A couple of points:
It is great to see Hamit back on the pitch again. I have missed him.
Podolski looked okay. He set up the goal by Ekici and while I’ve never heard of him, an impressive start since he only stepped on the pitch and basically immediately scored. He got a pat on the back from one of the Dortmund players which is nice. Your first goal only comes once.
Did I mention that Mark as Captain again makes me very happy?
Lell almost matches the color of the white trikot.
The announcers said that Klopp doesn’t allow his players to play video games during the pre-season and that Klinsmann has made Bayern all feng shui.
Lucio… I’m not even going to say anything.
Demichelis is class.
Klopp and his team get the trophy.

So… do any of you lovely readers know what ‘Bayern’s secret plans for Kahn’ are? I know he was at the presentation of the new jersey’s, but I’m curious what the ’secret plans’ are.
Sebastian Kehl looked very proud. Good for him.
And in closing… Did I mention I love Mark as Captain? Come on, you didn’t expect anything less of me did you?

I like the blue. I don’t like the CL one so much with the pink and black logo. Thoughts?

Why is the home jersey the only one with the weird star arrangement when these have the nice line layout?

Bastian Schweinsteiger has outlined his intention to stay at Bayern Munich and sign a new contract. The Germany international rediscovered his best form at Euro 2008 and has been linked with a move to the Premier League.

“I’ll be talking to Bayern before I talk to anyone else because Bayern Munich is my home.”

And for your enjoyment, an interview from the FCB Website with Daniel van Buyten in which he talks about being happy in Bayern, friendship with Franck Ribery and possibly finishing his career with the club.

‘Feel like I’m still 25′
Van Buyten: Playing for Bayern is an honour
16.07.2008

Daniel van Buyten was captain of Hamburg when he came south to join Bayern two years ago, but the defender struggled to justify his position high up the dressing room hierarchy last season with just 19 Bundesliga appearances. However, despite a concerted campaign by his former fans in Marseille, thoughts of moving on have never crossed his mind, he revealed to fcbayern.de. The Belgian international is keen as never before to establish himself at Bayern, and even feels he could see out his career in Munich.

Interview: Daniel van Buyten
fcbayern.de: Daniel, are you happy with all the changes at Bayern?
Daniel van Buyten: “Yes, totally. The performance centre is really good. Everything complements everything else, and we’re all delighted with what’s been done.“

fcbayern.de: It’s all come together so well that Jürgen Klinsmann has decided not to run a training camp.
Van Buyten: “We have everything we need here for a full and productive day, without it ever becoming boring. Time passes quickly and we have loads of fun, which matters a lot. We have outstanding grass pitches, a weights room, great leisure facilities, and we eat well. You don’t often get all that at a training camp. And sleeping in your own bed of a night is obviously nice.“

fcbayern.de: What are the main differences under Jürgen Klinsmann and his brand new coaching line-up?
Van Buyten: “We have more coaches out on the practice ground with us. Training is much more personalised, according to Klinsmann’s philosophy of helping every player improve every day. We did benchmarking tests to uncover areas of weakness right at the start, and that’s where we’re trying to improve. Each player has his own exercise schedule and doesn’t necessarily do things he’s already good at. After two weeks, I definitely sense positive improvements.“

fcbayern.de: This is your third season at Bayern. Are you happy with how things have gone so far?
Van Buyten: “I’m personally very happy and satisfied. I always wanted to play for a really big club, and I consider it an honour to play for Bayern. I’m very proud of that fact, and last season hasn’t changed it. I played 19 times in the league. One or two more matches might have been nice, but it’s OK. I never considered moving on, and I continue to feel great emotional commitment to a club I used to follow with huge interest as a boy.“

fcbayern.de: There must have been times last season when you felt justifiably dissatisfied…
Van Buyten: “There are always times when things go well, and times when they don’t, but that’s exactly when you have to stand up and be counted. You have to continue your work as a professional, and show what you can do in every training session. That’s exactly my attitude. It would have been the easiest solution to fix up a move, but that’s not the way I am. If I’d wanted a move, I wouldn’t be here any more.“

