ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - FC Bayern Munich

Posted by Susie Schaaf on 08/17/2011

To be fair, Bayern Munich are a point up on what we should be after two Bundesliga matches. We should've drawn at home against 'Gladbach: Thomas Mueller's disallowed goal would've garnered us a point. And Wolfsburg's Helmes' disallowed goal on Saturday would've taken two away. I'm very-much-so trying to look on the bright side here.

To me, the match against the Wolves was an absolute snoozefest; as evidenced by my playing Words With Friends during long stretches of it. The only parts worth mentioning are the two goals: The aforementioned disallowed Helmes goal, and Luis Gustavo's match winner in added time. Normally my team attracts all of my attention... So, what's up with Bayern Munich?

Way too many defensive midfielders on the pitch, perhaps? A comment (by Stephan) on my last blog got me thinking... And then Uli Hesse's latest article got me thinking some more. If you've read me for a while, last season I posted a blog about Mark van Bommel's exodus to Italy titled "Transfer solves positional conundrum". Mark, at the time, was not playing "captain-like" football, and I was in greater favour of Antoliy Tymoschuk. (Still am.) And while this is not the same conundrum, it is one, none-the-less.

Let me start by saying that I love Toni Kroos. And then let me piss everyone off by saying he's not a number 10. Even though he came up as an attacking midfielder, his time at Leverkusen changed that. (Along those lines, look at my Lieblingsspieler, Bastian Schweinsteiger.) Partnering Schweini, Luis Gustavo, is also a defensive midfielder.

So, you've got three players in the same position on the pitch, when the formation is structured for two. Awkward, yeah? And it has showed in our opening two matches. Our 4-2-3-1, while it can be possession-based, works for our lightning quickness up the flanks. Our counter attacks. (That being said, I don't need to give my very astute readers any footballing lessons. Just making a point.) And we have not- yet-had that. Very slow build up of play makes Bayern a dull bunch of boys.

While Thomas Mueller is not the quickest player on the pitch, he's got more of an instinct in the box, and a greater camaraderie with striker, Mario Gomez. What I've seen out of Kroos is a bit more hesitancy. He's been most effective, and dangerous, when he shoots from distance to keep opposing 'tenders honest. And, that's not a "playmaker" role.

Of course, all of this is probably irrelevant for the match against Zurich, as Twinkle-Toes is said to be match fit. But, we all know how often our Wonder Twins get injured... So, a couple of questions for you: 1) Who would you partner with Schweini in the midfield? 2) Who is your attacking midfield if Rib or Rob is hurt?

A crucial week is in sight. Let's do this. Auf gehts, Bayern!

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Comments

Posted by tony on 08/17/2011

In my opinion it all depends on the opposition. If we are playing Barca who are better than us I would play Gustavo as defensive midfielder thus being able to defend better and having more opportunities to counter attack which with Robben and Ribery counter attacks can be lethal. (It's useless playing the possession game against Barca).
If however we need to penetrate defensive teams as is very often the case with home Bundesliga matches I would play Kroos just ahead of Schweini just as they did for Germany vs Brazil.

In my opinion the attacking midfield should always be Muller. If Ribery is hurt he can be replaced by Kroos (he played on the left wing for Leverkusen)or Alaba and if Robben is hurt he can be replaced with Olic or Takashi but the attacking midfielder behind Gomez should always be Muller

Posted by Muhammad Amin on 08/17/2011

To be honest, i like tymo more than i like gustavo, not to take anything from his performances, but he is much too defensive when it comes to us playing against weaker sides. Thats why i think tymo should get the spot when we are playing weaker sides so that we can maximize our attacking potential.
The rotation that Jupp promised, i still havent seen. Tymo isnt playing, Olic isnt getting enough time and Muller is being played out of position.
At leverkusen Kroos played on the left,and did very well, mind you there. I dont see why he, Usami and Alaba cant jostle for that position if Ribery isnt in the side. Not to mention that even Olic can play there, his intro in the Vfl game was what won us the game IMO. On the right hand side we have more of a problem, but given time i think Usami will be great, he has shown flashes of brilliance but he needs to be able to position his self better and work on his phisique. But all of that will come in time, hes only 19.
I would like to see a ta

Posted by RHart on 08/17/2011

The Wolfsburg game was definately a sleeper ..sooo much that I almost turned to watch the Liverpool match! LOL
Tymo has shown well and deserves the nod to partner with Schweini, Badstuber needs a wake up call and possibly given a seat. Kroos has shown promise and can play on the wing but I also think that playing in front of Schweini will give more attacking options and his willingness to shoot may help get the ball into the net. In the last 2 matches with Bayern and 1 with the mannschaft Sooper Mario was more like Super Mari Oh Nooo... looks slow at times and definately is not in the same form as he was last year. The build up from the defending through middle thirds is there but all falls apart in the final third usually with Mario losing the battle to the ball. Last match vs Wolfsburg he still played the entire match but did nothing I'm positive that there are others that would give a better effort. Should be an interesting CL match today.
Auf Gehts Bayern.

