Bundesliga Matchday 22
FC Bayern München v. 1899 Hoffenheim 4:0 (2:0)
Allianz Arena –
FCB are building momentum. This is a story that Bundesliga fans know well. Although Louis Van Gaal has written off the retaining the title, second in the table is almost inevitable (after Matchday 22 they find themselves 3 points behind Bayer Leverkusen – Neverkusen). This game was dubbed a game of the week by Bundesliga Magazine and did not disappoint. Bayern came out strong and scored within the first two minutes. A beautiful through ball from 2010 World Golden Boot winner, Thomas Müller, set up Mario Gomez (leading goal scorer in the Bundesliga at 17) for an easy goal. Bayern continued to press throughout the first half and got their second only 13 minutes after the first. Although Franck Ribéry did the majority of the work the finish by Müller was as cool as you like. Bayern continued to dominate the second half with two goals by Robben (his first in typical fashion cutting in from the right almost Messiesque, or does Messi score Robbenesque goals??) The only not for Hoffenheim? 4 bookings? They did hold 48.8% possession, but this day was all about Bayern. They looked like the dominant Bayern from last season and a preferred 4-2-3-1 works well. Robbery is back and playing well.
Eintracht Frankfurt v. Bayer 04 Leverkusen 0:3 (0:2)
Commerzbank-Arena –
Frankfurt, a team that started the season like the other surprises (Mainz, Hannover…) have fallen, and fallen fast. Michael Skibbe’s boys have not scored a goal in 2011 (scored on 8 times), and after this weekend have fallen to 11th in the table. Leverkusen, on the other hand, have taken all three points in each game in 2011, except losing to league leaders Dortmund after the Winter Break. This game was never in doubt. The only question was by how much Bayer would win. Frankfurt’s hope rests on the Greek shoulders of Gekas, who is either really on or really off. Unfortunately for Frankfurt fans he has been really off. Simon Rolfes, extremely underrated as a midfielder in Germany, scored after only nine minutes. A comedy of errors by Frankfurt led to an easy second goal from Renato Augusto. Frankfurt’s defense was just terrible, horrible! Bayer’s third goal, in the 84 minute, was a thing of beauty, but it’s hard to say too much because of Frankfurt’s impotence on the field.
Werder Bremen v. Hannover 96 1:1 (0:1)
Weserstadion -
A northern German derby that sees these rivals at opposite ends of the table. For Thomas Schaaf and Bremen they sit in 14th position with only 24 points (one point away from a relegation spot). At times it is hard to see what went wrong at Bremen. They still have quality players like Aaron Hunt, Marko Marin, and the Bundesliga’s all-time foreign goal scorer Claudio Pizarro, but on the field they constantly fail to play as a team. Hannover, on the other hand, find themselves fighting for a European birth, sitting nervously in 4th – one point behind Bayern and one point ahead of Mainz. Didier Ya Konan scored in the 26th minute through pure grit and determination. That brings his goal total to 11, which is good enough for third place. Bremen pulled the game back from a set piece – Per Mertesacker.
FC Schalke 04 v. Freiburg 1:0 (0:0)
Veltins-Arena –
The highlight of this game, besides the constant support and backing of the Royal Blue faithful, was an exquisite goal from the Peruvian Jefferson Farfán. After a beautiful through ball from Raul all Farfán needed was a touch and shot, and he finished sublimely. Felix Magath sent his boys out in a 4-4-2, which works well for the Royal Blues. For me, one player that constantly underwhelms is Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Only 7 goals in 1,707 minutes? Seems like a drought. A constant bright light for Schalke is the rise of former Real Madrid player, José Jurado, keep an eye out for this youngster.
VfB Stuttgart v. 1. FC Nürnberg 1:4 (1:2)
Mercedes-Benz Arena –
In a world of kissing the badge and then jumping ship, FC Nürnberg’s on loan, Julian Schieber, almost had a mental breakdown scoring – and bossing – his parent club. Stuttgart, the 2007 champions, are beginning to think they are too good to go down are wandering too close to the drop. If Bob Bradley is reading this he needs to call up the young German born American, Tim Chandler. He looked extremely comfortable in this match. An assist and a sublime goal. Stuttgart find themselves in 17th place with only 19 points and 5 points from safety. Is Bruno Labbadia already out of ideas? They can’t fire him, he is the third manager for VfB this season! Der Club, on the other hand, are punching above their weight in ninth.