fcbayern.de: Is it true that Olympique Marseille fans organised a campaign to persuade you into a return to the Stade Velodrome?
Van Buyten: “You always get enquiries from interested clubs, but I’ve told my agent I don’t want to move. With regards to Marseille, I really did get a great deal of mail from Olympique fans trying to talk me into a return. Some of them actually said: ‘Bring Franck with you and we’ll win the Champions League.‘ But I want to stay at Bayern and finally make the breakthrough.“

fcbayern.de: What are your expectations of the new campaign?
Van Buyten: “The competition is always intense at Bayern, but we have a new coach, so we’re all starting again from scratch. But I’m not setting myself a target in terms of number of appearances. That’s a decision for the coach, but I’ll make it as difficult as possible for him to overlook me.“

fcbayern.de: As a striker if necessary, or so we read in the papers – or was that just a joke?
Van Buyten: “I played up front until I was 20 and enjoyed it. I could always help out if the coach needed someone to hold the ball up and who’s strong in the air. I’ll always do my best for the team.”

fcbayern.de: Are you looking forward to playing in the Champions League again?
Van Buyten: “Watching the Champions League on TV last term hurt a lot. We’re back now and raring to go. We’re determined to get as far as we possibly can, and why shouldn’t we make the final in Rome? Bayern aim to do as well as possible in every competition the club enters. We have a great squad, so why shouldn’t we make the final and win the trophy? We’re certainly very hungry.“

fcbayern.de: Your homepage features three contrasting images of you: one indicating power with your arms crossed, one in a Bayern shirt with your back turned, and one as the Incredible Hulk. Why these three images?
Van Buyten: “I chose them myself because they reflect my personality so well. I can be very relaxed, but also evil and angry – it depends what I’m doing at any given moment. On the field of play I’m aggressive towards the opposition, but I’m a nice guy in private, maybe too nice sometimes. I’m certainly a big lad with a heart. You might need a couple more pictures to tell the full story.“

fcbayern.de: You’re great friends with Franck [Ribery]. How’s his recovery from injury?
Van Buyten: “He’s in good shape and enjoying the last few days of his family holiday. He wanted to hear about all the changes and he’s really looking forward to seeing it for himself. He’ll be back soon, playing his practical jokes as usual. Naturally, he’s looking forward to having the plaster taken off and resuming training.“

fcbayern.de: You’re 30 now, an age when many players start thinking about the future – you too?
Van Buyten: “No. I really don’t feel that old, more like 24 or 25. I want to keep playing for as long as I’m enjoying my football. I still have two more years on my contract with Bayern, but I could well imagine finishing my career here. What I’ll do after that, I simply don’t know.“

He looks fabulous! And tan. Vacation did him good! Yes, I’m still a van Bommel girl

02. Mario Gomez will not be joining Bayern. In an effort to keep Podolski and give him a chance to shine under Klinsi, Gomez will not be coming to Bavaria anytime soon.

“Lukas has two years to go on his contract with us so there are no questions to be answered,” Klinsmann told the club’s official website. “I’ll go to great lengths to make sure Lukas feels happy at Bayern.

03. Klinsmann is looking for his Captain. Those in the running include Mark van Bommel and Philipp Lahm. We all know where I stand on this one so I won’t get into it again.

04. Luca Toni has received some criticism for the way he played in the Euros. He has since said that he didn’t play badly, maybe just had a spot of bad luck here and there. He had a goal that was disallowed that was, in actuality, a valid goal and he also scored the penalty that provided Italy the win over France. What else did Toni have to say? He would’ve liked to seen a Germany/Italy final, but at the end of the day, Spain deserved the trophy. Aw, how sweet of him. And how sadened was he by Italy’s defeat in the Euro’s? Well, sad enough that he considered retiring from International Football, but has since reconsidered.

‘After the exit I considered whether I ought to retire. But it is my country, it is my team. I cannot and do not want to give that up. If (new Italy coach Marcello) Lippi wants me, I am available for the defence of the title in 2010.’

05. And last but definitely not least, Daniel van Buyten is very happy in Munich and even happier with the new training facilities that have become a part of the squads everyday life since Klinsmann came aboard. The renovations took place and Daniel will be staying. Two things that make him very happy.

