Bayern Munich --> Champions League Group Stage
Borussia Dortmund
--> Champions League Group Stage
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
--> Champions League Group Stage
Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen --> Champions League Play-off Round
SC Freiburg --> Europa League Group Stage
Eintracht Frankfurt --> Europa League Play-off Round
VfB Stuttgart --> Europa League Third Qualifying Round
Showing posts with label Borussia Dortmund. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Borussia Dortmund. Show all posts
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
The Curse of the Idiot Player
What the fuck happened with that pathetic player Pepe today? How come Mourinho couldn't tell that pepe was going to play for Borussia Dortmund today?
And, even if Mourinho couldn't anticipate that pepe was going to throw the game (- 'cause, I mean, there's no point in denying that he was at fault in pretty much all of the german goals -), why didn't he sub off the traitor after the first goal he let Lewandowski score?
There must be huge problems behind the scenes, at Real Madrid, when the leadership and the fans cannot even count on Mourinho, who usually runs a pretty tight ship.
And pepe is one of his people, a Portuguese guy. Surely Mourinho knows him a little better than other players.
If I was a Real Madrid player, I would probably start a fight with Pepe in the locker room. I'm surprised there was no such outburst after that guy facilitated a Dortmund win that is very very likely to oust the Spanish giants.
It's kind of a pity, too, because Real Madrid - Bayern would have probably been the dream final. And Real would certainly play well in such a final, regardless of their internal problems. Whereas Borussia has about as many chances of beating Bayern as Malaga would have had of beating Real or Barcelona.
No Real - Barca final, again!!! (Curses! And too bad!...)
P.S. To conclude, I'm willing to bet pepe will not be playing official football for Real Madrid ever again. He shat where he eats. So, he's going to have to eat elsewhere.
And, even if Mourinho couldn't anticipate that pepe was going to throw the game (- 'cause, I mean, there's no point in denying that he was at fault in pretty much all of the german goals -), why didn't he sub off the traitor after the first goal he let Lewandowski score?
There must be huge problems behind the scenes, at Real Madrid, when the leadership and the fans cannot even count on Mourinho, who usually runs a pretty tight ship.
And pepe is one of his people, a Portuguese guy. Surely Mourinho knows him a little better than other players.
If I was a Real Madrid player, I would probably start a fight with Pepe in the locker room. I'm surprised there was no such outburst after that guy facilitated a Dortmund win that is very very likely to oust the Spanish giants.
It's kind of a pity, too, because Real Madrid - Bayern would have probably been the dream final. And Real would certainly play well in such a final, regardless of their internal problems. Whereas Borussia has about as many chances of beating Bayern as Malaga would have had of beating Real or Barcelona.
No Real - Barca final, again!!! (Curses! And too bad!...)
P.S. To conclude, I'm willing to bet pepe will not be playing official football for Real Madrid ever again. He shat where he eats. So, he's going to have to eat elsewhere.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Another Example of Refereeing Incompetence and the Need for Live Replays
It was one of the most exciting matches in this year's Champions League. But it might not have ended up the same way if the referee hadn't allowed offside goals to stand.
The winning goal, scored eventually by Felipe Santana, who scored from right on the goal line, fooled uninspired Scottish referee Craig Thomson and his similarly disappointing colleagues.
If they had seen that four Dortmund attackers were offside, they surely would have disallowed the goal that sent the Germans through to the semifinals.
And, also, just like Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp said, at the press conference after the match, Eliseu looked like he was slightly offside when he scored Malaga's second goal, too (with just a hint of Baptista also potentially being offside, when the ball was released towards him).
(But don't believe Klopp when he says the first goal was also offside. When Joaquin scored, the Malaga player that might have been offside did not interfere with the ball trajectory and effect, so the decision to have that goal stand was correct.)
Anyhow, even if there may be extenuating circumstances when it comes to Eliseu's goal, the goal that made it 3-2 contained a clear infringement, and, so, the referees are totally guilty of ruining the result.
People gloss over these decisions too easily. A few weeks, and it's all but forgotten. These referees should be punished. At such a level, with so much money at stake, Craig Thomson and his team should not referee again for 5-10 years, considering what they did. They should have to take regular jobs to be able to continue having money to live, for a good amount of time before returning to refereeing.
Either punish the bastards, or allow live replays that the referees can see and overturn their wrong decisions!
