TALKING FUSSBALL PODCAST: Recent Episodes
Talking Fussball
A two-week break was just about enough time to recover from one of the most thrilling Klassikers in recent memory - now we’re entering the final stretch of 2018 and there’s not much time left to hoard points before the Bundesliga’s winter hibernation. Is Havertz a must-have on Friday night? Which Bayern players should you back against Düsseldorf and is Michael Gregoritsch fighting fit once again?
Jogi and the boys had an other disappointing result in the Nations League, leading to a drop in class...but will their renewal project pay off yet?
To figure it out, Matt tracks down his former week-in-week-out partner Abel Meszaros, who tells us what he's been up to this season (HINT: Hungarian TV). They zoom in on the German national team, figure out what makes Eintracht so good, and discuss a few Bundesliga sides with uncertain futures. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
If it wasn't clear before, it is now. The Bundesliga has a new sheriff in town, and it is Borussia Dortmund. Their comeback win over Bayern kept them top of the league, and pushed the Bavarians all the way down to fifth in the league after Gladbach, Leipzig, and Frankfurt all notched wins.
Matt rounds up Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN to talk over what happened at the Westfalenstadion as well as what went down in the rest of the league as what feels like a new dawn breaks in the Bundesliga. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
Dortmund and Bayern are set to square off on Match Day 11, which has set pretty much every Bundesliga fan's heart aflutter - now how can you set up you fantasy team to take advantage of whoever YOU think will win?
JT and Flo are here to talk you through that, as well as advise on whether it might be time to invest in some Nürnberg players...and which bargain-bin players might need to be sent to the plain old bin. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
This week’s TF is a little different. Okay, a lot different. This week we don’t have a Match Day 10 wrap, but we do have something that feels urgent after this past weekend’s slate: a look at what’s ailing FC Bayern München, currently in third place.
Matt gets Joshua Kloke, FC Bayern writer for The Athletic, on the line and they go at it for the better part of an hour, trying to get at what’s gone wrong for the club. After a week full of misadventure off the pitch (Rafinha’s crude costume, Lisa Müller-gate, Football Leaks) and on it (another indifferent outing, this time a draw against SC Freiburg), the discussion feels urgent. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
NOTE: Talking Fussball listeners can get 40% off a subscription to The Athletic for a full year when you sign up with the code: theathletic.com/bayern – so get on it!
Marco Reus has been a rock this season at Dortmund, but he’s not exactly cheap – could Jadon Sancho be a cheaper replacement? And with Leverkusen busting loose this week, might it be time to invest in a few B04 players? JT and Flo are back to take on these issues, as well as advise you on which Frankfurt striker to back on Match Day 10. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
Plenty of surprises on MD9 in the Bundesliga, as Dortmund couldn’t quite get the win they wanted at home to Hertha, Eintracht’s winning streak got snapped, and Schalke frustrated Leipzig (not to mention spectators) with some ugly football.
Matt gets MailOnline Bundesliga writer Kit Holden on the line to talk through all that, as well as Leverkusen’s shock slaughter of Bremen – and much more. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
After a banner weekend in which three players topped 30 fantasy points, the only thing to do is look for the player who can do it next. Join JT and Flo as they give you their thoughts on how to set up your XI to score big on Match Day 9. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
So many good storylines from Match Day 8 in the Bundesliga. Bayern got back to winning in Wolfsburg, Dortmund flipped the script and had a big FIRST half, and Luka Jovic…he’s the new Fussballgott.
Matt Hermann is joined by Matthew Marshall, who had a busy weekend in Germany writing for Fussballstadt at three games. The two Matts chew the fat on all kinds of subjects form the latest round, and we hear a bit of (American) Matt’s chat with Mainz striker Anthony Ujah, available in full to Patreon subscribers to the podcast. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
The international break is over – welcome back to the real deal, folks. Bundesliga Match Day 8 is coming right up, and with unlimited transfers in the Official Fantasy Bundesliga, now is the time to get your squad into shape.
JT and Flo are on hand as always to give you the lowdown on what went wrong (and right) on MD7 before the break, and how you can get the result for your dreams this weekend. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
When is the last time Bayern have been this low in the table, this far into the season. It’s been EIGHT LONG YEARS, that’s how long.
Matt rounds up Jack Grimse from COPA90 for a discussion of how the mighty have fallen, as well as the epic football explosion that was BVB-FCA and how the Bundesliga title race might benefit the league internationally. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
There’s plenty to talk about in the Bundesliga ahead of MD7. Bayern are having a wobble; Werder, Gladbach and Hertha are surging toward the top; Hannover are in free-fall.
