DER KLASSIKER IS COMING! Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich & Harry Kane Ballon d'Or Debate! |S.2 Ep.3

Bundesliga

Der Klassiker preview and Ballon d'Or debate: Bayern, Dortmund and the Bundesliga's big stories

The panel previews Der Klassiker and assesses Bayern and Dortmund's title race and Champions League form, while also covering Freiburg, Frankfurt and Elversberg. They disagree on how ambitious Elversberg should be and on the Ballon d'Or cases for Kane and Yamal, but most lean toward Bayern in Der Klassiker.

Join Barbara, Patryk, Joey, and special guest ‘soccer encyclopedia’ Amir Bell as they break down the biggest stories in German football, including Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or chances and the upcoming clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Can Dortmund get the better of Bayern in Der Klassiker? And is Harry Kane on his way to becoming the best player in the world? The crew also discusses the latest Bundesliga action, Freiburg's impressive start to the season, Eintracht Frankfurt's early struggles, and the remarkable rise of SV Elversberg. They revisit some of the most memorable moments in Der Klassiker history and recap Bayern and Dortmund's Champions League performances. Catch Bundesliga action all season long in the U.S. in English on USA Sports and Fandango. Who do you think will win Der Klassiker? Does Harry Kane deserve the Ballon d'Or? And who should we bring on as a guest this season? Let us know in the comments. ► Subscribe: https://redirect.bundesliga.com/bwCS ► Watch Bundesliga in your country: https://redirect.bundesliga.com/Bunde ► Join the conversation in the Bundesliga Community Tab: https://www.youtube.com/bundesliga/community The Official Bundesliga YouTube channel provides exclusive content for fans of Germany's top league from all around the world that can't be found anywhere else. Subscribe now and visit us at https://bndsl.ga/comYT to see what all the noise is about! Trading Is Risky, 100% Loss Can Occur

Transcript

All right, welcome back everyone to another episode of my favorite podcast and it should be yours too. It's the Bunesliga House presented by Bunesliga Americas. I'm Barbara Satine and these are >> Patrick from Buddies FC >> and as always the better half of Buddies FC Joey. >> This guy's always yapping. >> Welcome back guys. We miss you so much and we have a lot to talk about for sure. >> There have been a lot of matches that have gone on since we were last on and there's Champions League going on. There's D Classicer coming up. Some other really big potential matchups coming up as well. >> Great title races too as well. >> I kind of just want to start off by talking about this little cat and mouse game that Byron and Dortmund are doing cuz they've been creeping up on each other on the table. How are we feeling about that so far? >> Exciting. >> Yeah, very exciting. >> And let's not leave out Fryberg either in there. I know we're trying to talk just Dortmund Byron >> and Leverus too. >> Sneaking it back up, but yeah. No, if we're going back to Byron Dortmund, man, I mean, it's so exciting. Of course, we have one match they told their classic still, but if everyone keeps up, even if one drops points, I think it's still going to be an exciting exciting moment up into that match up. >> Points, god forbid. >> Yeah, but I mean, Dormund, they haven't won a game in the past two games in the Bundesliga. They've been dropping points. Ver Breman, now unan Berlin, not even having a shot on target. I could see them slowly slipping out. I'm not going to lie to you. >> Already in April form. >> Already in April form. I think Leverus is going to start to pop in. But if we're just talking about Byron and Dormund, I think, yeah, Byron and Dormund can't go wrong with that whatsoever. I mean, they both have this, I think, similar strengths and weaknesses at this point. They're both dropping points. There's a lot of inconsistency on both sides. We just saw with Byron and Augsburg conceding a point in 8 seconds. >> Yeah, that was crazy. Absolutely crazy. >> Fastest Bundesliga goal in history right there. >> And that's as quickly as I forgot it. I'm never going to talk about >> Byron always breaking records. That's what I got to say. Byron breaks records no matter what. >> You're right. >> But about I was going to say about um the matchup itself. I mean, Dortmund, like you said, they're both don't look great. I can't really give a favor right now cuz both are dropping points all over the place. I mean, Norway just had their way with uh >> the artificial turf, man. They cooked them. They they cooked the bundes teams, man. >> But they just had their way with both teams. I mean, of course, dropped points to Sha as well. Elvisburg win it, but it wasn't even game to win either. >> Yeah. Games Byron have not been looking good whatsoever, but at home, Byron have been really extremely dominant. But if we're going to go into this game, Dorman's the best defensive team right now in the Bundesliga, only conceding four goals. Byron only conceding five, but still and having the most top goal scorer right there. So, listen, it's kind of uh gonna be interesting to see best defense versus best attack. Obviously, we have Byron versus Fireberg next. So, we're going to have to see what happens there. But, as of now, yeah, this match is going to be pretty crazy, not going to lie. >> I think attack is also what matters cuz you got to score the goals. >> Hey, listen. Defense