Bayern’s new Away Jersey
By: Angela |
10 Comments
So the rumored new away kit is blue. Really? Well, Luca Toni likes it, but then why wouldn’t he… he looks good in blue. I’m not really sure if they’re going to follow through with this or not, but blue? Seriously? I like it okay, but blue? I don’t know about the blue. Wouldn’t that make our kits the same color as 1860 Munich? Just sayin’.
I don’t mind blue. Blue is actually my favorite color, but it’s not really the first color that comes to mind when I think Bayern Munich. Red, Maroon, white… but blue? I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens once the new year starts and the official announcements come. Also, I’ve seen the new BvB kits and I rather like the tops, but the socks? Ouch. 
Maybe that’s just me being picky though.
Tags: He’s a sly one… that Oliver Kahn.
By: Angela | 6 Comments
First he hates him. Criticizes him publicly and gets a suspension for it. Then he’s singing his praises. Now he’s calling for him to replace himself as Captain once he retires. Who in the world is Oliver Kahn talking about? You may have guessed it - Luca Toni. Evidently Kahn now thinks that Toni sets a good example, has a winning mentality and has earned the respect of the team. He believes that Toni should replace him as Bayern’s skipper. Now, I quite like Luca Toni. I think he’s worth every penny Bayern have paid for him. I do not, however, think he should be named as Bayern’s captain. I believe, traditionally, the Captaincy has gone to a veteran player and Toni has only been there a year. I also feel that the Captain should be able to communicate well with the team and Toni is still learning German. Obviously, everyone knows I think van Bommel should be named Captain next year, but there are several other candidates far more plausible than Toni.
I imagine that it will be Jurgen Klinsmann who names the next Captain, but it will be interesting to see where it shakes out. The obvious choice, if he doesn’t leave, is probably Lucio. A lot of people are commenting that the next Captain should be German and I just don’t see it that way. The next captain should be someone who carries the team and guides them and encourages them to be a better team. The next captain should be someone who is not afraid to tell them when they’ve screwed up, but can also find the ability to show some compasion when they’re hurt so they’re not being kicked when they’re down. He will be able to help the team grow and guide the younger players to being better players.
Of course, for me, that person is van Bommel, but I also know that whether he’s wearing the ‘C’ on his arm or not, he leads the team like a Captain should. I think Toni is fabulous. He brings a lot of skill to the game and he clearly helps motivate the striker’s that are paired with him to play better football, but I don’t think he’s earned any right to be the Captain in such a short time.
My choices would be van Bommel first…. perhaps Demichelis and that’s about it really. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
Argh!
By: Angela | 3 Comments
I had a whole post written out on the match today and something happened when I went to post and I lost over half my entry. I’ll try again tomorrow!
Category: Team NewsLell gets extension, Sagnol gets…?
By: Angela | 5 Comments
Christian Lell’s contract was set to run out with Bayern Munich in 2009. Lell, however, has signed a contract a two year extension with the Bavarian Giants, keeping him in Munich until 2011 currently. Out of fifty-four possible appearances, Lell has played in forty-four games. At just 23 years of age, Lell is regarded as the future of the German National Team. I imagine it won’t be long before Jogi Loew makes the call himself. Lell has really put forth a lot of effort this season. I am not really a fan of the person, but he has put forth a lot of effort for Bayern. While he’s made some mistakes for the team, he’s also made some better plays. If he can mature a little bit, he’d be an asset to Bayern’s team professionally. Personally is a whole different matter. And I don’t imagine that they are required to submit to a personality screening. I’m sure it’s all about what they can do on the pitch so I suppose we’ll leave the off the pitch issues… well off the pitch.
For Bayern, he’s been fairly consistent and the mistakes he’s made have, generally, been forgivable. At such a young age, he still has a lot to offer and can only progress as a player unless he has a major setback. I don’t look for too many changes to take place at Bayern, except in possibly letting a few people go. Lell’s extension is just another confirmation that the Bayern bosses, and the upcoming coach are pretty content with the way things shake out at Bayern currently. Klinsmann has pretty well made it a priority to stay in touch with players considering leaving Bayern and has either given his blessing, or like van Buyten, asked them to stay. It seems he’s pretty hands on in the future of Bayern, which is to be expected. The only question I have, is who will we bring on in the absence of Oliver Kahn?
