As the Bundesliga becomes more popular every day, Harry Robinson interviews Bundesliga Sniper - @BundesligaSnip or @VtorDante.
1. Hertha Berlin have made huge progress in the past few months. They've established themselves in the league after being labelled the classic 'yo-yo club' by many. Who do you think spearheaded there sudden progress?
Jos Luhukay brought in players he his familiar with during last summer transfer window. Johannes van den Bergh, Hajime Hosogai, Alexander Baumjohann and Sebastian Langkamp have previously worked under him during his times at M'Gladbach and FC Augsburg. The new signings wasted no time adjusting at the club. Also Ronny, Anthony Brooks, Anis Ben-Hatira Langkamp, Schulz, and Peter Pekarik who have been with the club during their time in 2. Bundesliga are in good form. The key factor is Jos Luhukay did his home work by intergrating the new and old players into a unit.
2. On the topic of standouts this season, with Herta Berlin being one, who do you think has been the standout manager?
It has to be Pep Guardiola. Although Mönchengladbach's manager Lucien Favre has impressed me as well.
3. And you’re standout player so far?
Max Kruse (Borussia M.Gladbach) Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich) and Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg)
4. Do you think we may see a dark horse emerging and challenging for the top 4 places?
I don't see a dark horse emerging this season. I believe it will be the usual suspects: Bayern, Dortmund, Leverkusen and Schalke 04. Borussia Mönchengladbach have been in fine form this season, but I doubt they have the character to continue the momentum.
5. Has your top 6 changed since the beginning of the season? What is your predicted top 6 now (December)?
Yes. I predicted that Eintracht Frankfurt will finish in the top 6 spot, but that has changed now. My current prediction is: Bayern, Dortmund, Leverkusen, Schalke, VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
6. Onto Champions, are Bayern set to cruise into top spot at the end of the season once again?
Without a single doubt, yes.
7. On the talk of Bayern, do you think they can improve, if so, in what positions?
I think they can improve in the centre defence department. Holger Badstuber has been unlucky with injury. Boateng has improved this season but I am not totally impressed with him. Stiff competition for places in the defence would be a good idea. Van Buyten is not getting younger, the same goes for Dante. One can argue that Bayern have a young defender in Jan Kirchhoff, but he's yet to prove himself on the big stage. I think he lacks the much needed experience when it comes to the big games. Even though Javi Martínez can be drafted to play in the central defence position, I believe it would be best to bring in an experienced defender.
8. Bayern beat Dortmund to win the Champions League in May last season. Do you think that Bayern will be victorious again and become the first team to win it (Champions League, not European Cup) two years in a row?
Statistics have gone against teams winning the Champions league consecutively. I personally think it will be difficult for Bayern to retain the trophy, not because they are not capable of doing it, but like history has proven in the past editions of the UCL, the best teams don't always win the trophy. They will go far in the competition but I don't see them winning it.
9. Are Dortmund able to get past their early season European struggles and progress as far as they did last time?
They have the potentials to get far in the UCL, but they´ve had set-backs in the defence department. I don't see them going as far as the finals. The quarter finals will be a great achievement for them this year.
10. And finally; Dortmund have some remarkable youth talents, but so does the rest of the league, who is your favourite, and who do you think will become the best?
Haha, a tricky one. Anyways, some of my favorites are Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka, Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Kevin Volland, Mathias Ginter, Amin Younes and Jonathan Tah. A difficult question but I will go for Max Meyer.
Jos Luhukay brought in players he his familiar with during last summer transfer window. Johannes van den Bergh, Hajime Hosogai, Alexander Baumjohann and Sebastian Langkamp have previously worked under him during his times at M'Gladbach and FC Augsburg. The new signings wasted no time adjusting at the club. Also Ronny, Anthony Brooks, Anis Ben-Hatira Langkamp, Schulz, and Peter Pekarik who have been with the club during their time in 2. Bundesliga are in good form. The key factor is Jos Luhukay did his home work by intergrating the new and old players into a unit.
2. On the topic of standouts this season, with Herta Berlin being one, who do you think has been the standout manager?
It has to be Pep Guardiola. Although Mönchengladbach's manager Lucien Favre has impressed me as well.
3. And you’re standout player so far?
Max Kruse (Borussia M.Gladbach) Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich) and Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg)
4. Do you think we may see a dark horse emerging and challenging for the top 4 places?
I don't see a dark horse emerging this season. I believe it will be the usual suspects: Bayern, Dortmund, Leverkusen and Schalke 04. Borussia Mönchengladbach have been in fine form this season, but I doubt they have the character to continue the momentum.
5. Has your top 6 changed since the beginning of the season? What is your predicted top 6 now (December)?
Yes. I predicted that Eintracht Frankfurt will finish in the top 6 spot, but that has changed now. My current prediction is: Bayern, Dortmund, Leverkusen, Schalke, VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
6. Onto Champions, are Bayern set to cruise into top spot at the end of the season once again?
Without a single doubt, yes.
7. On the talk of Bayern, do you think they can improve, if so, in what positions?
I think they can improve in the centre defence department. Holger Badstuber has been unlucky with injury. Boateng has improved this season but I am not totally impressed with him. Stiff competition for places in the defence would be a good idea. Van Buyten is not getting younger, the same goes for Dante. One can argue that Bayern have a young defender in Jan Kirchhoff, but he's yet to prove himself on the big stage. I think he lacks the much needed experience when it comes to the big games. Even though Javi Martínez can be drafted to play in the central defence position, I believe it would be best to bring in an experienced defender.
8. Bayern beat Dortmund to win the Champions League in May last season. Do you think that Bayern will be victorious again and become the first team to win it (Champions League, not European Cup) two years in a row?
Statistics have gone against teams winning the Champions league consecutively. I personally think it will be difficult for Bayern to retain the trophy, not because they are not capable of doing it, but like history has proven in the past editions of the UCL, the best teams don't always win the trophy. They will go far in the competition but I don't see them winning it.
9. Are Dortmund able to get past their early season European struggles and progress as far as they did last time?
They have the potentials to get far in the UCL, but they´ve had set-backs in the defence department. I don't see them going as far as the finals. The quarter finals will be a great achievement for them this year.
10. And finally; Dortmund have some remarkable youth talents, but so does the rest of the league, who is your favourite, and who do you think will become the best?
Haha, a tricky one. Anyways, some of my favorites are Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka, Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Kevin Volland, Mathias Ginter, Amin Younes and Jonathan Tah. A difficult question but I will go for Max Meyer.