Bayer 04 Leverkusen Haberleri

Sometimes we can get carried away in the moment and a more sober analysis requires time. But as 2023 dwindles away, my verdict is as boisterously upbeat as it was before. The Bundesliga is enjoying one of its boom seasons on the pitch on all fronts and I’m using this space mostly to celebrate the highs.

ESPN reporters have everything you need to know about the top teams’ hopes and delve into deals that might be in the cards. Who will come in? Who will depart?

That was … underwhelming, huh? With the potential for a bunch of blockbuster matchups ahead of the Champions League draw, we got almost nothing of note. According to ESPN BET’s odds, Monday’s draw didn’t shift any team’s championship probability by even a full percentage point in either direction.

The weekend started in the Premier League with Arsenal getting a win that was a bit of a mixed bag, while Manchester United were leapfrogged by a superior Newcastle United. In LaLiga, Toni Kroos put on a splendid turn-back-the-clock performance for Real Madrid while Girona — the surprise No. 2 on the league table — staged a thrilling comeback win. The Bundesliga got partially snowed in and, in Serie A, Christian Pulisic scored as AC Milan tallied a comfortable win.

Alonso’s transition from player to coach sparked intrigue, with Bundesliga clubs such as Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen tracking his progress while he took his first managerial steps, overseeing Real Sociedad’s reserve team for three seasons.

The winter transfer window hasn’t re-opened in Europe yet, but there are moves in the works...

Eight years ago today, we didn’t yet know that the biggest underdog story of 21st-century soccer was unfolding in front of us. Or at least, we didn’t believe it.

The summer transfer window has closed throughout Europe, but there are still moves in the works...

The tendency to go for experience is certainly prevalent at the top clubs across Europe: Carlo Ancelotti (64) is in his second stint at Real Madrid, while Max Allegri (56, Juventus), Stefano Pioli (57, AC Milan) and Jose Mourinho (60, Roma) all have plenty of nous. Elsewhere, even names such as Mauricio Pochettino (51, Chelsea), Diego Simeone (53, Atletico Madrid) and Erik ten Hag (53, Man United), who are still considered on the rise, are 50-plus.

From Paris Saint-Germain getting upset by Nice to Bayern Munich battling Leverkusen to a draw, from Manchester United falling to Brighton to Inter Milan walloping AC Milan. Things ended Sunday with more frustration for Chelsea, a historic first win for Heidenheim, and Arsenal gritting their teeth to pick up an impressive win at Everton