CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (29 January 2025)

Results for 11 & 12 February 2025

Sporting Clube de Portugal 0 – 3 Borussia Dortmund

Celtic 1 – 2 Bayern München (Munich)

Results for 18 & 19 February 2025

Bayern München (Munich) 1 – 1- Celtic

Borussia Dortmund 0 – 0 Sporting Clube de Portugal

Results for 4 & 5 March 2025

Borussia Dortmund XX – XX Lille

Bayern München (Munich) XX – XX Bayer Leverkusen

Results for 11 & 12 March 2025

Bayer Leverkusen XX – XX Bayern München (Munich)

Lille XX – XX Borussia Dortmund

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NATIONS LEAGUE

In a sloppy match, a German B-team draws against Hungary

November 2024: As Germany had already secured its place as group winner, national football coach Julian Nagelsmann fielded a B-team for the final group match of the Nations League. The players in the 1:1 draw against Hungary on 19 November could not match the tactical finesse of those who defeated Bosnia 7:0 a few days earlier. Without goalkeeper, Alexander Nübel may well have lost the match. Hungary certainly had more chances, and the host’s penalty goal in injury time was well-deserved.

 

Germany’s quarterfinal games will be on 20 and 23 March 2025 against Italy.

Quarterfinals

Thursday, 20 March 2025

Italy vs Germany

Sunday, 23 March 2025

Germany vs Italy

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Young German footballers thrill against Bosnia Herzegovina

November 2024: The German national football team delighted their fans in its last home game of the year. In the packed Europa Park stadium in Freiburg, the German players overwhelmed their opponents from Bosnia-Herzegovina and won deservedly 7 to 0. Jamal Musiala put national coach Julian Nagelsmann's team ahead in the second minute. Tim Kleindienst (23) and Kai Havertz (37) extended the lead before half-time.

 

Florian Wirtz (50‘, 57’) and Leroy Sané (66‘) continued the flood of goals in the second half before Kleindienst rounded off the scoring with his second goal (79’). Nagelsmann praised the attacking style of play and effective counter-pressing, which was crucial to the success. “We were very aggressive in all phases of the game,” he emphasised.

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Former German football coach Jogi Löw, who watched the Bosnia game in his home town Freiburg, is credited with convincing Jamal Musiala, to play for Germany instead of England’s Three Lions. As an 18-year-old, Musiala, of German and British nationality, was promised to be part of the German team at the 2021 European Championship if he decided to become a German national player.

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Matchday 6, on 19 November in Hungary

Hungary 1-1 Germany

 

Matchday 5, played on 16 November in Freiburg

Germany 7-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina

 

Table after 6 matches in Group A3

Germany 14 pts

Netherlands 9 pts

Hungary 6 pts

Bosnia & Herzegovina 2 pts

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On other pages: German Football Index 2024/25

 

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (05 & 06 November)

Results for 05 & 06 November

FC Liverpool 4 – 0 Bayer Leverkusen

Borussia Dortmund 1 – 0 Sturm Graz

Celtic 3 – 1 RB Leipzig

Bayern München 1 – 0 Benfica Lissabon

VfB Stuttgart 0 – 2 Atalanta

 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (22 & 23 October)

Stuttgart wins highly deserved in Turin

October 2024: The VfB Stuttgart was clearly the better team against Juventus Turin, but failed to capitalise on their chances for a long time. However, the team from Swabia still managed to secure their first Champions League win of the season. It has been a long time since a foreign team has so deservedly defeated Juventus, even though the winning goal was only scored in stoppage time.

 

Bayer Leverkusen disappointed with a draw against Stade Brest

Bayer Leverkusen could not get past a 1:1 draw at Stade Brest in the Champions League. Florian Wirtz converted Leverkusen's first good scoring chance to take the lead in the 25th minute, which was equalised a quarter of an hour later by Pierre Lees-Melou. Despite a consistently good atmosphere at the Stadion du Roudourou of second-division side EA Guingamp, where Brest's home games in the top flight are played, no further goals were scored.

