Bayern 4 - 2 Urawa
By: Angela | July 31st, 2008So today Bayern took on Urawa in another pre-season friendly and I have to say that I am finally happy with their performance. I’m going to get this out of the way again, Mark as Captain makes me happy. I’m curious, he’s been Captain for all of the pre-season games. The only time he hasn’t been Captain is when he’s been taken off the pitch. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come during the season. Well, I can hope right? Midfield was awesome. Ze Roberto is brilliant. He truly shines when given the opportunity. It’s pretty easy to see why he decided not to retire.
Klose finally got a goal. Good for him. Podolski was fantastic. I wonder if this was his Luca Toni who show because point well taken. He was awarded man of the match and rightfully so. Rensing was quite impressive in goal. This must’ve been his ‘I am ready to step up’ performance. The first goal that Urawa scored was basically van Buyten’s fault. He couldn’t keep up that time. Defending wasn’t great, but it was better. And, here we go two blogs in a row, but Lucio was great. I like that he isn’t afraid to take the ball forward and when he has great control, like today, he can be very dangerous to the other team. Now, I’m going to turn back into the Angela that you all know and love and stop praising Lucio now. 
I thought it was a mediocre performance by Lahm. I’m not sure why, but he seemed a little off today. Christian Lell did a good job. Sometimes he showed a mini Lahm performance. The announcers speculated that this starting line would be the starting line against Hamburg and if that’s the case we just might be in pretty good shape.
The Urawa fans… totally classy. They are the only fans that I’ve seen give a standing ovation for the opposing teams players leaving the pitch on substitution. They applauded the players and showed them a lot of love when they were coming off. The announcers mentioned that Bayern is popular in Japan so maybe that’s part of it.
Overall, I was pretty pleased with the performance today. Hopefully it will continue.
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I didn’t see the full match, but I really liked the bits I saw. Bayern took their breaks, but whenever they decided to attack they cut their way through the defense with some quick passing and moves, which produced instant wows from the crowd.
“Ze Roberto is brilliant. He truly shines when given the opportunity. It’s pretty easy to see why he decided not to retire.”
Agree. He is the perfect player for Klinsmann’s new Bayern.
I wouldn’t worry about the defense, as I think a lot was on purpose. For a friendly, meant to market Bayern, there’s not really a need to get a clean sheet. The defenders often let the Urawa players do their thing and only tried to close the space around them.
Anyway, Podolski’s third goal was brilliant and the bicycle kick by the Urawa player was great as well. Something like that every now and then in the league, and I’ll be happy.
“The announcers mentioned that Bayern is popular in Japan”
Although it’s not the same any more since Oliver Kahn retired. Kahn was/is a superstar in Japan since his World Cup 2002 performance.
Posted from
United States
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Thanks for the reviews, I had to miss the game.
Am SO pleased to hear that we looked good! Sounds like the fruits of Klinsi’s labour are finally starting to pay off. Am only sad that Demichelis didn’t play - hope he’s not going to have too hard of a time fighing his way back into the starting 11.
I have tickets for the test match against Inter Milan next Tuesday - and am very, very curious to see how we look against a real Champions League contender. I know this sounds silly, but I’m getting nervous already!
Posted from
Germany -
If Podolski’s finally fitting into Bayern, then him, Klose and Toni would be locked in a fight to get into the starting XI. (: Expecting more goals!
Posted from
Singapore -
I think Luca is wise, he wants to pay for his price that Bayern spent on him by fulfilling his role: score many goals. But I don’t think he would be very upset if he is needed to share his position with Podolski. Podolski is young, he needs more to show his skills. Anyway, last year Klose was on Podolskis position.
Posted from
Hungary -
Luke: I agree on all points, but then I usually do. I just don’t always agree when it comes to Lucio. The defense was the weakest part, but it might not matter because it was just an international friendly. Podolski was great. Hopefully he’ll keep it up. Rensing was great. Captain Mark continually giving direction on the pitch is brilliant.
Jan: I knew they were Kahn fans. I just thought it was really classy the way they applauded the opposing team. And that bicycle kick was brilliant wasn’t it?
Elizabeth: Demichelis picked up a late injury and that is why he didn’t travel with the team.
