FC Bayern Forum

[Firefox1234]

This is no rhetorical! Does anyone know why Bayern cannot score or defend set pieces?!?! I feel like even though the rest of their game is world class, this crucial part of the game can decide whether Bayern are filling there trophy cabinet or dusting it as last season showed us all.

[MoFattal]

Well, I'd give it some words:

1) Our players in the box do not run towards the approaching ball. Only DvB does that, and that's why our set-pieces are dangerous when he's there. The others mostly wait for it to be 100% accurate to reach them where they stand or where they're running vertically towards. If you want to see what I mean, check Chelsea. They almost score from a corner kick every single game. Check their movements inside the box. They have at least 2-3 players moving towards the ball and not towards the goal line. This would make it way harder for the defender to clear, and it would normally lead to one of those horizontally-running guys to set free.

2) We don't "screen". We have big guys in the area, but they don't use their strong physique to "unintentionally" hold-off a defender closely marking a player of ours heading for the ball. You can see that man-marking almost always works against our players, and hence we barely see a player of ours marginally empty inside the box.

3) We don't create space for the other players. We stand so close to each other, and hence overcrowd the area along with the defenders. That makes it very hard even to move, what then to jump high and accurately head the ball.

4) Now this is only speculative, but I personally don't think we give these plays much importance in our training sessions. I'm guessing that if we did, then we should at least see different movements inside the box, even if that was no leading to goals. However, it's always the exact same thing going on inside.

[quaazi]

1) Our players in the box do not run towards the approaching ball. Only DvB does that, and that's why our set-pieces are dangerous when he's there. The others mostly wait for it to be 100% accurate to reach them where they stand or where they're running vertically towards. If you want to see what I mean, check Chelsea. They almost score from a corner kick every single game. Check their movements inside the box. They have at least 2-3 players moving towards the ball and not towards the goal line. This would make it way harder for the defender to clear, and it would normally lead to one of those horizontally-running guys to set free.

I've even had some personal experience with this when I played goalie in an amateur match. I kept telling my defenders to close down the runs to the near post instead of just marking the players, but they rarely listened, so of course the opponents managed to score from a corner by running straight at the ball, getting only a slight header in, but it was enough because the force of the ball was still there from the corner kick and I didn't stand a chance.

[Firefox1234]

Thx for the explanation, something tells me we wont be seeing Bayern get better at set pieces anytime soon.....

[Firefox1234]

The past two games make it evident to me Muller, Ribery and Kroos form is slipping and i think fatigue is starting is hitting them as i am seeing them make sloppy crosses and missed passes. I think Jupp should play a two striker system in his rotation more often so our wingers can rest and give playing time to the Mario bros to keep then happy.

[MaCk0y]

I'd like to see for once Robben and Alaba on the same side along with Shaq as AM when Ribery is unavailable.

[tflags]

Anyone agrees to return to the old days?

It'll be interesting to see whether Heynckes will be tempted to use Luiz Gustavo and Martinez as a defensive shield against top international opposition and move Schweinsteiger into the No. 10 position.

. Well, if you say so...

In terms of depth and sheer ability, Bayern's midfield is marginally ahead of Real Madrid's and not too far off Barcelona's.

Closing arguments...

"Bayern is more settled than Real Madrid, less dependent on a single player like Barcelona, and it has more depth than Dortmund, which is threatening to make some European waves this season, too."

[quaazi]

You could give us a link to the article in question, y'know.

[tflags]

Since you asked so nicely. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer ... index.html

[FCBayernMunchen]

The only game I would consider lining up that midfield is at the Camp Nou. Even then I'm not so convinced by the idea

[MoFattal]

The only game I would consider lining up that midfield is at the Camp Nou. Even then I'm not so convinced by the idea

I agree. Kroos is the our main threat to rip apart that fragile Barca defense. The double defensive shield with Basti in front of them seems a good idea only if we had to preserve a lead towards the end of the game.

[quaazi]

I think overcompensating against a strong opponent will end up like Löw's idiotic decision in the Italy game. We're a very proactive side with some of the best players in the world, we should force opponents to worry about US, not the other way around.

[tflags]

I have noticed Honigstein usually suggests something based on hard info. Why would he suggest moving up Bastian when he himself praised Kroos a couple of articles ago?

[AssemFCB]

I have noticed Honigstein usually suggests something based on hard info. Why would he suggest moving up Bastian when he himself praised Kroos a couple of articles ago?

Maybe he thinks Heynckes wouldn't risk starting with Kroos in a European game at the Camp Nou, for example. This may be based on his no show versus Italy. To be honest, if I were to play with Gustavo, Schweinsteiger AND Martinez, I'd go for a 4-3-3, probably with Ribery, Muller and Gomez up top.

[quaazi]

No, I didn't make a mistake - it's a midfield diamond awwwwwright.