[GER] Bundesliga 06/07 (1 Viewer)
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Behind The Wall: The League Of Gentlemen Five matches in, Bayern are in crisis - but nobody can take advantage. Is it any wonder why the Bavarians dominate the German game when their challengers fall over themselves, says Brian O'Driscoll in his latest Bundesliga missive
It says something about their dominance of the German game that five weeks into the new season Bayern Munich are top of the table having experienced a crisis.
Yes, it’s early days yet, but Bayern’s patchy form hasn’t prevented the amassing of 10 points while likely rivals Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV struggled out of the blocks. Indeed, Thomas Doll’s team have yet to win in any competition this season – a remarkably flat start to a season that promised much just six weeks ago.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes the World Cup is to blame for the poor starts of Germany’s biggest clubs. "There is a difference between how the international players were performing during the World Cup and what they're doing now," said Rummenigge, last week. "The clubs that have a lot of internationals, such as Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV and Bayern Leverkusen, are paying the price right now for the World Cup," he continued. "It's no coincidence that they're not in the form they could be in," he said. "The regeneration holiday for the international players was too short and the phase to prepare for the season was also too short."
Werder’s sports director, Klaus Allofs, a former international colleague of Rummenigge, was singing from the same sheet. “We're feeling the after-effects of the World Cup now," he said, fresh from criticising his players' start to the season.
Two early league wins followed the League Cup victory in July, but Bremen came off the rails quickly and trail the champions by three points after Saturday’s North German derby draw in Hamburg. Whatever way you look at it, it's as if Germany's leading clubs are too well-mannered to take advantage of Dame Bayern's temporary shakiness.
European results have also been poor for Germany’s top sides. HSV were unfortunate victims of crass refereeing in their Champions’ League clash with Arsenal. Goalkeeper Sascha Kirchstein was sent-off for an infringement that Arsenal’s Dutch winger Robin van Persie exaggerated to win a penalty. Penalty or not, the goalkeeper’s dismissal punished HSV twice and ran contrary to natural justice.
Still, there were those in the English media quick to seek ludicrous comparison with Jens Lehmann’s sending-off in last season’s European Cup final. Forgetting the small fact that Lehmann’s transgression against Barcelona occurred outside the box and resulted in a perfectly valid goal being chalked off, former Liverpool and Leeds midfielder Gary McAllister laughed off suggestions that HSV were hard done by on the low-rent ITV match broadcast. No surprises there, then.
Bremen’s defeat at Chelsea was predictable. Coach Thomas Schaaf still hasn’t found a defensive strategy worthy of the name, and all the swashbuckling attacking in the world will not mask the fundamental deficiencies that he has palpably failed to eradicate. Sure, it looks good, but it all smacks of Klinsmannism.
Bayern also started slowly before overpowering Spartak with four second half goals in Bavaria. This week’s trip to Inter promises a more telling test.
Brian A. O'Driscoll
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-abt the first point, well i think its a load of crap.Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich arent the only teams that had players play in the world cup ffs. This is just a lame excuse.
-2nd point, abt Bremen's defense....Schaff needs to find that strategy soon, or Bremen will have a hard time. Attacking will only take u to a certain point, if ur not ensured at the back u will get screwed.
-Hamburg, r well...i dont know wat wrong with them
It says something about their dominance of the German game that five weeks into the new season Bayern Munich are top of the table having experienced a crisis.
Yes, it’s early days yet, but Bayern’s patchy form hasn’t prevented the amassing of 10 points while likely rivals Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV struggled out of the blocks. Indeed, Thomas Doll’s team have yet to win in any competition this season – a remarkably flat start to a season that promised much just six weeks ago.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes the World Cup is to blame for the poor starts of Germany’s biggest clubs. "There is a difference between how the international players were performing during the World Cup and what they're doing now," said Rummenigge, last week. "The clubs that have a lot of internationals, such as Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV and Bayern Leverkusen, are paying the price right now for the World Cup," he continued. "It's no coincidence that they're not in the form they could be in," he said. "The regeneration holiday for the international players was too short and the phase to prepare for the season was also too short."
