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Recycling Success
7-nil.
FYI – Bayern Munich has scored 33 goals and conceded 3 in their last 9 games in all competitions.
For any Champions League match, that’s a startling final score. After dismantling Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk following Müller’s successful penalty (and the fastest red card in tournament history) in the 4th minute on the friendly pitch at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich sent a clear message in their final game in the round of 16: Will Smith and Margot Robbie aren’t the only people in the world who are focused.
Last year’s devastating and embarrassing loss to eventual tournament champions Real Madrid in the semifinal still appears to be on the minds of the German leaders. 4th and 5th gears only. Pep’s Boys, regardless of potentially securing their 25th Bundesliga title with games in hand, will not rest until they can hoist their second Champions League trophy in three years. Or, in other words, winning the trophy that was the reason why Pep was hired as manager. As a matter of fact, they won’t rest until they get another historic Treble, like they did in 2013 with his predecessor Jupp Heynckes.
What are they doing to accomplish this? Oddly enough, it partially involves large buckets.
The goals are really piling up for Bayern Munich.
The Beautiful Touch
There are a variety of reasons why MLS differs from top European soccer leagues. Culture, tactics, skill, speed, salaries and a business-like approach to playing soccer results in the beautiful game being played on (and in) a perfect pitch. In Europe especially, possession is an important asset. Subsequently, the skill and intelligence to translate continuously fluid ball movement into dangerous attacks in bursts of offensive virtuosity is simply spectacular.
Many players in leagues all around the world at various levels struggle with passing to their teammates with an unrestricted number of touches. It seems simple enough, but there is far too much evidence of the contrary at the professional level. Mastering the fundamentals of passing, shooting, running/conditioning, positioning and familiarity are the overarching keys of great soccer players and teams. It’s only after these elements are achieved that sustained creativity can be implemented.
Bayern Munich expertly demonstrates in the video below one reason why they are the best German club with the best players, but also why they are truly one of the best soccer teams in the world. In a close game, one touch can literally make all the difference.
“Pep’s Boys” in Munich have been known to finish a game with 60-70+% of possession. It’s become the status quo. In January of this year, Bayern Munich had the highest average percentage of possession in Europe at 71.1% (101 Great Goals online). Second was Barcelona, Pep Guardiola’s former squad.
If your opponents don’t have the ball, it’s usually pretty difficult for them to score…
The Munich Empire Takes Rome
Rome’s defensive force just isn’t what it used to be.
Bundesliga juggernaut Bayern Munich traveled to Rome for a Champions League match against AS Roma yesterday. In the dawn of this season, FC Holywood was struggling (meaning they actually lost and/or tied a game or two). These minor hiccups (following a successful, hard fought World Cup for many of its star players mind you) are extrapolated because the expectations continue to be astronomical for Pep Guardiola after guiding a golden generation at Barcelona and the fact that he had the impossible task of directly following Jupp Heynckes’ record-breaking, treble winning season. Actually, Pep’s won everything Jupp did in that unforgettable 2012-2013 season, except a Champions league title. Sort of a big omission. Pep had a few words about his strategy in the disastrous semi-final leg versus Real Madrid, but this is a family-friendly blog. To paraphrase, he said ‘it was his biggest goof of his career.’ Still, thus far, Bayern Munich has earned two 1-nil victories in their 2014-2015 Champions League quest against Manchester City and CSKA Moscow. Next up was s trip to Italy against AS Roma.
In-depth analysis could break this game down, but someone graciously compiled a video that encapsulates the tone and feel of the match…in 6 seconds.
(Just click on the video to pause it)
Bayern Munich 7-1 AS Roma.
Pep’s Boys are officially back in top form. Simply put, this was a statement game for a final that won’t be played for around 7 months on June 6, 2015. And by the way, the UEFA Champions League Final is in Berlin at the Olympiastadion.
How do you say, “relentless focus” in German?
Looks like Pep’s rewriting it so that it starts with Bayern and ends in Munich (technically Berlin, but you know what I’m saying).
Jimmy's Daily Planet 