properly within the combine for European soccer subsequent time period having received their final three matches earlier than the winter break. It’s been on the highway the place Bremen have collected the vast majority of their factors to date this marketing campaign. In actual fact, solely Bayern can boast a greater away report than Ole Werner’s facet. Although Bremen rating and concede at practically equal charges, it’s their midfielders that are proving the distinction, therefore why central midfielder Jens Stage is the present high scorer. Taking part in in a 3-5-2 formation, Bremen usually use the extra man within the center to their benefit. It’s value preserving a watch out for Bremen in 2025.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Present place: eighth
Present high goalscorer: Tim Kleindienst (9)
Grade: B
The temper heading into this season at Borussia Park was reasonably low, Gerardo Seoane stored his job and there appeared to be a scarcity of funding in key areas. Nevertheless, six months later the temper is totally completely different. Gladbach’s religion in Seoane has paid off because the membership solely discover themselves three factors off of the highest 4, with robust performances towards 4 of the highest six. They’ve additionally rid themselves of non-public demons equivalent to not successful two video games in a month and never successful two video games again to again. On the coronary heart of this has been Tim Kleindienst, the 29 yr outdated has 9 objectives and 4 assists within the first half of hte season and has fired his method into the German nationwide workforce. What higher method for Gladbach to kick off 2025 than a house recreation towards Bayern Munich.
SC Freiburg
Present place: ninth
Present high goalscorer: Ritsu Doan (5)
Grade: C
It was all the time going to be a problem for Frieburg this season having simply mentioned goodbye to former long-term head coach Christian Streich. Now underneath the management of Julian Schuster, the membership did make a terrific begin to the marketing campaign however have simply misplaced momentum barely heading into winter. Freburg haven’t received back-to-back Bundesliga video games since early October and completed off 2024 with a 5-1 loss away to Leverkusen. Although remarkably simply three factors off third, Freiburg maybe lack the consistency to solidify a European spot this season. Up to now, combined fortunes for Freiburg.
VfB Stuttgart
Present place: tenth
Present high goalscorer: Ermedin Demirović (7)
Grade: C
This season has been fairly the adjustment for Stuttgart. They’ve needed to steadiness Champions League soccer while having to cope with loads of incomings and outcomings within the switch window. Although tenth isn’t precisely the place they need to be proper now, the Swabians know they’re able to bridging the hole and pushing for an additional European spot. Sebastian Hoeneß’s facet are able to placing in performances towards high groups however it’s the inconsistency when taking part in towards groups they’re anticipated to beat (on paper anyway). VfB should still qualify for the knockout phases of the Champions League however it could solely come as a consequence domestically because it’s already proven.
VfL Wolfsburg
Present place: eleventh
Present high goalscorer: Jonas Wind (6)
Grade: C
Though their place of eleventh doesn’t look one of the best, Wolfsburg’s performances say in any other case. The Autostadt facet did finish 2024 with two losses to each Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund however earlier than then they had been on a eight-game successful run in all competitions, this sees them solely 4 factors off of a European place whereas they’re additionally nonetheless within the DFB Pokal quarter-finals. Wolfsburg’s present positioning is a testomony to the soundness that Ralph Hasenhütl has dropped at the facet after beforehand languishing simply above the relegation zone.
Union Berlin
Present place: twelfth
Present high goalscorer: Benedict Hollerbach (3)
Grade: D
Union Berlin head into the winter break having didn’t win any of their final 5 video games. Till then, they’d had a combined bag however now and maybe simply wanting over their shoulders a bit extra. A lot in order that Bo Svensson has been relieved of his duties just some days after Christmas. Whoever the brand new coach is, it’s unsure how busy they’ll be within the switch window. With their high scorer solely simply three objectives and one win away from residence all season, it’s clear to see the place Union want to enhance. It’s unlikely that they’ll be concerned in a relegation battle however nonetheless a disappointing marketing campaign to date.
