|
|
 |
|
And just when I thought my trip to Munich was going to be a bad idea...
Oh, wie ist da schoen! Saturday was, without a doubt, a wonderful day to be in the stadium! And doubt, I did, after a turbulent couple of weeks which saw Bayern with 3 consecutive losses and the sacking (ish) of Louis van Gaal. I was almost tempted to stay home, save my money and come back and try again next season. Needless to say, I'm ecstatic I'm here.
It was, however, strangely quiet in the stadium, as the 3 front rows of the Suedkurve sat empty. Schickeria, one of Munich's ultra clubs, sat this one out in response to Rummennigge apologizing for their "Koan Neuer!" signs during the Schalke 04 Pokal match. I'm sure they're probably kicking themselves now.
As play got underway, both Bayern and Hamburg looked hesitant, neither team really willing to concede an early goal. But then, Arjen Robben got mad: Yelling at his teammates, the officials, everyone. And then, the Dutchman got good. Scary good. Instead of crossing in, or laying off balls to people (read: Mario Gomez) that couldn't do anything with them, he decided, "Whatever. I'll do it myself."
And he did. "Tulpen aus Amsterdam", the song played when Robben scores, seemed stuck on repeat as he ran absolutely rampant on a Hamburg team that suddenly looked like they couldn't spell "fussball", much less play it. After Gomez, Mueller and van Buyten hit the woodwork three times in 2 minutes, Robben's 107 km/ph opener was a thing of beauty. He doubled with a somewhat lucky free-kick right after the restart, and then sealed his hat-trick at 55 minutes.
On the other side of the pitch, Franck Ribery suddenly found his form. A beautiful thing to watch as he was basically unplayable. His goal, the first since December, only made him more dangerous. A wonderful 90 minutes out of the Frenchman, who now looks like what we all expect him to be.
You know, much has been written about Ribery and Robben. Traumduo. Robbery. And this match was a perfect example of how very dangerous they are. If Franck and Arjen are smiling, you are more than likely getting your ass kicked. And it was all smiles on Saturday.
This result was exactly what die Roten needed headed in to Tuesday night's (now I can say "revenge") clash with Inter Milan. Morale- and confidence-boosting, a superlative effort. Schweini passing accurately, van Buyten winning 71% of his tackles (!), and Mueller always a threat.
I'm regarded, by some, to be a lucky charm for FC Bayern. As the only loss I've ever seen, out of the 40 or so I've been to, was the Champions League final last May. And really, that's the reason I'm here in Munich. I was offered tickets for the remainder of the season, by more than one person, after this match! Too bad my real life gets in the way... But for now, I've got Tuesday to look forward to. Smiling all the way.
type="text/javascript">
Follow ESPNsoccernet's Football Correspondents on Twitter and Facebook
  
Comments
 |
Posted by Scott Meier on 03/14/2011
Agreed. It was especially refreshing to see Ribery find gears four and five again--I was beginning to think that he had lost them for good. And his timing is back. He had been dribbling into defenders for weeks now because he was initiating moves too early, or too late.
Smiling now, but things had gotten so grim that the only enjoyment I got from watching games came from developing my gallows humor-inspired drinking game:
1) drink every time Ribery dribbles directly into a defender
2) drink every time FC Bayern concedes from a dead ball situation
3) drink every time the camera catches Klose or Butt whispering something snarky
4) drink every time Mueller/Robben throws up his arms in disgust
Didn't have to get the stomach pumped on Saturday. For a change.
|
Posted by Brett on 03/14/2011
The FC Bayern split personality continues. At least the happy face came out Saturday. The Hamburg wingers didn't do anything to help their full backs with Robben and Ribery. Ben-Hatira rarely tracked back and Elia was in the center of the park for most of the game, both outside mids leaving Bayern's two most destructive players in single coverage for almost the whole game. They likely won't have that sort of room Tuesday. Luis Gustavo and Van Buyten looked confident in the back, particularly considering they haven't paired before. I still think Müller looks out of place as a center forward. Kroos looked ok passing around, but doesn't have much steel defensively.
