As the countdown to the start of the Bundesliga draws near, most clubs are solidifying their plans for the coming season and making important transfers. Union Berlin plans to celebrate centenary with fans, Schalke had a Covid-19 scare and Bremen considers measures to be solvent.
Schalke survives Covid-19 scare
Earlier in the week, somebody in Schalke’s team tested positive for Covid-19 during the training camp in Austria. They canceled the friendly against Würzburger Kickers. Luckily, further tests of the team were negative and training continued.
Despite the good news, Schalke is grappling with an enormous debt and a cadre that is too large. Weston McKennie’s move to Juventus will definitely boost the coffers.
To survive the rigors of the coming season, Schalke needs a potent striker and at least a full back. David Wagner’s days as coach are under question before the season has started. There are calls for his sack. Will management still have confidence in him after facing top teams like Leipzig, Dortmund or Munich in the first five weeks away of the coming season?
Union Berlin celebrates stadium centenary with fans
The government agreed during the week to ban spectators from visiting a stadium until the end of October. What happens after October is not clear. However, Union Berlin plans to celebrate its stadium centenary with a game against Nuremberg, featuring 5,000 fans on September 5th.
The game will take place because states in Germany have different infection protection rules. In Berlin, as from September, open air events with up to 5,000 people are possible. According to Union Berlin, there will be a lottery for tickets to the game among members, personalised tickets and wearing of masks before and after the game.
It is a risky experiment. But I hope it pans out.
Werder Bremen under financial strain
Werder Bremen survived the relegation game last season because of away goals. Bremen is feeling the strain of Covid-19 with almost 30 million Euro lost income, according to Sport Bild. In an interview with Sport Bild, the chairman of the supervisory board, Marco Bode, laid bare the plans of the club to stay solvent through loans from banks.”It is only legitimate that we can take out loans just like other medium-sized companies. Just like many other clubs in the Bundesliga, we are facing major challenges because of the Corona pandemic”, he said.
Bremen plans to reduce costs and planning on transfer revenues. Top on the transfer list is Milot Rashica. Bode said, “Milot is an exciting player who wants to take the next step. We therefore assume that Milot will leave us. But we don’t want to sell him for less than his value.”
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