The Bayern Rundown; sixth edition
By: Angela | November 3rd, 2008I haven’t blogged since Wolfsburg and I apologize for that. I will tell you all up front I am having some medical issues and treatment for such issues that pretty much drain me for a couple days and it just so happens that my treatments fall on Tuesday and Friday so they’re generally the day before a match. Go figure! Enough about me. Let’s get to the reason I am here.
With some back to back wins, Bayern have moved up the table to reach third in the table. This puts them just behind Leverkusen and top of the table Hoffenheim.
Bayern face off with AC Fiorentina in the Champions League on Wednesday, but have to do so without the likes of Luca Toni. Unfortunately Luca’s recovery isn’t going as planned so he will miss the away trip to Fiorentina. Klinsmann says that “Luca is continuing to receive intensive treatment from the medical unit. We hope to see him back in the team as soon as possible.”
Things are looking up for the lovely Miroslav Klose. On Saturday, The first day of the eleventh month, Klose and company took on Armenia Bielfeld and he scored his 111th goal. Scoring his 111th goal means that the student has become the teacher. Klose is now ranked above current Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann. One could argue that Klinsmann managed his 110 goals in 221 games while Klose scored his 111th goal in 246 games. The fact remains, a record is a record and Klose now sits 33rd while Klinsmann sits 34th.
Lukas Podolski is once again evaluating his future. He will look, once more, at leaving Bayern in the winter break. Currently, I feel very sorry for him. He has the ability to be a world class footballer, but the stars are never aligned for him. With Luca Toni injured, many of us thought that Poldi would’ve been the first choice striker, but he was once again benched this past weekend. Despite his discontent, Klinsmann praised his player for taking it in stride and stepping up when he came on at the half during the last match; “He reacted in a very professional manner. He showed the kind of reaction a coach wants to see.” Podolski scored a penalty kick for Bayern.
Of his future in Bayern, Poldi said “It is quite normal and justified for me to consider my future in the winter break. I’ll have to consider everything in the coming weeks and months.” Who can blame him? The bigger story isn’t being told, but one can’t argue with the reasons for which Poldi really wants to leave. He is trying his hardest to get his message heard, unfortunately no one is listening. Poor love.
Lastly, on the rumor mill is that Bayern are looking to acquire another defender in the form of AC Milan’s Daniele Bonera. One thing that concerns me about this rumor is that Bayern are in need of a defender at the moment, but it’s a waste to leave the big beautiful Belgian van Buyten on the bench all the time while Lucio and Demichelis continually screw up. I have been very disappointed in Demichelis as of late and that’s unusual. Lucio however continues to screw up and I don’t see anyone trying to take him out of the game which is incredibly disappointing. Why aren’t they using Breno? Why isn’t van Buyten being played? I would like to give Klinsmann a stern talking to on a few points lately. 
In a perfect world, Klinsmann would start my favorites (van Bommel, van Buyten & Oddo) all the time and Lucio would be forever benched. But alas, we don’t live in a world where I get to make the starting line up!
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Sorry to hear about the health issues Angela. Believe me, i know how that is and i know how bad treatments can be. All I can do is wish you well.
Now… Lucio had his best game of the season this weekend, he actually looked like himself again for a change. Demichelis has just had the misfortune of being at the wrong place at the wrong time recently. The own goal 2 games ago was just bad luck, though this game he did deserve the foul that gave up the PK.
That was Bayern’s best effort this year by far this weekend. If not for a huge effort by Bilefeld’s goalie it could have been 6 or 7 to 1. The penalty kick was the only chance they gave up if my memory serves me correctly. The offense was great though i’d like to see more in the net. They moved the ball well, and seem to be ready to go on a roll and play up to their talent level finally.
Defensively… I loved the line up on defense they used vs Frankfurt. Ze Roberto is a much better defender than Lell, and gives them all the offense from the back that Lamm does. I really hope Klinsmann will do this more often. Or maybe even give your boy Van Buyten some time there, to make you happy, and anything that puts Lell back on the bench is a good move.
