In his first year at BVB, he was on his way to doing well. He won five matches for BVB with goals and assists. But then, he had a falling out with Thomas Doll, who made big time scapegoats of Federico and Amedick. I'd like to see Federico get a real shot on a decent Bundesliga team. But it might be too late for that as his rep is deserved. He's more of an attacking midfielder these days. During that great 2. Liga season he had with KSC before moving to BVB, they played him everywhere in attack. LOL!! That was a quite ridiculous comment he made. I think if Bielefeld hadn't fallen apart around Federico last season, he would have have a good chance to duplicate those KSC numbers (19 goals/14 assists). Never checked that out.
Well it seems what was a done deal is now dying out. Aigner was to head to VfB after the Bochum match but seems that VfB is tired of 1860's management playing the whole transfer out in the press. This has further soured other teams looking at Ignjovski and Rukavina. What I am hearing is that the teams that showed interest are now backing down. My guess is that *if* anyone inquires about Aigner/Ignjovski/Rukavina that they will do so at the last minute and put a take-or-leave offer on the table KNOWING 1860 needs to take the money to survive. My BIGGEST concern is that we DON'T sell anyone and are forced to take even more extreme measures for face insolvency. We have literally no other income other than selling players. No banks will lend us money at the moment and we still owe Bayern BIG!!!! Unless that debt is restructured to a more serviceable level 1860 is fast approaching the inability to pay its bills as early as October. Stevic, while trying to play to the fans, might have done more damage then anyone thought possible in going back on his support of the Aigner sale. I don't want to sell Aigner either but we have no other choice if we want to remain in the 2.BL (or 3.BL).
Sold Talent: A Walk Down Memory Lane Take a look at all the young talent we have sold in the last 9 years. Some were sold before their time, while others we sold and got more than they were worth. Others left without any money coming in for them. What I found comical was the paper's attempt to make it look like 1860 sent Baumgartlinger to Wein for nothing and today he is "worth" 1,3m....maybe in Austria but no BL team would pay that for him.
Garry, I'm not trying to start anything, but "the grapevine" says there was no serious interest in Cubic Zirconia or Ruka. Well, in Cubic Zirconia, not at the level 1860 was expecting. And it doesn't help that Cubic Zirconia is a bit injured. According to kicker, Cubic Zirconia and Ludwig didn't make the trip to Bochum. They say Ludwig has back problems and Cubic Zirconia has ankle ligament problems. I wish BVB would go for Aigner. We could use a better backup for Kuba on the right side. I believe VfB Stuttgart is going to complete the sale of Sebastian Rudy to Hoffenheim today. Aigner was/is one of the players Stuttgart was/is interested in to replace Rudy on the roster. Their fans are coming up with other names, but I wouldn't be surprised if VfB comes back to 1860 for Aigner.
Agreed on all counts. The interest that I am hearing was there in July dried up when he showed up with an injury at training camp. All interest in that point dried up on him. Rukavina's interest I think was pushed by 1860 and no one else. Correct. That, and the fact that Maurer seems intest on sticking with the 4-4-2, there was no reason to risk Ludwig. I hear he is pissed at Maurer sticking with that formation again. Saw the game this weekend...you guys looked pretty good. The two goals were weak though, so you have to avoid giving those up. Kagawa looks good. I like his style!!! Yes, and Bobic has laid back and said the has other names too. Speculation is that he is doing that either 1) because he does have the other names or 2) because he wants to get the price down on Aigner. Got to love people stating the obvious in the press. I would agree he comes back for Aigner but that he also has another player in mind. Either way, VfB will get someone for Rudy.
Bochum gg. 1860: SPOLIER..... Down............. Down.............. 2-1 Bochum right now. The high points so far: Leitner and Stahl are in the double-6 for Lovin and Uzoma. Boy, let me tell you, those two are showing exactly how to play that position. The attacking out of there by both are very nice. The 4-4-2 is looking okay thanks to Leitner/Stahl Rakic scored and Lauth and Aigner look good too. 1860 is not in a shell and is playing end to end. More goals should be coming. Low points: Central defense looks like shiite. Did not see the first goal but the second both Ghvinianidze and Buelow were totally asleep on a flanking run and cross. They simply left their marks and left Kiraly all alone. Passing could be better, many errant passes. Space creation and follow-up up front not good. Communication still looks like it is not good. Too many guys not knowing where their players are. EDIT: Okay, just saw the two Bochum goals at the half. Both of them saw Ghivinianidze totally focking asleep and not marking his player OR moving to mark the man coming in to play. He simply cannot read an attack and know where to be to stop or break up a play. God, he sucks SOOOOO bad!!!! It makes you long for Torben Hoffmann and Gregg Berhalter!!!
