ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - FC Bayern Munich

Posted by Susie Schaaf on 12/09/2009

Man, oh man… Juventus 1, Bayern Munich 4? I feel like I just stepped out of the best dream ever.

A day after the absolute whipping FC Bayern handed Juventus, you still can’t knock a smile off of my face! THIS is the team I’ve been waiting all season to see. There are not enough superlative words in my lexicon to describe my elation. Erstklassig. Brilliant. Stunning. Eindrucksvoll. Just… wow.

The only slight misgiving I have is the gap created by Badstueber and Demichelis to allow Trezeuget to score the opener. Other than that? Pure domination. Bastian Schweinsteiger tore apart Juve’s midfield and kept, goalkeeper, Buffon on his toes with his long-distance blasts. This was by-and-far the best performance I’ve seen from him in… I can’t remember when. Ivica Olic and Mario Gomez were relentless in attack. Pranjic’s crosses in to the box? Superb. And Hans-Jorg Butt’s penalty kick might be the best thing I’ve seen all year. To see the Bayern goalie walk across the field, face Buffon, and deliver must have been demoralizing for Juventus.

A beleaguered Louis van Gaal stuck to his guns (and his job) by playing the “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” card. And, oh! How it’s worked! He has gotten the team to believe in themselves, without relying on superstars Ribery and Robben. In a cagey move, he sat out Arjen to start the second half, when he easily could have subbed him in.

It’s not enough to dominate time of possession, which die Roten has done, with ease. Detractors and fans, alike, all season long, have said the solution to Bayern’s problem is goals. Just score goals.

Problem solved.

Comments

Posted by Romanus on 12/09/2009

I would like to have a meal verson of this article on my table- nice to read. I had one final exam starting 15 mins after the game started. I think I did that test in 30 mins and ran to watch the game. When I reached the computer- it was 1-1 and thought its over. And then when I saw Robben on the bench- I prayed for Van Gaal's neck in my hands but then...here comes the Germans! Man Oh Man! as you put it. My wife thought I had won a lottery. I am still excited about this game. If Bayern makes it to semis like this ...why cant we start dreaming of treble this time around!

Posted by jacob on 12/10/2009

I, too, have been smiling like an idiot since yesterday's stupendous performance. The pieces finally fell into place. And it wasn't even the result itself, although thrilling. We played attacking, offensive-minded football. Schweini must've thought he was wearing the German schwartz und weiss because finally he played as well for Bayern as he has done for the national side for years! This was not a Juve team that collapsed under pressure. This was a Bayern side that straight up dominated. If we can play like that - or even two thirds that - there is no reason we can't beat Barça, ManU, or whoever! It is even better knowing that our two best players (Robbery, as FCB press endearingly calls them) were NOT an essential part of our dominance! When Ribery and Robben are well enough to make the starting 11 together, this team can be as good as ANYBODY.

Posted by Walter on 12/10/2009

This was a Bayern team that finally played with passion and heart. They dominated the midfield and Schweinsteiger finally played the game that Beckenbauer has been demanding from him....what a difference!! With the exception of Demichelis' absolutely poor decision to dribble, Bayern was almost flawless. Can they beat Barca with Ribery and Robben...probably not. There were missed through balls that should have been picked-up if one is take beat the likes of Barca and that only comes through many games of playing together. I am not talking missed goal attempts but rather the set-up pass: No one does it better then Barca. Getting through to the semi's...all depends on the luck of the draw. However, I am certain there are six group winners who do not want to draw Bayern after the performance versus Juve (Barca excluded).

What a performance and I am ecstatic with the effort given by all eleven. It was plain to see they wanted this game and came out and played like a team inspired!!

Posted by Eric in Frankfurt on 12/10/2009

There was an article in Kicker last week talking about how Schweinsteiger has accepted his new role in Central Midfield and how he now prefers that position to the wing. Looks like it is working out! I am sure that Loew has noticed this too.

Bayern had a good game against Gladbach but not great. They needed a great goal to win that one. (I was there and was very relieved when Badstueber hit that one.) So what a surprise Tuesday was. I think it is very bad news for the rest of the Bundesliga. We shall see.

As far as this team being able to beat anybody with Ribery healthy?

I think Drogba would tear DeMichelis apart. That scenario still is a little worrisome. Yet things are looking much much better for die Bayern.

Posted by Susie on 12/10/2009

Eric---

I follow Chelsea (because of Ballack). I would go so far as to say Drogba can tear pretty much everyone down. And, I don't particularly care for him, personally.

But, we keep scoring goals? I think we've got a legitimate shot against everyone. It's possible to beat Chelsea or Barca 4-3, innit? ;)

Posted by Susie on 12/10/2009

Jacob---

It'll be interesting to see the dynamic of the team once Robbery come back full time.

Posted by Anonymous on 12/11/2009

Susie - I follow Chelsea as well and I would agree that Drogba is going to cause problems for anybody. And you would be glad to know that when I went to Stamford Bridge in August for the first game of the season there were actually a lot of fans wearing Ballack Jerseys. Englishmen!

I do think though that central defense for Bayern is the biggest weakness. That is were I would attack Bayern. I am not sure Bayern could score 4 goals against Chelsea's defense. They are very strong and have only conceded maybe 10 goals in the Premiership this year.

Question, what happens to either Olic or Mueller when Ribery is healthy? How do leave Olic off the field?

Posted by Susie on 12/11/2009

Anonymous---

I think moving Schweini in to the middle solved Bayern's midfield problems. And if I were managing, I'd start Tymo over van Bommel... but that's just me. And as far as a choice between Mueller and Olic, I think you've got to sit the youngster, dynamic as he is. Olic, given the chance, is just too good.

Posted by Grant on 12/12/2009

The opposition opens the scoring on their own soil and you think "here we go again!" you pull it back to 1-1, then you hand out a right royal thrashing to them. I've heard that somewhere before involving a German team!!!

Posted by Susie on 12/12/2009

Grant---

I so sincerely hope we get a chance to reach the finals together next summer! The only problem is, who's gonna work the pub?

Posted by wuest on 12/16/2009

swiensteiger was an animal and so was olic!! after watching munchen tear juve apart like that I think they could keep up with all the 5 star teams in europe in the next round of the champions league (chelsea, man U, barca, real madrid) so every chelsea fan out there that think the blues are unstopable better watch out for bayern cause I hear that bayern is said to be against chelsea next round of chamions league and all im gonna say if man city can dominate chelsea, my reds bayern munchen could easily get by chelsea as well

Posted by Dan on 12/16/2009

go you mad germans what a top win for everyone associated with this great club.i hope we come up against man united and smash the pants of those stuck up stinky poms.go bayern go.

Posted by Wad!e on 12/17/2009

Gooooooooooooooooo Bayern !!!

Posted by EDD on 12/17/2009

Go Bayern I am ready to take it to the next level
This was the best performance I have seen from Munchen in years.
Bayern is a top notch club top 5 and in it is about time they start showing it .
Enough with Ribbery

Posted by EDD on 12/17/2009

Posted by macleoud on 01/14/2010

beautiful comments bayern fans, just beautiful, and to the author i say: i read your last article " you say goodbye " and read all the previous ones right now and landed here...it feels good that there is a bayern fan like you.

bluesilver1976@hotmail.com

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