By Rich

Lasse Günther is an 18-year-old winger for FC Augsburg. Günther was born on March 21, 2003 in Germany and spent his youth career playing for Augsburg until 2016, and FC Bayern München beginning in 2016. He made his professional debut for Bayern München II in the 3. Liga on April 10, 2021, coming on as a substitute in the 62nd minute for Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn against FC Ingolstadt. In May 2021, Günther transferred back to Augsburg and signed a contract until June 2025. Günther also made 13 appearances for Germany’s U16, U17, and U18 squads between 2018 and 2020, scoring 8 goals.

By Rich

​Christoph Baumgartner scored 2 goals in the final 5 minutes of Friday’s match to propel hosts TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to a 2:1 victory over visitors VfB Stuttgart. Stuttgart’s goal came in the 58th minute when striker Sasa Kalajdzic, introduced into the match at the break, headed a corner toward the far post for captain Wataru Endo to drive home. Stuttgart appeared headed for victory as the match neared its conclusion, but then the Austrian Baumgartner drove down the right pitch, cut inside, and bent the ball into the far top corner in the 85th minute. Then, just 5 minutes later, he kicked the ball high into the Stuttgart goal after a misjudged cross from the left. The win allows Hoffenheim to climb into the top 4, at least temporarily, while leaving Stuttgart in the bottom 2. The brace was Baumgartner’s second in the Bundesliga, and Hoffenheim have now scored 17 times in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, a league high. Stuttgart are now 9 games without a win, which is the longest current run in the league. Many league fans will be watching Saturday’s match between hosts Union Berlin and visitors Mainz, as both teams have collected 34 points and occupy the middle of the table. Union Berlin have been struggling recently, having lost their last 3 matches, threatening their hopes of European football next season. While Union’s Robin Knoche will be returning from a suspension, coach Urs Fischer is certainly worried about Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not scored a goal since the 2:1 win over Leipzig on December 3. As much as Union has struggled recently, Mainz have been successful, including a 3:2 win over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. In fact, Mainz are the league’s most successful club in February, and have been assisted by late goals from the bench with Paul Boetius and Marcus Ingvartsen. Later on Sunday, Bayern will travel to Frankfurt, but will be without Thomas Müller, Alphonso Davies, Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer, and Corentin Tolisso as they look to preserve their lead in the table over Dortmund. Frankfurt have won just 1 of their last 6 league outings and are at risk of falling into a relegation battle if their scoring drought continues - the club has failed to find the net in 3 of their last 4 matches. The club did, however, defeat Bayern 2:1 in the reverse fixture. Looking ahead to Sunday, Augsburg will host Dortmund in an important match for both clubs. Augsburg have just 2 wins from their last 10 games, while Dortmund need to continue generating goals in the absence of Erling Haaland.

By Rich

Grischa Prömel is a 27-year-old midfielder for 1. FC Union Berlin. Prömel was born on January 9, 1995 in Stuttgart, Germany, and spent his youth career playing for the Stuttgarter Kickers from 2012 to 2013, and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim from 2013 to 2014. His senior career continued at Hoffenheim II, where he scored 5 goals in 24 appearances from 2014 to 2015. He then transferred to Karlsruher SC, where he scored 2 goals in 44 appearances from 2015 to 2017. Following Karlsruhe’s relegation from the 2. Bundesliga, he signed a 3-year contract with his current club, where he has scored 3 goals in 44 appearances. Prömel also appeared for Germany’s Olympic squad in 2016, and for Germany’s U21 squad the same year, scoring 1 goal.