“I wanted to know if the club still had need of my services, and I received a very positive answer. That did me a lot of good, because I feel very happy here,” he revealed, “I get up every morning looking forward to training. More than ever before, thanks to the new performance centre.”

“I of course know about enquiries from abroad, which are very attractive from a sporting point of view. But Cologne would be for me a matter of the heart,” the forward told Sportbild.

“I feel good there and have family there. The birth of my son also comes into the equation. I believe Bayern understand that.”

Then Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said they would search for a replacement for Poldi and that they would try to accomodate his leaving. Right… err wait, that is a big no go. I imagine our young Prince was pretty shocked when Rummenigge threw water on the fires of any transfer for young Poldi during a press conference today.

“He is not for sale at all. Podolski is not leaving. And I use this press conference to transmit that to my Köln colleague. This position is definitive,” Rummenigge declared.

Looks like Podolski will fulfill his contract with Bayern which lasts through 2010. I wonder how happy that makes him.

The season ends with May 23rd with a match against the 2007 champions, VfB Stuttgart.

Bundesliga Season:
15.08.2008 BL Bayern Munich v Hamburg SV
22.-24.08.2008 BL Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich
29.-31.08.2008 BL Bayern Munich v Hertha BSC Berlin
12.-14.09.2008 BL 1. FC Köln v Bayern Munich
19.-21.09.2008 BL Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen
26.-28.09.2008 BL Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich
03.-05.10.2008 BL Bayern Munich v VfL Bochum
17.-19.10.2008 BL Karlsuher SC v Bayern Munich
24.-26.10.2008 BL Bayern Munich v VfL Wolfsburg
28./29.10.2008 BL Eintracht Frankfurt v Bayern Munich
31.10.-2.11.08 BL Bayern Munich v Arminia Bielefeld
07.-09.11.2008 BL FC Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich
14.-16.11.2008 BL Borussia Mönchengladbach v Bayern Munich
21.-23.11.2008 BL Bayern Munich v FC Energie Cottbus
28.-30.11.2008 BL Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Bayern Munich
05.-07.12.2008 BL Bayern Munich v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
12.-14.12.2008 BL VfB Stuttgart v Bayern Munich
30.01.-01.02.09 BL Hamburg SV v Bayern Munich
06.-08.02.2009 BL Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
13.02.-15.02.2009 BL Hertha BSC Berlin v Bayern Munich
20.-22.02.2009 BL Bayern Munich v 1. FC Köln
27.02.-01.03.2009 BL Werder Bremen v Bayern Munich
06.-08.03.2009 BL Bayern Munich v Hannover 96
13.-15.03.2009 BL VfL Bochum v Bayern Munich
20.-22.03.2009 BL Bayern Munich v Karlsruher SC
03.-05.04.2009 BL VfL Wolfsburg v Bayern Munich
10.-12.04.2009 BL Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt
17.-19.04.2009 BL Arminia Bielefeld v Bayern Munich
24.-26.04.2009 BL Bayern Munich v Schalke 04
01.-03.05.2009 BL Bayern Munich v Borussia Mönchengladbach
08.-10.05.2009 BL FC Energie Cottbus v Bayern Munich
12./13.05.2009 BL Bayern Munich v Bayer 04 Leverkusen
16.05.2009 BL TSG 1899 Hoffenheim v Bayern Munich
23.05.2009 BL Bayern Munich v VfB Stuttgart

Champions League
16./17.09.2008 UEFA Group stage, Matchday 1
30.09/01.10.08 UEFA Group stage, Matchday 2
21./22.10.2008 UEFA Group stage, Matchday 3
04./05.11.2008 UEFA Group stage, Matchday 4
25./26.11.2008 UEFA Group stage, Matchday 5
09./10.12.2008 UEFA Group stage, Matchday 6
24./25.02.2009 UEFA First knockout round, 1st leg
10./11.03.2009 UEFA First knockout round, 2nd leg
07./08.04.2009 UEFA Quarter-finals, 1st leg
14./15.04.2009 UEFA Quarter-finals, 2nd leg
28./29.04.2009 UEFA Semi-finals, 1st leg
05./06.05.2009 UEFA Semi-finals, 2nd leg
27.05.2009 UEFA Final (in Rome)

