Matchday 13: BVB v Hertha BSC Berlin [R]

[footyfan1]

Bastürk is def out due to injury as well as Boateng who was booked for the fifth time last weekend.


I just saw the kicker article and posted it to the list.

I knew about Boateng as his suspension was mentioned in an article I translated for www.borussia-dortmund.com

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Yea I would expect Chahed, maybe even Samba (:eek:) in the lineup. Simunic has been pretty poor this season, so maybe thats a good thing for us. Okoronkwo or Lakic will start besides the Bundesliga top-scorer.

[footyfan1]

Okoronkwo or Lakic will start besides the Bundesliga top-scorer.


Bundesliga top-scorer??! LOL!! His bitch ass is the Bundesliga's top GOAL scorer so far.

He's third in the "scorer" ratings.

And I'm going to enjoy watching Amedick and Woerns kick his ass! LOL!! (j/k) :D

Diego is the Bundesliga's top "scorer". Mario Gomez is second.

[footyfan1]

I think BvM is right on here...


The Time Of Wall Building Is Done: Van Marwijk Expects "An Interesting Match" On Saturday (http://www.borussia-dortmund.com/?%E7%86%9C%2Ah%97%84%EC%5Cl%E7%81%94)

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Bundesliga top-scorer??! LOL!! His bitch ass is the Bundesliga's top GOAL scorer so far.

He's third in the "scorer" ratings.

And I'm going to enjoy watching Amedick and Woerns kick his ass! LOL!! (j/k) :D

Diego is the Bundesliga's top "scorer". Mario Gomez is second.

Hmm yea...meant to say that.

:D

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Unlucky BvB...you had many chances, unlucky not to take more from the game.

Not that I am complaining, sometimes its better to be lucky than good :p

[footyfan1]

Unlucky BvB...you had many chances, unlucky not to take more from the game.

Not that I am complaining, sometimes its better to be lucky than good :p



You got that right! LOL!!

Nevertheless, your guys earned it. Congratulations.


I used to never believe in jinxes, but when we lose like that, yeah, there has to be something just working against us at home.......

[The Old Lady Hertha]

you talk about jinxes...we haven't won there in more than 30 years :D

Although I wouldn't be too sure that every game we got outplayed, but...:D

[footyfan1]

you talk about jinxes...we haven't won there in more than 30 years :D

"Hadn't won there in more than 30 years!" You guys broke that duck on Saturday. :)


Although I wouldn't be too sure that every game we got outplayed, but...:D

Well, with the time Hertha spent in the 2. Liga, they didn't play in many of those 30 years.

But, the matches I saw, yeah, it was like the Hertha players believed in that jinx.

With the amount of young players you guys had out there on Saturday, they didn't know squat about any "jinx". They just went out and played.

And the BVB players, despite recovering and outplaying Hertha for most of the match, still seem to shit their pants in front of the net.

Nelson Valdez used those very words on Arena after the match. Said he doesn't understand why they play so well on the road and continue to shit their pants at home.

BVB did just about everything they wanted to do except score a second goal. Props to Hertha for continuing to play football until about twenty-five to thirty minutes left. That's when I really thought they just built a wall and decided to defend that lead.

The players and BvM have to figure out what it is that overcomes them at home. Why can't they be as relaxed at home as they are on the road?

Honestly, I think I know the problem, but the answer is just going to take time.

The new guys are intimidated by the surroundings of their own home stadium. They don't seem to push 100% for fear of making mistakes in front of the home fans.

Also, despite still having a lack of service from midfield (Although better with Sahin than it was with Pienaar), the strikers, especially Valdez, rush to take shots, when they have time and need to try to place their strikes instead of just hitting the ball.

One play on Saturday Valdez certainly should have scored on, but instead of setting up his shot (Which he had time to do), he just immediately hit the ball and his shot went straight at Christian Fiedler.

Valdez needs to get his head out of his ass and just play the game. Especially at home, he's trying too hard to force the issue. I have to say that so far, I think "Gunning4Chelsea" is half right. I believe he implied that Valdez wouldn't be worth the money and wasn't as good as Smolarek.

I agree that so far, Valdez has not been worth the money. However, even though Smolarek has a few goal, I think Valdez is by far the better player.

Smolarek has gone cold again and is not playing very well. However, none of this is his fault as he continues to work his ass off.

If Valdez could stop playing like he has a stick up his ass at the Westfalenstadion, maybe he could open up a few things for Frei and Smolarek......

Next opponent at the Westfalenstadion is VfL Wolfsburg, another team we usually beat up on at home. Not only that, but I think since we got him, Ebi Smolarek has scored in every match against them.

