Preview: FC Bayern vs VfL Wolfsburg
By: Angela | October 24th, 2008Last weekend, Bayern escaped with a narrow win against Karlsruhe; 1-0. Mid week they walked into the Champions League challenge against Fiorentina with a little more confidence and that confidence helped them walk away with a 3-0 win. Saturday, they want to keep that momentum going forward when they take on their former coaches team, VfL Wolfsburg.
The team is feeling very motivated to carry the momentum forward. “We want to carry on where we’ve just left off. We know he’ll never come here and surrender the points without a fight. Felix Magath would be only to pleased to trip us up.” Bastian Schweinsteiger said.
The game is a crucial one for Bayern. Not only are they facing fifth spot Wolfsburg, but they’re also facing a team who has a coach that knows that team inside out. Schweinsteiger is more determined than ever to win. Who could blame him. If you remember back in the day when Schweinsteiger first started playing, his first Bundesliga goal came on September 13, 2003 and it came in Wolfsburg. And he remembers every detail.
“Left-footed, low into the bottom right corner to make it 1-1. Simon Jentzsch was the keeper.” It’s no suprise that Bayern are trying to keep him on after his contract expires and Schweinsteiger says his first loyalty is to the club and he’s sure they’ll work something out. He has made some changes in his personal life, including changing homes, a not so new anymore girlfriend and a new agent, all of which he thinks have helped him.
The key is that Schweinsteiger generally plays a really good game when it comes to Wolfsburg and he’s looking forward to this match as well. He’s getting more respect on the pitch and the locker room where teammates are starting to take him and his opinions more seriously. Much like Philipp Lahm.
For the clash against Wolfsburg, it will be imperative that all players are in top form since Bayern’s side will be missing Lahm who is out on an undetermined layoff. He injured his right ankle against Fiorentina and its uncertain how long he’ll be out, but they are talking about four weeks, possibly longer. Now, the news comes that Luca Toni won’t be able to play either. He’s looking to be out the next two to three games. Which means that Podolski will have the opportunity to make a go at getting into the line up. Against Fiorentina, Toni played until he couldn’t possibly play anymore. “I played until the pain became unbearable. It was the right call to make way for a player in better shape than myself.” Toni commented after being subbed by Podolski.
Podolski will now line up along side Miroslav Klose against Wolfsburg. And what does the Captain have to say about the results against Fiorentina and the upcoming match against Wolfsburg? “We were very lucky not to concede at least one goal against Fiorentina. There’s a lot we have to improve on.” Can’t say I disagree with Mark on that one.
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Comments
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I wrote a bit in the Wolfsburg Offside about the match yesterday, but I do think the key statistic to look at is ball possession. Wolfsburg has only managed to control the ball over 50% of the match once this season; Bayern’s possession stats are substantially better. However, Wolfsburg has generally managed a good number of shots without much possession. There are several ways to interpret that data based on tactics, but in my read, plain ol’ luck is a contributing factor. Therefore, I feel this match will really be won in the midfield, and barring any major blunders, it should be won comfortably by Bayern.
Posted from
United States
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As I said over on the Wolfsburg offside, Luke, you are still my hero.
Posted from
United States -
What I took from the match:
- Lucio was out of position too many times on the break. That giveaway that led to a toe save by Rensing was scary.
- Podolski was not happy at all to be substituted. He wasn’t too much of a factor and didn’t grab his opportunity by the scruff of the neck.
- Lell is a thug at best. Not even in the Roy Keane mould, but more like a hooligan winning a competition to play in club clours. I can’t wait for Lahm to be back.
- Klose still needs more confidence back. This is not related to his headed cross to Schweini, but to the poke whose block van Bommel converted. Klose should have finished it on the first touch…
- Deep down, Klinsi still believes in a 5 man midfield.
- Ribery is awesome!!Posted from
United States -
Lell should have been sent off with a second yellow or even a straight red card for a body check late in the match. A ticking time bomb, like Schweinsteiger a while back.
Posted from
United States -
There were a couple harsh chips on Ribery that went by without cards as well, so I think in the context of the match, the body check wasn’t ridiculous, but objectively, it’s a yellow. That and Bayern deserved much leniency in return for the call on the penalty.
Posted from
United States -
This match was a real morale booster for Bayern considering it came back from 2-0 down to win 4-2!
However, their are too many gapping holes in our back four! As ‘A Kap’ wrote Lucio continues to be the biggest culprit, yet nothing is done about his continued sloppiness in defence, why does he continue to get game time is beyond me? Please substitute him Herr Klinnsman!Posted from
Australia -
I am just now watching the game as I was out of town, but Jan, I agree with you. Lell should’ve been sent off. He is definitely a player that I don’t think Bayern need in their ranks. He is too unpredictable and if van Bommel is having anger management courses, Lell should DEFINITELY be seeing someone as well.
Posted from
United States -
You guys missed the fact that the ‘foul’ called on Demichelis that gave Wolfsburg their penalty kick for the first goal was a horrendous call. I have not seen many worse, but as far as it seemed like the ref had to run, he must have been terribly out of position.
I agree with A Kap on Lucio. He is not even close to the player he was last year. He has zero confidence and is getting burned repeatedly. He was such a great defender last year and this year he isn’t even a decent one. Would the real Lucio please return?
Also Massimo Oddo made so many good crosses while he was in the game. He impressed me quite a bit though with the early defensive difficulties Bayern has been experiencing I’d prefer there be less forays up field by them.
Anyway 3 wins in a row and 7 goals versus 2 pretty good teams in their last 2 games is a very encouraging sign. Ribery being back is getting things back in order because he is truly the straw that stirs the drink in Bayern.
As bad as this season has been so far, we’re not too far back in the Bundesliga, we’re on pace to advance from the group stage in the champions league, and over all the play is getting better.
One other note… Is Ze Roberto looking younger every year or what? He has probably been the best player on the pitch from start of the season until now if you include every game. He has really amazed me with his speed, stamina, feeds and when he has the chance, finishes.
Posted from
United States
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