Werder’s sports director, Klaus Allofs, a former international colleague of Rummenigge, was singing from the same sheet. “We're feeling the after-effects of the World Cup now," he said, fresh from criticising his players' start to the season.
Two early league wins followed the League Cup victory in July, but Bremen came off the rails quickly and trail the champions by three points after Saturday’s North German derby draw in Hamburg. Whatever way you look at it, it's as if Germany's leading clubs are too well-mannered to take advantage of Dame Bayern's temporary shakiness.
European results have also been poor for Germany’s top sides. HSV were unfortunate victims of crass refereeing in their Champions’ League clash with Arsenal. Goalkeeper Sascha Kirchstein was sent-off for an infringement that Arsenal’s Dutch winger Robin van Persie exaggerated to win a penalty. Penalty or not, the goalkeeper’s dismissal punished HSV twice and ran contrary to natural justice.
Still, there were those in the English media quick to seek ludicrous comparison with Jens Lehmann’s sending-off in last season’s European Cup final. Forgetting the small fact that Lehmann’s transgression against Barcelona occurred outside the box and resulted in a perfectly valid goal being chalked off, former Liverpool and Leeds midfielder Gary McAllister laughed off suggestions that HSV were hard done by on the low-rent ITV match broadcast. No surprises there, then.
Bremen’s defeat at Chelsea was predictable. Coach Thomas Schaaf still hasn’t found a defensive strategy worthy of the name, and all the swashbuckling attacking in the world will not mask the fundamental deficiencies that he has palpably failed to eradicate. Sure, it looks good, but it all smacks of Klinsmannism.
Bayern also started slowly before overpowering Spartak with four second half goals in Bavaria. This week’s trip to Inter promises a more telling test.
Brian A. O'Driscoll
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-abt the first point, well i think its a load of crap.Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich arent the only teams that had players play in the world cup ffs. This is just a lame excuse.
-2nd point, abt Bremen's defense....Schaff needs to find that strategy soon, or Bremen will have a hard time. Attacking will only take u to a certain point, if ur not ensured at the back u will get screwed.
-Hamburg, r well...i dont know wat wrong with them
Germany international striker Lukas Podolski has expressed his frustration at his lack of playing time at Bayern Munich this season.
The 21-year-old joined the Bundesliga champions from Cologne in the summer but has yet to hold down a regular first team berth at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern boss Felix Magath again left him on the bench for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Alemannia Aachen, preferring Claudio Pizarro, Roy Makaay and Roque Santa Cruz as his offensive trio.
“It certainly isn’t going the way I imagined it would,” Podolski admitted in Kicker.
“My time will come and I will score my goals here too. I’m not worried that I won’t be able to make the grade at Bayern.”
After beating Aachen on Saturday, Magath hinted that he was unlikely to make changes for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League encounter with Internazionale, but added that he felt his decisions would help Podolski in the long run.
“Lukas has had to put up with a whole lot of pressure in his young career and he needs to come to terms with a lot of things," said Magath.
"He needs time and that is what I’m prepared to give him."
The 21-year-old joined the Bundesliga champions from Cologne in the summer but has yet to hold down a regular first team berth at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern boss Felix Magath again left him on the bench for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Alemannia Aachen, preferring Claudio Pizarro, Roy Makaay and Roque Santa Cruz as his offensive trio.
“It certainly isn’t going the way I imagined it would,” Podolski admitted in Kicker.
“My time will come and I will score my goals here too. I’m not worried that I won’t be able to make the grade at Bayern.”
After beating Aachen on Saturday, Magath hinted that he was unlikely to make changes for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League encounter with Internazionale, but added that he felt his decisions would help Podolski in the long run.
“Lukas has had to put up with a whole lot of pressure in his young career and he needs to come to terms with a lot of things," said Magath.
"He needs time and that is what I’m prepared to give him."
Borussia Dortmund missed the chance to go top of the table after being held to a 2-2 draw by Hannover.
Ebi Smolarek gave Dortmund the perfect start with the opening goal after just five minutes.
