Yeah, Müller had a really sweet little run along the goal line and a couple good patches of play, but Shaqiri was sharper and more consistent. And if Kroos sees time at CM I'd also wonder about the possibility of a Double Mario in the center. It's not that Müller is a bad player by any means, but I think we finally have a squad where people have to make a case for starting. We'd better see rotation this season. We absolutely have the talent for it.
Also, the scarf Mrs. SMiG knit for me is now 1-0. Go scarf! (Think I may need to cut the Bayern shirt I wore for the CL final to ribbons in front of the rest of my Bayern gear to show them all what happens when they let me down.)
For those who missed the game... Neuer - Almost nothing to do. Did what he needed to well. Lahm - A second good showing in a row. Solid in defense and supported the wingers in attack. Boateng - Had one brainfart, but made up for it by winning the ball back. Decent showing. Badstuber - Nothing really of note, which is usually a good thing. Good match. Can - Still needs to adjust to the speed of the game. Kroos - The best Bayern player over 90 minutes. Popped up everywhere making passes, runs, and even got in a good tackle. Gustavo - Invisible in the first half, played a great 2nd half making tackles and showed signs of improvement in attack. Ribery - Did everything for the first goal besides putting it in the net himself. Good showing, taken off at halftime. Hopefully not injured. Muller - Did not look sharp in the first half, but like Gustavo had a much better 2nd half. Looked good down the right and beat the Regensburg defenders multiple times. Could, and maybe should, have had a few assists. Robben - Still does not look back to his best in attack, but he did put in a good work rate. Was even covering at CB at one point. Mandzukic - Scored 2 in his first Pokal match for Bayern, the first a tap-in after good work from Ribery and went round the keeper for his 2nd after a good pass from Shaqiri. Looked like he could use a bit more fitness at times in the second half. Shaqiri - Played a fantastic 45 minutes after coming on for Ribery at halftime. Made a few dangerous crosses, scored from a freekick, and provided 2 assists. Our best performer along with Kroos. Schweinsteiger - Looked good for the 15 or so minutes he was on. Played a perfect long ball to Muller and made a good tackle in the attacking third. Pizarro - Got his name on the scoresheet late with a thumping close range goal from a Shaqiri lob.
Jupp: “We had a few problems in the first 20 minutes, because our opponents were very disciplined and gave us no space. After the first goal, we saw the game comfortably through to the end. The introduction of Shaqiri made us more dominant, effective and better in the second half.” Sammer: “In the first half, you could see we've not found our rhythm yet. We played the ball too often at times and were a little too predictable. But against this kind of opponent, you sometimes have to start by toying with them, fighting hard and tiring them out.” http://www.fcbayern.telekom.de/en/news/news/2012/36467.php EDIT - Here is the 3rd goal missing from previous video.
I hate how this commentator misspronounces Mandzukic... the dz has a J sound, like Dzeko. It's not that friggin' hard, especially if you're going to be covering games - learn how to say the names. It's just a pet peeve of mine.
The way he played today, Shaqiri should be a starter. This guy has some serious talent and was a big factor in creatimg chances. I am glad Bayern has brought him to Munich. I can only hope to see him taking free kicks over the others. Must be something about that 11 shirt and work rate!
On current form, Shaq should probably start over Mueller and Robben. But won't happen. Give them some time to find fitness, anyway. It feels weird to have selection dilemmas
Lets see how he does against actual Bundesliga and Champions League teams. I don't particularly care if someone can play well in preseason and beat up a Bundesliga II team. I am impressed by him so far, but I definitely don't think he should be starting. It will take him a bit of time to overtake someone if he can, and if Robben and/or Muller don't step up, I could see it happening. Also Kroos could easily be the AM esp if Martinez is signed.
Shaqiri looked pretty good in the CL before he got here with a lot less around him. He'll be fine. Glad Jupp is on them about the slow start. First few minutes I saw Kroos walking and breaking off runs and I thought that the sites were right and Schweini was starting despite not being match fit. But Toni settled in shortly after and did fine.
I have the solution. Everybody will call him Mandy, and must post a mandi-tory pic of Mandy Moore whenever mentioning him.
Shaq and Mandzukic are both starter material. Gomez and Mueller beware. Kroos isn't losing his spot unless Schweini gets 100%. Imagine a line of 3 attackers in behind the target forward that consists of Shaqiri, Ribery, Robben. The speed alone would be amazing to see!
Great game, thought the whole squad looked amazing, especially shaqiri, but this isn't the top level so cant take too much from this. 1. Be surprised if Kroos loses his starting spot, he was everywhere today. After his cameo as #10 last season, we can only expect more from him. Looking forward to seeing this season and how he breaks down defenses. He'll be less of a CM and more of an AM, so this should be entertaining. 2. Shaqiri looks exceptionally bright. Should Robben or ribery walk away with injuries, we know we have quality in this little man. Definitely a good signing. 3. Can't wait to have martinez in the squad, can only imagine what it'll be like with him, schweini and kroos in the middle.
Agree regarding Kroos, he was fantastic today. Hell Schweini will need to show he should play over him in central midfield, the vice-captain has a lot to prove since after his injuries he's been above average at best for most matches.
He did hold his own against real madrid and against chelsea. Its not his position, he just doesn't want to defend, I think he's definitely the AM for Bayern and not a CM. However, he can fill up the CM is need be.
I think he needs to show for the ball more often. When he has it he's too timid. I think he should try more direct play
I think his type of play is rather direct, not mesut ozil type but he definitely likes to get in between defenders and is tremendous at finding space on the flanks.
Kroos is not a creator he's a finisher, he needs other players to make chances for him. Asking him to create is plugging a square peg into a round hole. Ideally for Kroos to thrive, the team needs to be a fast counter attacking side with playmaking from the flanks, I don't see that as the way Bayern will play though.
I remember how many of you detested the Mandzukic signing even before he had arrived. Typical Bayern fans.
didn't detest the signing, was even in favor of it because allocation huge money in CM is more needed than would have been a Dzeko on the bench