I personally would take Schweinsteiger + Kroos over Alonso + Thiago any day of the week though. But yeah, it could be worse. ^^
FC Bayern 2015/16
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I personally would take Schweinsteiger + Kroos over Alonso + Thiago any day of the week though. But yeah, it could be worse. ^^
Not wanting to disagree with any of the rest, but the bolded part? What multiple long term injuries do you have all over the team? Messi, Iniesta, Rafinha? That's not so terribly many.
What do you mean by that ? His passing was great yesterday and he found his team mates with a lot of forward passes in dangerous areas. It was the attackers in the final third that let the team down. He is a liability of the ball though and is probably not worth playing in the big games.
It's better to have many players injured in the first half of the season instead of the 2nd half of the season where you play a semi final in the UCL for example.
Way higher than our usual numbers.
http://www.sport-english.com/en/new...-terrible-injury-problems-this-season-4605528
According to "kicker", Robben and Badstuber back on the bench, Martinez playing. Good times 
Yeah good news for Badstuber. I haven't seen the lad in 2+ yearsAccording to "kicker", Robben and Badstuber back on the bench, Martinez playing. Good times
I'm sure it's not been that long for him, but he's been really unlucky with injuries hasn't he?
Yeah good news for Badstuber. I haven't seen the lad in 2+ years
I'm sure it's not been that long for him, but he's been really unlucky with injuries hasn't he?
Well he had a short comeback after 1.5 years where he almost reached his old form in just about 1-2 months but then he got one or two longterm injuries again.
It's basically more than 2 years now, almost 3.Really unlucky. Proper shame when a talented footballer is hampered by injury like thisWell he had a short comeback after 1.5 years where he almost reached his old form in just about 1-2 months but then he got one or two longterm injuries again.
But what a trooper. Gave his comeback twice now after many months of abscence (and always getting injured again, of course) and still instantly managed to contribute something to the team
Badstuber is incredible. His attitude is fantastic. Never complaining; never wallowing in self-pity; off the pitch he is usually calm and on the pitch he is always focused. It is quite sad, that he has so much bad luck with injuries. He could be one of the best CBs out there.
Kicker says Robben will start. Agree about Badstuber being a fighter. I don't know if i in his place wouldn't have called it quits a while ago.
I think their midfield is their biggest problem this season. Seems like Thiago-Alonso-Vidal, as good as they look on paper, aren't performing well. I'd go as far to say that our midfield trio of Schneiderlin-Herrara-Schweinsteiger is even better this season.
They have, however, by far the better defence and attack.
They have, however, by far the better defence and attack.
I don't like the Thiago-Alonso-Vidal setup very much. Thiago seems too complacent and his short passes are a joke, as seen in the Arsenal games. Alonso is really getting slower each game and Vidal, while being the only able person in that triangle, seem to be held back by something. I don't know why, but I expect more explosions coming from him just before he plays another safe pass to the back. The wingers we got this season are all doing well, but the midfield itself is worrying me. They'll have to step it up, because they lag behind the rest of the team.
This is going to be one of the deciding factors for the Arsenal game at Munich, I think. They know how to beat Bayern by going straight through the middle. It's up to us to prevent that now. Lots of people have talked about how Bayern lacked the final pass, but I think usually chances are just a matter of time. The defensive setup in midfield is what broke us. Good game by Arsenal.
Two months ago, I'd have stubbornly disagreed with you. Today, a few days after the Arsenal game, I'll agree with you 100%. I think the problem was really exposed in that game. Fortunately, I think. We have time to adjust now, once we fix that problem, I think we're a tough side to beat. I'm having hopes for Kimmich, he's coming out of nowhere (for me) and doing solid stuff. Might want to drop Alonso for Kimmich and kick Thiago in the behinds for those sloppy short passes. God, if I see one more foot flick that results in a sloppy pass, I'm going mental... I don't care if it looks stupid, just play a proper pass with purpose instead of doing a cool flick that results in a lost ball...
