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BUNDESLIGA & DEUTSCHLAND-DIE OFFIZIELLE BENANG
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Bundesliga Tops And Flops So Far
With the international break upon us, Mathew Burt takes the opportunity to analyse who has been hitting the heights and who has been more disappointing in the opening weeks of the Bundesliga season.
With seven games played so far this season, the campaign has not gone according to plan for certain teams, while others are playing above their pre-season expectations and can be well pleased with the start they have made.
It still may be early days but some early conclusions can be drawn as to who is hot and who is not. Goal.com looks at the early season tops and flops in the Bundesliga
TOPS
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
The newly promoted side are surpassing all expectations in the Bundesliga and are causing quite a stir with their start to the season. They actually sat top of the table for a brief while and have already proved that they are not just in the top division for a one-season sojourn. It’s not just the seven goals of Vedad Ibisevic that have impressed; the team’s attacking style is a joy to watch. The way they played when 4-1 down at the Weser Stadion was superb and they were unlucky to lose 5-4 in what may turn out to be the game of the season.
Pedro Geromel
The 1.FC Köln defender arrived for just €3 million in the summer from Portuguese side Guimares, which at the time seemed a lot of money for a relative unknown, but the 23 year old has surpassed all expectations and compensated a little for the absence of key defender Umit Ozat following his heart scare.
Patrick Helmes
When former world-class striker Rudi Völler pays you a compliment as to your ability, then it means something. The Bayer Sporting director is delighted to have Helmes at the club following his summer move from Köln, and the move is paying instant dividends for the Werkself. The 24 year old has already had his contract extended to 2013 following his 7 goals in his first 7 games.
Jens Lehmann
This may well be 38 year old Lehmann’s last year in goal, but he is showing that it was a wise decision from Stuttgart to take him on after his release from Arsenal. The veteran keeper has helped restore the faith at the back for VfB, which was clearly missing last season with Rafael Schäfer between the posts.
Vedad Ibisevic
Bosnian striker Vedad Ibisevic was setting himself up for a season battling with first choice Hoffenheim strikers Demba Ba, Chinedu Obasi and new Brazilian signing Wellingon for some game time but his early season goals have made him the first choice up front for Ralf Rangnick’s side. Seven goals in seven games as well as four assists have made him indispensable for the newly promoted minnows.
Martin Jol
Tottenham’s loss is very much Hamburg and the Bundesliga’s gain. Discarded by the London club last season in favour of Juande Ramos, Jol took up the reins at the HSH Nordbank Arena in succession to the popular Hub Stevens and then had to cope with the sale of Rafael van der Vaart. So far things have gone perfectly with the Rothosen sitting top of the table. He has seen the money received from the sales of van der Vaart and Vincent Kompany ploughed back into the team with Marcell Jansen, Mladen Petric, Alex Silva and Thiago Neves all arriving to strengthen the team.
Bruno Labbadia and Jürgen Klopp
With Jürgen Klinsmann not having the best of times at Bayern, the two other new coaches are enjoying a better time of things at their respective clubs. Bruno Labbadia has taken no time at all in settling into the hot-seat at Leverkusen in his first stint in charge of a Bundesliga club. The Werkself are playing attractive football and are banging in the goals to boot. Jürgen Klopp over at Dortmund does have Bundesliga experience, but he has turned things around at Dortmund, making the defence stronger and producing an air of optimism at the Signal Iduna Park.
FLOPS
Bayern Munich/ Jürgen Klinsmann
FC Hollywood are back with the Bavarian giants very much in the spotlight for wrong reasons once again. The introduction of Klinsmann as their new trainer caused a media frenzy and that hasn’t abated following their poor start to the season. They’ve made their worse start to the Bundesliga in 42 years which has made the league as a whole more interesting as it means they probably won’t stroll the league as many had first feared.
Mark van Bommel
Van Bommel inherited the captain’s armband from legendary Oliver Kahn becoming the first foreigner to been handed the honour of leading the Bavarians. He duly got himself sent off in only the second league game of the season against Dortmund after just 23 minutes. He has also lost his place in the side, which has further undermined his role as Bayern skipper.
Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose
At this stage last season the Bayern striking duo of Toni and Klose had already hit 13 goals. This time round Toni has hit three and Klose one (from the penalty spot) and they both look a shadow of their former selves and Klose in particular must be under threat of losing his place to Lukas Podolski, who is still forced to sit on the bench and watch.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Of all the three sides promoted last season from the second division it is champions Borussia Mönchengladbach who are struggling the most. They have lost six of their seven games and currently sit bottom of the table. That poor start has cost trainer Jos Luhukay his job and the Fohlen are now on the hunt for a replacement with Sporting director Christian Ziege in temporary charge of the team.
Dortmund’s Idiot Fringe
There was a minority of Dortmund fans, who brought a little shame upon their club with their appalling treatment of Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp. Obscene banners and chanting directed at the millionaire tarnished BVB’s reputation and the DFL have said that they will be investigating the death threats aimed at Hopp.
