FC Bayern vs Schalke 04: The Search For a Non-Stereotypical Storyline

By: Luke | November 5th, 2009

This is a terrific match for a lazy writer. So many storylines fall right into your lap. For this occasion, I could: a) Talk about how how Felix Magath’s dismissal from Bayern looks like a terrible mistake in retrospect and b) make a very negative indictment of Louis van Gaal by some statistical comparison. Or c) How and why (or why not) Neuer and Rafinha will be taking up residence in Munich sooner rather than later and lead into a broader critique of transfer policy or d) how last year’s match at home against Schalke ended the Klinsmann era, and how a loss Saturday could signal the end of the Van Gaal era. I could even just take path e) continuing to complain about Tuesday’s match without really elaborating much about this match. But in the end, we’re going to try to touch on a few different points than all those.

Somebody’s healing
Some good news was reported from the training ground, as Daniel van Buyten was declared fit. Even better news was that Ivica Olic ran around with the other injured players on Thursday. He’s probably still 2-3 weeks away from missing sitters.

Mobben?
Although there isn’t an exact statistical “aha!”, there is a very close correlation between the distribution of Thomas Müller’s assists and goals and Arjen Robben’s presence on the field. Through all the hype and all the focus on on our misfiring forwards, have we perhaps overlooked the possibility that this pair last seen as before and after pictures for hair restoration, may be able to rough up the competition without their 3rd camarade?
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Man in the Mirror:
Last season, the Altintop brothers did not face off against each other in the Bundesliga. Done groaning? Hamit missed the first match, and in last spring’s match in Munich, Halil was subbed off just before Hamit was subbed on. Or at least that’s what the official records show, seems a little convenient from the prankster-analysis point of view. As Hamit has played a grand total of 3 minutes in the Bundesliga since September, their interaction may again be limited to exchanging trikots which conveniently already have the correct name on the back.

What I’m looking forward to:
With Badstuber, Holtby (declared fit by Magath on Thursday), Höwedes and Müller likely to all be on the pitch together at some point Saturday, with the 23 year old graybeard Neuer in goal, there’s going to be a whole lot of the future of German football on display. Let’s hope they all give us an early career highlight reel.

Number play(the section where I do get lazy and steal from Jan):

0: Number of matches Schalke has lost away this season.

0-1: The scoreline in Felix Magath’s first home match as Bayern coach versus Schalke

1: The number of European matches won this season by FC Bayern and Hertha Berlin.

3: The number of goals Bayern has allowed at home this season, but alas, the number of goals that Schalke has allowed away this season.

22: Number of days Franz Beckenbauer has left as president of Bayern Munich. Unless he declares himself president for life. Wouldn’t put it past him.

99: The number of Bundesliga matches Manuel Neuer has played going into Saturday, as well as the number of Bundesliga goals Kevin Kuranyi has scored going into this weekend. Let’s try to keep it to one milestone, fellas.

And from the “not that scheisse again” department:
218: Minutes since Bayern scored a goal, in all competitions.

Sort of stat of the week:
When you take a strictly goal per match average, Schalke has the best away defense in the league, but guess who’s second? I was surprised to find it was Cologne. Tied for third were Bayern and Wolfsburg.

The Prediction
Headline writers will be itching for a scoreline they can work with. 2-0 to Bayern, a magical return to form! 1-0 to Schalke, Van Gaal raus! Unfortunately for all of them, my call is 1-1.