German Bundesliga

[Skybird]

The Bavarians are the new and old league champions, securing the title earlier in the season than any team ever did before. They dominate statistic records all up and down. So far they have won all matches except - two which were draws, no losses. The last hope - BVB Dortmund - was unable to keep up with them. In fact, by the standards of the BVB and its last season, it has disappointed.

What I had doubts about one year ago, when saying that Heynckes left a triple-winner in such a top state that one could only keep the niveau, but not improve it, obviously needs to be corrected. Guardiola indeed has managed to make the team even better in quality. Also, the atmosphere and mood in the team seems to be excellent. Gone are the mean jokes about the "FC Hollywood". The players ALL feel fully at home in Munich. Cannot say that it has always been like that in the past.

I can only applaud Guardiola, and the team. Currently, they are a power second to none, degrading the rest of the league and maybe even the European teams to background actors only.

That would remain true even if they fumble in the European or national cup competition, because even semi-gods :D could have a bad day and get struck by bad luck.

With the German national team currently having fallen back into troubled water, I wonder if we should not send the Munich team to Brazil instead. :D :woot:A couple of passports issued, and formalities are done... There are some serious differences to be spotted between Löw, and Guardiola, and what kind of teams and team spirits they form.

Which leads to an interesting question. Are international competitions for top clubs maybe taking place on a higher team performance level, than competitions for national teams?

[the_tyrant]

I'm backing Munich to easily crush Manchester United in the champions league. Put your life savings on it man!

[Jimbuna]

German football at league level is certainly in the ascendancy atm but not so much at national side level.

[Oberon]

https://31.media.tumblr.com/1266ae388855bcdb5d69af7b5c60cb0a/tumblr_n2zk23dV231sivccmo1_1280.jpg

[AndreasT]

I only find Bayern to be of International standard in Germany. I do like Dortmund but I do believe they were fortunate to reach the finals last year. They did deserve it, but over time I doubt they will prevail.
This year I fear Real Madrid that they may well be the better team this time round.

Yes I do believe that the champions league is at a higher level than the World cup or the European cup. Then again we can see the champions league all the time and has in my opinion become more important for world football. Money, money, money.
Not that I like that. I still prefer games at international level.

[Skybird]

Munich currently clearly is Top of the Peps. :D

[the_tyrant]

My roommate is soo damned passionate about Dynamo Dresden, he gets up early morning to catch games, and chants in front of the TV. He wears a Dynamo Dresden scarf, and has one of their flags.

All for a damned 2rd division team facing relegation.

[Skybird]

You Canadians are weird. :haha:

[AndreasT]

The Saxons are weird.

[Skybird]

It's infectious.

[the_tyrant]

You Canadians are weird. :haha:

The guy is a German international student. Dynamo Dresden fans are scary though, they don't look like sane supporters of a sports team:
http://ultras-dynamo.de/ud2010/gallery/index

[AndreasT]

They do have a problems with hooligans down there. And a few other problems as well. A bit politicals and all that.

[BossMark]

I would like to send my best wishes to Bayern Munich against man utd in the CL and I hope they win the tie by at least 5-0 on aggregate :yep:.

[Skybird]

The series has ended: after 53 matches and almost one and a half year, the Bavarians have "scored" their first defeat against Augsburg. Munich played with only its B-team, however, to save the first line for the upcoming rematch against Manchester.

[AndreasT]

And I was so hoping they wouldn't lose the whole season in the Bundesliga. Oh well maybe next year.

[Skybird]

And I was so hoping they wouldn't lose the whole season in the Bundesliga. Oh well maybe next year.


Their last defeat dates back to October 28th, 2012.

One and a half seasons undefeated - what else do you want? :)

BTW, I do not take the win against Manchester for granted, nor am I certain that they again would triumph over the Spanish clubs.

[Jimbuna]

I doubt we'll see an English club in the final this year.

[Jimbuna]

I doubt we'll see an English club in the final this year.

We may yet, Chelsea won last night and Dortmund were knocked out.

Only Bayern left, could the Germans be losing their grip?