Lynn: If Podolski can continue to lay in the league like he did in this match, I suspect that he will give both Miro and Luca a fight for position. The good thing about Klinsmann being there is he has confidence in Podolski and it may bring out the confidence we seen him have in the WC.
Harry: Klinsmann tends to like the combination of Klose/Podolski, but that doesn’t mean that Luca will see bench time. When he’s healthy, he’s proved that he is a goal scoring machine. I think a little competition for all three of them will be beneficial.
Posted from
United States -
I watched the first hour of the game and my thoughts were that Bayern look very deadly going forward but the defending concerned me slightly (even though I knew Demechelis was not playing). Rensing was rather solid which has me optimistic and I can’t say enough about Ze Roberto…what a flick to Podolski for that 4th goal, that was magic!
They’ve got to be odds on favourites to win title #22.
Posted from
Canada -
Ze Roberto was fantastic the whole game wasn’t he Adrian? He was solid. I’m not too worried about the defense. The errors were a lot more minor than in the past. Rensing was incredibly solid which is a great way to start the season.
Posted from
United States -
I’m glad they did a good job. I’m more excited about Rensing than anybody else on the field, so you made me happy by saying he was impressive!
Is there anyway I can watch Bayern games online ( for free, or for a small fee)? I’m moving into dorms for fall, which means no chance of getting a full on cable system going!
p.s: I recently discovered this website, and really liked it. Thank you very much Angela! ( so far, you’ve written everything I’ve read! Does anybody else write here?! ). I’ve been a huge Bayern fan for years , so I’m probably gonna be a regular here from now on
Posted from
United States -
Welcome to the blog Ali! I am the only one that writes for Bayern, but there are other team blogs accessible at the top of the page. Jan writes a recap for the whole of the bundesliga and you can get to his site by clicking the bundesliga logo at the top.
You can watch online for free actually. There is a program required. It is called tvu. Gol TV usually airs all their games and the channel is accessible via tvu player.
Posted from
United States -
Angela: I can’t find Gol TV.
Posted from
Hungary -
Harry: Try channel 65217. If not, go to this website and then in the listings, there is usually a game or two with a link that says Gol TV. Once you open the stream in TVU you can add it to your favorites and just watch it from there without having to launch the links anymore.
Posted from
United States -
Alrighty. So, except for Luca Toni and Ribary, I know nothing about Bayern Munich. I write for the Inter page so I am trawling for a little info: who do you think we will see on the field against Inter on Tuesday? Any little insight I can take back over to the Serie A side of the Offside?
Posted from
United States -
Johonna:
I’ll be at the Bayern vs. Inter match tomorrow - so have been looking for Inter info, too! Here’s my quick summary of who you’re likely to see on the pitch tomorrow for Bayern, can you post something like this for us to read about Inter? Thanks!First of all - both Toni and Ribéry are injured, so you won’t see them tomorrow.
Bayern is playing a 4-2-2 system:
Offense: for those who’ve watched German NT matches, Bayern’s offense will be familiar. Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski are most likely to start in the forward 2 positions.
Midfield: Bastian Schweinsteiger is another familiar face from the German NT, who most often plays right offensive midfield. Other midfielders likely to start are Hamit Altintop (who played a very strong World Cup for the Turkish side), Brazilian star Zé Roberto and Dutchman Mark Van Bommel (who used to play for Real Madrid). Bayern youngsters Andi Ottl and Toni Kroos (not really known internationally, yet) may also make an appearance, as well as German NT player, new to Bayern, Tim Borowski.
Defense: Bayern has a lot of solid, well-known defensive players, it’s hard to say with certainty who will start on Tuesday. Bayern’s defense, backed by goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, allowed record-breaking few goals in the German Bundesliga season last year. As Center Back we have Brazilian captain Lucio and Argentine NT member Martin Demichelis, who critics call the best center back in the German Bundesliga. Third man in center is Daniel Van Buyten. Four players are vying for the starting positions as left- and right back: German NT star Philipp Lahm, his lesser-known NT colleague Marcell Jansen, French NT team member Willy Sagnol and local youngster Christian Lell.
In goal we have Michael Rensing, who is also relatively unknown internationally, as he’s been 2nd to Oliver Kahn for the past few years. But now that Kahn has retired, it’s his turn to prove he deserves his spot in Bayern’s goal.
