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Hello, all. I am hoping everyone had a fabulous holiday season! Mine was work-filled and super-annoying, but such is the life of a bartender. Recovering from a rocky finish to the first half of the season, die Roten are currently in mid-season practice in the middle of the desert, and, as I'm writing this, are matching up against Al-Alhy: the Egyptian powerhouse.
Two days ago, Bayern beat the locals, Qatari second division club SC Al-Sailiya, 13-0. Jupp Heynckes fielded a strong starting line up (including, thankfully, my favorite person ever): Only Ribery absent from what is normally a starting XI for us. None-the-less, it took awhile for the boys in red to get going with Robben opening the scoring on 36 minutes, a minute later Gomez scored from a Kroos pass, and as the first half was dying out, Mueller added to the total.
The second half saw Heynckes put in 11 fresh players. And then the rout began. Olic netting on 52, 62, 74, 82 and 84; Petersen on 54 and 85; Ribery on 73 and 77, and Contento on 78. Whew! That's a mouthful.
A couple thoughts come to mind. First, how painfully thin did Schweini look? Somebody give that boy a steak! Also, the German press has been asking what sort of tattoo he should get to cover up that horrendous scar on his collarbone. To me, it's a badge of battle and he shouldn't change a thing. We already know I think he's perfect. (Yeah, yeah. I'm a girl. Sue me.)
Second, Olic played as a man possessed. He is determined to either get a starting berth (which I don't think will happen), or a winter transfer (which I don't think will happen, either). Lazio is supposedly offering 2 million a season to bring him over in the summer, although I'm pretty sure he'd rather leave now. I feel for Ivica, I really do. Mario Gomez is certainly not getting any worse, and it would take him being injured to be supplanted by the Croatian international. Olic will just have to make hay whenever he has a chance, and with Bayern still in three competitions, he will get them.
The Marcos Reus transfer saga finally came to a conclusion as the 22 year-old chose his hometown club, Borrusia Dortmund, over Arsenal and Bayern Munich. On some levels, I understand, and on others, I do not.
Juergen Klopp is scary-good at getting the best out of young talent. And playing in front of friends and family week-in-and-week-out, with a reasonable chance of making European competition every year are definite pluses. However, with that being said, Dortmund can't get their act together in Europe. Is it youth? Inexperience? And when do you stop blaming it on either of those things? BVB were dead last in their Champions League group this season, and failed to get out of their Europa League group the year before.
It could reasonably be said that, at least in Munich, he would have limited playing time. And with Christian Nerlinger recently hinting that Arjen Robben would soon be offered a contract extension, perhaps Reus felt he'd have a better chance playing regularly at Dortmund. And Robben himself shrugged off Marcos by basically saying (and I'm paraphrasing because now I can not find the direct quote), Bayern already has two talented wingers. Cheeky.
Personally, I thought Reus would have fit in better with the Gunners solely based on his shocking hair. Man, that London squad has some hair-don'ts. Speaking of Arsenal...
...I'm going to London! Yay! Trouble is, I'll be there for Bayern's opening match of the second half against 'Gladbach. I found one German Bierkeller, in Fullham, and was wondering if anyone knew of the place. I'm also attending Arsenal - Manchester United at the Emirates. Not a bad ticket for my first Premiere League match, eh?
Now, with Qatar winding down, India in the near future, and everybody reasonably healthy: Who is your starting XI when the season resumes?
You can follow Susie on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/fussballsusie
Comments
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Posted by Susie on 01/07/2012
Final score today: 2-1.
Can't wait to see the highlights from that one.
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Posted by Johann on 01/08/2012
My starting XI is fairly conventional...
Gomez
Ribery Mueller Robben
Kroos Schweini
Lahm Boateng Badstuber Rafinha
The only problem is that Kroos usually doesn't play that far back and, with Robben fit, someone is destined to stay on the bench if Heynckes chooses to pair Tymo with Schweini. It's a tough call, because Kroos is great and the last few games before the break saw Robben on the bench as he came back from injury. ROTATION ROTATION ROTATION Jupp just needs to keep the attacking midfielders hungry, IMO.