This is going to be one of the deciding factors for the Arsenal game at Munich, I think. They know how to beat Bayern by going straight through the middle. It's up to us to prevent that now. Lots of people have talked about how Bayern lacked the final pass, but I think usually chances are just a matter of time. The defensive setup in midfield is what broke us. Good game by Arsenal.
Two months ago, I'd have stubbornly disagreed with you. Today, a few days after the Arsenal game, I'll agree with you 100%. I think the problem was really exposed in that game. Fortunately, I think. We have time to adjust now, once we fix that problem, I think we're a tough side to beat. I'm having hopes for Kimmich, he's coming out of nowhere (for me) and doing solid stuff. Might want to drop Alonso for Kimmich and kick Thiago in the behinds for those sloppy short passes. God, if I see one more foot flick that results in a sloppy pass, I'm going mental... I don't care if it looks stupid, just play a proper pass with purpose instead of doing a cool flick that results in a lost ball...
Individually, Thiago, Alonso and Vidal are all excellent players. But I don't think possession football is their forte. Alonso showed his best form when he's paired with an orchestrator (Schweinsteiger/Kroos, Modric). Thiago will go on to become one of the best midfielders in the world, but right now his decision-making has been hit-and-miss and he haven't even filled half the shoe Schweinsteiger left behind. Never been impressed with Vidal's passing, don't think he is someone you can rely on for build-up play.
Selling Schweinsteiger is looking like a mistake now.
Hmm. Not sure whether 'Alonso showing his best form when paired with Schweinsteiger' is something I'd agree with. The pairing was dreadful most of the time.
Selling Schweinsteiger is looking like a mistake now.
Selling Schweinsteiger looked like a mistake back then, too. But the club didn't have much say in the decision. It was Schweinsteiger's call. And we should've looked for a replacement much sooner. I guess next year, we'll be looking for a really good replacement, Vidal is good in his own right, but he's not replacing Schweinsteiger.
Name aside Alonso is just not a top player any more. When things go well, he looks very good, but when things don´t go well, he is all over the place. His lack of pace and strength really hurts the team in a system with a super high line. For me that is the big issue in the current bayern team. Additionally all (justified) hype aside, Thiago hasn´t shown a whole lot. He plays such a central role, but he rarely applies himself when the team struggles to control the game. Those two player should be the brain of the current team, who control games. When push comes to shove both havn´t shown enough.
No team can control every game for 90 minutes against top teams. Not even the current bayern team. In those 10-20 minutes when the opposite team is on the front foot, the team is way to vulnerable.
No team can control every game for 90 minutes against top teams. Not even the current bayern team. In those 10-20 minutes when the opposite team is on the front foot, the team is way to vulnerable.
Is it just me or are people going way over the top after one defeat? You know even the best teams can lose games right? This Bayern side for me has had two truly disappointing results since Pep took over; against Real Madrid which was simply a bad performance where they abandoned their style in favour of a more gung-ho approach, reminded me actually of our games against Real in 2003 when we played our typical game only to be undone on the counter. The other being last year's at the Nou Camp when I don't think they were outplayed which is a testament in itself. But nobody can really do much when Messi decides to win a game on his own like he did that game. Maybe I am crazy but I do not think that warrants this over analysis of their shortcomings as despite having weaknesses like everybody else, they remain easily among the best teams of the past decade with a very difficult brand of authoritative football to replicate.
Cocks out.
They've just done to Arsenal what Arsenal did to us.
They've just done to Arsenal what Arsenal did to us.
I think this is going to be another treble season for them.
Don't think any team in the world has such consistent talent all over the pitch. One of the top 2 goalkeepers in the world, the best centerback in the world, the two best fullbacks in the world, a handful of great central midfielders, about 5 world class attacking midfielders and probably the best out-and-out striker in the world.
Absolutely bonkers assembly of talent.
Absolutely bonkers assembly of talent.
Its insane how good Thiago is, everything he does is just perfect. Technique, decision making, movement.....pure class.
Their injury issues the previous two seasons is sort of a blessing in disguise. Forced them to increase their depth. Look at the quality players they have that would not make their best 11.
The funny thing is that I don't think they're even playing at their best. They are still playing at a walking pace.
What's their strongest XI?