JT and Flo break down how lots of storylines are playing on the fantasy scene, answering plenty of your questions along the way. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
A team NOT called FC Bayern München is on top of the Bundesliga! Sound the alarm! (We know it’s early, but some seasons we don’t even get this much of a title race – we’re going to enjoy it while it lasts.)
After dropping points at midweek in a draw with Augsburg, Bayern went to Berlin to face Hertha and came away empty-handed. Dortmund took advantage of the slip with a comeback win in Leverkusen and, what do you know, we got ourselves a title race. Matt talks the weekend’s action over with Axel Falk – which means you get an extra dose of Eintracht chat thrown in to boot. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
Well, nobody’s talking about BVB’s anemic attack now. After a 7-0 win over Nürnberg, Dortmund are back to within two points of the top. Bayern München had one of those nights, failing to seal the deal against FC Augsburg and getting caught out late.
Matt talks to Archie Rhind-Tutt about that game in Munich, which the Fox sideline man took in bare-legged at the Allianz, and goes through the rest of the week’s storylines (Werder’s big win over Hertha, Leverkusen and Schalke’s diverging fortunes, whether Christian Pulisic has eclipsed the hype that’s surrounded his young career) with Aidan Reagh. Produced by Aidan Rantoul.
The league was set abuzz by Bayern’s draw with Augsburg and Dortmund’s demolition of Nuremberg, but fantasy players had storylines… Read more TF Fantasy MD6 tips – Reus’ return to form, goalkeeper staffing strategy, and more bargain hunting
We’re back with another podcast! In this englische Woche in the Bundesliga, you’ve got to stay on your toes. Footballers… Read more TF Fantasy MD5 prep – Quick! Quick! Mind the short turnaround!
Bayern won again, Schalke lost again – no surprises there on MD4. What did come as a bit of a… Read more Talking Fussball MD4 review – Is it just us or are Hertha for real?
Anybody who has watched the Bundesliga this season knows some big-time clubs have had it rough to start the season.… Read more TF Fantasy MD4 tips – Time to cut bait on players who’ve disappointed thus far?
With goals aplenty and unexpected results around the league, Match Day 3 in the Bundesliga had a lot to recommend… Read more Talking Fussball MD3 wrap – Fresh losses mean Leverkusen and Schalke each stare down 0-4
The UEFA nations have had time for their very own league…now it’s time to get back to business: The Bundesliga.… Read more TF Fantasy Bundesliga MD3 preview – Bayern vs Bayer and an unlikely clash of the titans
We’ve got another teaser for you – a sign of what’s to come on our Patreon feed this season. It’s… Read more Patreon bonus sample pod – It’s Talking Fussball Extra with Nik and Terry
Just as the Bundesliga was working up a head of steam…here comes the international break! Not the best timing, but we’ve… Read more Patreon bonus sample pod – Bundesliga surprises and disappointments
Bavaria’s finest are doing just fine to start the season thankyouverymuch, while a string of their pre-season title ‘rivals’ (Schalke,… Read more Talking Fussball MD2 round-up – Bayern on top…with Wolfsburg and Hertha?
So there were some familiar faces who delivered the goods on the first match day of the season…and a few… Read more TF Fantasy Bundesliga MD2 preview – Who’ll be the next surprise?
ALL OUT ACTION all over Germany as the Bundesliga got under way this weekend. Bayern got off the mark on… Read more Talking Fussball MD1 wrap – BVB battle back to beat Bulls, Bayern bulldoze Hoffenheim
A new season brings a fresh start for every Official Fantasy Bundesliga player. Perhaps this will be the year one… Read more TF Fantasy MD1 tips – Building your superteam in 2018-19
The Bundesliga is just about to get rolling – Talking Fussball is here to pump up the tires and fill… Read more Talking Fussball’s 2018-19 Season Preview Spectacular!