 

Barca coach Hansi Flick humiliates his old team

In a hard-fought match, FC Barcelona ruthlessly outplayed Bayern Munich. German coach Hansi Flick and his new team defeated his old club 4:1. Brazil’s international player Raphina scored an early goal for Barca, which Harry Kane, who plays for the English national side, equalised after 18 minutes. However, ex-Bayern star Robert Lewandowski and Raphina again increased the lead before the break with a good dose of craftiness, great will and plenty of skill. After the break, the Brazilian once again proved his outstanding form with his third goal.

 

After another loss, Leipzig’s survival chances are bleak

RB Leipzig have lost their third game in the Champions League. The team suffered a narrow defeat against  FC Liverpool. As a result, Leipzig dropped further down the table with zero points and would currently be 31st in the 36-place table. Liverpool, on the other hand, are in second place and thus in a position that would mean direct qualification for the round of 16. Darwin Núñez scored the decisive goal.

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Five goals in 33 minutes. Borussia Dortmund outclassed by Real Madrid

In the first half of the match, it looked like Borussia Dortmund might spring a surprise at Real Madrid on matchday 3 of the Champions League. But then the Spaniards stepped up the pressure and irresistibly robbed Dortmund of its hopes of victory - 143 days after the two clubs last met in the 2024 Champions League final.

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Standing of German teams after Matchday 3 (22 and 23 October)

6 Bayer Leverkusen, 7 points (3 matches played)

11 Borussia Dortmund, 6 points (3 matches played)

18 VfB Stuttgart, 4 points (3 matches played)

23 Bayern München (Munich), 3 points (3 matches played)

31 RB Leipzig, 0 points (3 matches played)

 

Results on Matchday 3 (22 and 23 October)

Juventus Turin 0 – VfB Stuttgart 1

Real Madrid 5 – Borussia Dortmund 2

Brest 1 – Bayer Leverkusen 1

RB Leipzig 0 –FC Liverpool 1

FC Barcelona 4 – Bayern München 1

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On other pages: German Football Index 2024/25

 

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THE THREE LIONS

Thomas Tuchel appointed football manager of England’s Three Lions

October: Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new England national football coach. The 51-year-old German will begin his new job on 1 January 2025. While Tuchel will be the first German to lead the Three Lions, the English team has previously had foreign managers. Sweden’s Sven-Göran Erikkson led England from 2001 to 2006, while Italy’s Fabio Capello was manager from 2007 to 2012. Neither of the two foreign coaches delivered what English football fans, above all, longed for – winning the World Cup and the European Championship.

 

Tuchel, who already coached Chelsea FC in England and made them Champions League winners in 2021, would succeed Gareth Southgate. The latter coached the England national team from September 2016 to July 2024. Lee Carsley has been in charge of the Three Lions on an interim basis for the recent Nations League matches.

 

Thomas Tuchel is expected to lead England to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. It is unclear whether his contract will also run until the 2028 European Championship, which England will co-host. The Bavaria-born coach will be expected to bring the Three Lions their first major title since the 1966 World Cup triumph.

 

It would be the 51-year-old's first job as national team coach. Previously, Tuchel had only coached club teams - including Bayern, Chelsea and Dortmund as well as Paris Saint-Germain, Mainz 05 and the second team of FC Augsburg. Tuchel took over Chelsea in January 2021 and immediately led them to Champions League glory. The Blues beat Manchester City 1:0 in the English final thanks to a goal from German international player Kai Havertz.

 

However, after finishing third in the Premier League the following season, Tuchel and Chelsea got off to a bad start - with consequences. In September 2022, the club parted ways with the German coach, who subsequently ended up at FC Bayern after a sabbatical. His contract there was terminated after last season, and speculation about new engagements was rife from then on.