You mean the "rumors of interest." As I told you a few times throughout this thing, the guys I talk to never heard of any true interest in Rukavina. Damn. That would be all Sechzig needs. I don't know what match you watched man. I thought we were crap. So does everyone else. Leverkusen dominated every aspect of that game in the first half and simply took their foot off the gas in the second half. He certainly has other players in mind. Stuttgart don't need the price down on Aigner. They're more than willing to pay it if they don't want someone else more. Their fans are calling for a bigger name and Bobic might be inclined to give them one.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... OK. I'm sure you know now it ended 3-2 for Bochum. Federico and Chong Tese (2 goals) for Bochum with Rakic and Lauth scoring for 1860. I can't say much as I turned away from it when Bochum went up 3-1 to watch Man Shitty's 3-0 destruction of Liverpool.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... As I posted earlier, I think the central defense was exposed again. I cannot say as Buelow was so much a weak point as was Ghivinianidze. Mate was simply horrid. He is clearly to blame for the fisrt two goals. His inability to man-mark and anticipate where the ball will be cost us dearly. As for the non-call of the PK when Lauth got kicked in the head, all I can say is that was a 50/50 call. Many referees do not give such fouls. It should not have come to that. Bright spot? Leitner and Stahl's play.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... I do like the kids. I said that during the pre-season. I just hope they aren't the last bunch.......
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... Leitner was just fun to watch. His probing runs up the middle were what we were missing all last season. He differed from Ignjovski in that he did not keep the ball too long and knew when to dish it off. Was this a one-time thing? Can he do this again and again? Who knows. What was clear is that if this kid can play like this consistenly, Lovin/Uzoma & Company will have to fight HARD to keep (get) a starting spot. As thrilled as I was about Leitner I was inversely impressed with Mate G. He just needs to sit. There is no way ANYONE could be worse than he was back there. Even Rakic as a defender would be better. Ghivinianidze was simply not in the game. If this were the first time I could get behind him having another try. HOWEVER, we both know this is not new for him and 1860 cannot afford another season of a coach who continues to rely on him as a starter. He simply cannot handle the role in the 2.BL. He would be better off in MLS.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... Time will tell. But what sucks is even if the kid does make the breakthrough, he'll probably get sold in January. I used to think that Lienen's was Mate's "champion." Now, I'm pretty certain that is Stevic. As you said, Mate's play makes me long for Torben Hoffmann and Gregg Berhalter!!!
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... If you want a good laugh watch the video below. It is the highlights interview with Maurer (1860) and Funkel (Bochum). Right around the 1:21 mark they are reviewing the goal that made it 1-2 for Bochum. The host asks Maurer what he thought of the goal and he responds lightly, "What is there to do? It was a well placed cross and a well-timed run." And then FUNKEL steps in and says essentially, "Sorry for jumping in, but you CAN stop something like this. I said the exact same thing on the first goal WE gave up: 'You must stop the flanking runs/crosses'. You cannot allow those to happen and you need to mark those tighter." The look on Maurer's face is focking priceless!!!! Funkel is spot-focking-on!! It is not like that goal was perfection or luck, it was caused by poor marking and piss-poor play. Funkel KNOWS that. Why can't Maurer? [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UclmGJUKARg"]YouTube- VfL Bochum vs 1860 München (3-2) Highlights 23.8.10 HD[/ame]
Bochum gg. 1860: Post Game A few interesting videos: Maurer: Discusses his observations on the non-call for the PK against Lauth and the performance of Leitner. The journalist asks him about a change in central defense given that Buelow and Ghivinianidze lost nearly 70% of thier challenges individually!!! Kiraly: Talks about how the team needs to learn from their mistakes and not commit them again. Also says that 1860 was "in the game" and could have pulled it out, but mental lapses changed the game against them. Bierofka: One the fact that we continue to face "must win" games way too early and often. Bit on his thoughts on the game.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... Funkel was right when he essentially said, "If those were my players, they'd better damned well stop the cross." I'm sure Funkel wore his players' asses out for not stopping that "seeing-eye cross" on the Lauth goal.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... One other positive: Both strikers scored. Rakic's goal was an old-school striker's goal and nice to see. Lauth was an opportunistic finish of a gift. Those things happen and you need to convert those. He did. For "selbstvertrauen" or self-confidence, that has to be a big plus going into the match against Onsabrueck. Sadly enough, we have not beaten Osnabrueck at home in several years. Let's hope we have an attacking formation against them and really put the goals in!!!
Michi Hofmann Update If there was any doubt if this guy still has "game" just look at this stats in the 3.BL for Regensburg. 5 games, 4 wins (all by shutout), 2 goals against. They lost their last game 2-1 this weekend to league leaders Offenbach on a lousy PK call. He also kept them in the DFB Pokal going 1-1 to Bielefeld when they eventually lost on PKs. Alles Gute, Michi. Macht's noch gut!!!