But, if members of the teams' squad or staff complain too much, they are the ones who get in trouble with the officials. Stupid FIFA and UEFA, and their stupid rules that so many times ruin fair play and sportsmanship!
They say they're doing something about it, by talking about introducing goal-line technology for three years now.
Goal-line technology is not enough. That's only for the goal line, of course. But, obviously, referees make a ton of other mistakes, which aren't on the goal line.
The offside which the referees should have caught and dealt with did not occur when Santana pushed the goal in, from the goal line; it came when the ball was first played in behind the Spanish line of defense.
Live replays should be used. How expensive could that be? I'm sure it's cheaper than some technology that would be put on the goal-line, if, as FIFA might suggest, this is about high costs. But, most likely, FIFA and UEFA like to be able to cheat if they want, and that's why they won't use replays. That's also why these bullshit referees aren't punished severely, I think.
In this sense, this match was very disappointing and heartbreaking, for many fans.
But there were some positives, too.
The best thing about this quarter-final, second leg, was seeing Willy Caballero's wonderful saves, in the Malaga goal.
The best goalkeeper, in terms of overall percentage of saves, in the 2012-2013 Champions League saved his team from 2 or 3 almost-as-good-as-given Dortmund goals. This guy should be Argentina's goalie at next year's World Cup.
Too bad that he was left almost alone against 3-4 Dortmund players, for each of the last two goals of the match. Still, he might have prevented the goals, if the Germans did not have the presence of mind to always pass the ball quickly amongst themselves.
One thing coaches should learn from matches such as this one is that: lack of experience in big matches + tendency to play the offside trap instead of working hard in defense = (almost always) elimination.
But for the neutral spectator, this was probably the best and most exciting second-leg encounter.
And, in the end, the more hard-working, attack-minded team progressed over the more pragmatic, opportunistic team.
Highlights:
The winning goal, scored eventually by Felipe Santana, who scored from right on the goal line, fooled uninspired Scottish referee Craig Thomson and his similarly disappointing colleagues.
If they had seen that four Dortmund attackers were offside, they surely would have disallowed the goal that sent the Germans through to the semifinals.
And, also, just like Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp said, at the press conference after the match, Eliseu looked like he was slightly offside when he scored Malaga's second goal, too (with just a hint of Baptista also potentially being offside, when the ball was released towards him).
(But don't believe Klopp when he says the first goal was also offside. When Joaquin scored, the Malaga player that might have been offside did not interfere with the ball trajectory and effect, so the decision to have that goal stand was correct.)
Anyhow, even if there may be extenuating circumstances when it comes to Eliseu's goal, the goal that made it 3-2 contained a clear infringement, and, so, the referees are totally guilty of ruining the result.
People gloss over these decisions too easily. A few weeks, and it's all but forgotten. These referees should be punished. At such a level, with so much money at stake, Craig Thomson and his team should not referee again for 5-10 years, considering what they did. They should have to take regular jobs to be able to continue having money to live, for a good amount of time before returning to refereeing.
Either punish the bastards, or allow live replays that the referees can see and overturn their wrong decisions!
But, if members of the teams' squad or staff complain too much, they are the ones who get in trouble with the officials. Stupid FIFA and UEFA, and their stupid rules that so many times ruin fair play and sportsmanship!
They say they're doing something about it, by talking about introducing goal-line technology for three years now.
Goal-line technology is not enough. That's only for the goal line, of course. But, obviously, referees make a ton of other mistakes, which aren't on the goal line.
The offside which the referees should have caught and dealt with did not occur when Santana pushed the goal in, from the goal line; it came when the ball was first played in behind the Spanish line of defense.
Live replays should be used. How expensive could that be? I'm sure it's cheaper than some technology that would be put on the goal-line, if, as FIFA might suggest, this is about high costs. But, most likely, FIFA and UEFA like to be able to cheat if they want, and that's why they won't use replays. That's also why these bullshit referees aren't punished severely, I think.
In this sense, this match was very disappointing and heartbreaking, for many fans.
But there were some positives, too.
The best thing about this quarter-final, second leg, was seeing Willy Caballero's wonderful saves, in the Malaga goal.
The best goalkeeper, in terms of overall percentage of saves, in the 2012-2013 Champions League saved his team from 2 or 3 almost-as-good-as-given Dortmund goals. This guy should be Argentina's goalie at next year's World Cup.
Too bad that he was left almost alone against 3-4 Dortmund players, for each of the last two goals of the match. Still, he might have prevented the goals, if the Germans did not have the presence of mind to always pass the ball quickly amongst themselves.
