By Rich M.
Borussia Dortmund’s 3-match winning start to 2024 came to an end on Friday with a 0:0 draw against hosts 1. FC Heidenheim. The tie leaves Dortmund in 4th place in the table, while Heidenheim, who are unbeaten in 6 matches on home soil, move 12 points clear of the relegation zone. The reverse fixture between the 2 clubs, back on Matchday 3, also ended in a draw, which brought Heidenheim their first-ever Bundesliga point. One of the league’s most legendary fixtures comes on Saturday, when Bayern host Borussia Mönchengladbach. The clubs enjoyed one of the league’s biggest rivalries, dating back to the 1970s, when they shared the Meisterschale in 9 consecutive seasons. Both teams arrived in the 1. Bundesliga in 1965, having won promotion from their respective regional leagues. Bayern were propelled by the trio of Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer, and goalkeeper Sepp Maier, and Müller still holds the record of the league’s all-time leading scorer. Bayern won their first league title at the close of the 1968-69 season, but it was Gladbach who took the title just 1 season later. Gladbach’s coach was the the legendary Hennes Weisweiler, who trained coaches at the German Sports University in Cologne. Weisweiler helmed a fast and young squad that led to the nickname, the “Foals”, by which the club is still known today. With a roster that included Günter Netzer, Herbert Wimmer, Jupp Heynckes, and Berti Vogts, Gladbach became the first club to win back-to-back league titles. While Bayern have continued to enjoy success since the 1970s rivalry, Gladbach’s only domestic trophy since then has been the DFB Pokal in 1995. In the current season’s reverse fixture, Bayern came from behind to win on Matchday 3. Saturday’s matches will also include a derby between hosts Sport-Club Freiburg and visitors VfB Stuttgart. The visitors are enjoying a stellar season, going into Saturday in 3rd place in the table and are the only club in the league with 2 players in double digits on goals: Serhou Guirassy with 17 and Deniz Undav with 12. It was Guirassy who hit a brace in the reverse fixture this season, which Stuttgart won 5:0. In Saturday’s late game between hosts 1. FC Köln and visitors Eintracht Frankfurt, Köln trainer Timo Schultz has already said he is aiming for 3 points. The last time Köln only had 12 points this far in the season, in 2017/18, the club was relegated. Looking ahead to Sunday, Wolfsburg will host Hoffenheim in a contest between 2 teams that are separated by just 3 points. Both clubs have had mediocre seasons and are looking to turn things around, and the Wolves now face former standout Wout Weghorst.
Borussia Dortmund’s 3-match winning start to 2024 came to an end on Friday with a 0:0 draw against hosts 1. FC Heidenheim. The tie leaves Dortmund in 4th place in the table, while Heidenheim, who are unbeaten in 6 matches on home soil, move 12 points clear of the relegation zone. The reverse fixture between the 2 clubs, back on Matchday 3, also ended in a draw, which brought Heidenheim their first-ever Bundesliga point. One of the league’s most legendary fixtures comes on Saturday, when Bayern host Borussia Mönchengladbach. The clubs enjoyed one of the league’s biggest rivalries, dating back to the 1970s, when they shared the Meisterschale in 9 consecutive seasons. Both teams arrived in the 1. Bundesliga in 1965, having won promotion from their respective regional leagues. Bayern were propelled by the trio of Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer, and goalkeeper Sepp Maier, and Müller still holds the record of the league’s all-time leading scorer. Bayern won their first league title at the close of the 1968-69 season, but it was Gladbach who took the title just 1 season later. Gladbach’s coach was the the legendary Hennes Weisweiler, who trained coaches at the German Sports University in Cologne. Weisweiler helmed a fast and young squad that led to the nickname, the “Foals”, by which the club is still known today. With a roster that included Günter Netzer, Herbert Wimmer, Jupp Heynckes, and Berti Vogts, Gladbach became the first club to win back-to-back league titles. While Bayern have continued to enjoy success since the 1970s rivalry, Gladbach’s only domestic trophy since then has been the DFB Pokal in 1995. In the current season’s reverse fixture, Bayern came from behind to win on Matchday 3. Saturday’s matches will also include a derby between hosts Sport-Club Freiburg and visitors VfB Stuttgart. The visitors are enjoying a stellar season, going into Saturday in 3rd place in the table and are the only club in the league with 2 players in double digits on goals: Serhou Guirassy with 17 and Deniz Undav with 12. It was Guirassy who hit a brace in the reverse fixture this season, which Stuttgart won 5:0. In Saturday’s late game between hosts 1. FC Köln and visitors Eintracht Frankfurt, Köln trainer Timo Schultz has already said he is aiming for 3 points. The last time Köln only had 12 points this far in the season, in 2017/18, the club was relegated. Looking ahead to Sunday, Wolfsburg will host Hoffenheim in a contest between 2 teams that are separated by just 3 points. Both clubs have had mediocre seasons and are looking to turn things around, and the Wolves now face former standout Wout Weghorst.
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