[the_tyrant]

Looking at the guys who put their faith in David Moyes to win the Champions league, all I can do is roll and laugh :har:

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t34.0-12/10169068_814118945282841_1373331880_n.jpg?oh=8356b 346eaab77f0deb2525a4dc50f45&oe=534737F9

[Jimbuna]

Man Utd were well beaten in the end...their dream of victory lasted only 22 seconds.

[BossMark]

Man Utd were well beaten in the end...their dream of victory lasted only 22 seconds.
Moyes 22 seconds of glory :har::har::har:

[Skybird]

Actually it was a decent match, and Manchester had its chances. I enjoyed watching it.

The Bavarians became nervous a bit after one half passed and them getting stuck every time. It explains why Guardiola decided for such a hyper-offensive line-up - he knew what was coming. The 0:1 for MU was a dream goal. The Bavarian answer just some seconds later also was a brilliant take, however. That they took the 0:1 and were left totally unimpressed, says something about the team'S moral and self-understanding.

I still think the tournament is absolutely open. The two Spanish teams very well could beat Munich. However, not without getting a tough fight. All in all I think Munich is the best team, but not by such a margin that the show runs all by itself. They could end up unlucky. Real to me is the biggest hurdle of the three. Either them win this year's title, or Munich.

[Jimbuna]

From now on, when a Manchester United fan talks about the 'Munich Tragedy', you are going to have to ask "which one?"

[Skybird]

The CL final comes early this year: Munich meets Real Madrid in semi-finals. Maybe the two currently best club teams on Earth - absolutely unpredictable outcome.

Chelsea meets Atlético Madrid. I think Atlético is having the edge here.

The Spanish teams still are desperately overindebted by many hundreds of millions of Euros, however, and the British clubs often live by the massive financial injections of foreign club owners. Munich economically is absolutely superior in this regard, basing its top world-class financial situation on solid economic management instead of debts, oligarchs, and credit. If economic management would be a criterion for winning titles, Munich would dwarf almost all European clubs, although in yearly turnover it only is fourth rank behind Spanish clubs. Still, the higher turnovers by the Spaniards did not save them from accumulating debts as high as 500 million, plus tax debts as high as almost 200 million. With Real being the most expensive sports team world-wide (estimated total value beyond two billion), one would expect them to dominate by a huge margin. But as Abramovich already learned in Chelsea: big spending does not automatically mean big partying. :D

I'm with the Bavarians, therefore. Not becauue they are a German club, but because their team is en par with any other - while they manage their business far better than all others. They are self-sustainable (and that earns my sympathy). You cannot say that about the three others.

[Jimbuna]

I was surprised to see my local club 20th in the list of largest revenues and we also have zero debt.

[TarJak]

I was surprised to see my local club 20th in the list of largest revenues and we also have zero debt.

I wouldn't have thought South Shields FC would have drawn crowds that large.:O:

http://southshieldsfc.info/

[the_tyrant]

The CL final comes early this year: Munich meets Real Madrid in semi-finals. Maybe the two currently best club teams on Earth - absolutely unpredictable outcome.

Chelsea meets Atlético Madrid. I think Atlético is having the edge here.

The Spanish teams still are desperately overindebted by many hundreds of millions of Euros, however, and the British clubs often live by the massive financial injections of foreign club owners. Munich economically is absolutely superior in this regard, basing its top world-class financial situation on solid economic management instead of debts, oligarchs, and credit. If economic management would be a criterion for winning titles, Munich would dwarf almost all European clubs, although in yearly turnover it only is fourth rank behind Spanish clubs. Still, the higher turnovers by the Spaniards did not save them from accumulating debts as high as 500 million, plus tax debts as high as almost 200 million. With Real being the most expensive sports team world-wide (estimated total value beyond two billion), one would expect them to dominate by a huge margin. But as Abramovich already learned in Chelsea: big spending does not automatically mean big partying. :D

I'm with the Bavarians, therefore. Not becauue they are a German club, but because their team is en par with any other - while they manage their business far better than all others. They are self-sustainable (and that earns my sympathy). You cannot say that about the three others.


