Germany

Borussia Dortmund sit a disappointing fourth in the Bundesliga with an overall record of nine wins, seven draws and three losses. When it comes to the Bundesliga, there’s almost no standing up to 26-time champions Bayern Munich. However, since 2010, Dortmund have been able to win the title twice and finish runners-up on three occasions. But this season, they already trail Bayern by 12 points. What could explain this disappointing start? 

Inconsistency

Philipp Lahm is retiring. That is a sad thing.

Throughout his career, Lahm has been two things: a winner, and criminally underrated. He captained Germany during their 2014 World Cup win and captained Bayern Munich to numerous Bundesliga titles, Champions League titles and domestic cup titles.

Thank you very much for all your messages. A day later, I’d like to explain my decision to you in detail: pic.twitter.com/Xz213rxM73

Bayern Munich are like a B1G college football team. They grind teams down into dust and break wills. They keep the ball forever so when the opposing team gets it they don't know what to do with it.

Such was the case against Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal Tuesday.

Douglas Costa's goal today pic.twitter.com/OBmj72LFfF

— Brazil Edition Vids (@BE_Videos) February 7, 2017

Remember Julian Green? The 21-year-old American who scored against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup never managed to make much of an impact with Bayern Munich, so he moved to Stuttgart at the beginning of January.

Green scored his first goal for his new club Monday in a 2-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf, and showed the type of skill that made him think he would make it at Bayern.

For years now, the top dog of the Bundesliga has been FC Bayern Munich. Apart from winning the Bundesliga championship 26 times on a consistent basis ever since the 1968-69 season, Bayern has been able to establish themselves as a powerhouse of Germany football.

If ever there was a time to come up against Bayer Leverkusen, this was it. Hamburg, sitting 17th in the 18-team Bundesliga, were at home, and Leverkusen were without the injured Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and still rocking from the news of midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu’s four-month suspension. 

Hamburg have the distinction of being the only German club to have played in the top tier of German football since their inception — a staggering 96 years straight. With half the season gone, Hamburg are staring relegation in the face.

Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez finally ended his goal drought dating back to October 1st by scoring against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday. Chicharito’s sixth goal of the campaign arrived in his 17th league match amidst rumors of a possible January transfer exit. 

19-year-old Frenchman Ousmane Dembele was highly coveted by almost every club around Europe following his breakout season with Rennes in the French Ligue 1 over 2015-16. Like so many others of late, he was attracted to Borussia Dortmund’s track record in developing young players and letting them play regardless of age. 

Those who seek sustenance on unfounded transfer gossip and rumor mill nonsense will now need to look beyond Christian Pulisic for nourishment — the 18-year-old American attacker has extended his deal with Borussia Dortmund until 2020.