Live coverage of Bundesliga matches focusing on the referee's decisions.
The 2022-2023 Bundesliga season is set to bring a host of exciting changes and innovations, as Germany's top football league continues to evolve and adapt.
New Coaches and Talent Distribution
The Bundesliga will welcome two new coaches this season - Paul Simonis, affectionately known as "Gouda-Guardiola", and Erik ten Hag. Meanwhile, Thomas Müller will not be renewing his contract with FC Bayern, marking a significant change in the team's lineup. As for talent distribution, Germany has been lagging behind the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga in terms of valuable young talents for several years. However, the French Ligue 1 has recently overtaken the Bundesliga in the percentage distribution of top 250 U23 players by market value.
Revenue and Rights Packages
The Bundesliga has seen a significant increase in revenue, particularly from matchdays and media rights. In the 2022/23 season, matchday revenue increased substantially, and media revenue continued to be a major source of income. Two broadcasters, Sky and DAZN, will be live at the classic Bundesliga time on Saturday afternoon, while RTL has acquired the rights for the second division game on Saturday evening (8:30 PM).
Rule Changes and Innovations
While there are no specific rule changes for the 2022-2023 season mentioned, the Bundesliga often aligns with international football regulations updated by FIFA or UEFA. One notable change this season is that goalkeepers can now control the ball with their hands or arms for eight seconds instead of six. If they take longer, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
RefCam and Lighthouse Games
The RefCam, a camera on the referee's headset, will be used more frequently in the new Bundesliga season, primarily for highlights and social media, not live games. The DFL aims to establish 20 "lighthouse games" per season, enabling additional access. These games will feature immediate post-match interviews on the pitch, a change from previous seasons.
The conference on Saturday (3:30 PM) will be on DAZN instead of Sky for the first time in the upcoming season. Additionally, Sky will take over Friday evening games (8:30 PM) from DAZN in the upcoming 2025/26 season. The referee's kick-in now goes to a player of the team that was in possession of the ball or would have been, instead of the team that last touched the ball. If a penalty kick taker accidentally touches the ball twice or hits their other leg, what would have previously resulted in an automatic retake now allows a goal. However, if the penalty kick is missed with a double touch, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team. In a penalty shootout, a missed shot would give the other team their turn.
Florian Wirtz, a promising young talent, has signed with FC Liverpool, adding to the excitement for the upcoming season. Felix Brych, a well-known referee, is retiring from refereeing at the age of 49, marking the end of an era in the Bundesliga.
As the 2022-2023 Bundesliga season approaches, fans can look forward to a mix of familiar faces and new innovations, promising an exciting and unpredictable season ahead.
Sports enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the arrival of two new coaches, Paul Simonis and Erik ten Hag, in the 2022-2023 Bundesliga season, a period expected to bring a host of changes and innovations in the top German football league. Notably, football analysis might be more intriguing with innovations such as the increased time goalkeepers can control the ball and the RefCam's increased usage for highlights, further enhancing sports-analysis discussions.