wins you titles, attack wins you games. >> We're talking a whole lot of mess, but we do have a special guest with us today. So, I want to bring in my friend Amir Bell. Introduce yourself. >> I'm Amir Bell, football content creator. love the game. Big history nerd as well. So, >> I call him the encyclopedia. Knows everything. >> He knows everything. >> Pat has a competition today. I'll say that for sure. >> Yeah, I know. He's gonna dog me on that one. Not going to lie to you. >> All right. So, when it comes to their classic or just Byron and Dortmund as individuals, how are you feeling about them? >> Um, you spoke earlier about this. I'm really high on Dortmund this year. I think Giannis Conselas and then Con Constantinas are two of the brightest young stars in the game and they brought new life to Dortmund. Sir Hugari has always been there. Um, but obviously Bayern Munich is Bayern Munich and even though those are the two titans of German football, I think there's one Titan that's farther ahead than the other. >> Um, >> and I think Dortmund's a strong German team. Byron is a strong European team. So, and there's a difference there. >> I like the way you put that. >> Yeah, very, very true. >> Good job. Even though with all of the, you know, pros and cons that we've been talking about, these two are also still at the top of the table right now. They're both one and two with those 14 points. >> So, anything can happen at this point. I will say there's no losses for Bayern across all competitions. >> And Dormund, too. Well, across all competitions. Yeah. But >> across all competitions. So, that's my little leg up there, I would say, for sure. >> Fair enough. >> All right. We did mention Fryberg earlier. They are right behind. They have a very surprising start and I have to say I love that it's been able to continue. Yeah. Because sometimes, you know, we were saying in the first couple episodes like, oh well, you know, still early on in the season, but they're holding on. That's really, really important. So, what's impressing you about Fryberg so far? >> Fryberg, I mean, I I think to be honest with you, they've always been up there. I mean, they made it to Europa League final last year. They're in conference league right now. They're probably one of the favorites to win with Bride in my opinion. So, to be honest with you, I am not really surprised that Fiber have been absolutely cooking. And I mean they have the Japanese trio that just yeah Suzuki they're all absolutely fantastic. So I don't know but I do want to bring Fryberg I want to bring Fryberg and Leverkusen together because they obviously played each other and that was a huge win for Lever Cusin at home as well. I think Leverus might sneak up might sneak up on >> really hot on Leverkusen man. >> Yeah I know. >> Damn. I mean >> Patrick Schick and Maza man they've been absolutely cooking not going to lie. I mean, I'm been I'm still excited for Fryberg. If Elvisburg is my number one most excited team to be for this season, I would have to put uh Fryberg at the two because I mean, we obviously have Byron and Dormund playing. They're all playing in Europe, but we have to be honest, Fryberger are playing in um Conference League. They have they're going to have a much easier time and I think that could even bring out the advantage if you say for being consistent challenger or even win the league this season. All right, I'm going to put a little respect on conference league name and that easier time because they're in conference league that it's a it's a different standard. I will give you that, but I think the competitiveness is all the same. >> Um I think that they would have a harder time because they're actually more consistent right now and so they have a lot more to prove in that conference league whereas a Bayern or a Dortmund, they're a bit shaky right now. So when you get back into Champions League and we've seen the performances that they put up so far, anything can happen to them at this point. So I think it's actually tougher for them >> in in that sense. But I get what you >> Yeah. But come April, let's say if they were in the quarterfinals of the Conference League, competition is going to get harder, too. And you know, obviously >> True. Yeah. >> by then. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I also I also want to add one point in there. I think what makes Fryberg especially impressive is how they've kind of rebounded a little bit because Yan Monzami was the engine to a lot they did last. He's been balling out at Aston this year. >> Um, but I think a lot of if you're not Bayern Munich, a lot of really keeping pace in the Bundesliga is about how you can rebuild and I think Fryberg has >> Maxi Edgesstein, my favorite players that we always talk about. Um, like they've rebounded from losing such a big player in their squad. So, I think that's really impressive to say. >> Yeah. >> I do have a question for you. So, outside of, you know, your interest in Bundesliga, you're also a big Arsenal fan. I don't want to get that wrong. Um, but you know, a team like that had a lot to prove last season as well. So, if you compare that to a Fryberg, do you feel like Fryberg is just being lucky this season because teams like Byron and Dortmund have been dropping points or do you feel like they're keeping up that momentum? They deserve the wins that they've been getting and there's a lot of potential for them when you're looking at the whole of the season. Yeah, it's it's