Talking Fussball Fantasy’s first episode of the season is here, and it’s fantastic! JT and Flo are back to run… Read more TF Fantasy’s 2018-19 Bundesliga preview/crash course on the new rules
After conquering Sweden in dramatic fashion, Germany head into the final game in the group against South Korea with a… Read more Talking Fussball ENCORE – South Korea NT talk with Taeguk Warriors’ Tim Lee and Roy Ghimm
So have you had a bit of time to digest Germany’s opening loss to Mexico? You’d better get there, because… Read more Talking Fussball – Sweden National Team preview with Axel Falk
World Cup 2018 is under way! We’ve already seen one instant classic in Portugal-Spain as well as late-game drama in… Read more Talking Fussball ENCORE – Mexico NT chat with DW Sports’ Hecko Flores
It’s World Cup time! It’s time to Talk Fussball! Germany are gearing up for their Group F opener on Sunday… Read more Talking Fussball – Germany NT World Cup preview
Time to look back at the Bundesliga year that was in our 2017-18 Saisonrückblick! Matt and Abel fire up the… Read more Bundesliga 2017-18 Season Review – Favre signs at BVB, Leipzig’s Rangnick considers hiring himself
Have you missed us? We’ve missed you, so Matt is here with a flash update after Wolfsburg wrapped up the… Read more Quick update – Wolfsburg beat the drop after Eintracht top Bayern in Pokal final
It looks like we might have made it – yes, it looks like we’ve made it to the end. For… Read more Bundesliga MD34 – Hamburg have left the building, BVB hang on to UCL football by a thread after Hoffenheim loss
Just one last match day for the 2017-18 Bundesliga season, meaning whatever points you pick up this week will be… Read more TF Fantasy MD34 tips – Who to play on the final day
Mainz did themselves a solid on Match Day 33, busting loose for a 2-1 win at the Westfalenstadion over BVB.… Read more Bundesliga MD33 – Schalke seal ‘Vice-Champions’ status, Relegation fight goes down to wire
It’s the second-to-last match day in the Bundesliga, folks. A clutch of teams are jockeying for Europa League football, and… Read more TF Fantasy MD33 tips – Bayern’s line-ups post UCL elimination, Hamburg’s battle to survive
It’s Julian Nagelsmann and the village club who look strongest as the 2017-18 Bundesliga season draws to a close –… Read more Bundesliga MD32 – Hoffenheim climb, Hamburg claw their way up in the final phase
Just three matches to go – it’s time to settle things down at the bottom as well as at the… Read more TF Fantasy MD32 preview – Relegation race set for a climax, European hopefuls collide
Dortmund fans were given an increasingly rare treat on Match Day 31 – an attractively played comprehensive win over a… Read more Bundesliga MD31 – Sancho sizzles in BVB breakout, Bayern prepare for Real, Cologne bow out
Time is running out on the Bundesliga – just four weeks left – and let’s face it, some teams have… Read more TF Fantasy MD 31 overview – teams and players to lean on (and run from) in the run-in
Dortmund’s dreams of overhauling the Royal Blues with a win in Gelsenkirchen were dashed in style on Match Day 30… Read more Bundesliga MD 30 – Schalke stomp BVB in Revierderby, Frankfurt fold after Kovac agrees to join Bayern
The Bundesliga heads into the final five games this weekend as Schalke and Dortmund get set to intensify their battle… Read more TF Fantasy MD30 preview – tips for the home stretch, Revierderby preview
This past weekend, the most surprising thing happened: Hamburger Sportverein took down the (recently) mighty FC Schalke 04. As if… Read more Bundesliga MD 29 – Bayern snatch a sixth straight title, Hamburg shock Schalke
Florian Reinecke, the Fantasy God, flies solo this week as JT tries his hand at some next-level sports betting in… Read more TF Fantasy MD29 preview – Relegation rumbles and squad rotation headaches
If Peter Stöger was looking to dispel the myth that his Dortmund team was defensively sound, a six-nil stomping in… Read more Bundesliga MD28 – BVB the victim in Klassiker massacre at Bayern, Hoffenheim still climbing
The international break is history and the Bundesliga is back – so too is TF Fantasy. Listen in as JT… Read more TF Fantasy MD28 lowdown – BVB’s rough schedule, late season bargains
Like TF, The Bundesliga’s been away…but we’re almost back! Germany have been in action, and so too have Thomas Tuchel’s… Read more A quick international break update before the Bundesliga returns
ALERT! ALERT! FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN HAVE LOST IN THE BUNDESLIGA! To mark that unusual event in Leipzig, Susie Schaaf of Miasanrot… Read more Bundesliga MD27 – Bayern go bust in Leipzig, Löw leaves out BVB stars for friendlies
Ever think “WWSHDIHPOFB?” (What would Steven Hawking do if he played Official Fantasy Bundesliga?) Maybe not, but JT has –… Read more TF Fantasy MD27 tips – Striking advice for the run-in
It’s basically a done deal – Hamburg are going down. This week’s two-part reset-button smash on either side of a… Read more Bundesliga MD 26 – Titz the cure for what ails Hamburg after Bayern battering, Michy saves BVB’s bacon again
It’s a banner week for TF Fantasy – our very own Flo Reinecke has taken over top spot on the… Read more TF Fantasy MD26 preview – All hail fantasy king Flo, whose advice will take you to the top
This past weekend was like a point of emphasis, driving home what we probably already knew: Bayern Munich are in… Read more Bundesliga MD25 – Bayern open 20-point gap at the top, Leipzig and BVB prep for Europa League test with stalemate
When one of the best earners in the league goes down, how do you replace him? JT and Flo have… Read more TF Fantasy MD 25 tips – Thommy boy cutting the mustard for VfB, how to replace Caiuby?
