How Dortmund outclassed Bayern.

For years, it has been said the Bundesliga only has Bayern Munich as the ultimate and controlling team in the Bundesliga. Number one, that is a bit biased as you can see in the leagues history. Bayern are the only Bundesliga team that is consistent with its performance but this is a new era in the Bundesliga which may change drastically especially with Borussia's quality and young team currently on top of the league.

Yesterday, there was a battle between the Bundesliga giants as Bayern lost 3-1 at home to BVB. Goals from Barrios, Hummels and Sahin for Dortmund and Luiz Gustavo for Bayern. This was the first victory for Dortmund in Munich for 19 years. Reasons for this historic win that pulled Bayern out of the Bundesliga title is how Borussia outclassed Bayern in every single way.

The main battles on the pitch were tactics and players. Klopp was better than Van Gaal in every single way. Van Gaal made certain wrong approaches to game and relied heavily on Robbery who were silenced throughout the game. Klopp also cut down any balls coming towards Gomez in which he was just a shadow on the field. Klopp used different tactics in the game that got Bayern back on the ground after winning in San Siro.

BVB's defence stopped the likes of Muller, Gomez, Ribery and Robben from getting into the game and making an impact. The midfield battle between Sahin and Schweinsteiger showed that Schweinsteiger is not the best holding midfielder in the Bundesliga and that Sahin is just as good, maybe even better than Schweini. Dortmund managed to score 3 goals while FC Hollywood only managed to score one goal. Now there was a correct goal not awarded for being 'offside' but that does not make it any different. Der BVB fully deserved their victory.

Dortmund were in every single position better than Bayern and would cause a lot of problems to CL elite next season. Dortmund are not planning on letting any of their players leave in the next transfer market so they would continue to grow and compete in the Bundesliga. In fact they plan on looking for a suitable right back which is the only that could need some more quality.

Wake up Bayern, your time may be over if you do not plan on having more quality. Then your Bundesliga domination may well be over.

When will the Juventus of old return?

Juventus used to strike fear and terror into many opponents in the 90’s up until 2006. Their dominance in Italian football was clear, 7 league titles, 1 champions league trophy, 3 time champions league runners up, and 1 Coppa Italia. In the late 90’s Juventus were considered one of the most consistent teams in Europe, since 1995 they reached the final three years in a row. They reached the semi finals the following year however they were knocked out by the treble searching Manchester United. They boasted stars in every position from the reliable Peruzzi to the strike partnership of Vialli and the ‘Silver Fox’ Ravanelli. After all who could forget the magic of Del Piero, who played a vital role in Juventus’ success.

Winning back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006, the Italian national team boasted several key Juventus players went on to win the World Cup. While the Italian national team was getting past their opponents, the courts were running the Calciopoli scandal. After the Italians won the World Cup, several clubs were found guilty. Juventus were found guilty of match fixing and were stripped off 2 league titles and were relegated to Serie B. It took them a year to bounce back into the Serie A, and they were heading in the right direction finishing in the top three for two seasons. However last season they finished at a dismal seventh barely qualifying to the Europa League. Questions will be asked however regarding Juventus transfer dealings. Signing several players that are average team players with the exception of Diego who couldn’t flourish in Italian football. Having spent on players such as Tiago, Almiron, Amauri and many more who couldn’t achieve what was expected of them. Juventus were second when they sacked Claudio Ranieri, who did a great job in reviving the Old Lady. Two main reasons behind Juventus’ downfall are the lack of key signings, and the instability caused by the boardroom in sacking managers. Juventus have signed several players, with the exception of Krasic, Quagliarella and Aquillani, that have failed to perform. However they were still knocked out of the Europa league group stages by achieving six draws, which is considered to be a disappointing with the money that was spent they should have been in the semi-finals of this tournament at the very least. With Italy losing a place to Germany in the 2012/2013 Champions league restricting the Italians to 3 Champions league spots, Juventus have a lot of work to do to regain their status in European football. With the likes of AC Milan, Inter and Napoli dominating Italian football, it’s a challenge for Juventus to fight their way back into the Champions league and then of course domestic glory.

Jassim KK Al-Thani

(Guest Writer)

Dream Team

Before every football match, there are little magazines being sold outside stadiums serving as souvenirs as well as giving information to people attending the match about the teams being involved.

When Manchester City played Greek team Aaris in Greece, match programs were being sold outside the stadium with a mock up (Above Photo) of what Manchester City aspire to have in the coming years. The picture depicts some of the best footballers in the world like Messi and Ronaldo posing in a Manchester City shirt.

Manchester City officials are looking to complain to Uefa over this absurd gesture by the Greek Club.

Jassim

Arsenal v Barcelona

In this post we'll look at how those two teams will most likely play:

Arsenal:

Wenger likes to start with a 4-3-3 formation with Clichy on the left and Sagna on the right who both attack and defend. With Vermaelen not able to play due to injury, and Squillaci out of form, it leaves Arsene with only two fit center backs in Koscielny and Djourou.

Midfielders:

Every 4-3-3 system within a team must have two things: a creative player (Fabregas and Wilshere) and one who can do the dirty work for the team (A.Song)

Forward:

With Van Persie's as the main man and two wide wingers Walcott on the right and Arshavin or Nasri (if he's fully fit for the match) on the left.