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On other pages: German Football Index 2024/25

 

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NATIONS LEAGUE

Germany wins against the Netherlands in Munich thanks to two debutants

October 2024: With a strong performance, the German national soccer team earned a win against the Netherlands in the Nations League. Debutant Jamie Leweling scored the decisive goal in the 1:0 (0:0) victory in Munich on Monday (14 October). Germany is now through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League with two matchdays to go.

 

Debutant Jamie Leweling's finish enabled Germany to secure a quarter-final place as one of the top two sides in Group A3, the 23-year-old pouncing on a loose ball following a corner. The German players Maximilian Mittelstädt and Tim Kleindienst tested the Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen in the first half, and visitors from the Netherlands twice came close to scoring in the final stages, with Xavi Simons' strike clipping the crossbar before substitute Donyell Malen brought the best out of German keeper Oliver Baumann.

 

Germany’s national coach, Julian Nagelsmann, was naturally pleased with the performance of his team but gave special praise to Jamie Leweling, who plays for the VfB Stuttgart. "I didn't expect Leweling to perform like that, but watching him playing for Stuttgart, we all know he can. A player’s first game for the German national team is never easy, but Jamie had a great game: great defensive work in possession as well as good solutions against the opponent. An excellent debut."

 

Germany’s second newcomer, goalkeeper Oliver Baumann (1899 Hoffenheim), also contributed to the host’s win. In the final minute when he deflected a powerful shot from Dutch substitute Donyell Malen around the post. “That was a bomb,” he said, “but in the end, it's the job you want to do and the standard you want to fulfil.” The German team earned their third win in four unbeaten Nations League games thanks to their two debutants.

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The two remaining Nations League games of the year will be on 16 November in Freiburg against Bosnia-Herzegovina and on 19 November in Hungary.

 

Table after four matches in Group A3

1) Germany on 10 points, with three wins and one dray

2) The Netherlands on 5 points, with one win, two draws and one defeat

3) Hungary on 5 points, with one win, two draws and one defeat

4) Bosnia on 1 point, with one draw and three defeats

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On other pages: German Football Index 2024/25

 

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NATIONS LEAGUE

After a win in Bosnia, Germany remains unbeaten in the Nations League

October 2024: After winning 2:1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the German national football team has maintained its unbeaten record in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. The victory on 11 October 2024 keeps the German side on top of its group. Germany forward Deniz Undav, who plays for VfB Stuttgart, scored two goals within six minutes in the first half of the match. Even missing several players through injury, including Jamal Musiala, Niclas Fuellkrug and Aleksandar Pavlovic, Germany was, no doubt, the much stronger team. Team captain, Joshua Kimmich, said in a post-match interview that he was happy with a solid performance but admitted the win could have been more decisive. “We missed the chance to put the game to bed in the second half.”

 

German Manager Julian Nagelsmann was also satisfied with the result, saying a win is a win. “It took us a little bit to get into the game at the beginning. We lost the ball too many times, but when we got on the ball, we were quite dominant. Bosnia and Herzegovina took more risks in the second half. The most important thing is that all the players are still available for the next game."

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s captain thought his young team showed character, but, of course, mistakes were made. “Germany is strong and used every mistake we made, but we have to admit that we also have to do better in some situations. For some of our players, this was the biggest game of their careers. The future of this team should be built on these guys. They showed character, we managed to come back, and everything was open until the last minute. Let's move on – there is a new game in three days."

 

With seven points after three games, Germany remains at the top of their group, followed by the Netherlands, Hungary and Bosnia.

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On other pages: German Football Index 2024/25

 

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NATIONS LEAGUE

Germany draws 2:2 against an adventurous Dutch side

September 2024: The German national team remains unbeaten in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League season. In Amsterdam, the team of German coach Julian Nagelsmann drew 2:2 (2:1) with the Netherlands. Dutch player Tijjani Reijnders shocked the German team early on (2), but Deniz Undav (38) with his first international goal and captain Joshua Kimmich (45+3) turned the game around before the break. However, Denzel Dumfries equalised for the Netherlands early in the match's second half.

