Bundesliga, DFB Cup, and other Bundesliga business 2014/2015

Balu said:
They really improved and seem to have found consistency since Di Matteo took over despite an insane number of injuries. If they get some of their key players back, they should finish 3rd without too much trouble. I still expect Augsburg to drop off, so 4th place should be decided between Leverkusen and Gladbach. The race for 7th place could be interesting as well. If the winner of the cup final is already qualified for the CL or EL, 7th place would be the 3rd Europa league spot and right now there are only 8 points between 7th and 18th. Basically every club in the league could still reach 7th and play in Europe next year.
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How are Shalke's fans feeling about the style of football Di Matteo is playing? I think they are pragmatic and solid which could be enough to get them the 3d spot, but are they used to more flair? I agree on Augsburg, they have had a Southampton season but my money is on Gladbach for 4th as Leverkusen are very erratic. Damn I didn't realize the race for the EL spots was so close, do you think Dortmund could still claw their way back to 7th?
 
Entertaining match between Dortmund and Mainz, I thought Dortmund should good character two twice come from behind and win after the run they have been on. Reus was very good buy I also thought Gundogan conducted things well in midfield, not quite his old self but still a good performance upgrade from him.
 
Devil may care said:
How are Shalke's fans feeling about the style of football Di Matteo is playing? I think they are pragmatic and solid which could be enough to get them the 3d spot, but are they used to more flair? I agree on Augsburg, they have had a Southampton season but my money is on Gladbach for 4th as Leverkusen are very erratic. Damn I didn't realize the race for the EL spots was so close, do you think Dortmund could still claw their way back to 7th?
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Augsburg has the advantage of playing just in one competition - and after a rather bad start of the season they have been very consistent. They have been already very consistent last season, too.

Schalke probably does the right thing in that league. The way of pressing and counterattacking makes it difficult to play good football without falling into the trap and they now found a way to be less vulnerable. Last year they even tried to play football against Real - and we know how that ended... It will get better when their injured offensives come back.
 
Neuer - Benatia, Lewandowski, Robben, Rafinha, Bernat, Götze, Müller, Alaba, Badstuber, Schweinsteiger

Yes, Alonso on the bench and Schweinsteiger starts. Also we start again with our 4 best attackers, I like it. Not the defensive line-ups we had in recent weeks. And great to see Dante on the bench and Badstuber starting.

Leverkusen vs Wolfsburg is probably the most interesting game today.

Bayer Leverkusen XI: Leno - Hilbert, Papadopoulos, Spahic, Boenisch - Bender, Castro - Bellarabi, Calhanoglu, Son - Kießling

VfL Wolfsburg XI: Benaglio - Vieirinha, Naldo, Knoche, Rodriguez - Arnold, Gustavo - Caligiuri, De Bruyne, Schürrle - Dost
 
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Balu said:
Neuer - Benatia, Lewandowski, Robben, Rafinha, Bernat, Götze, Müller, Alaba, Badstuber, Schweinsteiger

Yes, Alonso on the bench and Schweinsteiger starts. Also we start again with our 4 best attackers, I like it. Not the defensive line-ups we had in recent weeks. And great to see Dante on the bench and Badstuber starting.
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Alonso is not on the bench. Hamstring problems in the warm-up this morning.

Picture from the BILD spy from this morning...
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Bayern bench: Reina - Dante, Ribéry, Pizarro, Gaudino, Rode, Weiser

Badstuber is back! :)


(has English subtitles)
 
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Hope Alonso's injury is just a minor nag, but I can't say I'm unhappy that he's not starting after his last performances. I just wish the reason was a different one.

Badstuber! :)
 
Wolfsburg play some nice football. Dost with 2 goals and KDB with yet another assist.
 
Our link-up play works so much better with only one of Schweinsteiger/Alonso on the pitch so far.
 
Another screamer by Robben. Just another day at the office for this magnificent man.
 
They can really play some nice football this guys... how would we play if we could sway Pep towards OT? his contract situation is uncertain...

we are the ultimate Challenge.
 
Schurrle denying De Bruyne another assist, just missed an open goal. :lol:
 
I don't know why we're playing such a suicidal tactic in an away(!) game against Bayern(!!)...
 
Piratesoup said:
Our link-up play works so much better with only one of Schweinsteiger/Alonso on the pitch so far.
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I don't think that's fair to say. The problem is not Schweinsteiger+Alonso, the problem was that recently we played with 3 CMs (Alaba) and Götze in the role as AM gives the team obviously more fluidity in attack. It also helps that we play with 4 man at the back. Means more support for Robben (Rafinha is underrated) and in general more pressure through the wings, not to mention that the opponents can't just defend the center if we play this way.
 
Just read that 10 of the last 13 goals Leverkusen have conceded have been from set pieces.

How unlucky for them that their CL opponents are possibly the best side in the world at set pieces then? :D
 
When he's on song like this Robben with the ball on his feet and on the way into the box is like a freight train with the handling of a lotos elise.

And Müller adds a 5th, from outside the box nonetheless.

And Lewandowski makes it 6. Damn. :lol:
 
Piratesoup said:
When he's on song like this Robben with the ball on his feet and on the way into the box is like a freight train with the handling of a lotos elise.

And Müller adds a 5th, from outside the box nonetheless.

And Lewandowski makes it 6. Damn. :lol:
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If Müller scores from far out of the box and Robben scores with the right foot you know the story...
 
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