Author | Lightnews

Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 6h

If Hearts can go on & do it this season, it would be massively refreshing for Scottish football.
If the thought of someone other than Celtic or Rangers winning the league makes you glum, not sure what to say.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

It’s a great start to the season! No 2 ways about it.
My only issue with the widely quoted top 5 league part is that in 1992 there were not top 5 leagues as we know them now. Serie A was of course phenomenal then but it was before the term top 5 league was ever coined.

Manuel Veth @manuelveth.bsky.social · 1d

Bayern have now set the best-ever start to a season for a team from Europe's top 5 leagues

1- Bayern Munich 2025/26: 13 wins* (47-9 goals)
2- AC Milan 1992/93: 13 wins (45-13 goals)

A win against Köln in the Pokal would put them totally ahead.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

Lennart Karl has just shown us for the second game running why there has been so much hype about him at 17. After his first CL goal, his first in the Bundesliga & both dreamy. #FCB

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

All my fault I’m sure :)

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

And of course 2 minutes later! Kimmich.
Still, one of Bayern’s less convincing first hours.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

It might yet turn into a comfortable win but at the time of writing (nearing the hour mark), Bayern are finding it very difficult to break down a Gladbach side down to 10 men for most of the game.
Still 0:0.
Could it end up being their first blemish of the season?

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

Exactly. And should immediately ignore the outdated Morning Joe type analysis about everything being too “far left.” Those people must get paid to spout such nonsense over & over.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

Lesson for US Dems is surely that being just slightly less racist & evil is not enough. But won’t hold my breath. At least in the UK there are alternative parties more progressive & people orientated than Labour which look as though they will be the firewall against the far right.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

The political consultant (big donor) class in both countries has wanted you to believe in a 🌎 without a left for their own selfish interests.
So there has not actually been much semblance of a true left or left-centre to vote for in either place.
See Plaid in Caerphilly this week for how it can work

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

Veering away from ⚽️ because this has been on my mind.
As Labour fail around in the UK pandering to Reform & US Democrats like the horrific Seth Moulton try to copy right wing talking points, it’s abundantly clear.
Far right light only empowers fascists.
Give people a true alternative.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 1d

A person I bump into a lot here in Köln is a huge Schalke fan but only gets to go to a couple of games a year (tickets hard to get.)
Thrilled that he got to see his team win their 5th match in a row last night.
Buzz is back under Muslic and his proudly „eklig“ (unattractive) style.
#S04

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 2d

Excellent coverage of the Hearts upswing by the one & only @artus69.bsky.social for ARD Sportschau.

Marcus Bark @artus69.bsky.social · 2d

Dedicated to @raecomm.bsky.social www.sportschau.de/fussball/meh...

Multi-club-ownership in sehr smart

Wertvolle Daten und deutscher Torwart: Sensation in Schottland - warum Heart of Midlothian plötzlich Titelanwärter ist

Heart of Midlothian führt die Tabelle in Schottland an, kann den Vorsprung gegen Celtic nun ausbauen und der erste schottische Meister seit 1985 werden, der nicht aus Glasgow kommt. Wie es dazu kam.

www.sportschau.de

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 3d

Nana is haunting me. Hard to say exactly but hoping a new German addition can help solve it :)

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 3d

A bit late with today‘s front cover of Kicker which has the double meaning headline of „Stürmischer Herbst“ (stormy autumn or attacking/striking autumn)
„Ekitike, Wirtz & the Reds merciless. Frankfurt goes under 1:5. in the 4 games involving German clubs, 25 goals go in.“

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 4d

Sometimes have to admit defeat. The nasty virus I’ve been battling is still impacting the voice & my general health so taking time off world feed duty on Saturday.
Grateful that colleagues are able to jump in & help out. Needless to say, hope I can do the same for them if the time comes this season.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 4d

Yes! @rbo09sf.bsky.social is not the only one who is happy when colleague @danohagan.bsky.social is on BVB for the CL world feed. As thorough pro & knows every centimetre of the Bundesliga & its nuances.

SF Borusse @rbo09sf.bsky.social · 4d

After work tonight I logged in to Paramount + to watch UCL FC Kobenhavn vs BVB , & who’s on Comms…. It’s @danohagan.bsky.social 😃😍👍
Love that you’re on 🎙️for UCL BVB games! 2 in a roW now.
@raecomm.bsky.social

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 6d

What should Rangers fans know about Danny Röhl?
- well regarded around the Bundesliga & would likely have landed a club soon
- learned a lot working under Hansi Flick at Bayern & with Germany
- influenced by RB Leipzig style of a few years ago: counter pressing, quick transitions but flexible

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 6d

His style is more a Gegenpressing style akin to the RB Leipzig approach in earlier years (not light years from Thelin at Aberdeen.)
However he’s certainly an innovator & may have to modify against low blocks.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 6d

Klopp: “When I say, for Red Bull as Head of Global Football, the person opposite looks up & says “football!”
Then I unfortunately have to say: Sorry, soccer! Then they look down again. (Klopp laughs.)
2/2

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 6d

From Jürgen Klopp‘s long Kicker Interview..
“In the USA you establish quickly how small you are. When stating my name at Border Control, in many countries I get “THE Jürgen Klopp?“
This doesn’t happen in America. There I get asked what I do & for whom.“
1/2

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 6d

Likely not until around 8 November.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 6d

The Monday edition of Kicker runs with „Klopp: the big interview“ on the back of him receiving the 2025 Walther-Bensemann Prize.
„The jury honours him as a football bridge builder. Here he speaks about culture, curiosity & Brexit, about humour & the human factor.“

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 8d

Thanks for watching our coverage of Bayern-Dortmund on ESPN+
Apologies for your commentator who struggled through with a throat & sinus infection & hoarse voice.

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 9d

My ESPN column on the big one here in Munich tomorrow.
africa.espn.com/football/sto...

Der Klassiker will reveal whether Dortmund can keep pace with Bayern in 2025-26

Perfect Bayern, unbeaten Dortmund, first vs. second: Der Klassiker doesn't need extra fanfare. This is a meeting of the best in the Bundesliga.

africa.espn.com

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Derek Rae @raecomm.bsky.social · 10d

Afternoon from Munich.
Kicker goes with „Battle of the Superlatives.“
„First versus second, records upon records. Will the Klassiker give us tension at the top?“

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