Should Bayern not tinker with a good thing and keep the same lineup for Tuesday? Or should Tymoschuk start in place of Kroos next to Schweinsteiger? If so, who should play holding mid and who should play center back between Tymoschuk and Luis Gustavo? Also, should Kroos be given a chance up front or keep Müller there for now?
|
Posted by Anonymous on 03/14/2011
I have a lot of confidence going into Tuesday's match after seeing Saturday's thrashing, and after hearing of your track record on home soil, knowing that you, Susie, are in Munich is only further evidence of a satisfying victory. van Buyten looked great on Saturday, and I only wish he was playing back there a lot sooner. After all, didn't we win the double with him in the back last season? I certainly hope van Buyten will get his vengeance tomorrow after being made a chump in the final. All the best in Munich Susie!
|
Posted by Shane on 03/15/2011
I'm looking forward to your next post, Susie, because I can't think of anything to say now. I'd rather someone kill me or sitting at Allianz with all those dejected faces in our scarves. What a perfect microscope of the whole season: one big win to boost up the hope, the next game would bring everything down to earth (or hell)...
|
Posted by Trey on 03/15/2011
There is something I don't quite understand. Why, in the name of God, would Van Gaal pull Robben for Altintop in the end? With Robben in during the first half, Bayern had SO many chances. Yes, those chances began to dwindle a bit during the second, but you've got to like your chances with Robben on the wing, WAAAY better than with Altintop. And then, with Van Buyten actually playing well, as he has in the past few games he's played, Van Gaal pulls him for Badstuber (who looked rather like a 6 year old playing "magnet ball" instead of football). I would never claim to be a football expert by any means, but neither of these moves made ANY sense to me. Here's to next year.
|
Posted by scott Meier on 03/15/2011
I should think before I post, but I'm hammered--in all ways.
I knew that the 5+ golden chances not converted would come back to haunt us.
Hold on. I need another beer.
I had no doubt that we'd overcome an offsides (clearly) goal and do what we needed to do. I had no idea that luck--yes, luck--would run so badly against us. Holy Mother of God.
So, so, Italian.
LVG threatened Gustavo early by warming up Kroos--hinting that the former's positional play was KILLING US, but I'm not surprised Van Buyten was gassed--he hasn't played regular football in 6 months.
I'll let sober minds continue the postmordem, but HLF.
Hardest loss since '99.
|
Posted by Scott Meier on 03/15/2011
What else am I going to do?
At this time, I'm writing without the benefit of post-match analysis, but it seems as though the Altintop sub was warranted. Bringing on Badstuber (Left CB!)--an utterly different matter.
As supposed above, I would not be shocked if Van Buyten threw up the hand in need of a sub--due to his lack of match fitness, but therin lies the rub. We've had 9! CB pairings this season, and we decided to turn the tables again when it mattered most.
My pizza is here. I suddenly care less. Let's get 2 solid CBs, OR let two work together all year.
|
Posted by Scott Meier on 03/15/2011
What else am I going to do?
At this time, I'm writing without the benefit of post-match analysis, but it seems as though the Altintop sub was warranted. Bringing on Badstuber (Left CB!)--an utterly different matter.
As supposed above, I would not be shocked if Van Buyten threw up the hand in need of a sub--due to his lack of match fitness, but therin lies the rub. We've had 9! CB pairings this season, and we decided to turn the tables again when it mattered most.
My pizza is here. I suddenly care less. Let's get 2 solid CBs, OR let two work together all year.
|
Posted by Scott Meier on 03/15/2011
The last few have been Paulaner--because they're an official sponsor, here's my 2 bits: Mats Hummels! Oh, he signed a contract extension today? Schade.
Posted by Michael on 03/15/2011
Sigh, what a great game, but what a bummer for my club to go outa the Champions League the way they did. I hate to say it, but as soon as LVG pulled Robben out for Altintop, I knew something ugly would happen. Once Badstuber was subbed, I was confident for the worst, and sure enough, Mr. Pandev broke my friggin' heart. But congrats to Inter for not giving up when all seemed hopeless. I can't be mad at them, only at LVG. I would have swore Inter were playing with 10 men when I turned on the game (right when Gomez scored what was at one moment the goal of the game), and all those chances... UGH!!! And sure enough, it all crumbled when they started to pump the brakes. As a loyal Bundesliga supporter, Auf Gehts Schalke!!!!
| |
Post your comment |
|
|
|
|
|
About
Susie Schaaf is a footie-obsessed German-American with a Brazilian passport. She promises to be completely biased whilst eliciting as many chuckles from you as she can. When she’s not writing, you can find her pouring pints at her local or on an airplane to anywhere. If you’d like to swear at or praise her, she can be reached at susie.schaaf@gmail.com |
Categories
Recent Posts
Archives
|
RSS feed