The discussion lately on this board has been about the team this season and the disappointment of what has transpired since the break (when all where hoping that things would take a dramatic turnabout). When I looked at the lineup for the Borussia match, I noticed only Sammy Kouffor as our only "true" center back, and thus wondered who else would be playing there (unaware that Jeremies was to take the role over for injured Thomas Linke). This made be think... what if Ballack played in the center back position? More like Beckenbauer did back in the day. What role does he currently play that couldn't be replaced with someone else, thus allowing for him to move in the back. He has the physical strength and height, he has the tactical mind and technical ability, plus he has the capability of getting up field when absolutley necessary and being a huge threat (corners, deadballs, random surges through the midfield). What do all my Munich compatriots think? Would love to hear your opinions...
Well, Ballack certainly has the ability to do it. And with Bayern's horrible center of defense, there is little to lose with this type of experiment. However, Ballack has never played in this position and is only decent as a defender. I was actually thinking that Ballack should perhaps move the other direction, to forward. Ballack is such a natural goal scorer when he goes forward, and has the size, skill, tactical awareness, and killer instinct to be very effective there. Plus, he would be unsaddled with the burden of being the "playmaker", a role in which he is not particularily well suited.
I think it's a pretty bad idea... Hitzfeld already tried that a few seasons ago with Jeremies in defense (technically better than Balack) and it didn't work out well. Ballack lacks true defensive mid abilities like Hamann, and so I agree with JeffS that a more forward role is suitable till Bayern find some creativity (ie Deisler, Trochowski, somone else).
Fair enough. I hear you guys. After all, WE are the experts, no? =) Ballack is talented, there is no doubt, but ultimately, is Bayern getting the most out of him, or are they expecting too much out of him? I guess that would have been a better question from the beginning. He and Makaay seem to have a natural link. Perhaps we play more of a 4-2-3-1 system with Ballack righ behing Makaay, or even a 4-4-2 alignment with Ballack again directly behind Makaay, who could push as deep as the opposing defense will allow him (he seems to thrive on living on the offsides line to begin with).
The game against Kaiserslautern featured Jeremies at libero. It worked out great, not that Kaiserslautern are much of an offensive threat. But the defense seemed solid, and did not make stupid mistakes and seemed to gel very well. I could see Jeremies making the successful transition to full time libero. He has similar skills and abilities to Matthaeus, who made the same transition in the early 90s. It could extend Jeremies' career and effectiveness. Jeremies reads the game very well, he's a great tackler, a solid passer, a fantastic man-marker, and he's tenacious. With Bayern's huge, gaping problems in the middle of defense this year, I could see this as being a good permanent move. Meanwhile, pushing Ballack forward more is a good idea as well.