If you like low-scoring knife-edge encounters (and let’s face it, who doesn’t), MD24 in the Bundesliga was your jam. The… Read more Bundesliga MD24 – Werder push HSV closer to edge, Schalke lay down marker at Leverkusen, Bayern and BVB held
James is looking for whatever edge he can find after a weekend to forget in BL Fantasy – in part… Read more TF Fantasy MD 24 preview – JT seeks to bounce back from a terrible horrible no good very bad match day, Flo (as usual) sitting pretty
Bundesliga fans were ROCKED by a punishing new schedule this week…one which meant they had to travel to a stadium… Read more Bundesliga MD23 – A fireside chat about Monday Night Fussball, Wolfsburg and HSV with Stephan Uersfeld
What to do with a player you’ve heard has come down with the flu? How do you predict what Europa… Read more TF Fantasy MD23 lowdown – Ill players, true predictions, squad rotation and its consequences
The 18-point-cushioned Rekordmeister were up against a very good Schalke side on MD22…and walked away winners, with relative ease. All week… Read more Bundesliga MD22 – Bayern too good for this league, Korkut’s on fire
Wait, kill Bailey? Ok, don’t actually kill him – just consider dropping him from your team after hearing James and… Read more TF Fantasy MD22 tips – Play Batshuayi, stick with Caiuby, kill Bailey
Debuts rarely go as well as Michy Batshuayi’s. In fact, nobody had entered the Bundesliga with a brace since…Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang… Read more Bundesliga MD21 – Batshuayi bags brace on BVB debut, 50+1 debate
What to do with your Official Fantasy Bundesliga team this weekend? TF Fantasy has it all worked out for you… Read more TF Fantasy – MD21 Breakdown
Just a few months ago, Stuttgart were riding high. Their young squad had blasted through the 2. Bundesliga led by… Read more Bundesliga MD20 – Stuttgart fire Wolf and hire Korkut, BVB look for new direction
The #TFFantasy train rolls on into MD20, where James and Flo address the burning line-up issues facing Official Fantasy Bundesliga… Read more TF Fantasy – MD 20 breakdown
It’s that time of year again. The one where Bundesliga watchers go into idle lamentation mode, worried about FC Bayern… Read more Bundesliga MD19 – Bayern breakaway continues as rivals falter
Who should you start up front this week now that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks to be on his horse to London?… Read more TF Fantasy – MD19 breakdown
Ballspielverein Borussia 09 Dortmund and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have had a good run; it looks very likely to come to a… Read more Bundesliga MD18 – Aubameyang suspended, dominates nonetheless
TFFantasy gets off to a roaring start as James and Flo return with another episode! The boys bring the nitty… Read more TF Fantasy – MD18 line-up breakdown
You might have noticed last time James Thorogood was steering the wheel on the good ship TF lollipop that he’s… Read more Introducing…Talking Fussball Fantasy!
The Federal League is back – and so is Talking Fussball! Matt and Abel convene to chew over Schalke’s many… Read more The Bundesliga Returns – transfer wrap and MD18 preview
Just in time for that slow week between the two big holidays, Talking Fussball returns! Matt and Abel convene to… Read more The Talking Fussball Winterpause Spectacular!
