Re: Bayern
Sorry if this has already been asked..
Bayern look to have bought really well, and Toni and Klose up front could be lethal as in the game against Hansa, but;
Was it wise to let both Pizaro and Santa Cruz go?
I can see they have the option of Podolski off the bench or as a secondary striker, but what if the first choice front pair were to be injured?
Would Munich have any options to lead the line?
Bayern has plenty of options to lead the line and not only are some of them better than their previous options but also more varied which is very important because against different teams and different defenders, you need players with different qualities to hurt the opposition.
The man everybody on this thread seems to have forgotten about and not mentioned yet is another new signing from Alemannia Aachen, Jan Schlaudraff who was one of the league's revelations last year.
He's not good enough for Bayern's first team but neither was Roque or Pizarro and definitely not guys like Hashemian who they had a couple season back. But he will offer something neither of those 2 did. That's great agility, dribbling and ability to cause the defence problems with his unpredictability and pace.
Bayern has more than enough depth in the striker department and is no worse off than last year. Only better off. Both in terms of depth and quality.
They have 2 absolutely world-class strikers in Toni and Klose. One of the world's most promising young strikers as back up and 3rd choice in Podolski. Then they have Schlaudraf who is also a German Int'l as 4th.
And last but not least, a 5th senior squad striker in form of German/Brazilian youth Sandro Wagner.
The squad has just as much depth in the FW line as it did previously therefore. And if anything, it's stronger and more varied now as well.
Furthermore, it was really time for Santa Cruz to leave. He's been there for many seasons but proved to be one of the world's most injury-prone strikers as he was constantly out on the sidelines. When he did play, he never showed his ability on a consistent basis. Only a glimpse here and there.
I'm quite confident, this talented player will NEVER reach his potential because of these problems anyway. Plus, mentally, he's not great either. That's another reason, he'll never be as good as he could be and as he showed as a very talented youngster a few years back.
I fully support the decision for Bayern to get rid of him then. Don't think he would've proven anything with a further season at Bayern either. It's good for him and Bayern to part ways. At a club like Blackburn, at least when he's not injured (which is most of the time), he'll be getting more playing time. And a new challenge, atmosphere and environment is what he could need to rejuvante his career at least somewhat.
As for Pizarro, I wouldn't have minded Bayern keeping him. He's a good striker. Even if lazy most of the time and doesn't really
care much about the teams he plays for and lacks
passion. But the arrival of many new strikers, meant he was surplus to requirements as well.
The real question is, will Makaay be missed? He's still one of the world's most clinical strikers. But it was impossible to keep him after getting so many new strikers in. Because unlike Jan, he would not be happy sitting on the bench. So the move to Feyenoord is again in the best interest of both parties.
Don't forget van Bommel. Did you see his 'pinch' on Meira in the Ligapokal?
I am always scared that he is going to do something crazy and get himself sent off.
I know what you mean. He can be a real psycho sometimes.
But I didn't forget about him. The only reason I mentioned Mladen was because I wanted to make a point about how Marica was
scared of him almost for much of the match and lacked bravery.
Well, how am I going to explain this???
Hoeneß has bought Ze Roberto as a DM. He is being used as a DM, and I don't see them dropping him or van Bommel if they are both fit.
I think they are actually playing both as CMs (in PES language) with both having defensive and offensive duties.
And while I agree with you that they may need a traditional DM for some games, I won't be surprised to see them stick with Ze and VB. And this is the reason why I put them as the 2 CMs for Bayern
I see what you're saying but I'm still of the opinion I had originally. Playing Hansa Rostock at home is the sorta game, Bayern can afford to play without a real DMF. But most of the games won't be like that.
You need someone like Demichelis playing in his real position (DMF) or Ottl with someone else like van Bommel supporting them as the CM who also does some defensive work.
Both Ze Roberto and Mark have decent defensive skills but not good enough to be a real DMF. I think van Bommel will be a starter when he's fit but Ze Roberto will be rotated with Ottl and Demichelis taking the place of a real DMF besides Mark much of the time when playing against better oppositions.
This is the topic that will be very hot once Sagnol is back from injury. First I have to say that I agree with you views on Sagnol. He was one of the best Bayern players for the past 7 years or so.
But we have to keep in mind that he is 30 now, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him go at the end of the season. Add to that some loss of concentration at key moments in some of the European games in the past few years.
Sagnol has a wealth of experience, but both Lahm and Jansen bring their own special qualities to this Bayern side. The way I see it is that Lahm cannot be dropped. He is a Münchner, a product of the FC Bayern system. He has all the qualities you want in a side back. His only weakness is that he is short.
So I see Jansen and Sagnol fight-it-out for the other spot, but I have a hunch (bias ??) that Jansen will get some decent playing time.
I'm not arguing the bolded part. I think he will get even
more than 'decent' playing time.
Because both Sagnol and Lahm will have their fair share of injury problems throughout the season unfortunately. Not to mention suspensions or being rested, etc.
But I don't think Sagnol will lose his place in the starting line up when fit and ready to go, this year.
Yes, he's 30 but unlike Lahm, he's not a player who ever relied much on his speed anyway. He's like a Gary Neville as we mentioned before but a superior version.
I can see Jansen and Lahm being the preffered and better option next season or the one after. But for now, Sagnol can still play at least one more year at the highest level and in the starting line up of teams like Bayern ahead of great new young talents even such as Lahm or Jansen. That's how great he is.
, but I watched the channel with all the matches switch when something happens in other stadiums (don't know the English word 
