FC Bayern has started the season well for the first time in four seasons. However, the next four matches following the Bundesliga match against Freiburg could go on to show just how good Bayern really is.
FC Bayern has conceded just once in seven matches in all competitions this season. Six matches have been won. Manuel Neuer has had so little to do at the back that he inadvertently passed the ball to a Kaiserslautern player in Bayern’s last outing. Luckily for him, the defence took care of the situation.
Also, most of the players in the squad have been used. Daniel Van Buyten, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, David Alaba and Toni Kroos have all been used as starters recently. The only low point of the season has really been an injury to the work-horse Ivica Olic. Olic, following a nine-month lay-off will be out of action for another two months.
According to Franck Ribery, this Bayern side is ready to take FCB to the ‘next level.’ Ribery is seemingly enjoying his football again. The team is in harmony. Everyone seems to like Jupp Heynckes. Heynckes favour solid wins rather than amazing ones. Despite big wins in recent Bundesliga matches, Bayern’s attack hasn’t exactly hit its peak yet.
Bayern seems to be intent on reclaiming the Bundesliga and the German Cup. The team is intent on showing up at the Champions League Final in May in what would actually be a home game for them at the Allianz Arena.
Freiburg is not to be underestimated; however Bayern’s record against the side is quite good. Freiburg is perhaps the easiest fixture for Bayern in September.
Following a home match against Freiburg, Bayern takes on Villarreal in Spain in their third Champions League fixture of the season. Bayern easily went past FC Zurich and took their spot in the group stage. Villarreal was recently torn apart by Barcelona but showed good signs against Odense in the Champions League play-offs.
This match will truly test Bayern’s defence. Villarreal is a wonderful attacking outfit and Giuseppe Rossi will twist and turn to get one past Manuel Neuer. Bayern’s recent group stage campaigns have been good barring the one in 2009 when they just about qualified for the knock-out stages with an emphatic win against Juventus.
Following this match, Bayern will travel to Gelsenkirchen. Schalke beat Bayern twice last season, once in the league (2-0) and then in the Cup (0-1). Bayern exacted revenge towards the end of the season by hammering Schalke, 4-1. Schalke currently sits in second behind Bayern in the table.
If recent form is anything to go by, the Royal Blues with the return of Lewis Holtby from loan and with Julian Draxler’s star rising everyday should be a bigger challenge than Villarreal.
Then comes last season’s runner-up Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen was beaten 5-1 by Bayern at the last stage of the previous season. The game takes place at the Allianz Arena. Leverkusen looks to have settled well under Robin Dutt and looked very strong against the holders Borussia Dortmund.
And finally, the crazy round of fixtures concludes with a game against Champions League newcomers Manchester City. Bayern’s defence cannot afford to slip up even once in this game. Also, Bayern’s offence has to be on top form to brush City aside. Arjen Robben should hopefully be fit for all these fixtures.
In 2009-2010, teams were made to pay for underestimating Bayern’s strength. By the sheer force of their attack, Bayern reached the final of the Champions League. Last season, the club was in turmoil and the exit from the Champions League was somewhat a blessing in disguise as it allowed them to concentrate solely on the Bundesliga.
Bayern is being underestimated again on the European stage. If Bayern comes out victorious in all these matches and manages to keep four clean sheets, Germany and Europe will have to look up and take notice.
As far as Bayern is concerned, victories in the next five matches will see their season go from strength and strength and give them more confidence to win an elusive treble.
Also, most of the players in the squad have been used. Daniel Van Buyten, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, David Alaba and Toni Kroos have all been used as starters recently. The only low point of the season has really been an injury to the work-horse Ivica Olic. Olic, following a nine-month lay-off will be out of action for another two months.
According to Franck Ribery, this Bayern side is ready to take FCB to the ‘next level.’ Ribery is seemingly enjoying his football again. The team is in harmony. Everyone seems to like Jupp Heynckes. Heynckes favour solid wins rather than amazing ones. Despite big wins in recent Bundesliga matches, Bayern’s attack hasn’t exactly hit its peak yet.
Bayern seems to be intent on reclaiming the Bundesliga and the German Cup. The team is intent on showing up at the Champions League Final in May in what would actually be a home game for them at the Allianz Arena.
Freiburg is not to be underestimated; however Bayern’s record against the side is quite good. Freiburg is perhaps the easiest fixture for Bayern in September.
Following a home match against Freiburg, Bayern takes on Villarreal in Spain in their third Champions League fixture of the season. Bayern easily went past FC Zurich and took their spot in the group stage. Villarreal was recently torn apart by Barcelona but showed good signs against Odense in the Champions League play-offs.
This match will truly test Bayern’s defence. Villarreal is a wonderful attacking outfit and Giuseppe Rossi will twist and turn to get one past Manuel Neuer. Bayern’s recent group stage campaigns have been good barring the one in 2009 when they just about qualified for the knock-out stages with an emphatic win against Juventus.
Following this match, Bayern will travel to Gelsenkirchen. Schalke beat Bayern twice last season, once in the league (2-0) and then in the Cup (0-1). Bayern exacted revenge towards the end of the season by hammering Schalke, 4-1. Schalke currently sits in second behind Bayern in the table.
If recent form is anything to go by, the Royal Blues with the return of Lewis Holtby from loan and with Julian Draxler’s star rising everyday should be a bigger challenge than Villarreal.
Then comes last season’s runner-up Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen was beaten 5-1 by Bayern at the last stage of the previous season. The game takes place at the Allianz Arena. Leverkusen looks to have settled well under Robin Dutt and looked very strong against the holders Borussia Dortmund.
And finally, the crazy round of fixtures concludes with a game against Champions League newcomers Manchester City. Bayern’s defence cannot afford to slip up even once in this game. Also, Bayern’s offence has to be on top form to brush City aside. Arjen Robben should hopefully be fit for all these fixtures.
In 2009-2010, teams were made to pay for underestimating Bayern’s strength. By the sheer force of their attack, Bayern reached the final of the Champions League. Last season, the club was in turmoil and the exit from the Champions League was somewhat a blessing in disguise as it allowed them to concentrate solely on the Bundesliga.
Bayern is being underestimated again on the European stage. If Bayern comes out victorious in all these matches and manages to keep four clean sheets, Germany and Europe will have to look up and take notice.
As far as Bayern is concerned, victories in the next five matches will see their season go from strength and strength and give them more confidence to win an elusive treble.
