For Bayern this season, most of the wins have been down to a collective effort.
Arguably, Bayern produced their best performances in the group stages. An injury to Bastian Schweinsteiger and the return of Arjen Robben to action changed much of the dynamics of the team. When the news of Robben’s injury came through early in the season, there was really no sign of ‘doom and gloom’ in the club.
The formation without Robben saw Schweinsteiger line up alongside Luiz Gustavo in defensive midfield. The midfield trio consisted of Thomas Müller, who will now surely be starting the final after sitting on the bench in the semis, Toni Kroos and Franck Ribery.
Ribery produced his best ever form since the 2007-08 season while Schweinsteiger was at the peak of his powers. At the back, Holger Badstuber partnered Daniel Van Buyten in central defence while Philipp Lahm and Jerome Boateng played on either side of them.
Unfortunately, in the fourth game against Napoli, when Bayern was leading 3-1, the bullish Gokhan Inler bashed into Schweinsteiger. The midfielder fractured his collar-bone, returned in January, only to be injured again and finally came back in March. The Bayern team that consistently played through October to March was quite different.
Rafinha played as right-back while Boateng shifted into the middle. Kroos and Gustavo anchored the midfield. Müller, Ribery and Robben were the midfield trio. Kroos for Bayern has absolutely excelled this season. At his age, being the midfield anchor that he is is difficult. Kroos was reluctant to return to Bayern after excelling at Leverkusen but Louis Van Gaal convinced him to do so.
Last season, his performances were underwhelming considering his talent but he really has shone through. Kroos was always a brilliant passer with a brilliant shot on him. This season, he has developed other qualities such as tackling and marking opposition players. More importantly, he filled in for Schweinsteiger for much of the season. He will have to be at his best on Saturday for Bayern to succeed.
When Kroos has a bad day, Bayern has an awful day. Alongside him will be another extremely important player in Schweinsteiger. Bastian’s performances have gradually improved since he returned from injury. He was the one trying to make things happen against Dortmund in the German Cup Final when things fell apart. Schweinsteiger is needed not only for his talent but also for his mentality and leadership skills.
Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer have both made some rather horrendous errors this season. Both players will have an incredibly difficult role to play. Due to Badstuber’s suspension, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, a defensive midfielder by trade, will be heading to the back four. Boateng will have to lead the defence and help out his partner.
The partnership between Arjen Robben and Philipp Lahm has turned out to be a very important one. It is the opposite flank that Chelsea will be looking at. Diego Contento and Franck Ribery will be partnering each other. Again, Ribery will have to help out in defence perhaps more than his Dutch colleague as Contento hasn’t featured for much of the season.
Contento himself has played in huge games before in Bayern’s double winning season in 2009-10, where of-course, Bayern lost the Champions League final. He has done well whenever he has been called on this season. This game however is the biggest one Contento has ever featured in and Ribery will have to look out for him.
Meanwhile Mario Gomez has to put away the chances he gets. He helps out the team to no end but hasn’t been able to score too many recently. Every player will have to be at their best but it is Boateng, Ribery, Schweinsteiger and Kroos who have to deliver absolutely top notch performances for a Bayern to have a shot at claiming a fifth European Cup.
Do you agree with me? Let me hear your thoughts.
The formation without Robben saw Schweinsteiger line up alongside Luiz Gustavo in defensive midfield. The midfield trio consisted of Thomas Müller, who will now surely be starting the final after sitting on the bench in the semis, Toni Kroos and Franck Ribery.
Ribery produced his best ever form since the 2007-08 season while Schweinsteiger was at the peak of his powers. At the back, Holger Badstuber partnered Daniel Van Buyten in central defence while Philipp Lahm and Jerome Boateng played on either side of them.
Unfortunately, in the fourth game against Napoli, when Bayern was leading 3-1, the bullish Gokhan Inler bashed into Schweinsteiger. The midfielder fractured his collar-bone, returned in January, only to be injured again and finally came back in March. The Bayern team that consistently played through October to March was quite different.
Rafinha played as right-back while Boateng shifted into the middle. Kroos and Gustavo anchored the midfield. Müller, Ribery and Robben were the midfield trio. Kroos for Bayern has absolutely excelled this season. At his age, being the midfield anchor that he is is difficult. Kroos was reluctant to return to Bayern after excelling at Leverkusen but Louis Van Gaal convinced him to do so.
Last season, his performances were underwhelming considering his talent but he really has shone through. Kroos was always a brilliant passer with a brilliant shot on him. This season, he has developed other qualities such as tackling and marking opposition players. More importantly, he filled in for Schweinsteiger for much of the season. He will have to be at his best on Saturday for Bayern to succeed.
When Kroos has a bad day, Bayern has an awful day. Alongside him will be another extremely important player in Schweinsteiger. Bastian’s performances have gradually improved since he returned from injury. He was the one trying to make things happen against Dortmund in the German Cup Final when things fell apart. Schweinsteiger is needed not only for his talent but also for his mentality and leadership skills.
Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer have both made some rather horrendous errors this season. Both players will have an incredibly difficult role to play. Due to Badstuber’s suspension, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, a defensive midfielder by trade, will be heading to the back four. Boateng will have to lead the defence and help out his partner.
The partnership between Arjen Robben and Philipp Lahm has turned out to be a very important one. It is the opposite flank that Chelsea will be looking at. Diego Contento and Franck Ribery will be partnering each other. Again, Ribery will have to help out in defence perhaps more than his Dutch colleague as Contento hasn’t featured for much of the season.
Contento himself has played in huge games before in Bayern’s double winning season in 2009-10, where of-course, Bayern lost the Champions League final. He has done well whenever he has been called on this season. This game however is the biggest one Contento has ever featured in and Ribery will have to look out for him.
Meanwhile Mario Gomez has to put away the chances he gets. He helps out the team to no end but hasn’t been able to score too many recently. Every player will have to be at their best but it is Boateng, Ribery, Schweinsteiger and Kroos who have to deliver absolutely top notch performances for a Bayern to have a shot at claiming a fifth European Cup.
Do you agree with me? Let me hear your thoughts.