Christian Zaccardo
Italian World Cup winner Zaccardo was a big money summer signing from Palermo for Wolfsburg, but so far has failed to live up to his €7 million price tag. Felix Magath hauled him off at half time against both Köln and Bochum in Wolfsburg’s opening games and unlike compatriot Andrea Barzagli he has failed to impress at the Volkswagen Arena thus far. The jury is very much out of the wisdom of signing Zaccardo.
Werder’s Defence
Werder Bremen are famous for their gung-ho attacking football and it is highly entertaining, but it will be worrying trainer Thomas Schaaf a little that his back line of Naldo and Per Mertesacker have conceded a whopping 16 goals already this season making them the worse defence in the league. The 5-4 win over Hoffenheim may have had the fans cheering, but the fact that Werder conceded so many would have had Schaaf tearing his hair out.
Mathew Burt
[ Last edited by ShadowChaser at 13-10-2008 12:14 PM ] |
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Reply #2155 kalikoni's post
yg paling aku kesalkan dia baru 26
jadi selagi lowe ada takde can la dia
tapi mungkin lowe akan ubah pikiran, mende gini bukannya buleh pegang sgt, rugi kalu tak panggil kalu dia top scorer musim ni kot |
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lama dh tak jenguk sini.....
bz bnyk la sekarang |
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Reply #2157 chikli's post
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Originally posted by ShadowChaser at 14-10-2008 04:09 PM 
idup lagi kau rupanya
he..he.. masih diberi peluang utk perbaiki diri 
amacam game germany mlm ni? bole menang? 2 game lepas terkial2 je nk aku tgk game diorang. |
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Reply #2159 chikli's post
balak takde mlm ni dijamin ah
hleb takde kan  |
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Balas #2160 ShadowChaser\ catat
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WCQ Preview: Germany - Wales
What: 2010 World Cup Qualifier, Group 4
Who: Germany vs Wales
When: Wednesday, 15th October, 20:45 (CET)
Where: Borussia Park, Mönchengladbach
TEAM NEWS
Germany
The German camp has been reluctant to report much on Ballack’s injury, so it’s hard to predict a definite lineup. If Ballack is healthy, we can expect the same starting eleven Löw used against Russia. Otherwise, Torsten Frings will likely replace Ballack in central midfield.
Probable Starting XI: Adler – Lahm, Westermann, Mertesacker, Friedrich – Trochowski, Hitzlsperger, Frings, Schweinsteiger – Podolski, Klose
Wales
With a full squad of healthy players in the Welsh camp, the only uncertainty is what formation John Toshack will decide to use. Conflicting reports indicate either a 4-5-1 or a 5-4-1 formation from the Welsh. Either way, the presence of a lone striker up front means that 18-year-old Sam Vokes will be relegated to the bench following an underwhelming performance against Liechtenstein.
Probable Starting XI: Hennessey – Bale, Williams, Nyatanga, Morgan, Gunter – Edwards, Koumas, Fletcher, Davies – Bellamy
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Germany – Lukas Podolski
At the moment, Podolski is the only dependable goalscorer on the German team. If he is in form, Germany will score 2 or more goals. If not, the home team may be in for a frustrating evening. A lot depends on how defensive the Welsh line up. Podolski tends to use space created by his partner, but will have a difficult time doing just that if the Welsh line up with three central defenders.
Wales – Craig Bellamy
The former Liverpool striker will hope to score against the tall and formidable combination of Per Mertesacker and Heiko Westermann. One advantage that Bellamy has is his pace, which by far exceeds that of the German centre-backs. A long ball forward to Bellamy could make all the difference for Wales.
PREDICTION
Much of the media has been playing up the Kuranyi ordeal as part of a larger crisis in the Germany camp, but I reject these claims. Kuranyi left because he was fifth in the pecking order on his national team; if anything, his departure solidifies the fact that Germany have a very solid striking contingent. Of course, a lot will depend on the resolve of both teams, which won’t be evident until the match begins.
Still, Germany have been phenomenal in tournament qualification for quite some time, and I can’t imagine them slipping up badly tomorrow. Wales, on the other hand, still have some maturing to do before they realize their potential.
Germany 2-0 Wales |
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World Cup qual. - Brave Wales fall in Germany
Piotr Trochowski's second-half thunderbolt broke stubborn Wales resistance in Moenchengladbach as Germany laboured to a 1-0 win to move four points clear at the top of World Cup qualifying Group 4.
John Toshack's team had repelled the home side tirelessly and looked on course for an unlikely point, before the midfielder fired an unstoppable shot past Wayne Hennessey on 72 minutes.
Germany dominated the first half with Michael Ballack and Thomas Hitzlsperger controlling the midfield and white shirts all over the pitch showing neat touches and good movement.