One thing coaches should learn from matches such as this one is that: lack of experience in big matches + tendency to play the offside trap instead of working hard in defense = (almost always) elimination.
But for the neutral spectator, this was probably the best and most exciting second-leg encounter.
And, in the end, the more hard-working, attack-minded team progressed over the more pragmatic, opportunistic team.
Highlights:
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Still All Zeros
Borussia Dortmund still hasn't lost a match in this year's Champions League.
(And a warning to Malaga: They have also won all of their home matches in the competition.)
Additionally, perhaps Dortmund should have ended up winning the match at the La Rosaleda today.
They certainly had the lion's share of the chances, and Lewandowski should probably have been on the scoresheet, as he had a huge chance, only a few meters from goal, in the second half.
Malaga's best goal-scoring opportunity came in the first half, almost on the stroke of half-time, when there were two goal-bound efforts, with the second, a header, cleared almost on the line by the German defense.
But, overall, it was a very cagey affair in Andalusia, so maybe the draw was the fairest result.
And seemingly there is all still to play for in Germany, next Tuesday.
(And a warning to Malaga: They have also won all of their home matches in the competition.)
Additionally, perhaps Dortmund should have ended up winning the match at the La Rosaleda today.
They certainly had the lion's share of the chances, and Lewandowski should probably have been on the scoresheet, as he had a huge chance, only a few meters from goal, in the second half.
Malaga's best goal-scoring opportunity came in the first half, almost on the stroke of half-time, when there were two goal-bound efforts, with the second, a header, cleared almost on the line by the German defense.
But, overall, it was a very cagey affair in Andalusia, so maybe the draw was the fairest result.
And seemingly there is all still to play for in Germany, next Tuesday.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Wow, Look at the Germans Go!
The German league really has improved a lot, it seems.
They overtook the Italians in the UEFA country league rankings, and I believe they might just be on their way to overtake the English, too, soon.
Borussia Dortmund, a team that has almost zero chances and fewer than zero hopes of winning their national title this year, is outplaying every opponent, by far, in this year's Champions League. And we're talking opponents such as Real Madrid (aka the La Liga current champions), the English champions from last year, the team that eliminated last year's Champions League champions, and the Dutch current champions. (Okay, that last one isn't saying much at all, but everything else is still impressive.)
I thought a team that is crushing almost everybody in Ukrainian football, including their bitter rivals, would put up a better fight against a Dortmund team seemingly on the decline. (They were champions in the previous two seasons, in Germany, but they won't be this year, unless a miracle occurs.)
Santana (in minute 31), Gotze (37) and Blaszczykowski (59) scored to make for a crushing defeat, but a large part of that was due to poor defending from the Ukrainian team. (Or should I say "Brazilian team made in Ukraine"?)
To comment on the last goal, Pyatov cannot remain the uncontested goalkeeper for the Ukrainian national team with such poor handling of the ball.
Shakhtar started their Champions League campaign with a bang and ended with a whimper.
And Germany might, very likely, have three teams in the quarter-finals. Schalke is basically in the same situation as Borussia, but against Galatasaray (- probably a weaker team than Shakhtar -), while Bayern is as good as qualified, because Arsenal has to score three goals at the Allianz Arena to even have a chance.
They overtook the Italians in the UEFA country league rankings, and I believe they might just be on their way to overtake the English, too, soon.
Borussia Dortmund, a team that has almost zero chances and fewer than zero hopes of winning their national title this year, is outplaying every opponent, by far, in this year's Champions League. And we're talking opponents such as Real Madrid (aka the La Liga current champions), the English champions from last year, the team that eliminated last year's Champions League champions, and the Dutch current champions. (Okay, that last one isn't saying much at all, but everything else is still impressive.)
I thought a team that is crushing almost everybody in Ukrainian football, including their bitter rivals, would put up a better fight against a Dortmund team seemingly on the decline. (They were champions in the previous two seasons, in Germany, but they won't be this year, unless a miracle occurs.)
Santana (in minute 31), Gotze (37) and Blaszczykowski (59) scored to make for a crushing defeat, but a large part of that was due to poor defending from the Ukrainian team. (Or should I say "Brazilian team made in Ukraine"?)
To comment on the last goal, Pyatov cannot remain the uncontested goalkeeper for the Ukrainian national team with such poor handling of the ball.