Interesting article on Bell. What is interesting is not so much the article but the comments under the article about Ghivinianidze. Supporters point out that he has a high won challenge rate. Maybe, but his "not covering a player who ends up scoring" rate is astronomical. http://www.tz-online.de:80/sport/fu...osnabrueck-moeglich-tz-891375.html?cmp=defrss
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... I think 1860 has already signed him through 2012 but am not sure. If not, we better do it soon or we will lose him like we did Christian Traesch. EDIT: Check this interview out. Will translate shortly.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... According to transfermarkt, he's only signed through the end of this season.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... The AZ article says 2013 and that they are working with his agent now. Translation below: AZ: Herr Stevic, let's discuss the positives at 1860. Moritz Leitner celebrated his 2.BL debut. He is a new star that has been discovered right at the start of the season. Were you aware it would be like this? Stevic: If we had not believed in his capabilities then he would not be in the profi roster, but rather the A-Jugend. We knew what qualities this young man had und knew where we wanted to develop him. [LB Comment: Excuse me while I puke in my mouth. If Stevic and Maurer had planned for him the profi roster all along, why is he pictured with the U23 team and his "profi" picture just made it on the team website YESTERDAY!!! What a focking liar. Leitner was brought on at a last minute pressure tactic in the last 10 days because Lovin and Uzoma were getting complacent. And I have that straight from the guy who was inside to see this happen.] AZ: And where is that? Stevic: That he would go straight into the heavens very fast. But we will do everything possible to make sure that this does not cause him any hard...so that it will be a positive experience for him and allow him to develop. AZ: Are you worried that a talent such as Leitner will soon leave 1860 -- just like Mlapa and possibly still Aigner? Stevic: No. I have been in contact with his [Leitner's] agent and we are of the same mind. The boy has no better place in the world to be than with 1860. That is important [decided] for his development. That he can feel at home and can work on his continued development. AZ: What type of person is Leitner, what makes him tick as a person? Stevic: He is as he plays football. He is a cheeky, polite and smart guy, as if he has every situation in his control. And he is the same way on the field. He is immediately decisive. He knows in his private life who to be polite to and whom to be arrogant to. That is a craftiness which is innate in him. [LB Comment: Man, that sounds like a BS statement from someone who knows little about the person. Could it be anymore made up?] AZ: When will he get his first professional contract? Stevic: We are pretty far long now. In the next few days we will sign a contract with Leitner through at least 2013. Whether he stays until then, that I cannot say. I cannot see into the future. [LB Comment: Boy, that response sound to me like, "Holy Shit!! This kid had a GREAT game and we had no idea he could play this well. We better damn well get him to sign a contract before the other teams with more money come calling." If I were Leitner's agent I would be working the phones to find a club that 1) could pay him good money and 2) give him the playing time he needs. CLEARLY Leitner was not on ANYONE'S radar beyond U23s.] AZ: Have you spoken to DFB sport director Sammer? Can you imagine that Leitner, who also has an Austrian passport, could play for Germany in the junior teams? Stevic: There we are a bit further along. The selection coach (Ralf Minge) had contact with Leitner's agent. Naturally he is of interest to us [Deutschland]. And the player wants that himself too. AZ: How is it going with Stefan Aigner and the VfB Stuttgart pursuit? How great of a chance that he stays? Stevic: My hope that he stays with us is very great. We are working toward that Aigner remains with us. AZ: Nevertheless 1860 needs transfer money. Aren't you the unlucky dog at 1860? Stevic: No, I knew what to expect. I knew that I was not coming to Chelsea. I wanted the adventure with 1860 with all of my heart and I do not regret it for one single second. AZ: Have you changed in the last, difficult week? Stevic: No, this is not a tough phase but rather a normal phase at 1860. I am a realistic person. I can lay down in the street and cry -- or I can do my best to get out of the situation. And I have decided to take the second approach.
Re: Bochum gg. 1860: SPOILER..... The article says they are working on extending him to 2013. As of right now, he's still only signed through the end of this season.
Team News... Savio: So you guys think I was being too harsh on Savio with the whole penalty kick incident earlier in the month? Well Mr. Primadona was at it again in Bochum. Seems he was unhappy with getting in the game in the 64th minute and, after the game rather than trotting over to the fans and thinking them, he was under a warm shower. That is, until the assitant coach pulled his ass out and had him trot over alone. Maurer seems pissed but I think he caused this situation by not taking the punk-ass aside after the PK incident with Ludwig and reading him the riot act. This guy is about himself and not about the club. I say send his ass back to Italy and let him sit the bench there. Ludwig: Appears he has a slipped disc issue. Hopefully he will be better by Sunday.