Arsenal v. Bayern CL [R] (Return Leg)

[Dead Fingers]

Let's get this thread a-go-in!

"Hey Ho Let's Go!"

Do we want to discuss "That" last minute goal? Or that this game will be right in the middle of some other important league games for Bayern: Bremen, Schalke. Scholl will probably/ definitely will be out. Is Bayern going to play a 4-4-2 with an emphasis on D (more of Demichelis)? The game also seems suited for Roy and Claudio--some good counter attacking chances.

For our Arsenal friends--what's up with your team? They seem to be a little out of sorts. Some good observation will be welcome! Where the hell is Catfish?

[BayernWake]

Let's hope Hannover wins today to take some of the pressure off.

[mis-e-one]

I don't know if Arsenal can pull it off or not, albeit the away goal will help.

I reckon Arsenal have been off the boil since the league defeat at Old Trafford. Prior to that they were playing the best football in the Premiership this season.

[ArsenalTexan3]

This is now the official thread.

[eissman]

Now that this thread is official, I can respond ;)

Bayern minus its most creative midfielder, Mehmet Scholl, will mean a defensive lineup in London. I see Magath going with a modified 4-4-2 that morphs into more of a 4-5-1 at some point. I think it would be wise to put the effort forth to stick in one goal and really put the pressure on Arsenal, but do you do that straight away or wait until you find the right moment?

In the group stage, anytime we went on the road Ballack and Frings held the middle and Makaay was typically our lone target up top (in Turin, in Israel, not sure about Amsterdam). Since Highbury is known as a "tight" park, this will play into Bayern's favor... less room for the "runner" at Arsenal to find space. I think Ballack in for Demichelis will help and Frings for Scholl will be effective. The key will be to shut down Reyes, who to me was the most dangerous play on the pitch for the Gunners. I like this kid, even if he wants to play for Real (just kidding!). Sol Campbell will likely be back as well as Ashley Cole, so the defense will be more solid but still under pressure to not concede a goal to Munich.

I see the following lineup working:
--------------Kahn
Sagnol -- Lucio -- Kovac -- Liza
-------------Ballack
Brazzo ----- Frings ----- Ze Roberto/Hargreaves
------------Pizzaro
-----------------Makaay

I know this isn't much of a change, but I think Magath will want to nullify the midfield as much as possible against Arsenal. They were the better of the two midfields possession-wise in Munich. Bayern will take their set pieces and counter moments. My concerns are Liza and Ze on the left side... wasn't the most effective defense on the left side. Perhaps put Brazzo on the left mid and move Hargreaves over to counter Reyes defensively, Fring and Ballack to neutralize Edu and Viera in the middle. Pizarro to run in front of the defense and Makaay to exploit the offsides line.

[Dead Fingers]

Anybody know what's up mit Schweinsteiger?

[SirManchester]

F'n pisser closes the other thread...pfft....whats up his arse?
ANyways

That's looking like a good line up eissman, but Magath might give Deisler a shot on that right side of midfield after his performance this weekend. Also, I don't agree on a defensive line up because Magath isn't Hitzfeld. He will want some goals scored in London, he's not the type of coach to sit back and defend a two goal advantage. Arsenal are a strong side at home, despite their poor form. That means they might actually come out to play. Bayern will have to push for a goal or two to take some preasure of their defense and to allow for more open attacking playing.

[  ]

I hear Campbell might be out for the return leg.

Anyways I am not so confident with this one. I can see Arsenal scoring 2, especially since Bayern's away form is quite poor.

I don't know what is up with Schweinsteiger, I assume since Scholl was fit, he was preferred when Bayern needs rejuvinated creativity.

[ArsenalTexan3]

I hear Campbell might be out for the return leg.

Anyways I am not so confident with this one. I can see Arsenal scoring 2, especially since Bayern's away form is quite poor.

I don't know what is up with Schweinsteiger, I assume since Scholl was fit, he was preferred when Bayern needs rejuvinated creativity.


It all depends on whcihj Arsenal decides to show up.

