The Monday Bulletin: Augsburg in trouble, Koné returns, Germany get going with Wirtz & Musiala

Hello and welcome to the third edition of the Gegenpressing Monday Bulletin. This newsletter will hopefully prove to be a vital source of information for any serious Bundesliga fan, as we look to round up some of the most intriguing aspects of the matchday thanks to snippets of insight from our writers. Let us know what you think of the format and the talking points in the comments section below. 

The return of Koné could be a game-changer for chaotic Foals

• While the sport was focused on international football, Borussia Mönchengladbach head coach Gerardo Seoane watched over the remnants of his squad in a friendly clash with St. Truiden. And while the 4-1 victory had a number of high points for the Foals, the most encouraging news was that midfielder Manu Koné played the full 90 minutes and finally began to look like his old self. A knee injury has so far ruled the French midfielder out of all but one game in the Bundesliga this season, when he started in the 1-0 defeat to RB Leipzig. But was then clearly deemed far from fit and was duly benched in the following game and played just a minor role in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Mainz. But it now seems certain that he will start in the derby against Köln at the end of the week. That could prove vital for Seoane’s squad, which haven’t exactly had trouble scoring goals (seventh in the league for goals scored) but have had major issues keeping the ball out of their own net (fourteenth in the league for goals conceded). Last season Koné was comfortably top of Gladbach’s charts for interceptions and tackles won in midfield and his return to the starting XI should provide some much-needed stability to a porous team. (Stefan Bienkowski)

Niclas Füllkrug set to nail down Germany’s no.9 role 

• Germany are off to a brilliant start under new Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann. And it is to no small thanks to Niclas Füllkrug. The Borussia Dortmund striker not only made it 2-1 against the United States but also assisted Jamal Musiala for Germany’s third goal. Füllkrug has now scored eight goals and two assists in his first ten games for Germany. In the last 45 years, only Serge Gnabry (nine goals) had scored as many or more goals in his first ten international matches for Germany. “In these ten appearances, I have scored eight goals and done everything in my power to be in the starting eleven more often,” Füllkrug said in an interview with kicker on Monday. “I want to be the first option as a striker, at least when thinking of a striker type like me, and help the team with my style. That has worked quite well so far as long as I was on the pitch.” As Euro 2024 approaches, it is hard to look beyond Füllkrug as Germany’s number one option in the no.9 position. But what Germany fans would like to see is more consistency against higher-level competition. Scoring one goal and one assist against the US in a friendly is one thing; doing it at the Euros against top-level competition is another. With that in mind, Nagelsmann will be pleased that two of Füllkrug’s goals came against Spain (at the World Cup) and a friendly against Belgium earlier this year. Either way, with less than 12 months to go until Germany hosts the European Championships, it now very much feels like the no.9 role is Füllkrug’s to lose. [Manuel Veth]

Augsburg turn to a new coach to perform miracles

• Enrico Maaßen was understandably “disappointed” when he was relieved of his duties as Augsburg head coach early last week. The start to the season had seen the club pick up important points against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bochum, as well as a 2-1 win over Mainz. However, a 2-1 defeat to Darmstadt made it four defeats from seven and that was enough for the club to act. The most recent result perhaps summed up Augsburg unlucky start to the season. Tim Skarke’s incredible left-footed volley and Tobias Kempe’s goal from the penalty spot do a good job of summing up a campaign that has seen the Swabian side concede 15 goals despite having an expected goals against (xGa) figure of 9.26 - the fifth best in the division. Considering the fact that Augsburg have already had to face Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Freiburg, one would forgive Maaßen for suggesting that given a little more time, the luck may have turned in their favour. Regardless, the club have now turned to Jess Thorup, who has earned plenty of plaudits in recent years for success at Midtjylland and Copenhagen in Denmark. Let’s see if he can find solutions where his predecessor only saw misfortune. (Stefan Bienkowski)

Step aside Gavi and Pedri: Germany is about to unleash Wirtz and Musiala 

• While Füllkrug has been one positive story for Germany, the growing connection between Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala is another. Musiala, in fact, further underlined his importance for Germany in the friendly against the US. Playing in the no.10 role, the 20-year-old not only scored Germany’s third goal but also played the decisive pass that led to Robin Gosens setting up Füllkrug for the winner. Wirtz, in the meantime, played on the left, off Musiala, and you could see the growing chemistry between the two German wunderkinder. According to Wyscout, Wirtz won four out of his five offensive duels, completed two shot assists, and had three touches in the penalty box. It was a good start to the Musiala-Wirtz era, but while the Bayern playmaker already seems to be in the thick of it at every Germany game, the Leverkusen wunderkind still seems to be looking for his full potential when putting on the Germany shirt. "We could certainly play well together centrally; the coach would find a formation,” Wirtz said after the USA game to Bild. “Then it'd be important that we move well in the spaces and are available to receive the ball.” When speaking to Wirtz, it was always clear that he relished the opportunity to play with Musiala. And with their abundant talent, Nagelsmann’s job will be to find the best solution to have them play together. Of course, Bayern fans will also follow Nagelsmann’s experiments closely. It is no secret that Bayern would like to sign Wirtz. But can it be done? Sources close to the Wirtz camp have told Gegenpressing that all options remain open, but much could depend on where Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso heads next. Either way, Musiala and Wirtz are now set to define the German national team the same way Gavi and Pedri will with Spain for the foreseeable future. [Manuel Veth]