Remember when we used to suck against Bundesliga teams in the bottom third of the table? (Granted, it wasn't that long ago with our slip up against 'Gladbach, but I'm inclined to view that as an anomaly thus far.) The problem was never against the big guns; Bayern are always up for those. But, we seemed to lose our intensity against lesser opposition; as if we couldn't be bothered. Saying that, part of the reason is that less-gifted teams tend to play us differently- i.e., parking the bus in front of the goal, 10 men behind the ball, "Oh, hell! They're coming again!" and what will you.

And perhaps it's premature to speculate, but, it would seem those days are over.

Let's talk about how great the Freiburg match was! I always love to read the press and see words like "dominated", "walkover", "thrashing" and the like. The only parts I didn't like about it? 1) Schweini's new hairdo. Apparently, he got so much flak for it, he had to explain that he wouldn't have time to cut his hair this month. OK, Bastian gets a pass. There is no "I" in team, after all. 2) Jupp Heynckes leaving Gomez on the pitch after his hat trick was completed.

Ribery's backheeled goal on 41' was magical. It's lovely that he's having fun on the pitch again. Mario Gomez was brilliance personified; doubling his Bundesliga goal total to eight this season. Nice to see Rafinha back in the starting line-up, stirring up trouble. And although 7-0 is a glamorous score, it could've easily been higher: Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller and Gomez all missed clear chances.

ESPN3 did me a service and broadcast the match in German, which is always a treat. Meanwhile, GOL broadcast the Dortmund / Berlin match. It was very entertaining to see Berlin hang two on Dortmund and then hear the "ding!" in the Allianz; with die Roten supporters cheering almost as loud for Hertha as when Bayern scored.

Not one fault could be laid at anyone's feet in Munich's starting XI. It was a sublime tune-up match that sees us in for a rough stretch. First up, the Yellow Submarine.

Although it's likely the easiest of our matches in the next couple of weeks (away to Villarreal, away to Schalke, home to 'Kusen, home to Manchester City), it's by no means a cake-walk, either. Admittedly, most people would venture that Bayern and City will make it out of the group, but both squads still must perform against Villarreal and Napoli.

It's tough to decipher a team that has yet to play but a handful of matches, but the Submarine are winless in their first two in La Liga: One of those being a confidence-shredding 5-0 loss to Barcelona. Even their Champions League play-in was cause for concern as they lost the first match in their final qualifier against Odense.

However, there is quality up front for the Spanish side. Italian-American, 'Seppi Rossi, and Brazilian, Nilmar, will be leading the attack. As they stand at 5'8" and 5'11", respectively, I wonder who Herr Heynckes will start in central defence for FCB... It's a you-pick-em out of Badstuber, Boateng and van Buyten, as all have considerable height advantages over the Spanish side: 6'2", 6'4" and 6'5". (Did I ever mention that I like 'em tall?!)

The rest of the line-up for the Bavarians: Wingmen Lahm and Rafinha. Goose and Schweini as the enforcers. The fab four up front: Gomez, Ribery, Kroos, Mueller. Betwixt the sticks, the man who hasn't conceded a goal in almost 600 minutes... Manu!

Dunno if you could tell, but I'm feeling pretty confident of a win. How much of a home-side advantage can a 25,000 capacity stadium bring? One caveat: the temperature in Spain. I mean, I live in Florida and suffer greatly through the summers... But, it's only 90 minutes, right?

Also, dunno if you could tell, but I'm feeling a bit delirious. Here's to hoping that this entry makes some sense! I'm leaving on a jet plane for Munich tomorrow, and between packing, working, shopping, ticket-finding, writing, passport-replacing, tent-organizing and the like; I've been averaging about 4 hours sleep a night. I can't wait to get on a plane and go to bed.

I've tickets for the Leverkusen and Manchester City matches, but couldn't find a ticket in the Bayern supporters section at Schalke. And I'm a bit nervous with the prospect of sitting in general population... I mean, I can play the "I'm-an-American-and-who-else-would-I-support" act. It has worked before. But, I'm always afraid that someone will either hear me speak German or recall me from this blog. Also, the match is scheduled on the second day of Oktoberfest: Trains and/or planes may be beyond me.

The next two weeks will make or break us; both in Champions League and the Bundesliga. The best possible scenario would be to beat Villarreal away, beat Schalke in Gelsenkirchen (Neuer's pride match), destroy 'Kusen (they couldn't beat us with our manager), and keep a clean sheet against that oil baron team that also calls Manchester home (another pride match for Neuer).

We're looking down the barrel of a gun, for sure. But I couldn't think of a more exciting, excruciating time to support FC Bayern Muenchen.

Wir sind aus München, wir sind die Bayern!
Wir sind diejenigen die immer wieder feiern!

PS: I cannot wait to post about the City match! All I've been hearing from my English friends is that several thousand supporters will descend on Munich... during the 'Fest... and expect to run that town. I've been patiently trying to explain how it works in Munich during Wiesn. Well, they can't say I didn't tell them so....

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