Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Hungary vs. Germany; Jonathan David seeking FC Barcelona move?; Manchester City to get Martin Zubimendi in January?; Premier League clubs eyeing USMNT star Christian Pulisic; and MORE!

As Bayern Munich’s players prepare to get back into the club mix, the German national team set out for Hungary as Die Mannschaft had one more UEFA Nations League game to account for during this break.

The Germans were able to outlast Hungary for the 1-0 win, but it was not anywhere near as aesthetic as Saturday’s 7-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here are some quick hitters on the match:

• As always, let’s take a look at the starting XI:

• As expected, Julian Nagelsmann went with a lot of changes. Robin Koch. Chris Führich. Felix Nmecha, Julian Brandt, Nico Schlotterbeck, Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, and Benjamin Heinrichs all got the nod. It would have been great for Kimmich to take a seat for the match, but even after picking up a knock against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bayern Munich man wanted to play — and Nagelsmann (as he did at Bayern) was not going to deny him.
• Speaking of Bayern Munich, having three players that the club might be planning to use on Friday against FC Augsburg probably did not sit all that well with the club, but such is life.
• Even with the mass lineup changes, it was clear that Germany was the side. What was also clear was that this game was not going to finish 7-0.
• Gnabry had a great look with the ball on his left foot, but he sent the shot wide in the 12th minute. Germany was looking dangerous, but clearly had a lineup that was feeling out how to play together early on.
• Alexander Nübel, who had a great save in the 24th minute, bailed out Kimmich in the 39th minute when Zsolt Nagy got a step on the right-back and ripped off a laser. The goalkeeper didn’t have to move much to make the stop, but it was a hard shot from relatively close range.
• Germany dominated first half possession, but did allow six shots (two on target).
• The attacking group of Sané, Brandt, Gnabry, and Führich was lacking chemistry and precision. I do like how Führich plays wing, though. The VfB Stuttgart man and Sané were both decent on the wings.
• In the 60th minute, Brandt almost had a goal, but was a bit too eager to get behind Hungary’s backline.
• Kai Havertz pinged the post when he came into the match on what would have been a spectacular goal.
• When Havertz, Musiala, and Wirtz subbed in, the attack was given a jolt.
• Nübel did it again with a big save in the 67th minute on what looked like a surefire goal by Barnabás Varga.
• Florian Wirtz seemed especially….angry when he entered the match.
• In the 76th minute, Germany finally broke through. A Wirtz corner found the head of Schlotterbeck, but the attempt was turned away by Hungary goalkeeper Dénes Dibusz. However, Felix Nmecha was there to clean things up in front of the net for the score.
• In extra time, though, a really unfortunate handball on Robin Koch resulted in a penalty kick for Dominik Szoboszlai, who essentially threw a change-up to a sprawling Nübel to knot the game at 1-1 on the final play.
• Overall, the game went as expected. Hungary is not a pushover and Germany still had a chance to win until the very last second. The team continues to make progress and we got a chance to see some of the depth options in a competitive match, so all-in-all, this was a win for Germany’s squad and its coaching staff alike.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

While Bayern Munich has been linked to Lille striker Jonathan David, but the Canadian might have another destination on his mind:

Manchester City could be looking at getting its Rodri replacement in January by acquiring Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi:

Manchester City could try and tempt Martín Zubimendi into a January move, Football Insider reports. The Real Sociedad midfielder previously rejected a €60m transfer to Liverpool but has since had second thoughts over that decision. As such, City are poised to test the Spaniard’s resolve this winter, as they aim to sign a midfielder to deputize for the injured Rodri. Zubimendi, 25, has made 15 appearances for Real Sociedad this season, starting in all but one of those games, and has a €60m release clause.

ESPN’s Madrid correspondent Alex Kirkland provided a take on what Zubimendi could offer another club:

Zubimendi has been one of LaLiga’s most in-demand midfielders in recent years, attracting serious interest from Barcelona, Arsenal and most recently, Liverpool, who he came close to joining last summer for €60m before opting to stay at Real Sociedad.

Despite suggestions that he might sign a new contract in San Sebastián, to keep him beyond 2027, that hasn’t materialized, with La Real president Jokin Apperribay admitting in September that no conversations had taken place. Zubimendi has repeatedly spoken about how much he loves life at the club but when a player is this good, talk of a move will never entirely go away.

Zubimendi is a deep-lying playmaker who loves to dictate a game’s tempo. Only two midfielders — Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde and Las Palmas’ Kirian Rodriguez — have had more touches in LaLiga this season. Only three (Valverde, Rodriguez and Aurelien Tchouameni) have completed more passes. And that’s in a Real Sociedad side struggling in mid-table.