Hope this gives you an overview of Bayern - hope we see a great match tomorrow!
Posted from
Germany -
Mourinho hasn’t announced a team for the match yet, but Inter are travelling with a “cast of thousands” squad of no fewer than 31 players, essentially everyone on the current first team roster (except Vieira), plus a few youth players. I wouldn’t expect either Samuel or Materazzi to see game action, especially against Bayern.
Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni.
Defenders: 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 23 Marco Materazzi, 24 Nelson Rivas, 25 Walter Samuel*; 26 Cristian Chivu, 37 Andrea Mei, 38 Luca Caldirola, 39 Davide Santon.
Midfielders: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 11 Luis Jimenez, 15 Olivier Dacourt, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 20 Muntari, 30 Pelé, 33 Amantino Mancini, 36 Francesco Bolzoni, 40 Alberto Gerbo.
Strikers: 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 10 Adriano, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo, 45 Mario Balotelli
Posted from
Italy -
It is true, we are bringing people who are injured and cant even play - for camaraderie maybe.
I am going to try to post a preview today over at Inter, but here is a little reader’s digest version. Mourinho almost always plays 4-3-3. (and I hope you meant 4-4-2, though playing with 9 men may even the odds up a little).
Basically we are suffering a defensive crisis of epic proportions. Of the list above, 5 are out injured while a further 3 are from our youth squad.
Mourinho said in an interview today that Inter will start
Burdisso with Cambiasso as centerbacks, then give Santon and Mei some play time (they are both from the youth squad). Oh, and Cambiasso is a defensive midfielder. From what I saw at Euros, Podolski will be a real problem for us.On to midfield: We just signed two new midfielders, Mancini and Muntari. Mourinho has said that Muntari will play on the left, with probably Dacourt and Zanetti.
In front, Ibrahimovic and Cruz (are two most prolific scorers) are injured. Mancini is a winger and will probably play in the front 3 with Adriano and Balotelli.
Balotelli is good but young, Adriano was phenomenal but has yet to show he still has it. Unless you could not tell, I am worried. I dont think it is impossible that we win or draw, just a bit unlikely right now. Also, this is the first full game against a top team we have had this summer.
Posted from
United States -
Oh, and I forgot. Julio Cesar (or normally starting keeper) will not play tomorrow - he picked up a slight strain.
Look for Toldo to start and maybe a few minutes of our #3 keeper, Orlandoni. Toldo may be aging, but he can still pull of the “miracolo” stop now and then.
Posted from
United States -
Johonna: thanks! am really looking forward to the match - even if it’s maybe not José’s “dream team” quite yet, due to injury. And yes - I meant 4-4-2!
Posted from
Germany -
Darn. We could really use a 2-man advantage!
Posted from
United States -
Elizabeth: Mark van Bommel played in FC Barcelona, not in Real Madrid!
Posted from
Hungary -
Looks like American viewers are out of luck for tomorrow’s match, at least as far as broadcast tv. Strange decision by GOLTV, given what they’ve been showing the last 2 weeks. ZDF is showing the match in Germany, so that’s the feed you’ll want to be looking for online.
Posted from
United States -
Elizabeth, I hope you dont mind, but I quoted you over at Inter. Check it out:
http://inter.theoffside.com/team-news/off-on-the-road-to-moracco-munich-a-preview-of-sorts.htmlPosted from
United States -
>>Elizabeth: Mark van Bommel played in FC Barcelona, not in Real Madrid!
Harry: Thanks for correcting that. My poor little van Bommel heart gasped out loud
You are my current hero.Posted from
United States -
Angela: Thx, and thx for the help with GolTV.
I found the channel. The programm list is Spanish(I guess) for me, is it possible to change it to English or German somehow?Posted from
Hungary -
OMG it’s hard to type from under my desk, where I have crawled out of shame for assigning Van Bommel to Real, not Barca. That’s what you get for blogging from “memory” without double-checking…
Posted from
Germany -
Harry: I think you can pick the language when you install the player. I’m not entirely sure. Mine is in English.
Elizabeth: My Mark loving heart will forgive you this once.
Posted from
United States
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