But while Joachim Lowe's men had a virtual monopoly on possession, they failed to create a single clear opening and were reduced to long-range efforts as Wales' disciplined defending left them frustrated.
Miroslav Klose had the first effort of note on 16 minutes, driving a shot into the side netting from just inside the box after good work from Bastian Schweinsteiger on the right.
Wales packed numbers behind the ball, but could have taken an unlikely lead on 28 minutes after Gareth Bale played in Craig Bellamy on the left. The striker shot early across the goalkeeper, but his effort fizzed just wide.
Moments later Schweinsteiger let fly with a fine left-foot shot from 25 yards, but it flew just over the bar with Hennessey flailing.
Hennessey saved Ballack's low drive five minutes before half-time, but it was Wales who entered the break with confidence blooming after an impressively organised showing.
The second half saw the German onslaught intensify, but not before Bellamy had once again threatened to stun the home side with a breakaway goal - the West Ham forward latching onto David Edwards's flick and drawing a sharp save from Rene Adler.
But the majority of the action unfolded at the opposite end, with James Collins inspired at the heart of the Wales defence and Hennessey putting in a impressive performance between the sticks.
Collins denied substitute Patrick Helmes on the hour mark with a brave block at the foot of the post and recovered to foil Ballack as he raced in for the kill.
Hennessey was next to shine, tipping over Schweinsteiger's blistering shot brilliantly on 71 minutes.
The Wales keeper could do nothing to stop Trochowski's ripsnorter, however, which bent wickedly in the top-right corner after the midfielder had cut in from the right flank and pulled the trigger from just outside the box.
Germany finally had the lead they deserved, and with the floodgates broken it appeared they might run away with the match when Ballack hit the post from a free-kick moments later.
But Wales refused to capitulate and with 10 minutes remaining wasted a glorious chance to draw level, when Bellamy raced away down the left and found Chris Gunter with his cut-back.
The 19-year-old couldn't quite cultivate a shooting opportunity, however, and as the attack clumsily faltered, so did Wales' hopes of leaving Germany with a point. |
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I was wrong, but have no regrets says Kuranyi
BERLIN (AFP) - Striker Kevin Kuranyi has explained why he walked out on Germany and admitted he was wrong to leave the team without permission during the 2-1 World Cup qualifier win over Russia.
The 26-year-old watched Saturday's game from the stands as one of two squad players not involved, but having been granted permission to meet friends at half-time, he failed to meet the team bus after the game.
Friends went to the team's hotel in Duesseldorf to collect his possessions early on Sunday morning and Germany coach Joachim Loew announced on Sunday he will not pick Kuranyi again for die Mannschaft.
"We could not tolerate Kevin's actions," said team manager Oliver Bierhoff on Tuesday.
Kuranyi now admits he was wrong and apologised to Loew on Sunday, but the coach insists there is no way back into the national fold for the player.
"I couldn't stand it anymore," Kuranyi told German tabloid Bild on Tuesday.
"I did not participate in the 2006 World Cup, then was hardly used during Euro 2008 although I was in good form.
"I travelled to the national team last weekend having scored two goals for Schalke - and I found myself in the stands in Dortmund.
"I just wanted to get away.
"It is a very, very difficult situation for me, I would not wish this on anyone.
"What I did affected the team and I was wrong.
"I also apologised to the coach in a telephone calls, there are no words of compensation."
But Kuranyi, who has made 52 appearances for Germany, said he has no regrets.
The root of the extraordinary walk-out goes back to before the 2006 World Cup when Kuranyi was dumped by then-coach Jurgen Klinsmann on the eve of the tournament.
Having won his way back and helped Germany qualify for Euro 2008, Kuranyi was kept on the sidelines during the tournament while Mario Gomez struggled in his place.
"I stand behind what I did - I do not regret anything," he added.
"The collapse came over what happened in the past three years. I could not bear that any longer - as a player and a person."
Whether Kuranyi ever plays for Germany again remains to be seen.
"That is something for, I just need to concentrate on my performance," he added.
Schalke fans displayed a banner saying: "Kevin, we still believe in you!" when the player returned for training on Monday, but there is little sympathy here for Kuranyi's actions.
Despite the player's apology Loew says his mind is made up.
"We spoke briefly on Sunday and he apologised in principle and explained that his decision to leave the team was an error," said Loew.
"I accepted this apology, however it changes nothing over my decision." |
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Reply #2166 kalikoni's post
aku tak dan nak tengok goal tu  |
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Reply #2168 kalikoni's post
kul 8 dah masuk keje, sempat tgk kejap je 2nd half 
babil betul wales ni  |
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aku belum tgk game ni. apa wales main defensive sgt ke? pehal lak ngan striker2 germany? bila lak nk rasa diorang mengganas ni... |
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Reply #2170 chikli's post
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derang main 3 centre halves yg langsung tak gerak |
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janji menang wpun 1 gol je... |
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Post time 13-10-2008 12:13 PM