Depending on which article you read, Willy Sagnol is either leaving or staying. According to Goal, Milan have agreed to a €5m fee for Sagnol. It is said that he will sign a three year contract with the team. However, in another Goal article, Willy says there is interest from Milan and also another European (not Italian) team, but that he has talked to Klinsmann and Klinsmann is counting on him. Then he says that his future will be known before the European Championship. He then says he’s honored that Milan have been interested in him for so long, but his priority remains to be Bayern.
What is it with these players and the constant back and forth? I think I should go, I think I should say. One minute their bags are packed and they’re halfway out the door, but should you blink or step away for a moment and they’re back to being completely dedicated to Bayern and Bayern only. There are only a few that have steadfast and have openly said that they wish to stay with Bayern wholeheartedly. The rest, I don’t think even they know what they want. I imagine that there comes some kind of fondness, pride and loyalty once you’ve played with a team like Bayern, but why go back and forth? Why not just tell us when you’ve made your final decision? Then again, NASCAR wouldn’t be any fun without a Silly Season so my guess is, this is football’s version of silly season.
Deustcher Meister
By: Angela | 5 Comments
And there isn’t much in the world that I enjoy more than these:
And now I will go recover from a serious throat infection and bronchitis.
Bayern Munich - VfL Wolfsburg
By: Angela | 8 Comments
I’m writing again as I watch so hopefully I’ll be able to do a good job. Today Bayern take on Wolfsburg. How bittersweet would it be to clinch the title with a win instead of a draw against their former coach on his own turf?? Bayern have quite a few changes today with Rensing in goal, van Buyten in place of Lucio, Podolski has taken Klose’s spot while he recovers from surgery, Sosa, Ottl and Sagnol also make the start today.
Wolfsburg is giving Bayern a good run here at the start. They’re keeping Bayern pretty tied up in the midfield. Luca and Poldi haven’t really seen a ball come through yet. Demichelis is superb in defense. Mark retaliated for a foul against him and Wolfsburg were given a free kick in which Rensing gave a beautiful save. Wolfsburg are putting a lot of pressure on Bayern, but pretty much the entire team is pulling together in defense. Schweinsteiger made a great clear that could’ve been very dangerous if Wolfsburg had gotten hold of the ball before him.
Willy took a free kick and set it up beautifully. It was a great cross from Willy to Luca Toni who headed it just wide and Marcell Jansen tried to put it home but he just hit the post. They’re working on it, but nothing is going through yet.
First yellow card was given to Wolfsburg’s Simunek at 26′ for bringing down Luca Toni for the third time. He had already fouled him twice and I think he decided the third time was enough. Wolfsburg really have some great passing. They’re playing very good football, but have yet to find the back of the net. Defending is being done beautifully by are back line, but Wolfsburg are trying very hard to break through.
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Bayern’s new theme song
By: Angela | 4 Comments
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An’ if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know!
Everyone is making this song very popular in my head right now. First it was Lukas. Then it was Lahm. Now it’s Lucio. He was pretty adamant about wanting to leave. About playing abroad. Anywhere really as long as next season he wasn’t with Bayern. Now, the tables have turned and he’s said there is nothing that could make him leave Bayern. That he will be there next year. Welcome to Bayern - The Schizophrenic Offside.
Klose undergoes surgery
By: Angela | 4 Comments
On Saturday, Miro will have surgery in Munich to fix the three fractures in his nose. The doctors have said that they will allow him to play again in tend ays. He will miss the matche against VfL Wolfsburg, Arminia Bielefeld and MSV Duisburg, but should be back in action for the season finale against Hertha Berlin on May 17th. Mark will undergo his surgery once the season has closed.
Bayern Munich 0 - 4 Zenit St. Petersburg; Second Leg
By: Angela | 7 Comments
Starting lines for both teams.