Shakhtar started their Champions League campaign with a bang and ended with a whimper.
And Germany might, very likely, have three teams in the quarter-finals. Schalke is basically in the same situation as Borussia, but against Galatasaray (- probably a weaker team than Shakhtar -), while Bayern is as good as qualified, because Arsenal has to score three goals at the Allianz Arena to even have a chance.
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Stupid, Retarded UEFA Rules!
I must say, it seems to me that UEFA decision makers are getting dumber and dumber. And no, I'm not talking about the decision to have the next Euros comprise of 24 teams.
I'm talking about having the main tie-breaking criterion between teams tied on points in the Champions League be the direct results between the teams in question.
How moronic is that?
How idiotic is it, huh, Mr. Platini?
Let's look at it, group by group.
Group A is, surprisingly, unaffected by this rule.
In Group B, Schalke can even lose, no matter by what scoreline, as long as Arsenal does not win in the other match, and still win the group. So, a team that might get crushed - it will not happen, by I'm just saying - 7-0 by someone as weak as Montpellier could still win that group. Stupid!
In Group C, Malaga has already won the group, courtesy of their better head-to-head record against AC Milan. So, then, both Malaga and Milan have nothing to play for in the last matchday. Very stupid!
Luckily, as far as the struggle between Zenit St. Petersburg and Anderlecht goes, their direct encounters ended 1-0 and 0-1, so that will be decided by goal difference. They will have to show up and play, if they wish to finish third and continue in the Europa League. Thank God (for almost nothing)!
Group D also has a decided winner, Borussia Dortmund, because of their better record against Real Madrid. Not that Borussia was not the best team of the group so far, but if they lose at home to Manchester City, on the last matchday, nobody would then say that they were, pound-for-pound, the best overall team if Real beats Ajax and gets the same number of points. (You gotta play well all your matches to be most appreciated!...)
Man. City, likewise, cannot not win their last match, if they want Europa League play, even if Ajax loses 200-0 in Madrid.
Extremely dumb!
But Group E is the worst.
You know, someone watching Juventus - Chelsea (3-0), and not having been aware of these fucked-up UEFA rules, might have thought that Juventus kept pressing, even at 2-0 and with 10 minutes left, because they knew every goal would count on the last matchday and Chelsea would have played Nordsjaelland (a team that is very likely to lose 6-7--nil). Actually, though, NO!
Thanks to any kind of win over Chelsea, and with a point in Donetsk in two weeks ' time, Juventus can then be assured of progressing over Chelsea, last year 's winner.
Even a 1-0 victory for Juventus would have been enough to secure that advantage.
3-0 was a result that brought Juventus no more benefits than a 1-0 would have.
And another unfortunate result of this obvious lack of intelligence from UEFA officials is the fact that Shakhtar Donetsk is already in the round of 16. Yes, they have secured their place, because of their direct results over Chelsea (2-1 and 2-3, away-goals rule) and now Chelsea can only at best tie Shakhtar on points.
So, Shakhtar has only first place to play for, on the last matchday, and clearly a draw in their direct match would satisfy both Shakhtar (who would win the group) and Juventus (who would go through, leaving Chelsea out).
How much do Chelsea fans hate UEFA for these senseless rules?
So, so retarded!!!
In Group F, Bayern leads over Valencia, even though Valencia has a better goal difference. (The two teams are tied on points, yes.) And all Bayern needs to do is match the number of points that Valencia gets on the last day, to win that group.
Also, Lille cannot go to the Europa League, even though they are clearly better than BATE at the present time, even if they win their last match by an astronomical score, and BATE loses theirs by an astronomical score, too, to boot. Why? Well, because stupid UEFA said 1-3 and 2-0 means the team that scored the three goals in that one match will beat the other team, no matter what else happens, if they're tied on points at the end.
Also, retarded!
In Group G, Benfica needs to match Celtic's result, but luckily for the surprising Scottish outfit (who beat Barcelona) Celtic plays Spartak at home while Benfica has to take on Barca away.
Group H contains another team that might be seriously screwed by this deficiency in thinking clearly exhibited by UEFA officials: CFR Cluj.
The Romanians have to go to Old Trafford, needing to beat Manchester United. And, even then, they have to hope that Galatasaray does not defeat Braga in Portugal. (And Braga cannot even finish third anymore. They will be bottom, and might only be playing for pride, if even that.)