Hannover drew level on 74 minutes when Vahid Hashemian netted for the visitors.
Parity proved short-lived as Smolarek restored Dortmund's lead within 60 seconds.
However, Hannover caught Dortmund cold by equalising for a second time through Szabolcs Huszti within a minute to earn a point.
Ebi Smolarek gave Dortmund the perfect start with the opening goal after just five minutes.
Hannover drew level on 74 minutes when Vahid Hashemian netted for the visitors.
Parity proved short-lived as Smolarek restored Dortmund's lead within 60 seconds.
However, Hannover caught Dortmund cold by equalising for a second time through Szabolcs Huszti within a minute to earn a point.
Schalke winger Gerald Asamoah will be out of action for several months after suffering a broken leg in Thursday's Uefa Cup clash with Nancy.
The Germany international was carried off in the second half of the Royal Blues' 3-1 defeat after a fierce tackle by Nancy defender Pape Diakhate and rushed to hospital with a double fracture of his fibia and tibia.
The injury was operated on straight away and Asamoah now faces many months on the sidelines.
"I've never seen anything like it," shocked Schalke captain Marcelo Bordon told the club's official website.
"It looked as though everything was completely broken.
"I simply can't understand why the Nancy player only got a yellow card for that foul."
The injury completes a disastrous month for Asamoah, who was suspended by Schalke for one Bundesliga match after criticising coach Mirko Slomka for his lack of playing time this season.
The Germany international was carried off in the second half of the Royal Blues' 3-1 defeat after a fierce tackle by Nancy defender Pape Diakhate and rushed to hospital with a double fracture of his fibia and tibia.
The injury was operated on straight away and Asamoah now faces many months on the sidelines.
"I've never seen anything like it," shocked Schalke captain Marcelo Bordon told the club's official website.
"It looked as though everything was completely broken.
"I simply can't understand why the Nancy player only got a yellow card for that foul."
The injury completes a disastrous month for Asamoah, who was suspended by Schalke for one Bundesliga match after criticising coach Mirko Slomka for his lack of playing time this season.
This year's league is becoming really interesting.
I think Werder found the right combination with Merterascker in the backline.They managed to keep two attacking teams (barca,Monchgladach) to limited chances.
Bayern's problems i think r Magath's fault, as he should give more chances to Poldi. Also the midfield looks too dry and without any creativity.
Hamburg r becoming a disgrace and i expect Doll to get the chop sooner than Mancini
Schalke r weird and their run of good results wont span very long.
Berlin r doing well but i expect the same fate as Schalke.As both dont have much depth.
I think Werder found the right combination with Merterascker in the backline.They managed to keep two attacking teams (barca,Monchgladach) to limited chances.
Bayern's problems i think r Magath's fault, as he should give more chances to Poldi. Also the midfield looks too dry and without any creativity.
Hamburg r becoming a disgrace and i expect Doll to get the chop sooner than Mancini
Schalke r weird and their run of good results wont span very long.
Berlin r doing well but i expect the same fate as Schalke.As both dont have much depth.
Oliver Kahn warned his Bayern Munich team-mates after the defending Bundesliga champions slipped to their second straight away defeat following their 1-0 loss at Wolfsburg.
Mike Hanke ended his long goal drought after 14 games with the winning goal of a hard-fought game in which Bayern failed to convert their dominance into goals.
“We played like s*** today. We were fully focused and showed a world-class performance when we were 2-0 winners at Inter in midweek, but you also have to give 100 percent against opposition such as Bielefeld or Wolfsburg or you won’t be able to win," warned Kahn.
"Our attitude is something we have to think about in the future."
Wolfsburg’s win eased the pressure on coach Klaus Augenthaler, whose team rose from bottom spot to 14th.
“There’s nothing better than winning against Bayern after you gave your outmost during the full 90 minutes,” insisted Augenthaler.
Mike Hanke ended his long goal drought after 14 games with the winning goal of a hard-fought game in which Bayern failed to convert their dominance into goals.
“We played like s*** today. We were fully focused and showed a world-class performance when we were 2-0 winners at Inter in midweek, but you also have to give 100 percent against opposition such as Bielefeld or Wolfsburg or you won’t be able to win," warned Kahn.