So…it’s been a bit since the last episode – here’s Matt with the lowdown on where we’ve been and what’s… Read more Coming up in the Winterpause
When Dortmund lose at home to the second-worst team in the league, they might just have to take steps. Steps… Read more Bundesliga MD15 – Bosz out, Stöger in at BVB after latest debacle, Foals and Royal Blues play to stalemate
Another eventful match day in the Bundesliga: The billygoats parted ways with their coach after their best performance of the… Read more Bundesliga MD14 – Stöger waves goodbye at Cologne; Bosz on borrowed time after draw in Leverkusen
It’s the Bundesliga’s big one. Dortmund v. Schalke, the Revierderby – a fixture meant to settle bragging rights in the… Read more MD13 – Schalke fightback stuns BVB in Revierderby for the ages, Foals deal Bayern first loss under Heynckes
The past two months have been a whirlwind of woe for BVB – a story we’ve all heard much about.… Read more Bundesliga MD12 – Schalke pass up diminished Dortmund on their way to second place
The World Cup field is set – and Germany’s squad is taking shape as well. Matt and Nik convene to… Read more International action – Joachim Löw refines his Germany squad (and we do too), USMNT’s Alfredo Morales speaks on FCI promotion push
This match day had everything – two top of the table clashes: One versus two in the one you know… Read more Bundesliga MD11 – Bayern ride high into international break after Klassiker win, Hamburg take three points
It’s happened. FC Bayern München have wrested top spot in the Bundesliga away from Borussia Dortmund, and the Schwarzgelben need to… Read more UCL/UEL MD4 & Bundesliga MD11 Preview – Klassiker weekend finds Bayern ready to bully Dortmund
USMNT prospect Haji Wright, a FC Schalke 04 player on loan at 2. Bundesliga side Sandhausen, joins us this week… Read more Bundesliga MD9 – Three-way title race and chat w/ guest star Haji Wright of SV Sandhausen
Who can forget where they were when Leipzig went to the Westfalenstadion and knocked off BVB? It’s only been a… Read more Bundesliga MD8 – RB Leipzig win instant classic in Dortmund, Hertha #takeaknee
Usually when they take away our Bundesliga for the week, we kick and scream – this week, it wasn’t so… Read more World Cup 2018 Qualifiers – Bundesliga stars in action at the business end
It’s time for another Länderspielpause everybody – a good chance to take stock of a league that looks increasingly competitive.… Read more Bundesliga MD7 – BVB riding high into international break as Bayern make a change
Hoo boy. Six teams in Europe, six losers. Bayern drop Carlo Ancelotti like he’s a bag of bologna sandwiches left… Read more European Blues – Bayern lead the way as Bundesliga sides fail and fail and fail
Our new episode isn’t here yet, but here’a a nugget to tide you over – our own Nik Wildhagen and… Read more Bundesliga History Teaser – MSV Duisburg’s 70s heyday with Uli Hesse
So much ground for James Thorogood and Alex Chaffer to cover this week! Just when it seemed Hannover 96 might… Read more Bundesliga MD4 – Dortmund keep hold on the summit, VAR stokes controversy
Where else could we start this week? Bayern LOSE a game and it’s only MD3! Hoffenheim were a bit too… Read more Bundesliga MD3 – Bayern IN CRISIS after falling to the Hoff, Cologne smelling sour
No Bundesliga this past weekend – ugh. But just when you get that feeling that you’re walking through the wilderness,… Read more International Break – Germany Edge Closer and Your Questions Answered
Sometimes it takes a season for predictions to come back and bite you; other times it’s just a matter of… Read more Bundesliga MD2 – Hamburg and Hanover Spark Northern Renaissance
The starting gun has been fired on another season in the Bundesliga, and some teams looked more ready on their… Read more Bundesliga MD1 – Dortmund and Schalke shine, Leckie is unleashed
We’re so damn close now – the Bundesliga kicks off on Friday and Talking Fussball is ready to lay it… Read more 2017-18 Bundesliga Preview – Picks to Remember and Patreon!
We’re one week closer to the start of the Bundesliga season! Bayern got the better of Dortmund in the DFL… Read more 2017-18 Bundesliga Preview – Players with plenty to prove
With Bundesliga teams still kicking around in friendlies of questionable consequence, Talking Fussball makes its return in full goofball mode.… Read more Bundesliga / NBA extravaganza!
A dangerously large helping of Talking Fussball this week! Matt and Abel planned to convene to give out superlatives for… Read more Season review – Tuchel turfed out after DFB Cup triumph, Brooks joins wolfpack, a look back at BVB’s 1997 UCL win
The Bundesliga crossed the finish line this past weekend with plenty of thrills. Dortmund’s top marksman helped them out-duel Hoffenheim… Read more Wolfsburg’s engine fails in Hamburg, Aubameyang takes the cannon on MD34
When two very good teams face off with little at stake, sometimes it’s a snoozer…and sometimes you better stand back, because the… Read more Talking Fussball – Bayern top Bulls in thriller, Ingolstadt bow out on MD33
We’d all heard the rumors. Aki Watzke and Thomas Tuchel don’t like each other much. Some players have bristled at… Read more Talking Fussball – “Disintegration” by Thomas Tuchel & The BVB
It’s fair to say MD31 was owned by FC Bayern München. The Rekordmeister added another Bundesliga title to their collection, and… Read more Talking Fussball – Bayern make it an even five…and it’s not enough; Hamburg and Leverkusen fading fast
Another match day down and still now clarity. Bayern drew at home to Mainz and have not yet won the… Read more Talking Fussball – Top and bottom teams drop points on MD30 to maintain suspense with four games left