Poldi… What can I say? he is playing way too tight. Someone needs to take him aside and loosen him up a bit. Thankfully Miro came out of that prolonged slump, and the other thing is it does look like they are working together instead of competing with each other is a positive sign. Poldi did get the goal on th PK, and also set up Ribery, so even though he only played a half, it was his best half since early in the season. Miro broke out of his long slump with a PK, maybe this will help Poldi out a lot.
All the rumors in the world won’t help Poldi right now though, as i believe he still has several years on his contract and it really is up to Bayern to decide whether they need him more, or they need the large transfer fee they can most likely get for him. I prefer having 3 good forwards in case one gets hurt.
Kind of comes in handy right now.Rensing still scares me… The last 10 mins of the Frankfurt game he was really scary…
Anyway, I know about bad days for treatments… Monday is mine.
Hopefully I’ve said something constructive and not just rambled like I am apt to do. And lets hope that Bielefeld game was a sign of coming attractions.
Posted from
United States
-
Roger: Thanks for the well wishes. I’m trying to hang in there! It’s just very draining, but I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that.
Lucio will have to do much more than have one good game for me to have anything positive to say about him. He has spent far too much time screwing up.
I would love to see van Buyten get more playing time. He works hard and while he may not be as quick as some of the other defenders, he generally gets the job done. However, I agree 100% when it comes to Lell. I’d rather see him gone from Bayern completely, but if they won’t get rid of him then he definitely should be on the bench. I really, really don’t like him.
Poldi: I would also rather have three in case someone gets hurt, like now for example, but I have never been down with any team forcing any player to stay at their club. It doesn’t make them productive and it will never make them give you their best effort. Poldi has very valid reasons, aside from what’s being said in the press about his not playing, for wanting to leave and I just feel really bad for him that no one is listening to him. He may not be my favorite person in the world, but he is getting royally screwed here and I don’t think it’s right. I hope they let him go.
Rensing has his shining moments, but there are a lot of moments where he looks really, really shakey in net and he appears to not have any confidence at all. This concerns me a lot.
I hope you’re feeling okay now too Roger!
Posted from
United States -
hey guys i don’t realy know why are u blaiming lell so much and acuse him for not being such a good player ? let’s not forget now that he did some great matches for bayern and i am sure that i remember some great gools also, about Van Buyten i also agree that Klinsman does’t knows what kind of briliant player he keeps on the bench and i am sure that he is from far a better defender then the others as for podolsky he also has his moments but i think we have enoug good strykers for the moment and i agree that he could be left by the club to find his own way in footbal …
Posted from
United States -
Hello Angela! It’s being a while since we saw you around. Get well soon.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had spoken ahead of the Champions League tie away in Fiorentina in regards to the Podolski issue – http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081104/sp_soccer_afp/fblc1eurgeritapodolski_081104161632;_ylt=ArHwWR33p9p86q7AXgkIVvnHOrgF
Maybe it’s just me but, I have to agree what was being said in the last paragraph of the report (it’s from Rummenigge) – “He is playing regularly, half a game is better than nothing!”
Posted from
Singapore -
Hi Diana! Long time since I’ve seen you. And thank you for the well wishes.
As far as Podolski goes… the issue I have with them and that HE has with them has absolutely nothing to do with his playing time. That is the only story that the press is reporting and the issue is a much deeper, much bigger, much more personal one that everyone is missing. This is why I am on Poldi’s side on this one.
Posted from
United States -
Bogdan – I don’t like Lell because, regardless of his playing ability, he is dirty player. He is a ticking time bomb (on and off the pitch) that Bayern can not afford to have go off. I do not like him. That’s the bottom line.
I don’t think that Klinsmann knows what talent he has in van Buyten and it’s a shame that he is being wasted warming the bench when he could contribute substantially to the defensive line. This makes me very sad.
Posted from
United States -
Angela, When you mentioned Poldi’s problems being far deeper than just playing time, the first thing that came to mind was Sebastian Deisler. I wonder if there are any parallels.