complicated because I think one of the things about Arsenal being a team to prove is that people always like to look at what the so-called banter era of Arsenal >> and but you have to but you have to take it into perspective though >> we finished eighth for two years and that was a crisis for our team >> whereas for some teams when they finish eighth look it's Sunderland they finished seventh finish in Europe >> that's seen as like a major achievement for the club and so I think for a team like Fryberg that doesn't have the historical success as a even Ver Breman or a Hamburgg Barn Dortmund like you it kind of you just have to look it in perspective a little bit. >> Yeah, that making the Europa League finals probably their biggest achievement to be honest with you. So yeah, good point. >> There you go. If you're an American fan and you're looking for a new team in the Bundesliga to support, those are some great points for why you should support Fryberg. I do want to move on to Frankfurt who have had the slowest start of all. >> Yeah, at least they won their game against Cologne. I'll give them that. But yeah, that game against Lipick. They got absolutely cooked by Enkunku. So what the balloon is going on there? Are we feeling like this is a tactical issue? Is this a managerial issue? I just have no idea what's going on with Frankfurt right now. >> Past two years they've not been looking good whatsoever. I mean, yeah, they have not been looking good at all. Not going to lie to you. I mean, it's just really sad cuz Frankfurt always was up there. They won the Europa League a couple years back as well. So their fall from grace needs to be kind of studied in my opinion. But it looks like Fberg, going back to Fyberg, they're taking their place now in the European competition. So yeah, I mean, I don't know. Frankfurt on paper, they have a really solid team. They could definitely make a top four in the league, but something's just not clicking right now with them. >> Just to catch you guys up on game, Frankfurt have conceded four goals to Augsburg. They have a new manager this season after losing um Hooter um at the in the middle of last season really. Um sorry, top uh Top Mhler was sacked in the middle of last season and now they have Hooter. Um they don't have any European football this year. So you would think that things would actually be easier for them because this is the only thing that they have to focus on. >> True. And Poco. Yeah. >> And Pocal of course. Um I kind of count those as one and the same cuz it's the similar club you're playing throughout the season. >> Um but even though I think that their attack could be better, I think defense is really where they're lacking because defense is really how they're dropping all of these points. >> How are we feeling about that? >> I'm I'm a finance bro. Yeah, >> I mean you guys know that. But I love I love finances and one of the most admirable things about Frankfurt in the last decade is their striker sales. But also on that note is that they've mastered the model of getting a player that may be undervalued in the market, that may be a hidden gem, developing them, selling them for a lot, but they've always hit. And I think the solution to maybe some of their problems, one they might have missed, but two is that play the youth. Like they signed, they've signed a lot of great young prospects, and you all know I love Scandinavian football. They signed a 16-year-old from Brahma Pakarna. love Arhov, who was one of the best players in the Swedish League last year. >> Maybe he could be one of the missing pieces to help reignite that team. >> That's true. >> Because they have they have nothing to lose at this point. >> I mean, it's early in the season, but also too, >> if something's not working, >> maybe you have no European football, so you really have nothing to lose. I think they're not in a position where they're scared of relegation. >> Yeah, they're mid table right now. So, >> I think you could maybe try something new and he could be the missing piece. I mean, it goes back to literally what you said five minutes ago about being able to rebuild. Like that's the strategy for most teams outside of, you know, like you said, the top Byron, Dortmund, even just Byron. So, that just goes back to exactly what you said. >> Well, Frankfurt are facing Dortmund next and Dortmund also has a lot of new youth on their roster as well. So, do you think now is the time for them to be playing that youth against youth or should Frankfurt kind of stick with what they've been trying to build so far right now because that consistency might be helpful against Dortmund's weak points? You know, >> I think they're at a position where they have nothing to lose stuff. >> Yeah. >> So, I think um like how we're talking about their midt, >> you never know. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Especially with it being so early still in the season. I see if you start it now, see some success with it, you could ride a longterm success in into the later half of the season. >> So why not? I agree. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Get this guy in management for Frankfurt. >> Well, I do want to move on to a club that is making me a little bit happier at the moment, which is Elersburg. >> Oh, yeah. >> Elersburg's fairy tale is continuing throughout this season. I'm super happy for them. They're currently in sixth place, which is, you know, it's they're dropping a little bit, but that's to be expected from the beginning of the season. This is again their first season in the Bundesliga, and it's the fourth in four years they've come up from the fourth tier, which is absolutely incredible. >> How are we feeling about Elsburg and their potential for the rest of the season? >> I mean, what an electric game this past year. >> That was an absolutely insane game from Ellburg. The fact they still pull managed to pull it off. I mean, 4-3 the score line. And I mean, they just keep scoring goals goals somehow and it's just it's the magic. >> They contain a lot too to be fair. But yeah, >> that's exciting football. >> That's exciting. Rock and roll football right there for sure. >> But yeah, >> I don't know. I mean, do you guys think they'll keep the European spot? Like where are you guys feeling right now with the >> Absolutely. Absolutely. I I kind of had my heart set on Elersburg from the very beginning because like I I think the first episode of the season I was saying that they reminded me a lot of Union Berlin when they had their first season. And when you have nothing to lose, there's a lot that you have to prove to yourself. And so, you want to believe that you belong in this spot and that it's not just a fluke that you're there. And every week they show up. And you know, I spoke to Cole Campbell a couple weeks ago and when I asked him how he felt about this season, he did say that they just take it day by day and that's what's important to them. And that's that's the magic of Elersburg right now. And they're I don't know. It's fantastic. It's >> I mean the fact that he's injured right now and they're still picking up points and still picking up results. That really says a lot cuz he's generally like with him and Pov on the wings. I mean one of the best wingers for Elsburg without a doubt. So >> it's a group mentality for sure. You don't go from the fourth tier four years ago to Bundesliga right now without having that group mentality, that consistency, and it will carry them throughout the season. >> Yeah, it just feels like career mode on EFC. Not going to lie to you. >> Um a little bit more about Elvisburg. We did talked about them before, but they are a village club. The entire village has about 14,000 people, and I think it's only like 5 to 7,000 in Elversburg itself. This this city is so small. This town is so small, they don't even have a train station. Okay, that's how small it is. Um, another thing that you would love about it, if you do want to support Elsburg, they have a sponsor. It's a family-owned sponsor, the Holer family. Frank Holder has a budget of €10 million. That's it. with having such a small budget and again being as incredible as they are right now, even more of a reason to support them. We did mention Cole Campbell. He is American, 20 years old. That's that young talent that we've been talking about as well. Um, I would compare them to like a Rexom. So, if you if you're a fan of Rexom and that underdog, you know, people who are climbing up trying to scratch their way to the top, Alersburg might be the club. >> There's less documentaries on that part. So just a quick question to end this is just do you feel like Elersburg are just trying to survive at this point or do you think that they should aim higher and go after >> they're shooting for the stars and aim for the moon. I mean listen they're in a European place right now. I mean if they somehow get European football that would genuinely be actually insane. Like imagine thing you said 10 million that they invest. Now imagine if they get into conference league that's probably like 30 million right there depending on of course how well they do. So listen, I mean, if they make it to European competition, I think they're want they're going to want to shoot for the stars, aim for a moon with that just for that very reason what you just said. I >> I want to challenge you a little bit on that cuz I think you have to be tame in that aspect cuz if you saw with Hideenheim when they first came up, >> they qualified for the Conference League and >> the added expectations of Europe, it kind of took them >> apart. Yeah, they got relegated. >> Paul Warner had a magical season, but it still ended up bad. Even with Uni and Berlin when they qualified for the Champions League, that dome that that following domestic campaign was bad and they ended up losing every game in the Champions League. So, >> I think it's one of those things where you kind of have to be >> you can aim for the stars, but also you have to do it in a smart kind of calculated way. >> Mhm. >> True. That's a good shot. He He took it right from me. I'm not going to lie. >> That's one of the mirror already. But with Elvisburg, I think honestly at this point, even if they don't finish up in Europe or just stay in the Bonus League, guys, you just said made good points about it. I think there's no way you could see a failure even at this early in the season. Like just what they've been able to do in this first how many games, four or five match days, however many it is. I think it's just, of course, I want them to continue it, but I just think it's been so amazing. Even if the rest of the season doesn't go as highly anticipated as most of us are hoping for, it's been an amazing start. And as long as they stay in the Bundesliga guy, I think they still have success as they probably saw it coming into the season. >> Yeah. Well, as we've been saying, Elersburg is currently in a European spot. So, I do want to move o