Potential scorelines Man. U. - Cluj 0-5 and Braga - Galatasaray 2-3 would allow the Turkish team to qualify. If that happens, wouldn't that be fucked-up, retarded, and unfair to Cluj?
Realistically, all the Transylvanian team can hope for is for them to get a point in Manchester, and for Galatasaray to lose to Braga.
They could score, and score, and score, in England, and still get kicked out. Thanks to some serious incompetence from UEFA!
I'm talking about having the main tie-breaking criterion between teams tied on points in the Champions League be the direct results between the teams in question.
How moronic is that?
How idiotic is it, huh, Mr. Platini?
Let's look at it, group by group.
Group A is, surprisingly, unaffected by this rule.
In Group B, Schalke can even lose, no matter by what scoreline, as long as Arsenal does not win in the other match, and still win the group. So, a team that might get crushed - it will not happen, by I'm just saying - 7-0 by someone as weak as Montpellier could still win that group. Stupid!
In Group C, Malaga has already won the group, courtesy of their better head-to-head record against AC Milan. So, then, both Malaga and Milan have nothing to play for in the last matchday. Very stupid!
Luckily, as far as the struggle between Zenit St. Petersburg and Anderlecht goes, their direct encounters ended 1-0 and 0-1, so that will be decided by goal difference. They will have to show up and play, if they wish to finish third and continue in the Europa League. Thank God (for almost nothing)!
Group D also has a decided winner, Borussia Dortmund, because of their better record against Real Madrid. Not that Borussia was not the best team of the group so far, but if they lose at home to Manchester City, on the last matchday, nobody would then say that they were, pound-for-pound, the best overall team if Real beats Ajax and gets the same number of points. (You gotta play well all your matches to be most appreciated!...)
Man. City, likewise, cannot not win their last match, if they want Europa League play, even if Ajax loses 200-0 in Madrid.
Extremely dumb!
But Group E is the worst.
You know, someone watching Juventus - Chelsea (3-0), and not having been aware of these fucked-up UEFA rules, might have thought that Juventus kept pressing, even at 2-0 and with 10 minutes left, because they knew every goal would count on the last matchday and Chelsea would have played Nordsjaelland (a team that is very likely to lose 6-7--nil). Actually, though, NO!
Thanks to any kind of win over Chelsea, and with a point in Donetsk in two weeks ' time, Juventus can then be assured of progressing over Chelsea, last year 's winner.
Even a 1-0 victory for Juventus would have been enough to secure that advantage.
3-0 was a result that brought Juventus no more benefits than a 1-0 would have.
And another unfortunate result of this obvious lack of intelligence from UEFA officials is the fact that Shakhtar Donetsk is already in the round of 16. Yes, they have secured their place, because of their direct results over Chelsea (2-1 and 2-3, away-goals rule) and now Chelsea can only at best tie Shakhtar on points.
So, Shakhtar has only first place to play for, on the last matchday, and clearly a draw in their direct match would satisfy both Shakhtar (who would win the group) and Juventus (who would go through, leaving Chelsea out).
How much do Chelsea fans hate UEFA for these senseless rules?
So, so retarded!!!
In Group F, Bayern leads over Valencia, even though Valencia has a better goal difference. (The two teams are tied on points, yes.) And all Bayern needs to do is match the number of points that Valencia gets on the last day, to win that group.
Also, Lille cannot go to the Europa League, even though they are clearly better than BATE at the present time, even if they win their last match by an astronomical score, and BATE loses theirs by an astronomical score, too, to boot. Why? Well, because stupid UEFA said 1-3 and 2-0 means the team that scored the three goals in that one match will beat the other team, no matter what else happens, if they're tied on points at the end.
Also, retarded!
In Group G, Benfica needs to match Celtic's result, but luckily for the surprising Scottish outfit (who beat Barcelona) Celtic plays Spartak at home while Benfica has to take on Barca away.
Group H contains another team that might be seriously screwed by this deficiency in thinking clearly exhibited by UEFA officials: CFR Cluj.
The Romanians have to go to Old Trafford, needing to beat Manchester United. And, even then, they have to hope that Galatasaray does not defeat Braga in Portugal. (And Braga cannot even finish third anymore. They will be bottom, and might only be playing for pride, if even that.)
Potential scorelines Man. U. - Cluj 0-5 and Braga - Galatasaray 2-3 would allow the Turkish team to qualify. If that happens, wouldn't that be fucked-up, retarded, and unfair to Cluj?