Lineup:


--Szczesny--

--Eboue--Koscielny--Djourou--Clichy--

------------A.Song----------------

------Fabregas---Willshere-----------

---Walcott----------------Arshavin---

----Van Persie-----



Barcelona:

Pep likes to play the same way as Arsenal with a 4-3-3 formation also know as 'total football'.

Alves as a right back/winger, Maxwell as the left back, Pique and Abidal as center backs.

Midfielders:

Its not different to how Arsenal play with two playmakers (Iniesta and Xavi) and just behind them Busquets doing defensive duties, and also keeping an eye on Fabregas.


Forwards:

Pep doesn't play with a 'main man' up front, with Villa, Messi and Pedro all changing
places during the match.


Lineup:

---Valdes---

---Alves--Pique--Abidal--Maxwell-

-----------Busquets----------

--------Xavi--------Iniesta--

--Pedro---Messi---Villa--


The Final Say

AC Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur

On this post we're going through how the two teams are going to play tomorrow night and how their lineups would most likely be like.

AC Milan:

Allegri always likes to start of with a 4-3-3 formation with two solid center backs Nesta and Silva an offensive right back such as, Abate and a defensive left back such as, Antonini.

The midfield consists of three players, a creative midfielder who can drive killing passes like Seedorf, a defensive midfielder like Gattuso, and a balanced midfielder like Ambrosini.

Allergi won't have many options up front with Cassano and Inzaghi both out (the first due the CL regulation and the second due injury) it will leave him with just Robinho, Pato and Ibrahimović.

Lineup:

----Abbiati

---Abate--Nesta--Silva--Antonine

---------Gattuso------

----Seedorf----Ambrosini

Pato----Ibrahimović---Robinho

(That's just what we think, it might be some changes before the match)

Tottenham:

Redknapp likes to start with a 4-4-1-1 system with four in the back Hutton, Gallas, Dawson and Ekotto with Hutton stretching the right flag while Ekotto helping Gallas and Dawson.

Tottenham have one of the best midfield lineups in Europe at the moment with Palacios as the defensive midfielder and Modric as the playmaker. Lennon as a right winger and Kranjcar or Pienaar as a left winger who both can drop in the middle.

Rednkapp like to begin with Van Der Vaart as a second striker/playmaker and Crouch or Pavlyuchenko as the target man.

Lineup:

--Gomes--

--Hutton--Gallas--Dawson--Ekotto--

------Palacios---

---Modric---

--Lennon--------------------Kranjcar-or-Pienaar

------------------Van Der Vaart---------

-------------Crouch-or Pavlyuchenko---

The Final Say

Expose the Flanks

If Tottenham expect to get anything away from the San Siro, they must expose A.C. Milan's wings. Tottenham are blessed with some of the best young wingers in Europe with Lennon, Pienaar and Gareth Bale, and if utilized correctly, they will provide perfect crosses for Tottenham's main man up front, Peter Crouch.

Tottenham's goals this season have predominantly come from the wings, with Crouch teeing up balls to summer signing Rafael Van der Vaart. This strategy has made them one of the highest scoring teams in this seasons Champions League, with 18 goals in just 6 games. 8 of those goals came in away fixtures, which is why many expect the game against Milan to be one of the highest scoring fixtures in the round.

Milan's full-backs have proved countless times to being the main weakness of the team. When they played Manchester United last season, 6 of the 7 goals conceded over 2 legs were from the wings. Harry Redknapp must have his fullbacks attacking and supporting his wingers, as they can both target Milan's policy of just having one fullback. Milan's wingers do not track back, which will leave Tottenham's attack on the wings 2 versus 1 every time.

Internazionale played with Maicon alone defending with no help, and this was a mistake as Assou-Ekotto and Gareth Bale doubled up on him and provided important goals in Tottenham's massive victory.

The match tomorrow promises to be an enjoyable one for fans, and it will be especially exiting if both go all out attack, Premier League style football.

Jassim

Fantasy Football Wednesday

Arsenal take on Barcelona in the first-leg of the first knockout round of the Champions League this wednesday with a major point to prove. During both legs last season, Arsenal were outclassed in every part of the pitch, conceding 6 goals in 2 games against the Blaugrana, and managing only 15 shots to Barca's 37.

Arsene Wenger's team have not won a major trophy since 2005, and the Arsenal fans patience has run thin since their team seem to fall at every major hurdle. The match against Barcelona is a chance for Arsene Wenger and his team of youngsters to show the world that Arsenal are back amongst the biggest teams in Europe, and while it is difficult to beat Barcelona, it is not impossible.

Arsenal do not have to be the better team to beat Barcelona, they just need to take every chance they get. Mourinho's Internazionale played against the Blaugrana last year and only had an average of 30% possession in both games, yet managed to score 3 goals to secure the tie. Wenger must remind his strikers to make the most of every opportunity against Barca, as the do not come by too often.

Barcelona's game plan against Arsenal will not change, as it rarely does. Pep Guardiola will only make sure his defenders don't leave too much space for Walcott to run at as he is very dangerous on the counter.

The most interesting match-up on Wednesday will be between Busquets and Fabregas, and is one many people will keep a close eye on. Fabregas has rarely been contained this season, and it will be interesting to find out whether or not Busquets has the discipline and anticipation to stop Fabregas from launching Arsenal attacks.

This match is sure to become one of the best exhibitions of fantasy football.

Jassim