Two Müllers are now leading Bayern´s european cup all time scorer list
If I were in Guardiola's positions, I'd pick this:
Neuer
Lahm - Boateng - Benatia - Alaba
Javi Martinez
Robben - Müller - Thiago - D. Costa
Lewandowski
For Guardiola it probably has to be with Xabi Alonso in midfield and Javi Martinez in central defence though.Lahm - Boateng - Benatia - Alaba
Javi Martinez
Robben - Müller - Thiago - D. Costa
Lewandowski
Remarkable.
No way, that Benatia should be in there.
Badstuber and Ribery were out for ages so it is slightly unfair to include them, so:
Neuer, Boateng, Alaba, Lewandowski and Müller are imo set. Lahm also if you play with a right back. Götze could have a sniff, if he´d continue his form from the beginning of the season. Eventually you could also add Vidal instead of someone. Alonso is included, because he always plays with Pep and he offers something, that only Kimmich could really do as well.
Lewandowski - Müller
Ribery - Thiago - Robben
Martinez
Alaba - Badstuber - Boateng - Lahm
Neuer
Ribery - Thiago - Robben
Martinez
Alaba - Badstuber - Boateng - Lahm
Neuer
Badstuber and Ribery were out for ages so it is slightly unfair to include them, so:
Lewandowski - Müller
Costa - Thiago - Robben
Alonso
Alaba - Martinez - Boateng - Lahm
Neuer
Costa - Thiago - Robben
Alonso
Alaba - Martinez - Boateng - Lahm
Neuer
Neuer, Boateng, Alaba, Lewandowski and Müller are imo set. Lahm also if you play with a right back. Götze could have a sniff, if he´d continue his form from the beginning of the season. Eventually you could also add Vidal instead of someone. Alonso is included, because he always plays with Pep and he offers something, that only Kimmich could really do as well.
For all his defensive strengths, Javi Martinez simply doesn't have the passing range and technical ability of a single pivot #6 in this Bayern team. Our build-up would be severely harmed without a player like Alonso on that position. Joshua Kimmich, who is a similar player to Alonso, is still to inexperienced to compete for the starting spot.
As one of Mario Götze's strongest critics I have to admit that it will be hard to drop him if he can continue to impress after he returns from injury in January. In the end I fear that injuries will make the actual decisions for Guardiola.
Well, I did say, if I was in his position and I also wrote what he'd probably do. Bit ridiculous to dismiss Benatia that easily and include Badstuber or Ribery, considering how long they've been out.
Love Kimmich and glad he got some minutes (not glad about why he got them obviously).
But he needs to start taking a bit more responsibility. Security is good, but some of these countless automatic back passes were detrimental to our buildup IMO.
But he needs to start taking a bit more responsibility. Security is good, but some of these countless automatic back passes were detrimental to our buildup IMO.
These are the only team I see stopping Barcelona and even at that they'll have to play their best game of the season to beat them.
Still think that Barca defense is there for the taking but yeah Bayern is the only team right now that's good enough to go toe-to-toe with them.
They look incredible sometimes. Ridiculously good. It's bizarre that some people seem to write off Guardiola's tenure there on the basis that he hasn't won a CL yet, because he's done a superb job in maintaining a superb side.
A potential Barca vs Bayern CL final could be incredible if it were to happen. Comfortably the best two sides in the world at the moment.
A potential Barca vs Bayern CL final could be incredible if it were to happen. Comfortably the best two sides in the world at the moment.
It would be fantastic if we got to see them both against each other in the final, and both with fully fit and in form squads this season unlike their last two knockout ties.
Bayerns lack of competitiveness has cost them in these types of games late on in the season so why should it change now?
Bayern v Barca over two legs in the quarters is what I want to see...with us in the other side of the draw
Really would be. Two of the best attacks world football has seen coming up against each other.
No doubt Chelsea will end up sneaking their way to the final or something.
What hurt us is that we played like utter crap after each of the last 2 winter breaks, considering our squad and our form when going into the break. We stomped the league in 2013 but still remained more than competitive. So far, under Pep, that hasn't happened yet.