Having watched Bayern Munich destroy Barca last night, are we seeing a major shift in power from the pretty "tippi tappi" style of play,to a full on,more physical game. Barca had 63% of the ball,but still got battered. It will be interesting to see how Madrid fare tonight
I thought it was a matter of time before people figured out how to beat Barca. Their ball possession was useless because as soon as they got the ball in the oppositions half Bayern were all over them and putting hard, but fair tackles in. Thing is no Barca player had a real shocker Bayern were just much better than them and it's been a long time since any team have done that to Barca. Barca have not been themselves recently and I think this could be the beginning of the end of their reign as the best team in the world. Be interesting to see what Pep can do at Bayern. I personally think that if they win the CL this year they should keep their current manager, I mean why would you change?
Well, it's not Bayern's choice to make; Heynckes is retiring, not being sacked. If Bayern do win the Champion's League, I think it would make it more likely that Heynckes would want to retire rather than less. Assuming Bayern do win it all, I wonder if Heynckes would want to go to a top team to try and beat Mourinho to be the first man to manage three teams to the CL title?
Personally, I don't like their style of play. They are beatable with the right tactics, as Mourinho's Inter proved a while back (before going on to beat Bayern)
Just read this - a goal difference any team would be prooud of - Bayern Munich have scored 134 goals in all competitions this season, conceding just 25!!!!
When the semi final draw was made everyone the media were delighted that it kept alive the possibility of an all Spanish final. Personally I think Dortmund will turn over Real Madrid as well and we will be looking at an all German Final (I have £10 at 8-1 riding on that outcome)
Barca don't have a plan B for when the tiki taka doesn't work... They definitely miss Pep though, and Tito being out has been a detriment as well.
I think the margin between the teams was less than 4-0 and Bayern intimidated them somewhat. That is not to detract from Bayern's performance. They hastled, harried and certainly worked out that Barcelona's obvious weakness is aerial. The rave reviews their keeper gets is from shot stopping but he likes to stay on his line and they can be got at aerially. Piquet is happier with the ball in front of him and the other lad didn't have Puyol or Mascherano's aggression. I'm not sure if it's the end for them or even the beginning of the end but winning the CL is not easy and I wouldn't necessarily write them off just yet. They are already back for next season and if they can keep Villa fit as well as Messi they will still be a major player.
I saw the title of this thread and assumed it was referring to the shift of football power in East Anglia, from South to North
Well so far it seems that Germany are now the dominant country at club level, Dortmund are all over Madrid.
There is no change in the balance of power except from England to Germany. The thing is, that Barcelona side will go down in history and will always be talked about. I doubt many will be talking about these German sides in years to come,just as they won't talk about the United and Chelsea sides (outside of this country). All the Germans are doing is copying us but with a longer term approach. I know which team I'd rather have.
Wow, dortmund are destroying real And for bayern, the best two players for dortmund are Gotze and lewandoski One has already signed for bayern, and the other is linked The future is bright for them all right
English teams performance this year was a shocker. But when we look at the 'English' teams - Chelski has a lot of overseas players of course owned by a Russki, Arsenal are heavily overseas, Man. City ditto Man.Utd slightly less so but the trend is not good and next year you cannot see a vast improvement. The sooner the fair play rules kick in and teams like Norwich are rewarded for their youth development the better.
sorry, just when was it that there was a football power in the "south"? i thought we have always been top dog, with the occasional hiccough admittedly.
