Thanks again Nekki... AWESOME job with the PBP!!!! You rock. Did you see this game live? What a great result. I am satisfied... anyone else? Through to the Quarters.
Good point. The road is where champions are formed (cheesy, I know). Bring on the CLS and Bundesliga!!!
What this implies is that Bayern were actually creating chances inside and around the penalty box (10 corners, 15 shots, 3 goals). Stuttgart were not (half as many in each category). Its about bloody fvkcing time!
both magath and pizza has said that he isn't 100% after his injuries yet. he hasn't played enough matches to get into the rythm. since bayern has had a tough program lately i am glad that he plays only 60 minutes per game. we don't want him worn out till our qualifier against chile the 17th and it's also good that guerrero gets some more match practice until that game as well
Im not really sure where he was supposed to be. It seems as if this was the Ballack that we normally see on the national team. He was all over the field making both defensive stops and creating attacks. I would say that Frings was the OM, Schweini was LM, Hargreaves was the RM, and Ballack played as a CM. Its possible that Magath has decided that since Bayern really has no true DM that he would not constrain any single player to that position and would rather have all four midfielders share the defensive responsibilities. Todays formation worked extremely well and completely shut down VFB's attack. Not only that but Bayern shredded their defense and created a host of chances. PS. Guerrero is the real deal. I hope we see him against Maccabi in 2 weeks.
I read the live ticker in German while listening to the Web radio and trying to scrible everything down to make some PBP.
Very encouraging and well said. I can see the potential for the midfield to work as a whole... Frings, Ballack, and Hargreaves all have the ability to defend well. Schweinsteiger is staking his claim in the lineup. Ze Roberto perhaps is losing time because of it in the future? We shall see. Guerraro... you have to love this kid. Scores 2-3 last night, then contributes tonight! I agree... keep bringing him on in the 65th minute for Pizarro. I think Magath is finding a rhythm with the lineup and substitutions. That is nice to start nailing down as a coach (trust me).
Thanks eissman! I try my best. I wish that I could have been around for the entire match but I had class until 3:00. I am really starting to get excited about this Bayern team, but I dread the next few games b/c they always seem to find a way to fall apart after a good run like this. I hope this match is a signal of things to come, especially from the Bayern midfield. I was happy to see Ballack and Hargreaves finally found their scoring boots.
I share your sense of cautious optimism. Bayern has a way of pulling our strings. They themselves can get a little cocky.
Hmmm strange match... was that Bayern? Stuttgart really didn't show up for the match at all, their first shot on target was at the 85th minute and were making far too many mistakes. Good job to Bayern for efficient defending though. I really like this new formation with Frings as OM and Ballack as DM, allows Ballack to become more invisible as players will not mark him. During the first half I was thinking if there was one player I wouldn't mind see leave, it would be Owen Hargreaves; literally a split second later he scores a brilliant long range shot to the corner and in the second half has an assist. Hmmmm thank goodness I am not a talent scout... Anyways in conclusion I believe Bayern have found their third striker and his name is Paulo Guerraro, this guy has got some pretty decent touches. His assist was simply sublime. A no look precise pass to unleash Makaay to beat the offside trap. Pass was incredible and even better because he wasn't looking. On an off topic note, Philipp Lahm was being interviewed at the end of the match and the reporter mentioned that his sister was in the stadium and is supposedly a Bayern fan, he responded "No she's not a Bayern fan, she's a Philipp Lahm fan". I found it pretty amusing, looking forward to him returning to Bayern.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=315980&cc=5901 look at this quote "Oliver Kahn's only problem in the first half was to deal with an unexpected hug from a supporter who ran on to the pitch dressed up as a dalmatian dog."
I think you would be the world's funniest talent scout. Loved the ManU marketing thread on WR. They do all that and the fans have the gall to worry about Glazer. As for Hargreaves--good Owen showed up. I still think he is too inconsistent, as is the team. It did not seem that Stuttgart even showed up for the game. Anyway, good for Bayern
Bayern sweep past Stuttgart to reach Cup quarter-finals: http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-germanycup&prov=reuters&type=lgns
Heh thanks! I was extremely bored at work today Hargreaves certainly played a good game, I can only fault him for being a little too eager pushing up field. Many times it was a one touch and him running upfield a little selfishly, but other than that he was very commited throughout the game. I wouldn't be surprised. It was actually a pretty cute costume, should be the new Bayern mascot; that bear Bayern have scares me.
Leather... it's all about leather. WATOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!! (*whipping sound incase the onomatopoeia wasn't obvious enough )
I am not much of a watooooooooooosh guy I am more of a phhhh-tuh guy, but with some zing on the "tuh" part
Imagine the boots/cleats with spikes on top as well as the bottom. We probably need the silk and lace jerseys. Ok wait a minute --this has gone too far!
That was a nice scene when that woman ran towards Oliver Kahn, and he smilingly gave her a real hug, tapping on her shoulder 2-3 times. As if they were good friends. Lovely scene. Maybe someone has a photo?