Bundesliga - Matchday 06: 1. FC Köln vs. FC Bayern München vs. Kick-off: Saturday, September 27th 2014, 15:30h CEST (9:30h EST) Venue: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne (Kölle Alaaf!) Referee: not yet known, but it will be updated HERE So we have taken over our most favourite spot in the Bundesliga table and obviously have no interest in giving it away again, but Köln will be another very difficult opponent. They are the only team in the Bundesliga which has not yet conceded a goal after four matchdays. Their two extremely deeplying defensive lines of four have so far formed an impenetrable concrete wall, which means the likes of Robben, Götze, Lewandowski, Alonso & Co. have to create something special to overcome them. Furthermore the RheinEnergieStadion is always a very heated place when they host Bayern München. A reminiscence of a once glorious past, when Christoph Daum's 1.FC Köln challenged the team of Jupp Heynckes for the Bundesliga crown in the early 90s. Right here and now a victory is to be expected as long we show a convincing collective effort like against Paderborn. Let's do this!
A 0-0, 1-1 is quite possible here... Hoping we keep rotating. To add to what Bazi said, they've only scored a pathetic 2 goals in 5 games. Only 2 teams have done worse in terms of scoring less (1, and 0). So expect an extremely defensive team, though I'm sure I'm stating something quite obvious... This is why I'd start a runner like Rode for this game. Another choice could be Hojberg, so either Rode or Hojberg for the DM position. Rest Muller since he needs a break, start Shaqiri. Lahm and Alonso are both in need of rest, Lahm being overplayed and Alonso should not be starting more than once per week. Since no one can predict what Pep will do, I'll give it a go on what I'd like to see: ----------Lewandowski----------- -Shaq------Goetze------Robben- --------Alaba-----Rode/*-------- Bernat-------------------Rafinha --------Dante---Boateng--------- -------------Neuer-----------------
i would go with: -----------------------neuer rafinha--boateng/benatia----dante------bernat ---------höjbjerg/rode------alaba/rode robben---------------götze---------------shaqiri --------------------lewandowski
I believe the Hamburg game has shown us that we need more experience and class on the central midfield position away from home than Höjbjerg can currently provide us with. Meanwhile Alaba and Rode are both box-to-box type players and not really compatible as a midfield duo. If it has to be someone else than Alonso due to injury or exhaustion then Gaudino might be the better choice even though he's still very inexperienced.
That was my initial issue starting both of them, while at the same time not sure if I want to start an inexperienced 17/19 year old there. Tough situation for Pep if he decides to rotate both Lahm and Alonso.
Didn't they try burning down the stadium last time we played there in the BL? Never saw players move so quick http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_d8kPpM07oI#t=45
Hey P Thanks for letting me borrow Maxwell...poor thing was a bit having trouble acclimatizing with the Die Elf vom Niederrheim but once he got a hang of it....things went ok. Boy they even launched the kitchen sink at us....so it was a tough win...but still an Easy One
Neuer - Alonso, Lewandowski, Robben, Rafinha, Boateng, Bernat, Götze, Lahm (K), Müller, Alaba Reina - Dante, Benatia, Shaqiri, Pizarro, Rode, Hojbjerg
Bayern München Aufstellung: Neuer - Rafinha , Xabi Alonso , J. Boateng , Juan Bernat - Lahm , Alaba - Robben , T. Müller , M. Götze - Lewandowski
I really dont believe pep even believes in formations. The teams always interchange throughout the game anyway..
As was mentioned earlier, both Dante and Benatia are not fit so we don't have a choice unless you want to unretire the Belgian oak.