Stefan Bienkowski
@sbienkowski.bsky.social
UK & Global Area Manager for Transfermarkt. Tend to write about the Bundesliga and Premier League. One half of Gegenpressing Bundesliga podcast.
https://linktr.ee/sbienkowski
https://linktr.ee/sbienkowski
This week’s #bundesliga newsletter is on Serhou Guirassy and why the striker’s limits are not only holding Dortmund back this season but are perhaps entirely unsurprising…
The Guirassy Dortmund thought they signed from Stuttgart never truly arrived
The striker has been absolutely fine since making the move to Dortmund. But that may not be good enough.
gegenpressing.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:05 PM
This week’s #bundesliga newsletter is on Serhou Guirassy and why the striker’s limits are not only holding Dortmund back this season but are perhaps entirely unsurprising…
After last night's win at Old Trafford, David Moyes is now sitting on 1.53 points per game in 34 games at Everton.
Which is 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 to his average at West Ham and almost exactly what he averaged in his first stint at Everton (1.54).
Which is 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 to his average at West Ham and almost exactly what he averaged in his first stint at Everton (1.54).
November 25, 2025 at 9:23 AM
After last night's win at Old Trafford, David Moyes is now sitting on 1.53 points per game in 34 games at Everton.
Which is 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 to his average at West Ham and almost exactly what he averaged in his first stint at Everton (1.54).
Which is 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 to his average at West Ham and almost exactly what he averaged in his first stint at Everton (1.54).
* Dortmund trouble on and off the pitch
* Uli Hoeneß calls for more competition in the Bundesliga
* Bayern thump Freiburg
* Köln look good despite Frankfurt defeat
This week’s podcast with @matt4d.bsky.social and @manuelveth.bsky.social:
* Uli Hoeneß calls for more competition in the Bundesliga
* Bayern thump Freiburg
* Köln look good despite Frankfurt defeat
This week’s podcast with @matt4d.bsky.social and @manuelveth.bsky.social:
Trouble on and off the pitch at Dortmund, Bayern thump Freiburg and Köln impress in Frankfurt defeat
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
* Dortmund trouble on and off the pitch
* Uli Hoeneß calls for more competition in the Bundesliga
* Bayern thump Freiburg
* Köln look good despite Frankfurt defeat
This week’s podcast with @matt4d.bsky.social and @manuelveth.bsky.social:
* Uli Hoeneß calls for more competition in the Bundesliga
* Bayern thump Freiburg
* Köln look good despite Frankfurt defeat
This week’s podcast with @matt4d.bsky.social and @manuelveth.bsky.social:
Thierry Henry spouting the Bundesliga tax myth on live TV is a bit like when you see ill-advised politicians using Twitter for their talking points.
I can only hope the Bundesliga imposes the harshest sanctions possible on the Frenchman.
I can only hope the Bundesliga imposes the harshest sanctions possible on the Frenchman.
November 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Thierry Henry spouting the Bundesliga tax myth on live TV is a bit like when you see ill-advised politicians using Twitter for their talking points.
I can only hope the Bundesliga imposes the harshest sanctions possible on the Frenchman.
I can only hope the Bundesliga imposes the harshest sanctions possible on the Frenchman.
Turkeys: "Could Christmas revive our economy?"
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Turkeys: "Could Christmas revive our economy?"
Tottenham’s inability to keep an eye on Eze all game is a testament to the player’s remarkable talent… and how dreadful Spurs have been.
November 23, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Tottenham’s inability to keep an eye on Eze all game is a testament to the player’s remarkable talent… and how dreadful Spurs have been.
I guess the thing about Thomas Frank moving to a bigger club is that you could understand if his tactics didn’t work well in games Spurs were expected to dominate; but he should have some sort of plan for playing better teams. Haven’t seen that at all today.
November 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
I guess the thing about Thomas Frank moving to a bigger club is that you could understand if his tactics didn’t work well in games Spurs were expected to dominate; but he should have some sort of plan for playing better teams. Haven’t seen that at all today.
One thing that’s really stood out to me about Tottenham’s dreadful defending today is just how many times their clearances have landed right in front of their own box. Just lumping it into row Z would do them a lot of favours.
November 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
One thing that’s really stood out to me about Tottenham’s dreadful defending today is just how many times their clearances have landed right in front of their own box. Just lumping it into row Z would do them a lot of favours.
Greta strike from Eze. That Tottenham defence was all over the place there. Completely pulled apart by Arsenal.