Reason to be optimistic? For me, yes. But as TOLH stated, Hertha hadn't won in Dortmund in 30 years before Saturday, so, I guess we really don't know.

All I know is that this BVB team will win at home sometime. They are playing too well not to.

Frei is playing well. One can't blame him for a chance he had that Fiedler barely kept out, but there was another chance Frei should have buried that he didn't.

The team and BvM just have to find a way to get them to stop shitting their pants at home.......

[Gunning4Chelsea]

"Hadn't won there in more than 30 years!" You guys broke that duck on Saturday. :)




Well, with the time Hertha spent in the 2. Liga, they didn't play in many of those 30 years.

But, the matches I saw, yeah, it was like the Hertha players believed in that jinx.

With the amount of young players you guys had out there on Saturday, they didn't know squat about any "jinx". They just went out and played.

And the BVB players, despite recovering and outplaying Hertha for most of the match, still seem to shit their pants in front of the net.

Nelson Valdez used those very words on Arena after the match. Said he doesn't understand why they play so well on the road and continue to shit their pants at home.

BVB did just about everything they wanted to do except score a second goal. Props to Hertha for continuing to play football until about twenty-five to thirty minutes left. That's when I really thought they just built a wall and decided to defend that lead.

The players and BvM have to figure out what it is that overcomes them at home. Why can't they be as relaxed at home as they are on the road?

Honestly, I think I know the problem, but the answer is just going to take time.

The new guys are intimidated by the surroundings of their own home stadium. They don't seem to push 100% for fear of making mistakes in front of the home fans.

Also, despite still having a lack of service from midfield (Although better with Sahin than it was with Pienaar), the strikers, especially Valdez, rush to take shots, when they have time and need to try to place their strikes instead of just hitting the ball.

One play on Saturday Valdez certainly should have scored on, but instead of setting up his shot (Which he had time to do), he just immediately hit the ball and his shot went straight at Christian Fiedler.

Valdez needs to get his head out of his ass and just play the game. Especially at home, he's trying too hard to force the issue. I have to say that so far, I think "Gunning4Chelsea" is half right. I believe he implied that Valdez wouldn't be worth the money and wasn't as good as Smolarek.

I agree that so far, Valdez has not been worth the money. However, even though Smolarek has a few goal, I think Valdez is by far the better player.

Smolarek has gone cold again and is not playing very well. However, none of this is his fault as he continues to work his ass off.

If Valdez could stop playing like he has a stick up his ass at the Westfalenstadion, maybe he could open up a few things for Frei and Smolarek......

Next opponent at the Westfalenstadion is VfL Wolfsburg, another team we usually beat up on at home. Not only that, but I think since we got him, Ebi Smolarek has scored in every match against them.

Reason to be optimistic? For me, yes. But as TOLH stated, Hertha hadn't won in Dortmund in 30 years before Saturday, so, I guess we really don't know.

All I know is that this BVB team will win at home sometime. They are playing too well not to.

Frei is playing well. One can't blame him for a chance he had that Fiedler barely kept out, but there was another chance Frei should have buried that he didn't.

The team and BvM just have to find a way to get them to stop shitting their pants at home.......


season's long.....but what I said about Valdez in August seems to be coming true - my words may have been harsh - yet I still stand by them
we severely overpaid for him! - sure he works his ass off but where are the results?....he will never lead his team in goals or assists.....

as for Ebi - he has gone a little bit cold - but is still our dangerous striker
there's no way he will be as cold as he was in winter round of 06.....trust me - he has matured as a player - with Tinga (one of BVB's best signings in recent years) coming over - this partnership will pay dividends later on in season....

cheers

MIA lately - been busy with the real world

[Gunning4Chelsea]

Valdez is not better than Ebi Smolarek
Ebi's 4-week run a couple of weeks ago (3 goals, assist in BL and 3 goals in int'l play against the Borats, and Portugal) is something Valdez dreams about

Valdez has done very little for Bremen and BVB or for Paragay in recent memory that would suggest that he is worth 5 million - although I think he has an upside - still not worth much considering a lot of players have an upside

Barbarez, Alintop, Klasnic or even Vittek would have been better signings

[footyfan1]

Valdez is not better than Ebi Smolarek
Ebi's 4-week run a couple of weeks ago (3 goals, assist in BL and 3 goals in int'l play against the Borats, and Portugal) is something Valdez dreams about

Valdez has done very little for Bremen and BVB or for Paragay in recent memory that would suggest that he is worth 5 million - although I think he has an upside - still not worth much considering a lot of players have an upside

Barbarez, Alintop, Klasnic or even Vittek would have been better signings


Vittek wasn't truly available, Werder weren't giving up Klasnic, Altintop agreed to a deal with Schalke well before it was "legal" and I wanted Barbarez.