"Our attitude is something we have to think about in the future."
Wolfsburg’s win eased the pressure on coach Klaus Augenthaler, whose team rose from bottom spot to 14th.
“There’s nothing better than winning against Bayern after you gave your outmost during the full 90 minutes,” insisted Augenthaler.
Bayern looked really poor after they great win over Inter.
Their biggest problem are injuries: Hargreaves, Deisler, Ismael.
Not to mention the departure of Ballack and Ze Roberto. Both were playmakers.
They are not the shadow of former Bayern teams which were so dominating in Bundesliga that someone told The Bundesliga is a competition that is always won by Bayer Munich.
But this way is much more interesting.
I predict a hard-fight until the end between Bayern, Schalke, Hertha, Werder, HSV and maybe Bayer Leverkusen.
Their biggest problem are injuries: Hargreaves, Deisler, Ismael.
Not to mention the departure of Ballack and Ze Roberto. Both were playmakers.
They are not the shadow of former Bayern teams which were so dominating in Bundesliga that someone told The Bundesliga is a competition that is always won by Bayer Munich.
But this way is much more interesting.
I predict a hard-fight until the end between Bayern, Schalke, Hertha, Werder, HSV and maybe Bayer Leverkusen.
yeah they r struggling and the fact that they didnt bring in a proper replacement for Ballack, Van Bommel hardly qualifies. Same goes for Ze Roberto who was a creative force in that midfield.
it will be interesting but i dont think there will be this much contenders.
HSV didnt even win a game yet.
the good thing abt this year is that the mid table teams r stepping up and giving the big teams a hard time.Something similar to wat is happening in Spain.
it will be interesting but i dont think there will be this much contenders.
HSV didnt even win a game yet.
the good thing abt this year is that the mid table teams r stepping up and giving the big teams a hard time.Something similar to wat is happening in Spain.
But this is a near repeat of two seasons ago if I remember when Werder were the defending Champions. Bayern were in poor form would usually lose on the road but win most home matches. After the Winter Break they gathered some momentum and the rest were floundering. I see the same again is all that is needed for Bayern to once again come out on top. Magath will probably depart this summer as so much of what Bayern demand is the Champions League.
Which is strange because I don't see how any teams other than two or three can. Saying that Bayern have their strongest squad in Europe for some time. A defensive line-up which consists of some of the strongest WC elements (Sagnol, Lucio & Lahm) along with Kahn and van Buyten who aren't too shabby. A mifield which has lost Ballack (but who missed so many games through injury). They've not found a playmaker but in my opinion Ballack never was. Perhaps dos Santos will be that player? Although Magath seems intent on using Santa Cruz there. Their midfield trio is as strong as ever with Hargreaves; van Bommel and Schweinsteiger and they've added Podolski which is another variable upfront to compensate for Makaay disappearing in recent years.
With the right draw I expect Bayern to go far in the Champions League which will surprise many. Still going to win the Bundesliga too.
Which is strange because I don't see how any teams other than two or three can. Saying that Bayern have their strongest squad in Europe for some time. A defensive line-up which consists of some of the strongest WC elements (Sagnol, Lucio & Lahm) along with Kahn and van Buyten who aren't too shabby. A mifield which has lost Ballack (but who missed so many games through injury). They've not found a playmaker but in my opinion Ballack never was. Perhaps dos Santos will be that player? Although Magath seems intent on using Santa Cruz there. Their midfield trio is as strong as ever with Hargreaves; van Bommel and Schweinsteiger and they've added Podolski which is another variable upfront to compensate for Makaay disappearing in recent years.
With the right draw I expect Bayern to go far in the Champions League which will surprise many. Still going to win the Bundesliga too.
yeah they could go for him,although i dont think he will depart.He is building something there in Bremen and its a young squad that would challenge for years to come not just this year.
abt this year and ur previous post....well yeah bayern do that at many times.Start slowly but have enough quality to end the year as champions.Am not writing them off, but am just saying that they need to play much better than they r right now.