November 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Greta strike from Eze. That Tottenham defence was all over the place there. Completely pulled apart by Arsenal.
What a wonderful goal from Arsenal. Incredible assist from Merino.
November 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
What a wonderful goal from Arsenal. Incredible assist from Merino.
Points won in the Bundesliga since Kasper Hjulmand took over for Erik Ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen:
25 - Bayern
22 - 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐧 / RB Leipzig
19 - Stuttgart
18 - Dortmund
25 - Bayern
22 - 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐧 / RB Leipzig
19 - Stuttgart
18 - Dortmund
November 23, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Points won in the Bundesliga since Kasper Hjulmand took over for Erik Ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen:
25 - Bayern
22 - 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐧 / RB Leipzig
19 - Stuttgart
18 - Dortmund
25 - Bayern
22 - 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐧 / RB Leipzig
19 - Stuttgart
18 - Dortmund
Understandably, everyone is looking at Liverpool’s implosion and Man City’s inconsistencies and naturally focusing on whether Arsenal can finally win the title.
But it definitely feels like Chelsea are flying under the radar and could stroll to second at this rate without anyone really noticing.
But it definitely feels like Chelsea are flying under the radar and could stroll to second at this rate without anyone really noticing.
November 23, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Understandably, everyone is looking at Liverpool’s implosion and Man City’s inconsistencies and naturally focusing on whether Arsenal can finally win the title.
But it definitely feels like Chelsea are flying under the radar and could stroll to second at this rate without anyone really noticing.
But it definitely feels like Chelsea are flying under the radar and could stroll to second at this rate without anyone really noticing.
The warning signs were there for all to see in the summer when it came to Liverpool:
* Frimpong wasn’t a RB replacement for TAA.
* No club should be signing Ekitike AND Isak in the same window
* Why sign Wirtz when you’re keeping Gakpo on the left and Salah on the right?
Too much, too soon.
* Frimpong wasn’t a RB replacement for TAA.
* No club should be signing Ekitike AND Isak in the same window
* Why sign Wirtz when you’re keeping Gakpo on the left and Salah on the right?
Too much, too soon.
November 22, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The warning signs were there for all to see in the summer when it came to Liverpool:
* Frimpong wasn’t a RB replacement for TAA.
* No club should be signing Ekitike AND Isak in the same window
* Why sign Wirtz when you’re keeping Gakpo on the left and Salah on the right?
Too much, too soon.
* Frimpong wasn’t a RB replacement for TAA.
* No club should be signing Ekitike AND Isak in the same window
* Why sign Wirtz when you’re keeping Gakpo on the left and Salah on the right?
Too much, too soon.
Dortmund 3-3 Stuttgart
Niko Kovac’s side had some serious questions to answer after coming up short against HSV two weeks ago and they’ve done so again today. They gave away the lead twice in this game and Stuttgart could certainly argue that they deserved to win it. Not all is well at BVB.
Niko Kovac’s side had some serious questions to answer after coming up short against HSV two weeks ago and they’ve done so again today. They gave away the lead twice in this game and Stuttgart could certainly argue that they deserved to win it. Not all is well at BVB.
November 22, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Dortmund 3-3 Stuttgart
Niko Kovac’s side had some serious questions to answer after coming up short against HSV two weeks ago and they’ve done so again today. They gave away the lead twice in this game and Stuttgart could certainly argue that they deserved to win it. Not all is well at BVB.
Niko Kovac’s side had some serious questions to answer after coming up short against HSV two weeks ago and they’ve done so again today. They gave away the lead twice in this game and Stuttgart could certainly argue that they deserved to win it. Not all is well at BVB.
Dortmund make it 2-0 against Stuttgart.
A wonderful inside run central defender Anton (?!?), who then cuts the ball back to Guirassy. The striker’s shot is saved, but Beier pounces on the rebound and taps it home.
A wonderful inside run central defender Anton (?!?), who then cuts the ball back to Guirassy. The striker’s shot is saved, but Beier pounces on the rebound and taps it home.
November 22, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Dortmund make it 2-0 against Stuttgart.
A wonderful inside run central defender Anton (?!?), who then cuts the ball back to Guirassy. The striker’s shot is saved, but Beier pounces on the rebound and taps it home.
A wonderful inside run central defender Anton (?!?), who then cuts the ball back to Guirassy. The striker’s shot is saved, but Beier pounces on the rebound and taps it home.
Dortmund take the lead from the penalty spot, after Schlotterbeck is brought down in the Stuttgart box.