Posted by Kevin on 08/17/2011

I agree with you in that I really like Kroos, but he is trying to be fit into a role not suited to him (round hole-square peg). The fact he is the Bayern player getting the most shots on target most games doesn't prove he is the playmaker, it just proves he's taking shots (and like you said, keeping keepers honest). I know it's slightly out of his normal striker position but I would consider playing Olic just behind Gomez, something he seemed to do in the Audi Cup against Barca. With his tireless running and ability to win balls he could link up well and prove more of a threat in an attacking sense than Kroos. I have been taken aback slightly by our lack of goal-scoring chances, on a positive our newest defensive pairings have looked miles ahead of how we looked last week (early nerves/miscommunication in the Gladbach game aside), which is something I was far more worried about prior to the start of the season.

Posted by Fish on 08/17/2011

I agree with those of you who think Muller should play behind Gomez in the attacking role, he usually seems more comfortable in the middle of the pitch. I personally think that Kroos is a great super-sub and finding a place for him in the 75th minute to come in and attack with fresh legs could make him a true difference maker. I may be in the minority of Gustavo being the best partner for Schweini, and as far as replacing the wonder twins, Takashi was brought in for that purpose and I would like to see how he plays the full 90 in a meaningful match with the rest of the first XI

Posted by Fred on 08/17/2011

1. Mario Gomez has shown NOTHING this season. Make him earn his keep. At least Olic can help in build up play.
2. Muller is much better in the middle, not on wing.
3. Give Tymo a shot in middle.

My starting 11:

Olic
Ribery Muller Robben
Tymo/Kroos Schweini
Lahm Badstuber Boeteng Rafihna

Posted by Johann on 08/17/2011

I tend to agree with most of what Fish said. Mueller has to play in the middle. I would really also like to see a little bit more of Olic when Gomez has his head in the clouds.

The Champs League match against Zuerich just ended, however, and I have to say I am happy that Bayern looked better than they have in their past few matches. It should have finished 5-0, and I weep for every missed opportunity, but it was nice to see the wheels turning. And still no goal for Mario....

Susie - That's two in a row since I got the ink...

Posted by Leon on 08/18/2011

Tymo is on the way out(nobody reads the papers apparently)
it has to be gustavo and schweini though. kroos is a super sub. the position conundrum is not at attacking midfield or central midfield but in the striker position gomez has no real holding quality and cant poach as well as some people think he can. i would put olic up top and develop petersen for the time being if that doesnt work invest in a top striker.

Posted by Stefan on 08/18/2011

Did you guys see Gustavo against Zurich? He was a monster, brilliant tackler, fast athletic and to drop him wd weaken our defense. For the first time Bayern look to have the makings of a solid defense and its largely thanks to him. We have enough attacking players when everyone is fit.

I agree with the first comment from Tony, Gustavo and Kroos should rotate depending on the type of opponent we face. Stronger European opponent play Gustavo, weaker defensive opponent play Kroos. Kroos is better as a holding midfieder. Muller should definitely play up front with Gomez.

What the hell is wrong with Gomez tho? He is so streaky, in one instance he cant miss and in one instance he looks like a blind amateur

Posted by leo on 08/19/2011

Gomez(ST)
Robben(RW)
Muller(LF)
Kroos(RAM)
Ribery(LM)
Schwensteiger(RDM)
Lahm(LB) Badstuber(LCB)Boateng(RCB) Rafinha(RB)
Neuer(GK)
or 4-1-2-1-2 so muller and kroos will play at the same time

Posted by Joe on 08/21/2011

Gomez
Mueller
Ribery Robben

Schweini Tymo

Lahm Rafinha
Gustavo Boateng

Neuer

Posted by latibaba on 08/22/2011

all suggested look perfect on paper,as we can not afford to go another trophyless season this year,so in my opinion and for the sake of reputation i think we should play safe this season by just doing little adjustment to the team.
GOMEZ
MULLER
RIBERY(KROOS) ROBBEN(TAKASH)
SHWEINS(GUSTAVO) TYMO(ALABA)
LAHM BUYTEN BOATENG RAFINHA
NEUER

Posted by Harshad on 08/23/2011

5 goals. Yes, 5. And a clean sheet. The gods have smiled again.

Posted by Mike on 08/29/2011

When Olic is fit, he should replace Gomez.
Ribary , Mueller and Robben
Schweinsteiger, Tymochuk
Lahm, Van Byuten, Badstuber, Rafina
Neuer/Butt

Olic hustles and creates more than Gomez, Gomez is more the finisher and beneficiary other's creation (mueller). Olic hustles and creates way more than Mario. Butt got a bad shake with Neuer coming in, I'm not convinced yet that Neuer plays better than Butt. (both seem equally solid), Bayern had gaping defensive weakness last season, but the problem wasn't at keeper. The Neuer move I think was just for the fans, I think it was a waste of money as far as tactically improving the team. The money spent on Neuer could have gone further on a defensive upgrade or defensive midfield upgrade.
Tymochuk has proven he needs to be somewhere on the field. He seems plenty capable at any position he's been put in. Van Buyten is still great, and along with Budstubber are still the best two defenders on the team.

Posted by Mike on 08/29/2011

As for the question of who to replace the injury prone Super-duo - That's tough nobody on our team or few in the league can do what those two do. So the best that can be done is patchwork replacement. Kroos, Olic, Tymochuk, or maybe the new guy Usami. The team is definitely taking a hit without either of those two..maybe the solution is moving Bastian or Mueller into the missing superstar spot, and backfilling Mueller or Schweinsteiger's spot with Kroos, Tymochuck, Diego, Olic or even moving Lahm up, (we're pretty deep right now with solid defensemen).

Posted by Jayan on 09/29/2011

Always the best content from these prodigious wrtires.

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