On our BVB list I said I wanted Barbarez even if it meant not getting Frei or Valdez.

Still don't agree with the rest of your comments, but that's no great surprise......

[footyfan1]

season's long.....but what I said about Valdez in August seems to be coming true - my words may have been harsh - yet I still stand by them
we severely overpaid for him! - sure he works his ass off but where are the results?....he will never lead his team in goals or assists.....


I told you I would not have a problem telling you that you were right if it came down to it and so far, you are right in your assessment that Valdez isn't worth what we paid. I don't have a problem admitting that.

On our list, I stated that I'm getting tired of defending him. He's been stupidly wasting chances and won't just let the game come to him. It's easy to see that he's trying to force things instead taking what's given.

And he's not being smart about it. Valdez has a world of ability, but it seems he doesn't have the match savvy to go along with it.

That's one department where Ebi kicks his ass. At least when Ebi is "on" he does......






as for Ebi - he has gone a little bit cold -

Dude, he's gone quite a bit cold. Pretty much invisible again. He gets full credit for his team effort though. I give Valdez that same credit. That's one thing those two have in common.

Outstanding work ethic.



but is still our dangerous striker (Smolarek)


Not true. Right now, that's Alexander Frei by a country mile.

About a month ago, I would have agreed with your comment wholeheartedly. Not now because it simply isn't true.



there's no way he will be as cold as he was in winter round of 06.....trust me - he has matured as a player


No one ever questioned his maturity as a player. He's just "streaky". I've always said that in our discussions and Ebi is proving that yet again.

I know you're a big fan, but fact is fact man. I don't know of a striker more streaky than Ebi.

When he's "on", there's not many better in the Bundesliga. There is no question about that.

But when he's "off" as he is now, he can be just god-awful.

And Saturday he was god-awful. I thought BvM took way too long to get Amoah out there for him. But that shows the trust and confidence BvM has in Smolarek and I respect Ebi for that.

However, it has to be said that Ebi was pretty much invisible in Bremen, against Bochum and Aachen and in Nuernberg too.

But again, he gets credit for the effort he gives for the team just as Valdez does.

Ebi is not blowing great goal chances like he did last season, right now, he's not getting himself into position to even get the chances.

I know with Ebi, there has to be a problem with doing it from the wing. He does much better in the center, but he won't get there unless Frei gets hurt or starts playing like crap.

I don't see that happening. Frei is the only one of the three playing worth a damn as a striker right now and seems to be building confidence by the game.



with Tinga (one of BVB's best signings in recent years) coming over - this partnership will pay dividends later on in season....


I think the "partnership" Tinga has that will "pay dividends" for BVB is the one he has with Nuri Sahin. If Smolarek doesn't get it together soon (I hope and think he will in Frankfurt, if not then, at home against Wolfsburg), he's going to find himself back on the bench in favor of Matthew Amoah.

No, I don't think Amoah is nearly as good as Smolarek when Smolarek is "on". But when Smolarek is "off", as he is now, Amoah isn't any worse.

I also would not be totally surprised if BVB were to look for an available striker or/and midfielder during the winter break.

Some guys who can put more pressure on Pienaar, Valdez and Smolarek to produce. Especially Valdez.

Some guys who are on "lower" sides, but whose contracts are about to expire.

Perhaps the 2. Liga leading goal scorer Giovanni Federico from KSC. Federico's contract with KSC expires at the end of the season and he's a local boy from the Hagen area.

Perhaps Bochum's Bosnian midfielder Misimovic......

Just guesses, but I think BVB management knows that their summer signing period was "average" at best. Were it not for their getting Tinga, I'd call it an almost total disaster.

And again yes, as of right now, I agree that we paid too much for Nelson Valdez............


cheers

MIA lately - been busy with the real world


All the best to you!!!!

[Gunning4Chelsea]

I told you I would not have a problem telling you that you were right if it came down to it and so far, you are right in your assessment that Valdez isn't worth what we paid. I don't have a problem admitting that.

On our list, I stated that I'm getting tired of defending him. He's been stupidly wasting chances and won't just let the game come to him. It's easy to see that he's trying to force things instead taking what's given.

And he's not being smart about it. Valdez has a world of ability, but it seems he doesn't have the match savvy to go along with it.

That's one department where Ebi kicks his ass. At least when Ebi is "on" he does......








Dude, he's gone quite a bit cold. Pretty much invisible again. He gets full credit for his team effort though. I give Valdez that same credit. That's one thing those two have in common.

Outstanding work ethic.






Not true. Right now, that's Alexander Frei by a country mile.