Realistically, all the Transylvanian team can hope for is for them to get a point in Manchester, and for Galatasaray to lose to Braga.
They could score, and score, and score, in England, and still get kicked out. Thanks to some serious incompetence from UEFA!
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Put Some Hart Into It
Looking at the final score of Manchester City - Borussia Dortmund, but without having seen the match, one might think that the Germans got off easy from the Etihad stadium.
In actuality, though, it was the Manchester team that should count its lucky stars for not leaving the pitch in shame, with their heads down.
Borussia Dortmund was by far the better team on this day, in England, and they should have won the match.
If the score had been something like 10-2 for the Germans, based on the clear goal-scoring chances that each team had, it might have been a fairer score.
Only in the first half, Dortmund hit the woodwork two times.
And City goalkeeper Joe Hart had to make about 15-20 saves, altogether, in the whole match.
The only two good things about Man. City 's performance were, number 1, Joe Hart 's hard work, of course, and, number 2, the fact that the English team didn't despair, even when Borussia deservedly went into the lead. (The Germans actually might not even have gone in front, despite their clear chances, if it wasn't for absolutely woeful defending from City in min. 61-62 that allowed Marco Reus to find himself alone with Hart.)
And Manchester City also had some very good luck right at the end of the match, amazing luck that restored some of their chances of progressing from the group.
Aguero's effort, in the penalty box, in the 88th minute, an effort which almost surely would not have resulted in a goal, succeeded in hitting the hand of poor, unfortunate defender Subotic.
The referee, perhaps unfairly, pointed to the penalty spot. And you know that, whenever Balotelli takes the PK, they're going to pick up the ball from the back of the net.
(And one thing I'd like to point out has to do with this unjust penalty-giving rule. How was Subotic supposed to maintain his balance, when trying to defend, if both his hands were to have been held behind his back, as the rule book suggests they should have been, ideally? When we're dealing with players who can hit a bull's eye from 20 meters out, aiming for a defender's arm from 2 meters away is easy, and maybe that's what Aguero even tried to do. Is that deserving of an awarded penalty, just like for a foul from behind when the striker is alone on goal, for example? Lack of justice, is this not?)
So, Manchester City was very, very lucky not to lose at home to the German champions, but, even so, they could be in serious trouble in this group, still. (And, looking forward, their last match of the group stage will be their trip to Dortmund.)
This scenario is certainly very reminiscent of City's CL group from last year, only with Real Madrid instead of Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund playing the part of Napoli.
Highlights:
กดเ้อิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิ... by footyroom
In actuality, though, it was the Manchester team that should count its lucky stars for not leaving the pitch in shame, with their heads down.
Borussia Dortmund was by far the better team on this day, in England, and they should have won the match.
If the score had been something like 10-2 for the Germans, based on the clear goal-scoring chances that each team had, it might have been a fairer score.
Only in the first half, Dortmund hit the woodwork two times.
And City goalkeeper Joe Hart had to make about 15-20 saves, altogether, in the whole match.
The only two good things about Man. City 's performance were, number 1, Joe Hart 's hard work, of course, and, number 2, the fact that the English team didn't despair, even when Borussia deservedly went into the lead. (The Germans actually might not even have gone in front, despite their clear chances, if it wasn't for absolutely woeful defending from City in min. 61-62 that allowed Marco Reus to find himself alone with Hart.)
And Manchester City also had some very good luck right at the end of the match, amazing luck that restored some of their chances of progressing from the group.
Aguero's effort, in the penalty box, in the 88th minute, an effort which almost surely would not have resulted in a goal, succeeded in hitting the hand of poor, unfortunate defender Subotic.
The referee, perhaps unfairly, pointed to the penalty spot. And you know that, whenever Balotelli takes the PK, they're going to pick up the ball from the back of the net.
(And one thing I'd like to point out has to do with this unjust penalty-giving rule. How was Subotic supposed to maintain his balance, when trying to defend, if both his hands were to have been held behind his back, as the rule book suggests they should have been, ideally? When we're dealing with players who can hit a bull's eye from 20 meters out, aiming for a defender's arm from 2 meters away is easy, and maybe that's what Aguero even tried to do. Is that deserving of an awarded penalty, just like for a foul from behind when the striker is alone on goal, for example? Lack of justice, is this not?)
So, Manchester City was very, very lucky not to lose at home to the German champions, but, even so, they could be in serious trouble in this group, still. (And, looking forward, their last match of the group stage will be their trip to Dortmund.)