 

Nagelsmann relied on ten players from the 5-0 opening win against Hungary. Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah formed the central defence in front of keeper Marc-André ter Stegen, with David Raum and Kimmich completing the back four. In defensive midfield, Pascal Groß and Robert Andrich were tasked with keeping things tidy, while Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala provided the offence. Kai Havertz and Undav, who replaced the injured Niclas Füllkrug on his starting debut, formed the front two.

 

The German team failed to get off to a good start: After a quick switch, Reijnders ran into goalkeeper André ter Stegen and gave the German number one no chance to defend. In the ninth minute, the German team meddled offensively for the first time, but Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen cleared from the edge of the penalty area. A short time later, Havertz hit the outside of the net from 13 metres (11').

 

German coach Julian Nagelsmann said after the match: “It was an entertaining game that started badly for us. It was a situation we had to defend in a better way. But after we conceded the goal we came back really strongly. We scored two goals and I think it was deserved that we were in the lead at half-time.”

 

“Ten minutes into the second half we were kind of struggling because the pressure got a bit higher. Sometimes we had to find easier solutions in possession and win the ball in our half. Then we lost a goal and it was also a situation in which we could defend in a better way. After that, we had the better chances to score a third goal. We were a bit closer to the win than the Dutch.”

 

But Nagelsmann would not be drawn when asked if he thought the German team was back among the best in the world. Without singling out individual players, he said Germany had a lot of world-class footballers. He gave the impression that he had the core of the team with which he wanted to compete in the 2026 World Championship. “The often-derided Nations League plays an important role for the German team on the road to the 2026 World Cup.”

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Sources: UEFA Nations League, DFB (German Football Association)

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On other pages: German Football Index 2024/25

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NATIONS LEAGUE

New-look German football team wins Nation League opener

September 2024: The German national football team won its Nations League opener on 7 September 2024. The DFB (German Football Association) side defeated the team from Hungary 5:0 (1:0) in Düsseldorf.

 

In the first international match after the 2024 European Championship in Germany, national coach Julian Nagelsmann had to replace four stalwarts of the German national side. Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller, Ilkay Gündogan and Manuel Neuer all retired from the national team. Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and David Raum defended in front of the new number 1, Marc-André ter Stegen. In front of them, Pascal Groß and Robert Andrich formed the double six. Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala and centre-forward Niclas Füllkrug were the main players in attack.

 

Niclas Füllkrug completed a fine combination to take the lead in the 27th minute, after the break Jamal Musiala was rewarded for his counter-attack across half the pitch to make it 2:0. A short time later Florian Wirtz had it too easy with his finish and scored the third goal of the evening. Aleksandar Pavlovic made it 4:0 with his debut goal. Kai Havertz rounded off the scoring with a penalty.

 

At the post-match press conference, German head coach Julian Nagelsmann complimented the chemistry of the German team. “I thought the start of the game, the first five to ten minutes, we were a bit sloppy and had some misplaced passes. After that, we were very dominant, had good control and created a lot of chances. We should have scored more in the first half so we need to develop a killer instinct to decide games earlier. The chemistry in the team is there and as long as that's the case, we can always improve. It’s normal for everyone to talk about the four departing players [Neuer, Gündogan, Kroos and Müller], but we’re moving forward with a new team. This was a perfect start in that regard.”

 

Player of the match Jamal Musiala added: “"We lost four big characters on and off the pitch and others have to step up into the gaps. The more games we have, we can build up the chemistry and a feel for one another as we keep trying to win every game. We want to win every game in the Nations League and use every game to improve."

 

Sources: UEFA Nations League, DFB (German Football Association)

 

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On other pages: The German Footbal Index 2024/25

 

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