Comments on: Preview: FC Bayern vs VfL Wolfsburg

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:51:45 +0000

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.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:35:36 +0000

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.

By: zermatt

zermatt — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:08:01 +0000

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!

By: Luke

Luke — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:39:24 +0000

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.

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:31:58 +0000

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.

By: A Kap

A Kap — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:40:14 +0000

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!!

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:05:18 +0000

As I said over on the Wolfsburg offside, Luke, you are still my hero.

By: Luke

Luke — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:24:51 +0000

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.