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Posted by DanUS on 01/08/2012
I agree with Johann on what should be the starting XI but also agree that it's probably not going to happen so I think for the very first game against Gladbach at least it's going to be this (probably):
Gomez
Muller Kroos Robben
Tymo Schweinsteiger
Lahm Badstuber DvB* Boetang**
Neuer
*Really should be Boetang
**Really should be Rafinha
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Posted by Stevavo on 01/08/2012
No way shd Reus have gone to Arsenal, how is the Bundesliga ever supposed to make any progress if their talent gets bought up by other leagues? Bayern can't soley fly the german flag as has been the case and personally I think it is good that BVB are looking to build into a consistent challenger and hopefuly also make a mark on europe for the good of the bundesliga and Bayern if you think about it. Having said that I think in the not too distant future Bayern shd make a move for Goetze and Shaquiri as the right type of attacking talent for Bayern, players that have mammoth potential and could succeed the "Robery" duo.
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Posted by Susie on 01/08/2012
Johann and Dan---
I agree that the rotation will be the key. I wonder if Kroos could be used as both the 10 and a DM. (Not at the same time, of course.) Although with Kroos partnering Schweini, it would probably play more like a 4-1-4-1. Not the worst thing in the world....
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Posted by Susie on 01/08/2012
Stevavo---
I was joking about Reus going to the Gunners. Even though it is a much more high profile club. :).
And I think it's wonderful that German talent is staying in Germany. Raising the profile of the BL as a whole will never be a bad thing.
And, yeah.... Goetze and Shaquiri would be something else! In a few years, of course.
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Posted by DanUS on 01/08/2012
Susie,
I think if we could succeed in playing Kroos as DM next to Schweinsteiger we'd achieve Barca-like midfield dominance.
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Posted by Susie on 01/08/2012
Dan---
I completely concur. Total boss!
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Posted by grudnik on 01/09/2012
Susie,
Based on what I read from multiple sources, Bayern made an offer to Reus, but was honest in telling him that they were planning long-term with all their stars, including Robben and Ribery, and that he would have no guarantees of starting or even how much he would play.
I'm sure that had as much to do with his decision as being able to go home.
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Posted by Susie on 01/09/2012
Grudnik---
It's what I'd gathered as well.
I'm not knocking him for his decision, necessarily.
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Posted by DanUS on 01/09/2012
Susie,
agreed. No reason to knock him as he has a 30 million euro buy-out clause for 2014. This means if Dortmund doesn't cut it, he still may end up at Bayern.
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Posted by Jack on 01/09/2012
While aquiring Goetze/Shaquiri would be great, we're forgetting the talent we have. Usami is amazing, and Alaba is also playing very well too. Anyways, on ESPN's transfer blog, it said that Bayern were making a bid for Howedes of BVB. Anyone believe that?
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Posted by DanUS on 01/09/2012
Jack: Oh you better believe it, this is not the first time they are after him either. This is not something however they would do in January, this is something for the summer.
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Posted by Susie on 01/10/2012
Dan---
I'm chuckling because Jerome just gave an interview stating that he'd eventually like to be playing CB on a regular basis. Poor dude. He'd be stuck on the wing for DE and FCB forever...
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Posted by Stevavo on 01/10/2012
I really feel sorry for Boateng, every time he plays CB he so solid I rate him as Bayern's best defensive player and I was quite skeptical when he was first linked to Bayern. He is strong, fast, good in the air and a solid tackler. If Bayern buy Howedes I hope the presence of mind will be too play him alongside Boateng in central defence, but I doubt that will happen, unfortunately.
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Posted by DanUS on 01/10/2012
I'm not sure that they are not going to play Howedes as RB. I too think that Boateng's skills are wasted on the wing. To me van Buyten is a ticking time bomb, he is playing a decent season but you never know when he is going to give away a game all on his own. I'd finally let this guy go. Unfortunately I don't think that's going to happen.
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Posted by Susie on 01/10/2012
Hoewdes, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm. Sounds lovely.
But, on that note, does Schalke let two captains in two years move to Bayern?
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Posted by DanUS on 01/10/2012
For the right amount of money I think management would let him go but I don't know how the fans are going to react and if management in the end is going to want to face the wrath of fans.
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Posted by Tony on 01/11/2012
Happy new year. Have you ever devised a FCB cocktail? If so, which one? :)
You forgot to mention Indian press was worried about Robben being too thin too...
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Posted by Susie on 01/11/2012
Tony-
No, I haven't. But, it's a great idea!
And Robben is always skinny. I wonder why they were worried....
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Posted by Shekhar on 01/12/2012
@Tony and Susie: The Indian media treat football as they treat cricket. for them it's all about the individual...
I saw the match vs India. Here are my inferences
1> Bayern never treated it as more than a training exercise.
2> Contrary to popular belief, Badstuber is a great defender, he is not particularly strong or fast, but he can read the game really well and his positioning is spot on. He is great on the ball and can open up spaces with his vision.