This scenario is certainly very reminiscent of City's CL group from last year, only with Real Madrid instead of Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund playing the part of Napoli.
Highlights:
กดเ้อิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิิ... by footyroom
Sunday, 12 August 2012
What Kind of Bullshit Is This?
Today was the German Super Cup...
What?!?
That's preposterous.
What kind of idiots organize a super cup (which is a meeting, as far as I know, between the league winner and the cup winner from the previous season - to see who's tougher, I guess -) between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich?
I can't remember Bayern winning any of the above trophies last year. I can't remember them winning any trophies last season.
So, you can see why I'm saying this was bullshit. Complete bullshit, it was.
If one teams wins the league and that same team wins the cup, they should not have to play anybody for the super cup!
What makes this really bad is that Bayern won the match. (They won 2-1, with 2 goals scored in the first 11 minutes.)
Yes, the winner of the league and the winner of the cup did not get the super cup!
This is absolutely retarded, I'm sorry.
It happens in other places, too, unfortunately: the organization of such phony super cups.
But if people really want to see matches, in a year when there should not be a super cup, how about getting the teams with the best odds to win the upcoming league season, inventing a new trophy, and playing that instead? You want to see a show, organize a show, not an unnecessary lie.
But that might be just me. I'm sure many people, among whom all of the Bayern fans, enjoyed this, after not being better than second best at any time in the last two years.
What?!?
That's preposterous.
What kind of idiots organize a super cup (which is a meeting, as far as I know, between the league winner and the cup winner from the previous season - to see who's tougher, I guess -) between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich?
I can't remember Bayern winning any of the above trophies last year. I can't remember them winning any trophies last season.
So, you can see why I'm saying this was bullshit. Complete bullshit, it was.
If one teams wins the league and that same team wins the cup, they should not have to play anybody for the super cup!
What makes this really bad is that Bayern won the match. (They won 2-1, with 2 goals scored in the first 11 minutes.)
Yes, the winner of the league and the winner of the cup did not get the super cup!
This is absolutely retarded, I'm sorry.
It happens in other places, too, unfortunately: the organization of such phony super cups.
But if people really want to see matches, in a year when there should not be a super cup, how about getting the teams with the best odds to win the upcoming league season, inventing a new trophy, and playing that instead? You want to see a show, organize a show, not an unnecessary lie.
But that might be just me. I'm sure many people, among whom all of the Bayern fans, enjoyed this, after not being better than second best at any time in the last two years.
Monday, 4 June 2012
Germany - UEFA Club Competitions Participants - 2012-2013
Borussia Dortmund --> Champions League Group Stage
Bayern Munich --> Champions League Group Stage
Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen --> Champions League Group Stage
Borussia Monchengladbach --> Champions League Play-off Round
Bayer 04 Leverkusen --> Europa League Group Stage
VfB Stuttgart --> Europa League Play-off Round
Hannover 96 --> Europa League Third Qualifying Round
Bayern Munich --> Champions League Group Stage
Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen --> Champions League Group Stage
Borussia Monchengladbach --> Champions League Play-off Round
Bayer 04 Leverkusen --> Europa League Group Stage
VfB Stuttgart --> Europa League Play-off Round
Hannover 96 --> Europa League Third Qualifying Round
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Bayern Shows Big Weaknesses
Borussia Dortmund just beat Bayern Munich in the final of the German Cup.
And they did so in convincing fashion. 5-2. 3-1 at half-time.
Dortmund started strongly, and went ahead after just 3 minutes, through Shinji Kagawa, as the Bayern defense had no idea what hit them.
Bayern was lucky enough to get a penalty, 22 minutes later, because they probably couldn't have scored otherwise, a kick which Robben converted, but Borussia got a PK of their own fifteen minutes after that. This was also converted, despite Neuer's being able to deflect the ball a little.
Right before half-time, Bayern showed another huge lapse in defense, and Lewandowski scored his first goal with a good shot that sneaked in underneath Neuer.
The second half brought two more Lewandowski goals (in minutes 58 and 81), with only one Bayern goal to keep the difference between the two teams within three.
Ribery's goal, in the 76th minute, was very nice, and well-taken, but meaningless. Even though Heynckes' team hoped to reduce the deficit further, after that goal, Lewandowski's last goal on the night set them straight after just 5 minutes.
