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FC Bayern Munich
Posted by Susie Schaaf on 03/06/2011

Never one to relish writing about losses, I find myself in the unusual (read: horrible) position of now having to write about them three times in a row. I pack enough snark and criticism in my blogs about the wins, so you might imagine my vitriol when we lose.


For 270-some-odd minutes, I have been shouting at my computer / television. In English and German. Very little of which is fit for print here. Not very fun to be a Bayern fan, presently, is it? And, you have to go back a full 11 years to find the last time Bayern lost three consecutively...

Oh, what to do?


The obvious solution is to relieve Louis van Gaal of his duties. But, at what price? Mindful of the fact that we still have the return tie versus Inter next week, Rummeniegge and Co. are holding off until a true suitable candidate can be found.


Leading the race for succession is, again, Ottmar Hitzfeld. Other names include Matthias Sammer (failed at Stuttgart), Rafa Benitez (doesn't speak German), Frank Rijkaard (likes Portugal) and Jupp Heynckes (presently at Leverkusen).


I would think no decision will be made until after we are eliminated from Champions League competition. Smart move, in my mind, as a stop-gap change now would certainly see us out of our last ghost of a chance at any sort of title. Not that I think we're going to progress much farther there...


So, what went wrong for Louis van Gaal? There's no denying his tactics. He can't be faulted there. It's his inability to assess talent that will be his undoing. He is too hell-bent on being clever, and so narrow-minded as to not see what is in front of his face. When every armchair manager in the world can tell him where is positioning is wrong, he chooses not to listen. As if to say, "I'm so brilliant. I wrote the book on it. Literally." And you know, when that stuff works, the manager takes on a heavy helping of ego. A dose of, "See?! I TOLD YOU SO." which only perpetuates his actions.


But, it's painfully obvious that it's not working here.


So, what should he have done against Hannover? Bastian Schweinsteiger's enforced sit nor Luis Gustavo's flu could be helped. So, sure, there was a bit of a quandary in the holding midfield. What would have been so bad about moving Tymoschuk up to partner Toni Kroos? Louis van Gaal's insistence on figuring Daniel van Buyten in to matches our previous two outings meant that he could've been inserted at CB. Why not? It is, after all, his natural position. Holger Badstuber shouldn't be anywhere near a pitch right now, so Pranjic or, god forbid, Diego Contento, should have started opposite Lahm.


Gah! What's so hard about that?!


For all his irascibility, and for his willingness to go toe-to-toe with German footballing giants, I applauded the Dutchman. But, his time is done. Thanks for the double last year, Aloysius Paulus Maria van Gaal! You know the saying: Don't let the door hit you...





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Comments

Posted by mader on 03/06/2011

I mean why would this happened to FCB...... players are definitely loss confidence all along since Dortmund game. at least somebody from upper management should threaten LvG to regarding positioning error in back-line issue before Hannover game. they should had gave him ultimatum before the match. now we are in deep sh**t. couldn't find the replacement coach>?>>> just hire someone who know how to put chess pieces together and it should work... if doesn't then we know we are having problem in those area and find the right one..... keep giving mad man a respect...is what causes to FCB failure.... it was definitely the bosses fault who should know more than anyone out here.... they have power and money to change thing to make it better...instead let alone can't even control your own pet.

Posted by Nathan on 03/06/2011

NEW DEFENSE!!!!!! Keep Lahm and start shopping!!! Remember when Bayern got Luca Toni and Ribery that summer,then dominated that season, well lets do it again, but this time get defenders. Obviously Toni was good for two seasons then faded out, but Ribery is still here and has been good for the club. Lets get some defenders that are proven to be a stopper, no more of this young, potential that doesn't pay off. If only Hummels was still at Bayern!!!! (I can't get over that). Kraft is Ok, but did you see Rensing in that game against Dortmund, I think I started crying when he made those ridiculous saves that he could not do for Bayern. Overall, Bayern need a fresh start in certain positions on the team. Keep the core of the team together, but get rid of Altintop, pranjic, and then get Hazard or some young winger to come off the bench for when Ribery or Robben get injured (guaranteed to get injured at least 10 times between the two). In time, the young winger can take the starting spot!

Posted by dave on 03/06/2011

Agreed, Bayern Munchen's right wings are incredible, matched by ribery on the left and a stacked house in midfield. Even Kraft has been doing better than I expected out of a last option fix to Butt(Jorgg Butt is a fantastic backup, not necessarily up to snuff for a club such as bayern who competes against Adler, and Nauer, in league and others in champions) Problems come from the lack of defenders this season, and an insistence by LvG* on intricate posession and passing in the defense and defensive mid. As a Bayern fan all I can do is hope we upset my expectations in champions league and wait for the transfer season.

Posted by Brett on 03/07/2011

LVG's exit is certainly a matter of when and not if now. I'm not sure Bayern will be back to business as usual following his departure. Some things can be solved by his absence, mainly players feeling uncomfortable out of position. Hopefully, a new coach will help the players regain their confidence, sign a few good defenders, and Badstuber will be fired...out of a cannon into the sun.
Still, other problems will linger. Hannover was the third team in succession to take Gomez out of the game with close marking. He has barely had a look at goal for three games-terrible from the Bundesliga's top scorer. Robbery had an off night against Schalke, but they were doubled in Dortmund and Hannover. Teams realize putting two men on Robben regardless of who is left open shunts the FCB attack into a backpass or turnover. Müller does not look confident in the center the way he is on the wing for the national team. Other teams are learning how to thwart die Röten. The new coach must adjust to win.