They have the creativity problem in midfield but also i find them too static.The players r not helping eachother.They r not functioning as a unit.
abt this year and ur previous post....well yeah bayern do that at many times.Start slowly but have enough quality to end the year as champions.Am not writing them off, but am just saying that they need to play much better than they r right now.
They have the creativity problem in midfield but also i find them too static.The players r not helping eachother.They r not functioning as a unit.
1 Hertha 6 2 4 0 10 : 4 +6 10
2 Nürnberg 6 2 4 0 7 : 3 +4 10
3 Werder 6 3 1 2 11 : 9 +2 10
4 Bayern 6 3 1 2 7 : 5 +2 10
5 Schalke 04 6 3 1 2 7 : 6 +1 10
6 Alemania 6 3 0 3 10 : 9 +1 9
7 Borussia (M) 6 3 0 3 6 : 8 -2 9
8 Bayer 6 2 2 2 10 : 8 +2 8
9 Eintracht 6 1 5 0 8 : 6 +2 8
10 Borussia (D) 6 2 2 2 7 : 7 0 8
11 Energie 6 2 2 2 7 : 8 -1 8
12 Stuttgart 6 2 2 2 10 : 13 -3 8
13 Arminia 6 2 1 3 9 : 9 0 7
14 Mainz 6 1 4 1 6 : 7 -1 7
15 Wolfsburg 6 1 3 2 3 : 5 -2 6
16 Hamburg SV 6 0 5 1 7 : 8 -1 5
17 Hannover 96 6 1 2 3 7 : 14 -7 5
18 Bochum 6 1 1 4 6 : 9 -3 4
Just look at their league table.
From 1st to last team only 6 point difference.
Very, very tight this season.
So it basically means that everyone fights for Champions League and for relegation.
2 Nürnberg 6 2 4 0 7 : 3 +4 10
3 Werder 6 3 1 2 11 : 9 +2 10
4 Bayern 6 3 1 2 7 : 5 +2 10
5 Schalke 04 6 3 1 2 7 : 6 +1 10
6 Alemania 6 3 0 3 10 : 9 +1 9
7 Borussia (M) 6 3 0 3 6 : 8 -2 9
8 Bayer 6 2 2 2 10 : 8 +2 8
9 Eintracht 6 1 5 0 8 : 6 +2 8
10 Borussia (D) 6 2 2 2 7 : 7 0 8
11 Energie 6 2 2 2 7 : 8 -1 8
12 Stuttgart 6 2 2 2 10 : 13 -3 8
13 Arminia 6 2 1 3 9 : 9 0 7
14 Mainz 6 1 4 1 6 : 7 -1 7
15 Wolfsburg 6 1 3 2 3 : 5 -2 6
16 Hamburg SV 6 0 5 1 7 : 8 -1 5
17 Hannover 96 6 1 2 3 7 : 14 -7 5
18 Bochum 6 1 1 4 6 : 9 -3 4
Just look at their league table.
From 1st to last team only 6 point difference.
Very, very tight this season.
So it basically means that everyone fights for Champions League and for relegation.
Well Bundesliga is back with some good games this weekend.
Bayern Munich play the league leaders Hertha Berlin in a very tough game for the Bavarians.
They will need to produce their top game for that.
Another big game is Hamburg and Schalke. Should be an interesting game.Schalke r doing well and Hamburg want to get their season back on track.
I think another loss for Thomas Doll would put his head firmly on the chopping block.
Schalke just got a huge sponsorship deal.So they have a huge boost. Also mybe Kevin Kuranyi could start hitting the net as he said he was disappointed that he didnt make the German NT.
There is also Leverkusan - Stuttgart which could be interesting as well.
Dortmund play newly promoted Energie Cottubus on Sunday , they would look to get some points and push up the table.
They have been hit with the extension of the Injury to their Captain Sebastian Kehl.
Bremen would also want to get push up the table.When they meet Bochum away.
Bayern Munich play the league leaders Hertha Berlin in a very tough game for the Bavarians.
They will need to produce their top game for that.
