Comments on: Bayern 0 – 0 Cologne

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:01:23 +0000

Luke: That could be. It starting pouring pretty hard. I’ll cut them a little slack in this case Curious how the game Thursday will turn out.

By: Luke

Luke — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:09:15 +0000

Angela: Maybe I should check that last 25 out and it would change my opinion! I can imagine the weather was a significant factor as the pitch got more soaked–and who wants to risk an injury going for a goal on a sloppy pitch in a meaningless preseason match? I’m fine with the progress they’ve made so far.

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:49:07 +0000

Luke: It was an improvement in the first half. The latter part of the second half was completely dreadful. The slowness is definitely an issue. The pace is not on par and I’m hoping that will pick up once the season starts. Thanks for your insights! I always like reading what you have to say

By: Luke

Luke — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:46:15 +0000

Ok Angela, I only got to see up to about the 65′ mark, but I was generally satisfied. I saw a lot more attacking pace, good ball movement and reasonable accuracy. Klose was close to match fit, but there wasn’t much skilled finishing from anyone else. I still think our entire back line looks slow (in fact I think they *are* slow) and that’s my biggest concern for this season. Lucio looks like he’s in better shape–maybe he realizes he will get to do his famous Lucio forward adventures again under JK. One of the few announcer insights was the idea of having Altintop at right back. When the entire midfield is healthy, I can see that working actually–he only played there a couple times last season. Overall, an improvement over the Supercup I would say.

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:46:14 +0000

Harry: I’ve coached youth teams previously, but obviously that is a little different.

On Mark and his texts/phone calls: There have been things in interviews. Uli Hoeness talked about him stepping up and making an impromptu speech at the Club Christmas Party because Oliver Kahn unexpectedly left early and therefore was not there to make the speech. In an interview earlier in the season, a few of his teammates talked about receiving motivational text messages from him while he was serving a suspension during the Euro Matches. During this years Euro 2008, he was interviewed and asked what he thought about the games thus far and he said that he was keeping close touch with his Bayern (and Barca) teammates via phone calls and texts and that he hoped it would be a Spain/Germany final. I guess he got what he wanted hm?
Also another factor that goes to Mark being Captain, in my opinion, is the fact that he’s the guy that takes the new guys in. When Miroslav Klose first transfered over to Bayern, a few short months after his stay in Munich, he was interviewed and said that Mark was the first person to welcome him and make him feel a part of the team. He helped him settle quickly and made him feel welcome at Bayern. What a good thing to do for the new guys. I just think he’s the right guy for the job.

By: Harry

Harry — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:35:52 +0000

Angela: Hmmm, I guess you’re absolutely right. The Captain shall be that kind of person. Actually I haven’t played in a team yet, so I don’t know exactly what a Captain should or shouldn’t do, so for me it’s almost the same. Because I’m not really familiar with this, but you really convinced me
But when and where can you see Mark sending text messages to the team mates? I thought we fans are not able to see inside the privat life of the team.

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:36:30 +0000

Harry: My point is, we need a Captain for a few years. Not a year or two before they move to another club. Kahn held the captaincy for quite a long time and I don’t see the point in giving someone the Captaincy if their not going to be around for years to come. Schweini and Lahm both have a desire to play abroad and I don’t fault them for that at all. Experience and playing time is everything in the game, but my point was, someone who is going to be there for years should be the one appointed Captain. And leadership is a big part of that. I don’t see anyone else making speeches, sending text messages even in the off season to wish them luck, give them advice, etc.

Sagnol might have been in the running at one point, but since we’ve acquired certain players I suspect he’ll see a lot more bench time than he did last year. His spot is completely up for grabs and he will have to work much harder to start regularly.

By: Harry

Harry — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:39:23 +0000

Angela: Klinsmann said something like that against Dortmund he could see how Tim Borowski can play in the team and much other little things, so I think you’re right, and that’s why Klinsi is satisfied.
Schweinsteiger said that for him Bayern is the first and his home and if his contract expires he will try do reach an agreement with Bayern first. So I don’t know why you say he is illoyal… Anyway, both Lahm and Schweini are quite young (about 24 years old) and they will play at least 10 years more, so it’s quite a long time and other teams and countries seems like an adventure, in my opinion. van Buyten or van Bommel are experienced players, they are “wiser” and now can think of the end of their carreer. I don’t mean they are old, just I wanted to point on the difference.
When Kahn retired I thought Sagnol would be the captain because last year on some occasions he was the captain when Kahn didn’t play or was substituted.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:57:53 +0000

Harry: I am hoping that Klinsmann is using the pre-season matches as a means to try a few different formations and get things lined out before the season starts. I think that Lahm is too young to be Captain and also doesn’t possess much leadership at this point. I think he could be groomed to be a good Captain. The other thing that I don’t like about both Lahm and Schweinsteiger is that they’ve both expressed an interest to play elsewhere. People like Mark and van Buyten (not that he’s in the running but I’m just making a point) have expressed a desire to finish their career at Bayern. I would like to see someone with ability and staying power become the next Captain.

Luke: I told you I could do it when Lucio deserved it And the line on Podolski made me laugh. I’m curious to see what you think about the match.

By: Luke

Luke — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:23:00 +0000

Hey Angela:

I went on vacation for the weekend, but I recorded the match, so I’ll take a crack at it Monday night probably. Even a goal-less draw in preaseason becomes exciting when you show a bit of Lucio-love! Obviously Podolski was out drinking some Gaffels and harrassing Köbes with his old school buddies last night which would explain your report of his bad performance!