1. Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich)
Has he lastly discovered his kind? Leroy Sané has been by means of a whole lot of up-and-down phases since he joined Bayern in the summertime of 2020. Plenty of occasions he appeared just like the famous person ahead Bayern hoped he would grow to be – however then he sadly both suffered accidents or could not sustain his kind.
Many Bayern gamers are at the moment being intently watched, due to their expiring contracts; some, like Sané, even should carry out and get again to their greatest to have an opportunity of renewing them. That is why I recommend you need to intently observe the 29 12 months previous within the coming matchdays and weeks.
Sané has performed one in all, if not his greatest recreation of the season to this point throughout the week on matchday 17 in opposition to Hoffenheim (5-0 win). “He lastly stopped pondering an excessive amount of about it and simply performed like he is ready to”, commented Bayern icon Thomas Müller on Sané’s 2 targets within the match. If he retains performing like that he simply could get his want and can have the ability to keep in Munich.
Bayern is arising in opposition to Wolfsburg on matchday 18 of the Bundesliga – a troublesome, however managable match-up for the Bavarians. The final time Bayern misplaced in opposition to Wolfsburg was 10 years in the past, in the summertime of 2015. Let’s examine if Bayern can preserve this streak going with an in-form Leroy Sané of their squad!
2. Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)
We’re as soon as once more witnessing why Xavi Simons was so essential to Leipzig and their manner of taking part in – he alone was the explanation Leipzig have been capable of compete within the first two video games of 2025! 2 targets in opposition to Bremen (4-2 win) and 1 help in opposition to Stuttgart (1-2 loss) – Xavi Simons is correct again to the place he was earlier than his harm mid-season!
However he can have a good better process infront of him on matchday 18 of the Bundesliga: as a result of Leipzig’s striker partnership of Sesko and Openda are each out with purple playing cards and can’t play! Whereas Rose will certainly depend on both Poulsen or Silva (or each) to steer the road in opposition to Bochum, it is going to be crucial for Simons to be the creating drive on this Leipzig workforce.
Xavi Simons already has 7 objective contributions within the 9 video games he is performed on this season. He’ll make certain to postion himself again within the highlight he had on him simply earlier than his harm – let’s not overlook that he’s additionally taking part in to get himself the absolute best switch in the summertime (he is solely on mortgage at Leipzig).
3. Nuri Şahin (Borussia Dortmund)
What an unsatisfying season to this point for Dortmund. Place 10 within the Bundesliga after 17 out of 34 video games is much lower than what all Dortmund officers, gamers and followers have been hoping for after the Champions League remaining final season. They did have good performances within the Champions League in 2024/25, however the temper in Dortmund proper now after their 4-2 loss in opposition to Kiel on matchday 17 shouldn’t be good.
Basically, Dortmund have solely gained 1 recreation out of their final 7 and are experiencing an enormous down-phase proper now. Regardless of who performs, everyone appears to be struggling to inspire themselves all through the entire match, resulting in easy errors of their recreation. Perfomances like these in opposition to Kiel go away nothing however questions in regards to the workforce and the coach after the sport.
Sporting director Sebastian Kehl promised his coach job safety, however how lengthy can Dortmund carry on taking part in like in latest weeks with out there needing to be a shift and alter within the workforce? As per latest reviews, Erik ten Hag has been within the stadium for Dortmund matches, main many to imagine he is eyeing up a potential stint in Germany.
Dortmund are taking part in Frankfurt on matchday 18 of the Bundesliga. In some weeks, this could have been a particular win for the shock workforce Franfurt with the goalscoring machine Omar Marmoush – however he won’t even play in the present day due to his pending switch to Manchester Metropolis. This recreation has not solely the potential to be thrilling, it may result in a managerial change in one of many greatest golf equipment in Germany – subsequently keep tuned and keep watch over Nuri Şahin for MAYBE one of many final occasions as Dortmund coach.