The biggest clash this week involves two title contenders who play with plenty of flair.
Bayern and Schalke are both embedded in the history of the Bundesliga as two of its best ever sides. This season, Bayern has won all five games in all competitions while Schalke has won four. Their sole draw came against Hannover 96 on the opening day of the season. Last season both the clashes went in favour of Bayern, 2-0. Bayern has in fact won all three previous meetings between the sides.
What cannot be forgotten is that Schalke won twice in three clashes against Bayern in 2010-11. The Schalke of that season was markedly different from the Schalke of this season. Their football is more beautiful now; their focus is no longer on earning a clean sheet. However of-course Schalke has some problems at the back which teams haven’t been able to capitalize on.
First of all, Schalke, unlike almost every other side, does not really have a first choice keeper. Ralf Fahrmann started the season as the first choice keeper. Lars Unnerstall soon took over between the stands. Timo Hildebrand has a shot of making the spot his own too due to his experience. So far though, Unnerstall has done exactly what he needs to do to become the first choice at Schalke.
Bayern has no such problems. Manuel Neuer, the man who embodied Schalke, is the undisputed number one. It is however the defence in front of Neuer which is inconsistent. Bayern has conceded three goals this season. Adam Szalai’s penalty for Mainz was one of them. The other two were scored by Stuttgart’s Martin Harnik and Valencia’s Nelson Valdez.
What was similar about both goals was that they came about due to poor defending on set pieces. Valdez headed in following a corner. Harnik scored after a free-kick saw the ball escape each Bayern defender and find him in the box. Bayern has improved a few things following last season but this has to be fixed.
A part of the reason of-course is that Bayern is fielding three central defenders currently along with Philipp Lahm. David Alaba’s or Diego Contento’s return will allow things to change. While Holger Badstuber is a good left-back and spent his first season at senior level there, he is a much better central defender and is needed inside the box.
One aspect about both these teams that makes them so incredibly dangerous is the ability of their players to shoot from distance. Toni Kroos has struck three magnificent goals for Bayern so far. Julian Draxler scored an amazing goal against Fürth last week. Also, because the midfielders of both sides are scoring freely, the pressure is not on the striker anymore as far as scoring goals are concerned.
Tranquillo Barnetta produced a man of the match performance in the Champions League against Olympiakos. His industry helped Schalke break their opening day ‘curse’. Schalke had never before won a match on the opening day of the Champions League. The fact that Benedikt Howedes scored shows that Schalke’s goals can come from just about anywhere on the field currently.
Franck Ribery was forced off at half-time against Valencia for Bayern and might not be available. Arjen Robben played until full-time and will be available for selection. Considering that this match is against Schalke, expect him to be on the pitch rather than on the bench. For Schalke. Huntelaar and Jermaine Jones are doubtful.
Finally, who will win this one? Due to the attacking options available to both sides and the defensive issues of both, this match will be very close. The most likely outcome in close matches is usually a draw or a narrow win.
Prediction: Schalke 1-2 Bayern
What cannot be forgotten is that Schalke won twice in three clashes against Bayern in 2010-11. The Schalke of that season was markedly different from the Schalke of this season. Their football is more beautiful now; their focus is no longer on earning a clean sheet. However of-course Schalke has some problems at the back which teams haven’t been able to capitalize on.
First of all, Schalke, unlike almost every other side, does not really have a first choice keeper. Ralf Fahrmann started the season as the first choice keeper. Lars Unnerstall soon took over between the stands. Timo Hildebrand has a shot of making the spot his own too due to his experience. So far though, Unnerstall has done exactly what he needs to do to become the first choice at Schalke.
Bayern has no such problems. Manuel Neuer, the man who embodied Schalke, is the undisputed number one. It is however the defence in front of Neuer which is inconsistent. Bayern has conceded three goals this season. Adam Szalai’s penalty for Mainz was one of them. The other two were scored by Stuttgart’s Martin Harnik and Valencia’s Nelson Valdez.
What was similar about both goals was that they came about due to poor defending on set pieces. Valdez headed in following a corner. Harnik scored after a free-kick saw the ball escape each Bayern defender and find him in the box. Bayern has improved a few things following last season but this has to be fixed.
A part of the reason of-course is that Bayern is fielding three central defenders currently along with Philipp Lahm. David Alaba’s or Diego Contento’s return will allow things to change. While Holger Badstuber is a good left-back and spent his first season at senior level there, he is a much better central defender and is needed inside the box.
One aspect about both these teams that makes them so incredibly dangerous is the ability of their players to shoot from distance. Toni Kroos has struck three magnificent goals for Bayern so far. Julian Draxler scored an amazing goal against Fürth last week. Also, because the midfielders of both sides are scoring freely, the pressure is not on the striker anymore as far as scoring goals are concerned.
Tranquillo Barnetta produced a man of the match performance in the Champions League against Olympiakos. His industry helped Schalke break their opening day ‘curse’. Schalke had never before won a match on the opening day of the Champions League. The fact that Benedikt Howedes scored shows that Schalke’s goals can come from just about anywhere on the field currently.
Franck Ribery was forced off at half-time against Valencia for Bayern and might not be available. Arjen Robben played until full-time and will be available for selection. Considering that this match is against Schalke, expect him to be on the pitch rather than on the bench. For Schalke. Huntelaar and Jermaine Jones are doubtful.
Finally, who will win this one? Due to the attacking options available to both sides and the defensive issues of both, this match will be very close. The most likely outcome in close matches is usually a draw or a narrow win.
Prediction: Schalke 1-2 Bayern