Also, get well soon.
Posted from
United States -
A Kap: It’s a very personal thing for Podolski, but no one is listening to him. It’s apparent, to me at least, that upper management doesn’t really care about the players as much as they care about keeping them from playing on a rival team. It makes me very sad for him. I think he’ll be okay – if he can get out of Bayern and right now, that’s not an option as they have pretty much said, today, that he will remain through 2010.
Thank you for the well wishes.
Posted from
United States -
Angela, I think I disagree with the upper management not caring. Maybe, as you say, they don’t understand him or his situation, but after all that they went through with Deisler and his mental state, that is hard to believe.
However the reason I disagree with you is because Lizarazu and Ze Roberto came back for a reason – more so than not being happy at the clubs they were at. Maybe they were part of the Old Boys Club (which Magath claimed he never got into partly leading to him never having the full backing of the management), but I think Hoeness likes to run a rather tight ship.
It might be that like an overinvested parent, maybe he is blind to Poldi’s troubles. Just my two cents.
Posted from
United States -
A Kap: You could be right. Maybe not caring was not the right phrase to use. I’m just seeing that they’re more interested in the almighty dollar than what is best for their player. I don’t think they see anything but what a marketing tool Podolski is even if he isn’t playing so I think they’re overlooking what he’s really saying and only hearing the part about him not getting playing time.
And the fact that Uli Hoeness has said that he is only good and only scores for Germany is because they don’t play good teams is a real slap in the face to both Podolski’s playing ability and also every team that Germany has faced.
Posted from
United States -
Angela – very wise of you to know about that and you’re absolutely right. He’s very talented, knows where he wants to be and is the type of person to keep much of it out of the press. They’ll keep him there as long as possible just to avoid having them against them.
Posted from
Bulgaria -
I agree with you Angela on the issues about our backline and Poldi up front. That Bielefeld game had a backline of Lell, Lucio, Demichelis and Ze Roberto. Of these four, only one is playing at his top level and is not even a genuine defender: Ze. Micho is having a tough time but you see that he is trying to regain his 07-08 form. A bit too unlucky this year. Van Buyten, I agree should be used more often. He is an aerial threat, he cleans up and although he is not as pacey as other defenders, he usually gets the job done from what I’ve seen this season. Lell should be outright benched in favor of Oddo who brings more experience and width.
Podolski. He needs to play against Fiorentina right from the start for us to see if whether his 45 minute scene stealer role against Bielefeld can be sustained against tougher opposition. I want to see involvement, passing and if he gets his chances, a goal. I think this is the time for him and Klose to rediscover their national team form. Look, Toni’s not here, they have to deal with it and show to Bayern fans, Klinsmann and Hoeness what they’re made of.
Posted from
Australia -
Tucker: Thank you. There is a lot more going on with Podolski and it aggravates me that people keep talking about how much he ‘whines’ about not playing when the not playing has always been his secondary complaint. It’s a shame that they’re putting him through this mess. They won’t let him go, but they won’t play him either. And their motives are completely selfish. It makes me very sad for him.
Posted from
United States -
Victor: Agreed – Lell should definitely be benched. Ze is amazing. It is incredible the level at which he plays and seems to improve every match. I hope that van Buyten will get some playing time soon. He deserves that. I don’t see Lucio having to fight for a spot and in my opinion, he’s done far worse this season and doesn’t deserve to be started every game until he gets his act together and even then he shouldn’t be guaranteed a spot.
Posted from
United States -
Can’t disagree with you about Hoeness’ diss of Poldi and Germany’s opposition. I missed the Bielefeld game this weekend so I’ve only read reports on Poldi’s excellent performance.
Hopefully he gets a chance and turns it on today as well, although I will only get a chance to watch from the 2nd half on if work permits.
Posted from
United States -
A Kap: I won’t be able to watch todays game due to work, but I’m going to keep a close eye on livescore and hope that I’ll be able to catch some highlights somewhere.
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