For the longest time, I've been preaching the fact that soon, association football would be ruled by the Bundesliga, Premier League, and the MLS.

People always argue about whether a player is over paid or a steal. It is actually very easy to figure it out, if a player gets paid X, but makes the team Y (Y>X), he isn't over paid, and vice versa. This is business school 101, first page of a finance textbook.

Yet too many teams are glory hounds, they sell out their future for a trophy today. In fact, there are teams who spend more than 100% of their revenue on salaries!

I can see Serie A, La Liga, and potentially some other leagues collapse soon. In fact, last year, there was this spanish lower league player who already said that he would like to play in the MLS, as he hears from his buddy who plays in the MLS that their checks don't bounce!

[Jimbuna]

I wouldn't have thought South Shields FC would have drawn crowds that large.:O:

http://southshieldsfc.info/

Well Shields can score a goal on occasion which is more than can currently be said of the TOON :)

[Skybird]

Has Munich lost its rythm? They have lost AGAIN in the league. National cup match is next. They getter get their minds and spirits back, else Real will eat them for picnic.

[Jimbuna]

Just a wee hiccup in league terms, possibly resting players for the Real game.

[Skybird]

One would have thought that after the first defeat, where they played with the B-team only. But the second defeat was about prestige and against a hot rival and arch-enemy - BVB Dortmund. Believe me, that kind of match the Bavarians do not like to loose, and the climate between both clubs is currently - already before the match- much worse than it is usually already is anyway, they did not even have the traditional shared club dinner of the officials before the match, which is really a strong signal of how bad the mood between the two is. And being sent off your own lawn by 0:3, is really a nasty package.

The BVB on the other hand within one week had wiped the floor with two of the CL semi-finalists .

[Jimbuna]

Then the Bavarians may well have a fortitude problem on the run up to the big game.

Somehow, I think they will come good but I consider Real to be the favourites to progress to the final and whichever team wins should go on to be champions.

[Skybird]

If they Bavarians do not get back into their former attitude, and immediately, then Real is the clear favourite. Guardiola said himself that currently (after the BVB match) his team does not stand a chance.

[Jimbuna]

Football can be an unpredictable game and a lot can happen in ninety minutes...keep the faith.

[Skybird]

As I feared: Munich lost its rhythm and is out of time. Real's counterattacks are razorsharp, while Munich's defence looks for its thunder. In the interview afterwards, Guardiola sounded clueless. 80% ball possession is nice and well, but it has to translate into goals.

Mir schwant Übles... :-?

[Jimbuna]

To be fair to them, they did squander a few goal scoring chances.

Second leg should be a cracker.

[Skybird]

To be fair to them, they did squander a few goal scoring chances.

Not one was forceful, incisive. The counterattacks of the Spaniard were that.

[BossMark]

I think both teams will score, and Real will sneak through to the final on the away goals rule :yep:

[Jimbuna]

I'm confident the winner of the above should eventually lift the trophy.

[kranz]

and Real will sneak through to the final on the away goals rule :yep:

I bet hes googling it now and cursing how unfair it must be :har:

I'm confident the winner of the above should eventually lift the trophy.

I've been an avid fan of Bayern for a long time but let's be honest - their defense, similarly to the German national team, has always been lousy.
They rely heavily on Robben and other forward players but get totally confused when they have to defend.

Sure I would like to see the cup in their hands but I guess it should go to a team which represents more balanced gameplay.

[Jimbuna]

Ronaldo and his diving stunts can hardly be described as 'balanced' :)

[kranz]

Ronaldo and his diving stunts can hardly be described as 'balanced' :)

Precisely.
That's why they don't deserve it either.:)

[Jimbuna]

Precisely.
That's why they don't deserve it either.:)

Prozac is the only known cure :03:

[Skybird]

I read an interesting statistics.

In the match against real, they had 15 corners, and no goal.

Before, they got defeated by BVB Dortmund 0:3, where they had 12 corners, and no goal.

In the past 12 matches in the Bundesliga, they had 89 corners, and no goal.

