Listen to the full interview above via the Off The Ball Football Show podcast

The Bundesliga was lauded to the rooftops last season after Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League.

But this week, the strength of German football has been questioned after Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen were humiliated by Real Madrid and PSG respectively in the first knockout stage.

The fact that Bayern Munich is running away with the German league also does not help the perception of football in Deutschland.

But German football writer Uli Hesse told us that judging the Bundesliga should wait.

"Much has been made of the fact that we have four teams in the Round of 16 but it was partly a terrible draw. Both teams weren't even dark horses against PSG and Real Madrid. When you talk about the competitiveness of the Bundesliga, you really have to say that we will know about it when Financial Fair Play comes in," said Uli, pointing out that Real Madrid have debts of €400 - 500 million and still splash out on Galacticos. 

He also added that Leverkusen would have held their own against PSG before the Qataris pumped money into that club.

Citing money is the main difference, he also pointed out that Leverkusen have a tendency to collapse after the winter break in most seasons. 

With Ireland drawn against Germany yet again for the Euro 2016 qualifiers, Uli also gave his reaction to facing the Boys in Green. Listen to the full interview via the Football Show podcast.