Ok, now that the crap has hit the fan as far as injuries go, can the team survive? I know next to nothing about these guys but are they really up against it when they take on Barcelona? Looks like the Spanish team are starting to peak, while the wheels are starting to wobble on the German bus. Is it true that they are having trouble fielding a decent back four? Betting gives Bayern next to no hope at Camp Nou, so a draw there would be an outstanding first leg result. I think the betting is about 15-4 that leg. Stuff it, I have faith. Surely they can field a half decent team with the squad they have. Even one down would be brilliant. Go the mighty Pep.
Bayern have terrific bench strength, but the injuries list is now serious. I still say it's 50/50, mainly because the excellent Bayern defence is still intact. ...and please stop using this "pussy" word, even though football players are their own worst enemies with their play-acting and Olympic-standard diving. I am a great fan of Rugby Union and don't particularly like the League version, but I try not to insult the latter. Excuse me, but "the mighty Pep" is as mad as a March hare, "but in a positive way" (a half-quote from the Bayern Sports Director, Matthias Sammer).
Don't know if this will work but here's the latest football version of a "Comedy of Errors": http://www.sportschau.de/fussball/dfbpokal/videobayerngegendortmunddaselfmeterschiessen100.html (Nice bit of psyching-up by the Dortmund goalkeeper? Got a yellow card for his efforts too).
As I said on another thread, Bayern will beat Barca over the 2 legs comfortably. Barcelona are a very good footballing team, but Bayern are physically superior. Not to mention they are also a very good footballing side aswell. Barcelona may have a front 3 of Messi, Neymar and Suarez, but that front 3 is one dimensional. All you need is a couple of quality mobile holding midfielders and a quality mobile defence and they'll stop them playing. Bayern have the energy, power and the skill to stop them, just as they did 2 years ago with a 7-0 mauling. I don't think it'll be quite as impressive as last time, but I expect the Germans to breeze through into the final. 11/10 for them to progress is a cracking bet!
Well, good luck with your 11/10 bet, I guess that is a fair price rather than a "cracking bet"? You find it easy, but, for me, very difficult games to call. Frankly, I don't think 'home advantage' counts a lot here, as both teams are capable of winning their 'away' games? If Real can get their act together (they just aren't as good as last season when they really thrashed Bayern) they could still be a force. However, their overall form just might not be good enough this time around?
Agreed swanny - I can't see that as a cracking bet at all. Bayern have injuries to key players and whilst we know all about Barcelona's weaknesses any team that boasts their one dimensional front 3 has to be taken very seriously indeed. To be honest I think Bayern's time has gone for now.
How will Pep approach this weekend's game against Bayer? Obviously he'll want the points for the League, but will he use the game as some kind of pipe opener for the Barca game? If so what'll he do?
Bayern may have a few injuries, though Lewandowski is hopeful he will be cleared to play. Robben is obviously a big loss, but the good thing about Bayern is they don't over rely on any one player, like Barcelona do. In answer to your question Cyc, I fancy with a 15 point lead Pep will rest the whole first 11. He's done that in the past, at Barca and at Bayern so I'd expect him to do that again. Bayerns 2nd 11 is still pretty strong
I thought Bayern had already won the Bundesliga this season? Good as, anyway. Pep will give all the answers after his next "shrink" session. He must rest his key players as the league is no more an issue; it will give some of Bayern's up-and-coming youngsters a chance to show their mettle? I think Matthias Sammer will have more than a little input here. Very sensible chap.
.......that's one problem he really does not have, although I do agree that the loss, through yet another serious injury, of Holger Badstuber is desperate luck for Bayern. Boateng is one of the world's most improved defenders, although still prone just occasionally to the clumsy tackle. Dante is world-class when he has the ball at his feet (i.e. distribution excellent) and at cutting-out attacks (his error against Porto in the first leg was a one-off IMO). If Dante has a weakness it is his tackling, which can be woeful sometimes. Neuer, Lahm, and the other defenders pick themselves and are right up to the task. I disagree that Müller is Bayern's key player; I think it could well be Thiago Alcántara. The Spaniard is turning into something else, way way better than I ever thought he was. Brilliant footballer. However, they must give him a short break as he's been working his ass off in recent games. Needs to be as fresh as possible for the Barca battle?
They have won the league already so i would imagine it'll be a reserve side that turn out. I honestly think the Barca game is 50/50, the opposition that Barca are scoring for fun against in La Liga are average at best so although in good form i think it needs taking with a pinch of salt. I know that both are capable of winning the away game but i really believe that this tie will come down to whoever gets the best result at home
I came out firmly (on another thread) towards the end of last week for Bayern to qualify but, having watched the Dortmund game, caught up with the sick parade and seen the likely line-ups for the first leg, I think I'll keep the powder dry and maybe get involved in the second one. The suggested Bayern back line of: Rafinha Boateng Benatia (if fit !) Bernat doesn't strike me as sufficient to stop a fired-up Barca from getting at least two goals at home. My respect for Muller is on record, but I don't anticipate that even he can fill all these major gaps; incidentally, Swan, though I don't question Thiago's talent, to operate to full effect I think he needs protection, and I don't see where he's going to find it in the first leg. So (not for the first time) cowardice is going to outweigh greed, and I'll save the bankroll for the second game. To those already convinced and committed, my admiration and best wishes.
Just a thought, all managers hate going into major events with recent losses on their record. If I read this correctly, Bayern are away to Bayer this weekend, so by the looks of things they are in for a hell of a fight. Being 4th on the ladder and on a roll, Bayer would see taking Bayern's scalp as a bloody real chance. Unbeaten in their last 9 league games and averaging 4 goals per home game for the season, they must be a live chance. What would Pep be thinking about this? The title is his, but if he rests a handful of players and gets rolled, he goes to Spain with a consecutive losses hanging around his team's neck. Managers and players can always say they are playing good football when losing, but deep down they know that they are not sailing along on the crest of a wave. He would dearly love to take a win from the Bayer clash, but can he do it, and what does he have to do to make it happen?
Worth pointing out that the likes of Hertha Berlin, Hoffenheim, Frankfurt and Hannover are also no world-beaters. I think Bayern have once again lacked real competition in the league this season and that has somewhat taken the edge off their game.
As a FC Bayern fan my following comments are not impartial. We will not do a 'Chelsea' and 'park the bus' because we are Bayern Munchen. The loss on Tuesday was our own fault as Schweinsteiger had two excellent chances in extra time. The injury to Lewandowski is more important than the loss of Robben, especially for the game in Catalonia. In 'big' games we tend to feed the ball to Robben and although this quite often pays off it is less likely to count when playing against top teams with good defensive and defensive midfielders. This does not mean I would like to have a fully fit and on top form Robben available, especially for the second leg. We have all our first choice defensive and midfield players available bar the long term injury duo of Alaba and Martinez. I feel that we will create one good chance and two other chances in Barcelona and it is up to the individuals to take these opportunities. To progress to the final will take two great efforts. Mia San Mia!!!
I must add that I follow the view that 'football is more important than gambling'. However my feelings for FC Bayern and the Die Nationalmannschaft do affect my betting. This has resulted in large ante post flutters on Danedream, Novelist etc so am very chuffed to have placed a large AP bet on Don Cossack, a German bred, at 16/1 on the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Ho hum.
