Category: German Bundesliga

Finding Obite Evan Ndicka’s next club

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Centre Backs, Data Analysis, German Bundesliga, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting

For two seasons in a row now at Eintracht Frankfurt, Obite Evan Ndicka has been one of the best centre-backs in the Bundesliga. A massive factor behind Frankfurt's fifth place finish in 2020-21 under Adi Hütter, followed by a stunning UEFA Europa League final charge in 2021-22, Obite Evan Ndicka is starting to now receive deserved attention as one of the most promising defenders in world football. With an eye for a goal, fantastic timing of decisions at the back, phenomenal dueling ability, and pace to sweep in behind defensive mistakes, all top European clubs should be tracking Ndicka's progress at Frankfurt this season. But mysteriously, very few seem to be circling around the 22-year-old, and most clubs in need of a centre-back appear to have their eyes set on other targets. So with that, we attempt to find Obite Evan Ndicka's next club, if a move were to be made ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

What Nico Schlotterbeck will bring to Borussia Dortmund

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Centre Backs, German Bundesliga, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting

Famous for their stunningly sound recruitment of young players, Borussia Dortmund have carried on the trend of snapping up some of the Bundesliga's best with their latest signing of SC Freiburg's Nico Schlotterbeck. The 22-year-old has been one of the best defenders in Germany this season, growing immensely from his 2020-21 campaign with Union Berlin, and massively developing his all-around game. Now one of the most accomplished defenders in a variety of categories, Dortmund were right to swoop in for a minimal €20 million fee. So with that, we analyze what Nico Schlotterbeck will bring to Borussia Dortmund ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

Oliver Glasner – Eintracht Frankfurt – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, German Bundesliga, Managers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Team Analysis

Like many of the managers to take place in last season's managerial merry go round ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, Oliver Glasner had a slow start to life at Eintracht Frankfurt. It took the team eight games to claim their first victory, and even that was a stale 1-0 win over Royal Antwerp in the … Continue reading Oliver Glasner – Eintracht Frankfurt – Tactical Analysis

Analyzing Dortmund’s future right-back options

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Data Analysis, Fullback, German Bundesliga, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting

After a fantastic end to the 2020-21 season in which the Black & Yellows won the DFB-Pokal and climbed into third, Lukasz Piszczek officially retired from football. The Polish defender was a stalwart at Dortmund for over a decade, and the task to replace him was always going to be impossible. To make matters more difficult, Mateu Morey tore his ACL in the team's run to the cup final, and Achraf Hakimi left the team for Inter Milan the season before, reducing Rose's options all the more come the 2021-22 season. While Thomas Meunier has improved under Marco Rose's influence, a replacement in the position is still evidently needed. So with that, we take a look at the very best options to replace Piszczek, as Dortmund attempt to put their right-back concerns to rest.

Analyzing Europe’s best ‘Progressive Pass Receivers’

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Data Analysis, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Serie A

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. But anyone who's read my analyses over the past few years will know that I'm a massive fan of the football data and statistics website FBRef. Powered by StatsBomb, FBRef is a free to use site with loads of data from footballing leagues around the world, including detailed scouting reports, a nifty 'Player Comparison Tool', and several practical statistics that can't be found anywhere else. So with that, today, I break down the underrated value of one of my favourite FBRef statistics - a lesser known thing called 'Progressive Passes Received.'

Analyzing Dortmund’s future centre-back options

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Centre Backs, Data Analysis, German Bundesliga, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting

Dortmund need to consider their centre-back options in the current market, and start planning for the future. We take a look at the very best defenders that could make for realistic and easy signings for the Black & Yellows to make this summer. Let's get into it.

Why Dortmund should persist with the 3-4-2-1 – BVB 6-0 Gladbach – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, German Bundesliga, Match Analysis, World Football

The main task of any manager in the modern tactical era is to implement a tactical system and style of play that simultaneously suits their own taste, while getting the best out of their best players, if not the entire squad. Marco Rose has rarely accomplished that feat this season, and would be wise to stick with the back-three in the future. Here is why Dortmund should persist with the 3-4-2-1 in the future, following their 6-0 win over Gladbach on Matchday 23.

Domenico Tedesco – RB Leipzig – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Most Recent, Team Analysis

Domenico Tedesco has achieved wonders in his first few months in charge of Leipzig, with the team accumulating an impressive 62.5% win rate after eight matches. Tedesco's inauguration has been marked by a return to a back-three, where Die Roten Bullen have fluctuated between a 3-4-1-2 and 3-4-2-1 formation.