DFB Cup
07.-10.08.2008 DFB 1st round
23./24.09.2008 DFB 2nd round
27./28.01.2009 DFB Round of 16
03./04.03.2009 DFB Quarter-finals
21./22.04.2009 DFB Semi-finals
30.05.2009 DFB Final

Also, with the reveal of the away jersey comes the reveal of the new Euopean jersey for next season, pictured left. On the jersey’s, you will notice the stars. Bayern have three which is granted to teams with ten or more league titles. One star signifies three or more titles and two stars signifies five or more titles.

Again today, Germany took on Croatia and while they took a loss, their lone goal came once more from Podolski. That got me thinking, what is it about the National side that brings out the absolute best in Podolski? Why is it that when he plays for the NT, he is golden, but when playing for Bayern, it’s not that he looks completely sloppy, but he doesn’t always look like he has given his best effort.

Is it comfort? Confidence? Whatever it is, Podolski put on that National jersey and he is solid. He plays with heart, passion and pride. It’s good to see a glimpse of the Lukas Podolski that enjoys his game. A Podolski that smiles and has, once again, found that lethal left foot shot. It leads one to wonder if now is the time for him to move on from Bayern and find a club that he can play for with this much passion.

And just in case you missed it, after he scored twice against Poland, a Polish Politician (Miroslav Orzechowski) wanted to revoke Poldi’s Polish passport. His response?

‘The funny thing is, I don’t even have a Polish passport,’ said Podolski in the Kolner Express newspaper.
‘The Polish Football Association never showed an interest in me.
‘Only when I played for the Under-21s and was in the public eye did they start to make moves.’
Podolski refused to celebrate his two goals against the country of his birth and was seen consoling Polish family members in the stands after Sunday’s game.
Despite Orzechowski’s comments, Podolski maintains he has and always will have a strong relationship with Poland, although he is fully committed to winning Euro 2008 with Germany, as he showed at the weekend.
‘I made a decision for Germany and it was the right one,’ he added. ‘Still, I have two hearts beating inside me.

And that my friends is a perfect example of Class vs No Class.

*Though Podolski says he won’t make any decisions until after the Euro’s but that doesn’t stop Colongne from being interested in getting their main man back, nor does it keep Manchester City from being interested.
*Chelsea were set to offer 31M for Franck Ribery, but both he and Bayern have pretty much slammed the door in their faces.
*Daniel van Buyten had some oral surgery and was unable to play the match of Belgium vs. Italy.. his only concern was the disappointment at not getting to face Toni. Awwww
*There are a thousand rumors floating around that Bayern have a signed preliminary contract for that of Stuttgart’s Mario Gomez. Gomez doesn’t have a lot to say about it, much like Podolski, he is only focused on the Euro’s and doesn’t care about the rest right now.
*Also in the mix is Arsenal’s Alexander Hleb. Rumor has it, we’re chasing him too.
*Jorg Butt has signed with Bayern. He will join them in the new season.
*Klinsmann has added to his own staff as well. Michael Henke, who was Hitzfeld’s right-hand man, will be Bayern’s chief analyst and Philipp Laux joins as a sports psychologist.
*Speaking of Klinsmann, Beckenbauer says they will be behind him and his changes at Bayern 100%

“We’ve certainly taken a risk with Juergen. You know he’s someone that wants to push through his ideas,” Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer was quoted as saying in Berlin’s Der Tagesspiegel newspaper on Saturday.

“So you have to ask yourself: Are you going along?” Beckenbauer said. “If you want to do that, then you have to put the things at his disposal and set it up the way he wants.”

And, on a completely different subject, congratulations to Lukas Podolski for not only making two incredibly beautiful goals in the Euro against Poland, but for also showing immense class, heart, respect and maturity for being a Polish/German who has a love for both of his countries and both of his heritages. Way to show what kind of person we all know he can be. Heart and talent. A deadly combination if he just continues to use it.