🧐 From problem child to title contender: analysing the Bavarian clique | OneFootball

The trio of Nedzad Plavci and brothers Andrea and Denis Hoxha were determined to play together in Icon League Season 3. While Plavci and Denis Hoxha played for FC OneFootball in Season 2, Andrea Hoxha only returned now after an ACL injury. The search for a suitable team was initially difficult—until the Bavarian Clique reached out and placed their trust in them.

Today, it almost seems unbelievable: Together, they have 16 goals and 16 assists. They are shaping the success of the Bavarian Clique, currently the most prolific team in the league. In hindsight, some clubs are probably regretting not signing this trio in time.

In an exclusive interview, goalkeeper Andrea Hoxha talks about building the team, the special dynamic within the Clique, and their goals for the current season.

Past Mistakes

In previous seasons, the Bavarian Clique often struggled with squad planning. The start of the season regularly went wrong, and only later did they try to improve with individual players.

In Season 1, this still worked to some extent—four wins in the last four games, but then elimination in the play-ins. In Season 2, the plan failed completely.

Team head Anton Rinas reacted back then to weak performances by bringing in several new players, including Ayoub Boukhari and Soufian Charraoui. Two excellent individual talents and futsal internationals for the Netherlands and Morocco. Their quality was obvious, but the team structure was unstable. Despite good individual players, it ended up being a season to forget, finishing at the bottom of the table.

A Fresh Start in the Black Forest

This season was meant to be different. Rinas built the team around the trio of Plavci and the Hoxha brothers as the foundation. Together, they decided: "Not to sign any players we hadn't seen before," reveals Hoxha.

To that end, the Clique organized a training camp in the Black Forest, so coach Markus Fila could observe every player. The squad was set early and only selectively supplemented—with Cemal Kaymaz, a friend of Rinas, and Nicolas Jann, a recommendation from Hoxha.

He knows Jann from the FC Roha Eagles, a small-sided team founded, among others, by the Hoxha brothers and Plavci. Small-sided stars like Suad Ak, Amer Cekic, or Muhammet Sözer also play there.

Atakan Koyuncuoglu, now with the Clique, also plays for the Roha Eagles. Because they have known each other for years and are close friends, the Clique now forms a real unit on the pitch.

Leaders and Playmakers

In addition to his points, Jann brings leadership experience. Although, according to Hoxha, "everyone in the team is a leader," he and Daniel Brosinski stand out due to their professional experience.

But Hoxha himself also plays a central role. With 552 touches, he has the most in his team. "The goalkeeper is one of the most important positions in the Icon League," says Hoxha. He doesn’t just make saves—he starts the play, makes risky passes, and makes bold decisions.

In this league, a keeper’s footballing skills count almost more than their saves.

Offensive Freedom, Stable Defense

Another key to success: offensive freedom. Because the players have known each other for so long, the processes work instinctively. The 49 goals in seven games are impressive proof of that.

Defensively, coach Fila gives more instructions, but that works well too. In the last four games, the Clique conceded only three goals on average—a very low figure for the Icon League.

The Goal is the Final 6

Even before the season, Hoxha made the goal clear: "We want to reach the Final 6."

They don’t yet see themselves as favorites, but as a team with the potential to surprise. In the finals, it comes down to form on the day—and sometimes luck.

Currently, the Bavarian Clique are just two points off the top of the table. "We take it game by game and want to win every single one," Hoxha emphasizes.

They want to continue their streak—and keep providing celebration moments.

The special celebration was adopted by Hoxha and his teammates from Ricardo Carvalho, the former pro who played for Chelsea and Real Madrid, among others. They discovered him at the TST-7v7 World Cup in the USA, where they competed with the Roha Eagles. The TST is the world’s largest small-sided tournament, with a prize of one million euros. The Roha Eagles were eliminated in the Round of 32. But the celebration remained.

This season, the Clique seems transformed. Cohesion and familiarity are their greatest strengths. They’re still flying under the radar—but with these performances, they are among the favorites for the title.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.