About a month ago, I would have agreed with your comment wholeheartedly. Not now because it simply isn't true.





No one ever questioned his maturity as a player. He's just "streaky". I've always said that in our discussions and Ebi is proving that yet again.

I know you're a big fan, but fact is fact man. I don't know of a striker more streaky than Ebi.

When he's "on", there's not many better in the Bundesliga. There is no question about that.

But when he's "off" as he is now, he can be just god-awful.

And Saturday he was god-awful. I thought BvM took way too long to get Amoah out there for him. But that shows the trust and confidence BvM has in Smolarek and I respect Ebi for that.

However, it has to be said that Ebi was pretty much invisible in Bremen, against Bochum and Aachen and in Nuernberg too.

But again, he gets credit for the effort he gives for the team just as Valdez does.

Ebi is not blowing great goal chances like he did last season, right now, he's not getting himself into position to even get the chances.

I know with Ebi, there has to be a problem with doing it from the wing. He does much better in the center, but he won't get there unless Frei gets hurt or starts playing like crap.

I don't see that happening. Frei is the only one of the three playing worth a damn as a striker right now and seems to be building confidence by the game.






I think the "partnership" Tinga has that will "pay dividends" for BVB is the one he has with Nuri Sahin. If Smolarek doesn't get it together soon (I hope and think he will in Frankfurt, if not then, at home against Wolfsburg), he's going to find himself back on the bench in favor of Matthew Amoah.

No, I don't think Amoah is nearly as good as Smolarek when Smolarek is "on". But when Smolarek is "off", as he is now, Amoah isn't any worse.

I also would not be totally surprised if BVB were to look for an available striker or/and midfielder during the winter break.

Some guys who can put more pressure on Pienaar, Valdez and Smolarek to produce. Especially Valdez.

Some guys who are on "lower" sides, but whose contracts are about to expire.

Perhaps the 2. Liga leading goal scorer Giovanni Federico from KSC. Federico's contract with KSC expires at the end of the season and he's a local boy from the Hagen area.

Perhaps Bochum's Bosnian midfielder Misimovic......

Just guesses, but I think BVB management knows that their summer signing period was "average" at best. Were it not for their getting Tinga, I'd call it an almost total disaster.

And again yes, as of right now, I agree that we paid too much for Nelson Valdez............





All the best to you!!!!


because he converts PK's?....Frei should be in double digits for the amount of sitters he's had....
Ebi will lead BVB in goals by the end of 06.....guarantee it

[Gunning4Chelsea]

I know with Ebi, there has to be a problem with doing it from the wing. He does much better in the center, but he won't get there unless Frei gets hurt or starts playing like crap.
I don't see that happening.


great point....sort of liken his movement on the pitch to Tim Cahill from Everton.....sort of prowls around the box....occasionally makes the run on the wing...and has a nose for the ball...

Like you said earlier...BvM has a lot of trust in Ebi, vice-versa, which allows for Ebi to move around on the pitch, and possibly movin into the center once in a while.....but ultimately, yes, he does better from center play....

[HeyaBVB]

because he converts PK's?....Frei should be in double digits for the amount of sitters he's had....
Ebi will lead BVB in goals by the end of 06.....guarantee it

When man keine Ahnung hat einfach mal die ..... halten ... (A German phrase if someone has no clue what he talks about :)

[footyfan1]

because he converts PK's?....Frei should be in double digits for the amount of sitters he's had....
Ebi will lead BVB in goals by the end of 06.....guarantee it

I agree that Frei could be in double digits with the chances he's missed.

However, there are very few of them I would call "sitters".

Frei sure as hell isn't missing the kinds of sitters Smolarek left laying last season.

I hope you are wrong about Ebi leading BVB in goals. Because if that is the case again, we're in a world of hurt and spent almost 10M Euros for nothing.......

[Gunning4Chelsea]

not necessarily

i am a fan of Frei - that signing was a good idea...he is going to be a very nice player in BL for years to come IMO
it's Valdez - that needs to score and Pienaar to see a psychologist

[KUBI_nu11]

Your comment on Valdez is true and the one on Pieneer is really funny... LOL


Frei will start scoring more goals next year... the problem is that he always needs some time to adapt to his new team. It was the case for every single team he played throughout his career. (Rennes, SFC, etc)

So fare, altough he should have scored more goals, he is adapting pretty well and he doesn' t miss penalties at least :D

Lets also not forget he did a few assists this year already like his perfect cross this week end for Ebi...

[footyfan1]

not necessarily

i am a fan of Frei - that signing was a good idea...he is going to be a very nice player in BL for years to come IMO
it's Valdez - that needs to score and Pienaar to see a psychologist

AWESOME COMMENTS!! :D