Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona have had a weird last ten days. Barca hoisted the UEFA Super Cup trophy in Tbilisi, Georgia on August 11th thanks to a 117th minute goal from Pedro that defeated a Sevilla team 5-4. Sevilla had clawed back from a 4-1 second half deficit to send the game into extra time.
Dynamo Dresden is a club with a lot of tradition in Germany. Known for its strong backing and fan base, Dresden has had a rollercoaster run through Germany’s football divisions over the past years. Bouncing back and forth between second league relegation and third division promotion, Dynamo Dresden often faced other obstacles, too.
We did not know that under the current laws of physics this goal was even possible. But it is. We've seen the video. And now you have too (or you will once you're done with the article).
This happened in the German third division, which is not a place where we normally go to find potential goals of the year. And yet here it is, in all its glory. A front-flipping scorpion kick. Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn't even done this (yet).
It's not all fun and games for Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga these days.
According to The Guardian, the club's bus was attacked by an unknown assailant before their German Cup game at Arminia Bielefeld. Reportedly, a motorcyclist pulled alonside the bus, threatened the driver with his fist, pulled in front of the bus and fired a shot into the windshield.
The bullet failed to penetrate the bus. No players were on the bus at the time.
Good news Bundesliga fans, the season opener between Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV is only one day away and the entire year is accessible to watch in America for the first time on FOX. We have compiled the top five reasons of why this 2015/16 Bundesliga season will be one of the most thrilling, exciting years filled with highs and lows, and plenty of glory.
1. Bayern Munich’s World-Class Signings
You could make a very real case that Bayern Munich is the hardest team to coach in the world right now. Its talent level means that expectations are sky high every year; winning the league is not an accomplishment anymore, it’s an appetizer that temporarily satisfies the hunger for success before the main course of Champions League glory.
Mario Gotze has turned into one of the most disappointing players on Bayern Munich’s roster for fans. He has struggled to consistently perform and his attitude on the pitch has suffered accordingly. It’s shocking, really, to see the man that scored the game winning goal of the 2014 World Cup Final fall to such a level.
American international Aron Johannsson is reportedly moving to Werder Bremen for the 2015/16 Bundesliga season. AZ Alkmaar, the club Johannsson departs, announced the transfer on Twitter.
AZ in hoofdlijnen akkoord over transfer Jóhannsson naar Werder Bremen. http://t.co/hL8OHDQLM3 pic.twitter.com/k8yLV3yqAC
— AZ (@AZAlkmaar) August 4, 2015
The German Super Cup, Germany’s equivalent of the Community Shield, finished in a fantastically surprising turn of events when “Lord” Nicklas Bendtner was substituted on for Wolfsburg. An equalizing goal within the last few minutes of regulation paired with a game winning penalty shot gave Bendtner the right to be called lord once again.
It’s a great time to be VfL Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne, shocking misses aside. He has just won the German Supercup for the second year running, beating Bayern Munich both times, no less. He is arguably the most sought after attacking midfielder in the world, and his play each and every week seems to only increase interest in him. He is the top dog in a very good team, and it seems that he is also aware and responsible for his actions, or at least that is what his latest words imply.