Super competitive game in the opening 30mins but Can’s impressive record from the penalty spot continues.
Super competitive game in the opening 30mins but Can’s impressive record from the penalty spot continues.
November 22, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Dortmund take the lead from the penalty spot, after Schlotterbeck is brought down in the Stuttgart box.
Super competitive game in the opening 30mins but Can’s impressive record from the penalty spot continues.
Super competitive game in the opening 30mins but Can’s impressive record from the penalty spot continues.
We'll need to see how it plays out in-game, but a potential tactical shift from Dortmund today. Kovac potentially going from a 3-4-3 to a 4-3-3, with Schlotterbeck at left-back.
November 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
We'll need to see how it plays out in-game, but a potential tactical shift from Dortmund today. Kovac potentially going from a 3-4-3 to a 4-3-3, with Schlotterbeck at left-back.
Reposted by Stefan Bienkowski
Aston Villa are in an interesting spot right now. In a decent run of form despite scoring very few goals and now set to welcome back their key playmaker.
Maybe a shot at top six or even top four isn’t too ambitious…
Maybe a shot at top six or even top four isn’t too ambitious…
Why Youri Tielemans is vital to Aston Villa's top-six ambitions
The Belgian midfielder was Unai Emery's best player last season and is undoubtedly Villa's most important playmaker
sbienkowski.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Aston Villa are in an interesting spot right now. In a decent run of form despite scoring very few goals and now set to welcome back their key playmaker.
Maybe a shot at top six or even top four isn’t too ambitious…
Maybe a shot at top six or even top four isn’t too ambitious…
I see quotes like this from league or club officials about fans not paying through the nose for TV subscriptions and it reminds of that scene in the Big Short with the dancer that has 3/4 mortgages.
The bubble has already burst. They just don’t know it yet.
The bubble has already burst. They just don’t know it yet.
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I see quotes like this from league or club officials about fans not paying through the nose for TV subscriptions and it reminds of that scene in the Big Short with the dancer that has 3/4 mortgages.
The bubble has already burst. They just don’t know it yet.
The bubble has already burst. They just don’t know it yet.
Aston Villa are in an interesting spot right now. In a decent run of form despite scoring very few goals and now set to welcome back their key playmaker.
Maybe a shot at top six or even top four isn’t too ambitious…
Maybe a shot at top six or even top four isn’t too ambitious…
Why Youri Tielemans is vital to Aston Villa's top-six ambitions
The Belgian midfielder was Unai Emery's best player last season and is undoubtedly Villa's most important playmaker
sbienkowski.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Aston Villa are in an interesting spot right now. In a decent run of form despite scoring very few goals and now set to welcome back their key playmaker.
Maybe a shot at top six or even top four isn’t too ambitious…
Maybe a shot at top six or even top four isn’t too ambitious…
Man Utd and Burnley have had the toughest starts to the Premier League season based on the average market values of their opponents:
November 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Man Utd and Burnley have had the toughest starts to the Premier League season based on the average market values of their opponents:
We’re now about a third of the way into the Bundesliga season and some head coaches are doing better (and worse) than expected…
⬇️ Kovac
⬆️ Ilzer
⬇️ Blessin
gegenpressing.substack.com/p/after-10-m...
⬇️ Kovac
⬆️ Ilzer
⬇️ Blessin
gegenpressing.substack.com/p/after-10-m...
After 10 matchdays - Who is the best (and worst) performing head coach in the Bundesliga this season?
We've already seen three head coaches lose their job in the Bundesliga this season and many more could be about to follow.
gegenpressing.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
We’re now about a third of the way into the Bundesliga season and some head coaches are doing better (and worse) than expected…
⬇️ Kovac
⬆️ Ilzer
⬇️ Blessin
gegenpressing.substack.com/p/after-10-m...
⬇️ Kovac
⬆️ Ilzer
⬇️ Blessin
gegenpressing.substack.com/p/after-10-m...
To no great surprise, Steve Clarke is the best Scotland manager in qualifying games since the last Scotland manager to reach a World Cup.
November 18, 2025 at 10:14 PM
To no great surprise, Steve Clarke is the best Scotland manager in qualifying games since the last Scotland manager to reach a World Cup.
What a beautiful moment from Andy Robertson there.
November 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
What a beautiful moment from Andy Robertson there.
Perhaps the most bizarre Scotland game of my life.
November 18, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Perhaps the most bizarre Scotland game of my life.