Another big game is Hamburg and Schalke. Should be an interesting game.Schalke r doing well and Hamburg want to get their season back on track.
I think another loss for Thomas Doll would put his head firmly on the chopping block.
Schalke just got a huge sponsorship deal.So they have a huge boost. Also mybe Kevin Kuranyi could start hitting the net as he said he was disappointed that he didnt make the German NT.
There is also Leverkusan - Stuttgart which could be interesting as well.
Dortmund play newly promoted Energie Cottubus on Sunday , they would look to get some points and push up the table.
They have been hit with the extension of the Injury to their Captain Sebastian Kehl.
Bremen would also want to get push up the table.When they meet Bochum away.
I dont think Hertha has the quality to resist Bayern, they ve lost Marcelinho who was their best player for years.
Bayern had a 2 week rest and I think if Bayern played only German League they would be topping the table.
CL takes much energy from them and objectively Bayern has the most quality players in their team.
Werder has to find the real form.
They dont look deadly to me like before.
I really dont know whats wrong with HSV. Maybe absence of Barbarez who left, Van der Vaart who is injured, Boulahrouz who left also.
Maybe they were just one year wonder.
Borussia Dortmund and Monchengladbach are just average.
Bayer Leverkusen isnt what it used to be. They constantly sell their best players and dont find real replacements for them.
Stuttgart lives on the old glory. They surprise every 3-4 years but then fall again.
So basically it lefts us Schalke, Werder and Bayern as title contenders.
One thing I must say: Bundesliga had a big flop in quality. I dont think it is in the 5 strongest leagues anymore.
And look at their teams in Europe: Disaster after disaster. All failures. German team wasnt succesful in Europe since Bayern won the CL in 2001.
Bayern based on their history/heritage should do well in Europe.They r a heavy weight and the biggest club in Germany, they should look further than the Bundesliga and the cup.
So imo, flopping in Europe just shows the Bad management in that club.There is something wrong since Hitzfield left in the Europe front.They r not even feared anymore.
The Hertha Berlin game will be a big test to them.And they need a win.
Werder Bremen will do well in those coming weeks imo.They have Merterascker back in that defense and that was the weakest link.
They r more balanced atm, and i see them doing well.
Hamburg r weird.Mybe they r a one hit wonder.Mybe everyone just caught Doll's tactics and he doesnt have anything more to give, or mybe the fact that u sell two of ur best defenders does harm you more than helps(Even though two new promising defenders were brought in)
Schalke r still vague,i wrote them off in the begining of the season and i still dont see them doing well.
Dortmund r average atm.But they have a good squad composed of some of the best young talent in the country. I see them in Europe this season(Uefa cup) and continuing to do well next season.
Abt the Bundesliga overall, i think its still in the top 5 leagues. Mybe German teams r not doing well in Europe, mybe that wont change.
But i think that in regards to quality the Bundesliga is still one of the best and is improving.
Mybe am mistaken but i think the Bundesliga attracts the most crowds in all of Europe.
So imo, flopping in Europe just shows the Bad management in that club.There is something wrong since Hitzfield left in the Europe front.They r not even feared anymore.
The Hertha Berlin game will be a big test to them.And they need a win.
Werder Bremen will do well in those coming weeks imo.They have Merterascker back in that defense and that was the weakest link.
They r more balanced atm, and i see them doing well.
Hamburg r weird.Mybe they r a one hit wonder.Mybe everyone just caught Doll's tactics and he doesnt have anything more to give, or mybe the fact that u sell two of ur best defenders does harm you more than helps(Even though two new promising defenders were brought in)
Schalke r still vague,i wrote them off in the begining of the season and i still dont see them doing well.
Dortmund r average atm.But they have a good squad composed of some of the best young talent in the country. I see them in Europe this season(Uefa cup) and continuing to do well next season.
Abt the Bundesliga overall, i think its still in the top 5 leagues. Mybe German teams r not doing well in Europe, mybe that wont change.
But i think that in regards to quality the Bundesliga is still one of the best and is improving.
Mybe am mistaken but i think the Bundesliga attracts the most crowds in all of Europe.