Club

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.

Transport

FC Augsburg began their preseason training for the 2023/24 campaign at the beginning of July, which started with a number of internal performance tests before the boys returned to the pitch. A new midfielder came on the scene in the form of Masaya Okugawa, who signed for FCA on a free transfer in the summer. Ricardo Pepi, who was sent out on loan to FC Groningen last season, remained in the Eredivisie after transferring to PSV Eindhoven. 

Bayern Munich has been linked to Kai Havertz many times over the years and now that one of his former coaches is the manager in Bavaria, it seemed logical that there could be a partnership in the works that would bring the attacker home to Germany.

After their match against SV Darmstadt 98 (Tuesday at 20:30 CET / live updates on tsg-hoffenheim.de), the TSG players will sign off for a short winter break. Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo will then welcome his charges back onto the training ground at 15:00 CET on 2 January. That will be followed by a friendly match on 6 January: TSG will face FC Augsburg away from home at 13:00 CET on Three Kings’ Day. The TSG squad will then head over into the neighbouring state of Bavaria on 12 January (20:30 CET / live updates on tsg-hoffenheim.de), where they will take on Bayern Munich for Bundesliga points.

“As of today, there are 48,364 members belonging to the Union family. For a member-led club like Union, there is no greater sign of trust than people joining and committing to the club in this way.”

Schulz moved to Strobelallee from TSG Hoffenheim in July 2019. He made 40 Bundesliga appearances, ten UEFA Champions League appearances and six DFB-Pokal appearances for BVB. 

Complaints to the media (not once, but twice), an alleged feud with former boss Julian Nagelsmann, and not a lot of playing time behind better and more experienced teammates has left the young Dutchman finding his name in the transfer rumor pages. Even his agent did not get why he was so upset at his standing on the squad.

Pellegrino Matarazzo on… …the opposition: ”Although Darmstadt are at the bottom of the table, they are...

Top scorer Lois Openda, Xavi with the most assists | 17 wins at home | Back-to-back DFB-Pokal wins