[Gregoriak]

Interesting fact: Bayern's last defeat on British soil was in 1985 in the European Cup Winners Cup semi final at Goodison Park vs. Everton (1-3).

The line-ups back then:

Everton 3
Southall - Stevens, Mountfield, Ratcliffe, van de Hauwe - Reid, Gray, Steven, Sheedy - Bracewell, Sharp
Bayern 1
Pfaff - Dremmler, Augenthaler, Eder (73. M Rummenigge), Willmer (66. Beierlorzer) - Nachtweih, Matthäus, Lerby, Pflügler - D Hoeness, Kögl
Goals: 0-1 D Hoeness [38th], 1-1 Sharp [48th], 2-1 Gray [73rd], 3-1 Stevens [86th]
Attendance: 50,000
Ref: Frederiksson/Sweden

Since then, Bayern have played 6 away games in England, drawing four of them and winning two. Outscoring their English opposition 10:5 on their own soil.

[eissman]

Also, I don't agree on a defensive line up because Magath isn't Hitzfeld. He will want some goals scored in London, he's not the type of coach to sit back and defend a two goal advantage. Arsenal are a strong side at home, despite their poor form. That means they might actually come out to play. Bayern will have to push for a goal or two to take some preasure of their defense and to allow for more open attacking playing.

I don't disagree with you here, SirManChestHair -- aka Anchorman! ;)

I would agree that to attack is key, but to keep our shape tight defensively and give them little like the first leg would be our best defense.

GregoriaK..... very interesting facts. May the gods of fussball past be with us!!

Also, bare in mind, Munich has yet to give up more than two goals in a CLS match without scoring themselves.

[scorpio81]

Also, bare in mind, Munich has yet to give up more than two goals in a CLS match without scoring themselves.


we did lose 0-3 in lyon but i think that was when we were already assured of qualifying or even topping the group was almost a formality...

having said that, i have to say, im quite confident about magath and his men not blowing this advantage we take to highbury...

[SirManchester]

Good news, well for us at least. Pires and Henry are injured, they won't be able to make the FA Cup replay tomorow and they might not make it back next week either. They are totally wiped on the attacking options. If neither Henry, Dennis, Van Persie or Reyes plays we might as well start with two defenders.

[Dead Fingers]

Good news, well for us at least. Pires and Henry are injured, they won't be able to make the FA Cup replay tomorow and they might not make it back next week either. They are totally wiped on the attacking options. If neither Henry, Dennis, Van Persie or Reyes plays we might as well start with two defenders.


ah--yes the ole 2-4-4 option--sure would be entertaining --for about a couple of minutes.

It does look like Arsenal is a spent team BUT------I don't want this to be another one of those holes Bayern needlessly falls into. Not to look too optimistic, but I think ths could be a game that Makaay does very well.

[LordR]

Good news, well for us at least. Pires and Henry are injured, they won't be able to make the FA Cup replay tomorow and they might not make it back next week either. They are totally wiped on the attacking options. If neither Henry, Dennis, Van Persie or Reyes plays we might as well start with two defenders.
Yes, that's the thing he's really good in. Let him take out important players if necessary, but don't give Hargreaves too much tactical freedom, because then he probably will screw up with dribbling attempts, selfish play and bad passes.

[LordR]

Today I read that Pires and Campbell definetly won't be available for the return leg. But don't be too confident, it might be a bluff as well.

[scorpio81]

Today I read that Pires and Campbell definetly won't be available for the return leg. But don't be too confident, it might be a bluff as well.


lol, yeah true - what with arsenes policy of being secretive and his obsession with spies, etc... :rolleyes:

[LordR]

lol, yeah true - what with arsenes policy of being secretive and his obsession with spies, etc... :rolleyes:
I don't think that it's typically for Wenger, but for most Managers. How often did I hear Hoeneß say that "the chance that player xyz plays is below 10%", but player xyz did almost always play. ;)

[herewego]

I can´t remember, that Bayern went out of an european competition when the first game was at home and won with 2 goals in front. I think that never happened.

[Dead Fingers]

We need Beckenbauer to keep up with his "motivation" speeches. Who could he threaten this week by loaning them out? :rolleyes: