FC Bayern München Thread [2012/2013]

[kp41]

Just watched Bayern - Wolfsburg, and it was damn boring, goal tv commentator was pain in ass as well ...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I think Miguel Delaney is a pretty good football writer, although a bit England centric in his views (overrates English teams, etc). He's great on twitter though, so I follow him and read the occasional article. Anyway, I love the last sentence of this rundown of Bayern, and I'll post the whole bit for context

1. Bayern Munich (no change, 3-1 win v Man City)

Arsene Wenger said on Monday that, as he prepared for the 1988-89 European Cup quarter-final, he watched Milan, went back to his staff and pretty much said forget it.

“I know who will win it”.

It’s difficult not to think many other managers around the Champions League were saying similar after Bayern Munich’s 3-1 win over Manchester City, particularly with the defending champions looking to become the first side since that Milan to retain the trophy.

Wenger did also describe Bayern as “super favourites” and they backed that up with another statement performance.

If their quality was already well known, this also answered questions about what Pep Guardiola could actually do with this team: make them even better.

The passing carousels that so embarrassed City were deeply reminiscent of the possession which repeatedly pulled Manchester United apart in the 2009 and 2011 finals.

Bayern, however, are coming together in an ominous way.

 

[kp41]

Shifty, you mentioned an article about Gomez few years back, what was that website? I liked the articles and analyzes there ...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

bundesligafanatic

 

[Arnau]

Watched all Bayern games recently, even preseason ones, Lahm as DMF is the best decision Guardiola has taken, he was playing as interior before but since Pep moved him to positional midfielder role, the team has improved a lot. Martínez will have to challenge the CB spot against Boateng. That young guy, Hojberg, it's going to move Lahm back to the RB in a couple of years.

Best team in Europe so far, you are not a copy of Barça, that's bullshit, this is still Bayern with few adjustments (improvements).

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I agree with all except I still think Martinez will be the 4. Pep is sending our fullbacks forward in very central positions, which will be impossible to deal with when it's Lahm and Alaba. Then Javi can do whatever he wants, charge forward or drop between the defenders.

 

[Arnau]

Positional midfielder never lose position... Martínez is a CB for Pep, he'll probably play as interior and DM as well but only in few times IMO. I wouldn't move Lahm from that position (until Hojberg is ready for elite football) and sign Danilo. Thiago and Kroos as holder was a huge failure.

Boateng can also play the RB/CB role and i think we'll see it sooner or later (Alaba-Dante-Javi-Boateng).

 

[ShiftyPowers]

But there is a big problem at RB without Lahm. I like Rafinha, but if it's a question of him or Martinez, that's no question. I'm also curious about Schweinsteiger as the holder with Martinez more advanced.

 

[Arnau]

Schweinsteiger is too dynamic (and too good) to attach him to positional duties. Rafinha is pulling good performances, he's "your Maxwell".

--------------Lahm--------------
---Schweinsteiger---Kroos-----

Thiago will have to challenge a spot against these 2, Bastian and Kroos. Not sure about Götze's role yet, maybe interior, maybe winger or maybe false 9.

 

[Mus]

Sign Cuadrado

 

[Arnau]

Cuadrado RB? he's no Zuñiga.

 

[Mus]

I think he is the perfect player to dovetail with Robben

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Honestly, it would make more sense to sign a defensive midfielder considering we have the world's best right back already on the team. Gotze can play anywhere, but I imagine he'll start rotating for Kroos and Schweinsteiger when he is healthy. Robbery is just too effective to change right now, although there's always Muller to rotate them. Pretty clear now that Pep won't play Muller in the middle, so we're pretty much just left with Javi and Thiago, although personally I think Shaqiri is better than Thiago.

 

[Arnau]

Shaqiri is a very different player to Thiago... the only DMF i can see fitting in this Bayern (without lowering the level) is Xabi Alonso (Busquets is not in the market).

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Alonso would lower the level quite a bit.

 

[Arnau]

Hahah

 

[yoyo913]

You should sign Lichtsteiner

 

[Arnau]

At this point, i'm quite convinced that the back 4 its going to be Alaba-Dante-Martínez-Boateng when the CL knockout rounds start.

 

[kp41]

Shifty, thanks for the link.

I think Lahm should go back to his position as soon as Martinez is fit.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Badstuber should be back by January too.