3> Bayern build up too slow, giving defensively oriented teams enough time to regroup and defend in numbers. India were defending with 8 behind the ball, whenever Bayern attacked, they allowed India to pull many bodies behind the ball.
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Posted by Jason on 01/13/2012
Shekhar, totally agree on point 3! Early in the season, when Bayern was in their best form, they attacked. Now, it seems we have settled into the LvG style of last year where the defenders spend too much time passing it between each other. Bayern needs to be more vertical and get the ball to our speedy playmakers sooner. Sure, it might mean possession percentage goes down, but good chances on goal would increase.
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Posted by Shekhar on 01/15/2012
@Jason, i agree with you about the LvG references, but my logic for the way Bayern play is that considering our defence which is not exceptionally good, if we do lose posession, we could concede.
If we maintain posession and wait for the opponent to make a mistake, then we'll score. one reason why I like Muller playing in the no. 10 role is that he makes really good runs. that will open up space and create opportnuities. i personally like the Idea of a 4-1-4-1 formation, where Kroos will cover for Muller when he makes an offensive run rather than leaving a space in the middle and will fall back inline with Schweinsteiger when we lose posession.
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Posted by DanUS on 01/15/2012
good news, Bayern played a test game against some 3rd division side and won but the point is JH played a Kroos/Schweinsteiger combinatino in the midfield and Muller in the 10 spot. Bayern fans JH has heard our prayers and has responded to them.
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Posted by NikGator on 01/15/2012
I would definitely like to see Bayern attack more. I would also like to see them try more of a 4-3-3 formation with tymo, kroos and schweini in the middle. And use Muller as a super sub, he could easily fill in for an injury/strategy change, like robben did in his first season coming on with fresh legs no one could keep up with him. I also hate it when we concede so maybe having longer/better possession is the best option :/
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Posted by Stevavo on 01/15/2012
Playing Kroos and Schweini together is indeed exciting but against quality opposition Bayern may need to rather play a Defensive midfielder like Tymo or Gutavo as even Barca need that defensive shield and Kroos does not have the defensive skills yet to compliment Schweini's box to box style. I totally agree that Bayern's build up is to slow at times which makes them predictable and easier to defend against as BVB have shown. Bayer shd switch up their possession style with fast build up play as they have the pacy and quick think players to do that and will make them more unpredictable.
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Posted by grudnik on 01/17/2012
DanUS,
Actually, that's not accurate.
Kroos was playing on the left side in place of Ribery, because that's probably the lineup Heynckes will use against Gladbach, since Ribery is suspended.
Tymo was playing alongside Schweinsteiger in DM.
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Posted by Stevavo on 01/18/2012
Yup thats true-kroos was shifted left, when Ribery is back in the fold I wonder what Jupp will do?
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Posted by Cathleen on 01/18/2012
You really saved my skin with this infmortiaon. Thanks!
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Posted by DanUS on 01/18/2012
Grudnik, I believe it was the 2nd half when Kroos was moved back next to Schweini. Not sure but I think Alaba was subbed for Tymo as well. In fact this morning I'm reading an article where it says that it doesn't bode well for Tymo/Gustavo if JH starts playing Kroos like Jogi Low does at the national level.
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Posted by grudnik on 01/18/2012
I only saw the highlights, so I don't know who played where in the 2nd half. Alaba came in for Tymo at half time, and Ribery subbed in for Kroos in the 62nd minute, so, at most, Kroos could have played 17 minutes at DM (assuming Alaba didn't take Tymo's spot).
The speculation right now is that Muller is going to find himself on the bench, barring any injuries/suspensions among the offensive players, which would be a crying shame.
I'm hoping that Muller delivers an outstanding game against Gladbach playing behind Gomez, to force Heynckes' hand.
Either way, they need to start rotating their starters anyway, if they want to be fresh for all 3 competitions.
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Posted by DanUS on 01/19/2012
I think that before JH will bench Muller that he'll bench Tymo/Gustavo first. I think that's why he tested the Kroos/Schweinsteiger formation. I was about to say JH needs to get Kroos and Schweisteiger used to playing together but actually I think it could work right now because they already play it for Germany so no reason they couldn't do it for Bayern. Muller is just to valuable to bench, permanently anyway. Rotation is fine.
Posted by cheap oem software on 02/12/2012
WtY5zf Well, actually, a lot of what you write is not quite true !... well, okay, it does not matter:D
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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 |
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