Posted by Eric on 03/07/2011

Susie - yes it has a been horrible lately to be a FCB fan and I do think you are correct about LvG.
Also, I do think that Bayern miss MvB a little. He was able to break up counter attacks before they got started and that (along with corners) is what is killing us right now. Bayern get so far forward and hold the ball so long, that when the counters happen, the defenders are not fast enought to get back. Plus, other teams know how to defend Robben....So yes it goes back to LvG's stubborness. Schade.

Posted by Anonymous on 03/07/2011

oh no, my teams ssooooo bad! how could my team not possibly win every competition they enter....boo-frickin-hoo.

Posted by Rudy on 03/07/2011

How do you fix a flat tire? Change it! The back 4 have looked absolutely horriffic of late gving up way too many shots on target, poor marking, and look very slow. Lahm is not anywhere the form he has been in the past, overcommitting and getting caught out of position on numerous occasions but still the best there. Start rebuilding the back line, then target the midfield that get caught so far forward and at times are flat leaving big gaps everywhere allowing the opposition time for the transition into the counterattack..Who is this so called tactitian that should be seeing this? Lahm has spoken out already against LVG and his insistence on overplaying in the back. Too many errors are being made in the build up making life very difficult for them and end result costing points. Super Mario? He is slow and when marked closely shuts down. Yes, he is the Bundesliga's leading goal scorer but majority of those goals were mere deflections. Time to sell of some old furniture and start anew.

Posted by JJ on 03/07/2011

LVG is stuborn and he thinks he's rite.K he did brilliantly last season wit the double but this season Dortmund have really raised the bar.i think Bayern didnt see this coming, meaning they did not think that there is a team that can eclipse their standards.Wake up Munchen.To van Bommel was really crazy.Get rid of LVG, spent force

Posted by Tom on 03/07/2011

I was a big fan of Olic last year. Not tall, but still put his headers on target. Much faster, never ending motor and good dribbling ability making it more difficult to defend (just ask ManU). Is Olic due to return this year? Not to knock what Mario has accomplished so far, but Ivica would be a welcome change of pace... or tandem Mario & Ivica (sorry Thomas...)

Posted by amir on 03/07/2011

bayern needs defenders i dont know what we are going to do against inter they will attack and it will be hard to hold eto he is to fast for any bayern defender we have at the moment

Posted by Larry on 03/07/2011

Great post Susie.

Posted by Dan on 03/07/2011

With LVG out in the summer perhaps another german manager will come around. Mehmet Schroll wants a chance to manage!along with LVG bayern got to make some room for new players(breno, pranjic, ottl, contento loan him though, perhaps van buyten if we continue to have no use for him...). unfortunately i cant see klose staying on the bench another year and with olic being 33 we should also look for another striker. Gomez is finally where he should be at bayern and hopefully he stays that way but he cant do it alone. Finally looking to sign neuer is hopefully the primary goal for the board because he is one of the world's best keepers and if he wants to go bayern why make him wait? lets hope we can continue far in the CL this season and qualify next year!!! FC BAYERN

Posted by 1. FC Kaiserslautern on 03/07/2011

Zieht den Bayern die Lederhosen aus,
Lederhosen aus, Lederhosen aus
Zieht den Bayern die Lederhosen aus,
Lederhosen aus, Lederhosen aus

Zieht den Bayern die Lederhosen aus,
Lederhosen aus, Lederhosen aus
Zieht den Bayern die Lederhosen aus,
Lederhosen aus, Lederhosen aus

Zieht den Bayern die Lederhosen aus,
Lederhosen aus, Lederhosen aus
Zieht den Bayern die Lederhosen aus,
Lederhosen aus, Lederhosen aus

Posted by Shane on 03/07/2011

I can't believe after 2 days of meeting, Hoeneß, Rummenigge, and Nerlinger came up with this... This is the most ridiculous decision I could ever think of... I am, still, disgusted!!! Geez, what were they thinking? The most probable ending is we'll end up with nothing. If lucky, what if LvG actually brings up to the final of CL again?!? I just can't fathom this...

I've heard rumours saying the players are playing against the coach now. Hope that's not the case. Otherwise, we'll see Bayern in the UEFA League when Allianz host the CL final...

Posted by sean burmeister on 03/08/2011

At first it was Tymo, then VanBuyten,then Breno...this man has no idea what he has in front of him....... He can not see talent if it hit him in the head. Let him go ...best thing for Bayern.......VanGaal is not and will never be a Bayern man nor was Van Bommel. Let em all go... Get Contento back on the field , Van Buyten and Breno in the middle, Badstuber played well on the flanks not in the middle.Use Badstuber and Contento on one side and Lahm on the other.Luiz Gustavo and Schweini in holding roles, always can bring on Tymo for Luiz Gustavo. Then Rib/Rob and Muller......Left upfront Gomez.....is this that hard???? Thats the team!!! AnyvGood Manager should know this....Van Gaal Open Your Eyes, and dont let the door hit you in the ass Cheese Head!

Posted by FC Bayern on 03/08/2011

FV KAISERSLAUTERN - ABSTIEG

Genießen Sie Ihren 1 Jahr

Posted by Adrian on 03/08/2011

I wished they would have not settled on anything regarding Van Gaal's future until the season itself was over. We're in a fight to even qualify for next season's Champions' League and we have a lame duck manager at the helm. Honestly, what does he care if we qualify or not if he's going to be gone as of July 1st? I personally wouldn't have rushed him out the door when we're at a very important juncture in the season.

Also, I heard Ralf Rangnick's name bandied around as a potential managerial candidate. I'm not totally sold on him as a Bayern manager, but he did do a really good job with Hoffenheim.

Final point. Holger Badstuber is good enough to play central defense for Joachim Löw, so he should be more than adequate at Bayern. I think he just needs to establish a true partnership with another strong central defender.

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