Bayern: Kahn (C), van Bommel, Jansen, Klose, Toni, Ribery, Roberto, Schweinstieger, Lahm, Demichelis, Lucio
Zenit: Malafeev, Shirokav, Krizanac, Tomishchuk (C), Gorshkov, Anyukov, Denisov, Fayzulin, Zyrianov, Dominguez, Pogrebnak
This is going to be a tough game for Bayern. Everyone is sure they will win, but Zenit aren’t going to give up easily. They are going to try harder than over to knock the favorites out and if Bayern don’t step up their game, they’re going to be able to do it.
The game has kicked off and one minute in Klose had a great chance but it was cleared away by Zenit’s defence. Zenit scored the first goal almost right away. Ribery created a gap in the wall and the ball sailed into the net. On playback, Kahn could’ve done a better job, but Pogrebnyak was able to get it to the back of the net for Zenit to score.
Zenit are keeping both Ribery and Toni tied up so we need to find a way for other players to capitalize on that and we’re just not doing it. Bayern are going through periods of aggressiveness followed by lulls of what appears to be sleepiness. I’m not sure what is going on with their game play today, but I’m pretty sure if they don’t step it up, Zenit will be the team to go through.
Wow… after little effort from Bayern to try and clear the ball after a long period of Zenit controlling he ball, Zyrianov makes a break and goes one on one against Kahn and scores on him. It’s half time now and Zenit are up 2-0. Bayern need two goals to go through on aggregate.
The second half kicks off with a couple changes for Bayern. Lell comes on for Jansen and Podolski for Roberto. A different role for Lukas, but he tends to like to dribble so maybe a good spot for him. Good effort by Poldi and Toni almost right away, but Malafeev was able to stop it. And there it is, another goal for Zenit with all of Bayern just kind of standing around. I don’t know where our defense went with this game. I am not a fan of Christian Lell.
First yellow card of the match was given to Luca Toni and rightfully so. The frustration is catching up with Bayern, but I can tell you this much, playing like we’ve played today, Bayern don’t deserve to advance. As heartbreaking as that is, but it’s the truth. Zenit just played a better game. Well now it’s sealed for sure.. Zenit just scored again with another goal from Pogrebnyak. They’ve pretty much seemed to have given up and are just there on the pitch. Maybe this will put the ego in check and make them start playing quality football again.
Lucio was fouled by Pogrebnyak and he was given a yellow, but I am not sure that it warranted a yellow card. I think that means he’ll miss out on the final for Zenit. One has to wonder if we’d had a healthy Kahn or Rensing in goal if things would’ve turned out differently. It’s all a guessing game, but what can you do? Bayern are going home and Zenit advance to the finals. Heartbreak aside, there’s always next year right? *wry smile*
Below is a break down of goals and yellow cards as they were awarded.
// (4′) Pogrebnyak, (39′) Zyrianov, (54′) Fayzulin, (73′) Pogrebnyak.
// (66′) Toni, (76′) Pogrebnyak, (81′) Lell
Martin Demichelis: An Interview
By: Angela | 6 Comments
A friend of mine was kind enough to provide me with an interview with Micho in the most recent Bayern Magazine. Enjoy!
We won’t let ourselves be slowed down
The big interview with defensive ace Martín Demichelis
The scale for praise is in his case open-ended: Martin Demichelis (27) has ripened into a truly world class defensive player in his fifth year with FC Bayern; Uli Hoeneß considers him “the best defenseman in the Bundesliga”. Bayern Magazine spoke with the Argentine after the Pokal victory – about this praise from his manager, the goals for the coming weeks, and the topic of the Olympics. And “Micho” gives away a hint as to why he’s already looking forward to this fall.
Martin, congratulations on the Pokal victory. Are you feeling relieved, after such a close match?
Martin Demichelis: I am overjoyed. This is my third Pokal victory, but it’s never been that close before. It seems at the moment that we just can’t lose – I hope that it stays that way until the end of the season, and that we can get the other two titles, too.
How important is this first title for the rest of the season?
Demichelis: The Pokal is an additional motivation. Even though we had to endure overtime; the game cost us a lot of strength. But when you are rewarded once it’s over, you don’t feel your tired muscles anymore. We have so much self-confidence: Nothing can stop us now!
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