VfL Wolfsburg v. Hamburger SV 0:1 (0:1)
Volkswagen-Arena
The main focus of this match was on the touchline. Who would replace Steve McClaren? The answer is surprising, and somewhat nonsensical. Pierre Littbarski takes the helm of a team in which the real problem is the egos of the players. The 2009 champions rarely show that form. Diego is not the same player he was before he left Bremen for Italy. The only note of this actual game was the spot kick by Croatian Mladen Petric. He is consistently one of the most exciting Bundesliga players, but needs a new goal celebration… Wolfsburg took the edge in possession with 57% but could not convert any of their 8 shots.
FC St. Pauli v. Borussia M’gladbach 3:1 (1:1)
Millerntor Stadium –
I realize everyone says this, but if you are a neutral and need a Bundesliga side to support – watch St. Pauli! They are a cult favorite, but actually strive to play attacking football. They are hovering in 12th, but on a decent run of form, undefeated in 2011. It is good to see Gerald Asamoah returning to form after being shown the door at Schalke (4 goals). Gladbach got the game underway after only 9 minutes, but then they did what gladbach do – capitulate and fall. St. Pauli scored three unanswered (Kruse, 37; Asamoah, 53; Lehmann, 58) to win this match with almost 70% possession (68.3). Their 23 shots to gladbach’s 7 shows the trajectory of this match and the firing of coach, Michael Frontzeck. Gladbach hire Lucien Favre, whose recent claim to fame is helping Hertha BSC get relegated. Perhaps that is unfair; he was named coach of the year in 2008/9 season after taking the capital club to 4th place. I would love to hear gladbach fan’s reaction.
FC Köln v. 1 FSV Mainz 05 4:2 (2:1)
Rheinenergie Stadium –
This may have been the surprise game of the weekend, at least for excitement. Whenever Köln takes the field one eye is glued to the Prince, Podolski, who after a slow and almost non-existent start to second spell with his hometown club, Köln, has begun to look fruitful. He bagged a brace (9 total for the season) and had a hand in everything Köln did going forward. On the Mainz side, is the boy band over? They are losing pace and losing that killer edge, but there are signs of hope. Sami Allagui, for example, is a danger whenever he gets on the ball (check out his goal against FC Bayern)
FC Kaiserslautern v. Borussia Dortmund 1:1 (0:0)
Fritz-Walter-Stadium
The 2011 Bundesliga Champions Dortmund (yep, you read it right) are only ten points ahead of Leverkusen after matchday 22. Dortmund had won their last ten road games, and the record set by Werder and Hamburg is 11, but they would not match this record. This game only appeared even. K-town can thank the woodwork and tired legs from the young Dortmund side that this match was only 1-1. The Dortmund goal finally came through Sven Bender in the 81’. Bender is one of the young up and comers at Dortmund. However, the Dortmund defense, usually solid, failed to clear a corner and in the 90th minute were scored on. Dortmund takes the edge on possession with 54%. Dortmund peppered the K-town goal with 17 shots (compared to 15 by K-town).
Midweek Update
Hamburger SV v. St. Pauli 0:1 (0:0)
Goal Scorers: St. Pauli – Gerald Asamoah (59’)
HSH Nordbank Arena/Imtech Arena – 57,000
The reverse of this Stadtderby was an exhilarating 1-1 draw (seriously). On that day, St. Pauli took the lead over their cross-town neighbors but had their hearts broken by a phenomenal strike by Mladen Petric (with his terrible goal celebration, see Matchday 22 review). Matchday 21 was different. That cult team that I told you to follow is now on top of the Bundesliga form table for 2011 – undefeated in 5 matches. Holger Stanislawski’s team (St. Pauli) has run a 4-2-3-1 for most of the season and this continued tonight. St. Pauli looked happy to sit back and absorb pressure waiting patiently to strike, although they rarely struck (only registering 5 shots on target vs. HSV’s 22). This all should have backfired as St. Pauli were outplayed for much of this contest (HSV registering 64% possession), but nonetheless struck through Gerald Asamoah (59’), bringing his season tally to 5. The former German international even looked surprised to score. HSV will feel robbed. The stats were completely in their favor, and by the way, forget Xavi; David Jarolim completed 63/68 passes in the HSV midfield!
* This was St. Pauli’s first victory at HSV since 1977
World Football Daily
