Derek Rae previews the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign

As the lead commentator for ESPN’s coverage and a long-time world feed broadcaster of the German top flight, few have Derek Rae’s knowledge of the Bundesliga.

World Soccer Talk had the chance to have a phone call with Rae to break down his predictions for the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign. While not an official table, Rae did offer some insights into what the season may hold.

Derek Rae talks 2022/23 Bundesliga season

The conversation touches on a variety of topics within the league. At the top of the table, Derek Rae does not see the monopoly of domination from Bayern Munich changing. Despite losing its talisman in Robert Lewandowski, the depth is simply too much to match as of now. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, is already facing some poor luck. Sebastian Haller, the new striker replacing Erling Haaland at the top of the line, is set to miss time after the discovery of a tumor.

The common focus of the Bundesliga is on Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. However, in Derek Rae’s Bundesliga chat, he talks about the battle at the bottom of the table, as well.

Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen make a return to the Bundesliga. Yet, safety is far from guaranteed. Derek Rae predicts that a number of teams could be under the microscope as they look to stay alive in the Bundesliga this season.

ESPN coverage of the Bundesliga

The interview above also touches on ESPN’s continued coverage of the Bundesliga.

Rae is the voice behind ESPN’s major weekend with the Bundesliga. Now in its third year of broadcasting the league, ESPN welcomes back the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in a big way. With pitch-side coverage from Frankfurt and Dortmund on Friday and Saturday, respectively, the Bundesliga is officially back.

On both Friday and Saturday, Derek Rae is on the call. For Friday’s fixture, Bayern Munich, the “Rekordmeister” of the Bundesliga, takes on the 2021/22 Europa League champions, Eintracht Frankfurt. Coverage of Friday’s game is on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes, exclusively.

Then, on Saturday, ABC is the channel of Derek Rae. He calls Borussia Dortmund’s battle hosting Bayer Leverkusen. The game on ABC is also available on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.