I think they have plenty of corners - and an even bigger problem.

[BossMark]

I think both teams will score, and Real will sneak through to the final on the away goals rule :yep:
Looks like I am wrong, and could be really big embarrassment for Bayern

[kranz]

rekt

[Skybird]

What did I say - they lost their thunder. :timeout: I saw it coming, told my father "3:0 or 4:1 for Real". He laughed. Now no more. :-?

The Spaniards must have had razorblades for breakfast, that sharp they were. A deserved win. :salute: Just their pathetic intermezzi when another one of their team sank down and played the dying swan, was a bit rich at times.

Well: Heynckes - Gardiola stands 1 : 0. The old man remains to be Munich's most successful trainer.

[the_tyrant]

Gotta ask the Germans here, what do you guys think about Felix Magath?


He is probably one of the most controversial managers out there, and right now I am seriously rooting for him to succeed with Fulham.

[kranz]

What did I say - they lost their thunder. :timeout:

http://i58.tinypic.com/15xpn4j.gif

I saw it coming, told my father "3:0 or 4:1 for Real".
Sure you did.:har:

[Jimbuna]

What did I say - they lost their thunder. :timeout: I saw it coming, told my father "3:0 or 4:1 for Real". He laughed. Now no more. :-?

The Spaniards must have had razorblades for breakfast, that sharp they were. A deserved win. :salute: Just their pathetic intermezzi when another one of their team sank down and played the dying swan, was a bit rich at times.

Well: Heynckes - Gardiola stands 1 : 0. The old man remains to be Munich's most successful trainer.

I was very surprised at how ordinary they were made to look....must be some deep rooted problem within the squad that has yet to be disclosed.

[Skybird]

The deep rooted problem is easy to explain, I think. After they secured the league championship, with so many new records, they felt overconfident (that includes the trainer) and thought they could afford to mentally switch back a gear or two in league games to save power for the remaining counting matches: national cup and CL. Result: they lost the next league match, and the second next, and then against Real.

Switching back one gear while the competition still goes on, is like slamming in the brake while having full forward momentum. You save some fuel that way, yes, but you lose pace and said momentum. And military commanders knows that when you have the initiative and the momentum and your offensive is rolling, you just do not suddenly stop to have a break, but you run on and on as long as you can - stopping and then starting again simply does not work. With every defeat, that came unexpectedly, their psyche suffered an unsettledness. Until nothing worked together anymore.

Maybe Guardiola indeed started this downward spiral himself. After the championship, he sent a B-team into the next match, and they lost. That defeat, although "achieved" by an almost completely different team, nevertheless imapcts on the team moral and general mental atmosphere. Guardiola admitted indirectly that his team selection in that first loosing match was a mistake. One that send shockwaves even into the CL matches.

Against a team like Real, that is lethal. Top defence and a razorsharp offence running its counterattacks with a precision and speed that should turn any other team coach white with envy. Superb.

The Bavarians - I did not recognize them in yesterday's match.

German national coach Löw will have some work to do to boost the moral of the Bavarian players in his team. I do not have the Germans as one of the top favourites on my list for Brazil anymore, they have troubles since quite some matches now. They have an outside chance at best.

[Skybird]

And two more reasons I just read in a good analysis in German newspapers: first, the unflexibility of Guardiola who never seem to have a plan B if his primary plan A does not work or is successfully "decyphred" by the opponent, he then just insists on the team realsing his masterplan better, but he does not adapt it or changes it. And second, two of the best players with record sums of money being paid for their transfer and with a huge potential in creativity and agility (two players Guardiola adamantly demanded to get when he came to Munich), have been left out of the team all too often in past weeks: Götze (from BVB Dortmund for 40 million!) and Martinez.

Guardiola is a good coach, no doubt, and for most everyday opponents his tactics are working overdoses of plowing them under. But he is niot without faults. His inability to adapt and to chnage his plans, to even develop a plan B, has already been complained about in his time in Spain. To have a plan B would mean that Guardiola's plan A did not work - and I think he takes some narcissistic offence from that. So he refuses any changes on plan A.