So how might he fill in for Rodri at Manchester City? Just look at how he’s already done it for Spain. Zubimendi started alongside Fabián Ruiz in the ‘Rodri role’ in both Spain’s UEFA Nations League games last month — a 1-0 win over Denmark and a 3-0 victory over Serbia — and excelled, scoring a late winner against Denmark.

They’re not exactly the same player. Rodri is taller, stronger and more physically dominant — the kind of player you’d tend to think is best suited to the Premier League. He also poses more of a goal threat. Zubimendi scored a career-high four (half as many as Rodri’s eight for City) for La Real in LaLiga last season. But if you’re looking for a technically secure, ball-playing midfielder to control a game, then Zubimendi is your man.

Bayern Munich is still out of action, but Germany has supplied enough quality to keep our eyes and minds busy, but it is not as if there is not a lot to talk about with the Bavarians.

Let’s take a look at some of the big topics for this week on the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:

• We’ve fought it the best we could, but it is time to admit that if Bayern Munich has the chance to team up Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz they should get it done as soon as possible.
• Germany is legit now. Julian Nagelsmann is working magic like we have not seen in a long time. Can he keep it going or is Germany peaking too early?
• Could Hansi Flick lure away Bayern Munich’s talent? At least one report indicates that the Bavarians are at least a little worried that Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich, and….Musiala (!?) could all be drawn to Flick.

Liverpool FC, Manchester United, and West Ham United could all be eyeing a run at AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic. Pulisic, who has been excellent this season, has seven goals and five assists in 15 games across all competitions this season:

Liverpool, Manchester United and West Ham United are all interested in AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, reports Calciomercato. The Rossoneri don’t want the 26-year-old United States international to leave due to his impressive form, but have let their better players depart for the correct figure in the past — and that could be the case here if the Serie A giants receive an offer of over €60 million.

ESPN correspondent Mark Ogden offered his thoughts on a potential return to the Premier League for Christian Pulisic:

Pulisic is enjoying the best season of his career with Milan and seems to have found a place where he can thrive after a difficult time at Chelsea. Already this term he’s got seven goals and four assists for the Rossoneri in all competitions, and in Serie A he’s ranked fifth for chances created (24) and seventh for expected assists (2.11). But as much as Pulisic is having a great season with Milan, I don’t see any of those potential moves being a possibility — certainly not in January.

Liverpool are stacked with attacking players, and their priority is to bolster Arne Slot’s midfield having failed to sign Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi during the summer window. And United, who like Liverpool have considered a move for Pulisic in the past, are just setting out under new coach Rúben Amorim and it’s unlikely that the former Sporting CP coach has arrived at Old Trafford with the USMNT star at the top of his list of potential signings. But a bigger issue would be the fee — United don’t have the money spend €60m on a player with a chequered past in the Premier League.

West Ham? Unless Pulisic is desperate to give up the Champions League with one of Italy’s biggest clubs for a Premier League relegation battle, you can forget this one.

It seems inevitable that Pulisic will make the move back to England at some point. And no…as cool as it would be, my days of campaigning for Bayern Munich to go after Pulisic are over.

Real Madrid stars Rodrygo and Eduardo Camavinga are on he transfer list for Manchester United:

Real Madrid duo Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo could make the move to Old Trafford if Amorim is to take over as the Red Devils boss.

Radu Drăgușin’s move to Tottenham Hotspur has not really worked out and the defender is rumored to want to leave the club. If so, Napoli could give him a chance to return to Italy:

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Radu Dragusin is a target for former manager Antonio Conte, now in charge of Serie A table-toppers Napoli.

The German national team destroyed Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-0 in a match that was just an all-out, thorough domination by the Germans from start to finish.

Jamal Musiala’s early goal set the tone for the match, which was as good as the team has looked under Julian Nagelsmann. Somehow — even in a terrific performance — Musiala did not end the game as Germany most impactful player (which tells you just how good Florian Wirtz was).

Needless to say, there was a ton to talk about. Here is what we have on tap for the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show:

• A look at the starting XI.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
• Wirtz and Musiala are incredible.
• Is the backline ready for a primetime showdown with a European power?

FC Barcelona could be planning to take a run at Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres:

Barcelona believe they can sign Sporting CP star Viktor Gyökeres for €60-70m, according to Diario Sport. The former Coventry City striker has a release clause of €100m, but the report says that Barcelona can negotiate a lower amount.

Borussia Dortmund had so much fun with Jude Bellingham, that the club is contemplating a move for his brother, Jobe:

⚫️ Borussia Dortmund are monitoring Jobe #Bellingham ✔️

There is and was always intense contact with the family, mainly through chief scout Sebastian Krug / @berger_pj

Contract with Sunderland valid until 2028. Price valuation: €25m.

Currently it’s not a hot topic between #BVB and 19 y/o Jobe Bellingham but his further development is being closely monitored. Top English clubs are interested in the CM.

@SkySportDE