FC Augsburg
Present place: thirteenth
Present high goalscorer: Phillip Tietz (5)
Grade: C
Augsburg are just about precisely the place you’d precise them to be midway via the season. At the moment six factors away from the relegation play-off and eight away from the automated drop, FCA will fancy their possibilities to avoid any hazard this marketing campaign. Augsburg, for probably the most half, have been in a position to take factors off these round them. Nevertheless, having misplaced 5-1 to Kiel simply earlier than the break, it offers them one thing to concentrate on. If FCA put within the performances that they’re able to they will count on to complete in and round thirteenth.
St. Pauli
Present place: 14th
Present high goalscorer: Johannes Eggestein (2)
Grade: C
In case you would have supplied St. Pauli to be outdoors the relegation locations on the finish of 2024, they might have actually taken it. Their win away at Stuttgart earlier than the break has given them a lift not solely within the desk however in confidence. They’ve confirmed that they’re able to battling with groups within the high flight; it’s only a matter of taking the alternatives once they come. Considered one of St. Pauli’s largest points this season has been not scoring once they’re on high throughout a recreation. Surprisingly, St. Pauli’s away kind is way superior compared to their residence report. Many would have anticipated the Millerntor-Stadion to be considerably of a fortress this season however it’s but to occur. If St. Pauli can enhance that residence report barely, they’ve a terrific likelihood of survival.
TSG Hoffenheim
Present place: fifteenth
Present high goalscorer: Andrej Kramaric (6)
Grade: D
Two completely different managers, zero enchancment. Since Christian Ilzer has taken over, Hoffenheim have solely received one recreation, a 4-3 win towards RB Leipzig, granted TSG have had a tricky run of fixtures, while additionally having to steadiness European commitments, however there’s little signal of enchancment in Sinsheim. The one purpose that Hoffenheim haven’t sunk into the relegation zone is because of the lack of high quality beneath them, but when issues don’t drastically change within the new yr, Sturm Graz 2.0 could sack one other supervisor, which is one away from their win whole this season.
FC Heidenheim
Present place: sixteenth
Present high goalscorer: Marvin Pieringer (4)
Grade: E
If second-season syndrome is a factor, attempt including European soccer into the combination. The rise of Heidenheim has been particular however they’ve actually struggled attempting to juggle each the league and Europe this marketing campaign. Heidenheim are going robust within the Convention League and can qualify for the knockout phases. Nevertheless, the true focus have to be on the Bundesliga in 2025. With out a win within the league since September twenty fourth, they’re effectively inside a relegation scrap. The one constructive is that Kiel and Bochum have been simply as poor.
Holstein Kiel
Present place: seventeenth
Present high goalscorer: Shuto Machino (6)
Grade: D
Holstein Kiel are precisely the place you’d count on them to be; deep in a relegation battle. They’ve the worst defence within the league however are outscoring just a few groups round them. Their win simply earlier than Christmas will give them perception that they will collect the factors wanted to no less than push survival all the way in which till the final recreation of the season. One spotlight for Kiel to date this marketing campaign is high scorer Machino. Within the place they’re in, having a participant that may probably get 10 objectives a season is very large. It’s only a query of whether or not they can enhance their defensive report.
VfL Bochum
Present place: 18th
Present high goalscorer: Matus Bero (3)
Grade: E
The place to start out with Bochum? Performed 15 and received simply as soon as, changed their head coach and sporting director, and already appear to be they’ll be taking part in within the 2. Bundesliga subsequent time period. They’re by far the bottom scorers within the league with 13 and have conceded 35 within the course of. The one crumb that Bochum need to cling onto is they’re unbeaten of their final two video games for the primary time this season. Having crushed Heidenheim simply earlier than the break was huge and remarkably implies that they’re solely 4 factors off the relegation play-off place. For Bochum, it’s about attempting to achieve sixteenth, not to mention automated survival. It’s been a dreadful season to date and it’s going to take a miracle for them to flee the drop.
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