Sometimes, there is a fine line between being a fan and a masochist. But we need to get through this. It looks like we are back to the 4-3-3...or maybe 4141...or...it's kind of hard to tell with Bosz and the players used. It could just as well be a 3 man backline again. Bürki Bartra Subotic Sokratis Schmelzer Dahoud Sahin Guerreiro Kagawa Auba Pulisic Or whatever. Take your poison. Pregame press conference Bosz: "And if you look under your seats now, there are 3 points for all of you!"
I haven't even got back to watch the game and we are already 2-0 down. It's embarrassing that the club have let this continue. This is the difference between Bayern and the other teams. Bayern were going to have a poor season so saocrd the manager so they could save it. Dortmund are just happy to have a disaster of the season.
If I were Watzke I'd be embarassed to face anybody who I am taking money from, either personally or a CEO of the business. He is a laughing stock and has turned out club into one.
At least some nice scenes in offense. When we don't have to defend, it doesn't look that bad. Kagawa should have converted his chance, though.
But don't worry guys - we want to turn this around with a guy who is completely out of his depth, and has now managed to pick a fight with Weigl..... We crawl out of the group stage with zero wins and 2 points. Well done. Perhaps even more than Bosz, this is an absolute damning indictment on the leadership skills of Schmelzer and Sahin. I have never been a fan of Sahin, but I used to think very highly of Schmelzer. Both have been horrendous this season.
Nice goal Auba. I agree that Schmelzer deserves a lot of criticism for the season and as the captain, in this game he looks pretty/relatively good. He had many interceptions, just like before the goal and did his best filling the holes in defense.
How many wake-up calls do we need? Bosz is way out of his depth, Watzke should be trialled for being a complete dimwit and the likes of Sahin, Schmelzer, Rode, Schurrle, Toprak, Weidenfeller and LP shouldn't be anywhere near our main roster. I just hope that the young talent in this squad (Weigl, Pulisic, Toljan, Zagadou) opts to remain in the club after the season.
We're the first team to qualify for the Europa League with only 2 points in the Champions League Group stages. Record previously held by Celtic, who set it yesterday at 3 points.
Now everybody is gaga over Schmelzer because of one assists. He couldn't make up his mind if he was playing LB or LCB all game. Sahin was a pylon who likely ran about as much as the GKs today. But this was a yuuuge step in the right direction and we will turn this around with Bosz. Bremen is coming at an important time. If we give everything, we will win.
2:3 loss in the end. Kagawa had a great chance to equalize minutes before the end but with around 30-35 minutes to go, we didn't seem to have much left in the tank and that was one of the few chances after Auba's 2:2. Apart from that, we were only waiting for them to score. Bartra had a very bad day but he was also deserted on the right, often without any support. The guys on our left defensive side supported each other way better. When Bartra got subbed, the right side remained a weakness. I missed the 3:2 but I heard Toprak delivered right away after coming in. Schmelzer was decent, especially in the first half. Pulisic did what he could and had a couple of nice runs that sooner or later will result in goals. Auba had his fun until we stopped playing offense. Dahoud had too many misplaced passes but what do you expect. Weigl is still trying to find his form and confidence. To get these two to play their best again is a key factor. For someone who was out for so long, Subotic looked ok. It's telling when he's preferred over Toprak.
Dahoud with way too many giveaways with dumb passes. He needs to build up confidence and play much more aggressive and direct instead of back passes all the time. He has the technical ability to dribble past opponents and build up attacks but instead he chooses to pass the ball back as soon as he receives it which is essentially what Castro does and it isn't helping the team. I do like the 3 man back line with Subotic as the anchor but need to play Bartra as part of a back 3 instead of as a wing back as he is not nearly the player for that position but with our personnel situation as it stands currently I can understand why he was playing there today.
Another telling thing that shows is just how much of difference a Piszceck makes for us on the right side considering all our other options...and that is a sad sad point since LP has been someone most wanted replaced as he is no longer the player he once was. This winter transfer period should be used to shore up the defense only as this cannot continue any longer as many of our defenders are not Borussia Dortmund caliber players no matter the coaching.
The whole right side was really curious. If CP was failing to track those guys I cannot understand why he was not subbed off at the hour. If it was by design then it is just bizarre tactics to me. The midfield is a real conundrum, players who are capable have no confidence. Dahoud looks like he could help if can get regular playing time. Weigl was kidnapped by aliens, and this player is some kind of botched clone job. What the hell?
What can you say about how bad we have become? Auba continues to score. We will miss him badly when he leaves this summer.
Even in what is currently a terrible team, Auba continues to score. His attitude might not be great (who could really blame him atm though) but he's damn prolific and will be very difficult to replace. Bosz is useless but it's the clubs management that have created this shitshower. Is there any ambition left anymore at all or are they happy to slide into mediocrity?
PEA might even leave in the winter. He's at his peak and good enough to play in the CL. Why the hell would he take peanuts to stay in a club run by a total idiot?