Bayern clearly is beneath Borussia, as far as playing football is concerned. Three losses in three encounters, against their Dortmund rivals, don't lie.
Maybe Bayern will play much better against Chelsea, in the UEFA Champions League final, next Saturday. But, if Bayern wins the CL, then a great injustice against football would be done. (It would be just like when inter got the trophy, in 2010. There must have been at least 3 other teams more deserving of the win, then, just like now.)
Not that Chelsea is turning heads in the Premier League, mind you, but at least they were not ridiculed in their encounters against the EPL giants (of this season), Man. City and Man. U.
Highlights:
Shorter highlights:
Borussia Dortmund 5 - 2 Bayern Munich footyroom... by Futbol2101
And they did so in convincing fashion. 5-2. 3-1 at half-time.
Dortmund started strongly, and went ahead after just 3 minutes, through Shinji Kagawa, as the Bayern defense had no idea what hit them.
Bayern was lucky enough to get a penalty, 22 minutes later, because they probably couldn't have scored otherwise, a kick which Robben converted, but Borussia got a PK of their own fifteen minutes after that. This was also converted, despite Neuer's being able to deflect the ball a little.
Right before half-time, Bayern showed another huge lapse in defense, and Lewandowski scored his first goal with a good shot that sneaked in underneath Neuer.
The second half brought two more Lewandowski goals (in minutes 58 and 81), with only one Bayern goal to keep the difference between the two teams within three.
Ribery's goal, in the 76th minute, was very nice, and well-taken, but meaningless. Even though Heynckes' team hoped to reduce the deficit further, after that goal, Lewandowski's last goal on the night set them straight after just 5 minutes.
Bayern clearly is beneath Borussia, as far as playing football is concerned. Three losses in three encounters, against their Dortmund rivals, don't lie.
Maybe Bayern will play much better against Chelsea, in the UEFA Champions League final, next Saturday. But, if Bayern wins the CL, then a great injustice against football would be done. (It would be just like when inter got the trophy, in 2010. There must have been at least 3 other teams more deserving of the win, then, just like now.)
Not that Chelsea is turning heads in the Premier League, mind you, but at least they were not ridiculed in their encounters against the EPL giants (of this season), Man. City and Man. U.
Highlights:
Shorter highlights:
Borussia Dortmund 5 - 2 Bayern Munich footyroom... by Futbol2101
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Borussia Dortmund Champion!
For the second time in two years, the yellow and black outfit from Dortmund is crowned supreme leader of the Bundesliga.
For sure, Borussia deserved it this year, too.
The two games against Bayern, who are seemingly always fighting for the title, proved that Borussia is, indeed, better than Bayern, who is clearly better than the rest.
In the last few matches, alongside Bayern, Borussia Dortmund also had to face Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach, the third- and fourth-placed teams, respectively. And they won all of these matches.
It's very impressive, really, if you examine Dortmund's latest efforts, thoroughly.
The win against the second Borussia, 2-0 at home, was a good team effort, but it seemed like the Monchengladbach team clearly was never going to leave with the three points from the Westfalenstadion. That's not a bad thing, of course. It's just that the drama was minimal.
After 60 minutes, Klopp's team had already scored the two goals that would mark their win, through Perisic (in minute 23) and Kagawa (59).
So, with two games left, Borussia becomes 2011-2012 champion of Germany. Bayern is more than 6 points behind, still. (And that's it for the German league this year.)
Highlights:
Borussia Dortmund 2 - 0 Borussia M’gladbach... by Futbol2101
For sure, Borussia deserved it this year, too.
The two games against Bayern, who are seemingly always fighting for the title, proved that Borussia is, indeed, better than Bayern, who is clearly better than the rest.
In the last few matches, alongside Bayern, Borussia Dortmund also had to face Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach, the third- and fourth-placed teams, respectively. And they won all of these matches.
It's very impressive, really, if you examine Dortmund's latest efforts, thoroughly.
The win against the second Borussia, 2-0 at home, was a good team effort, but it seemed like the Monchengladbach team clearly was never going to leave with the three points from the Westfalenstadion. That's not a bad thing, of course. It's just that the drama was minimal.
After 60 minutes, Klopp's team had already scored the two goals that would mark their win, through Perisic (in minute 23) and Kagawa (59).
So, with two games left, Borussia becomes 2011-2012 champion of Germany. Bayern is more than 6 points behind, still. (And that's it for the German league this year.)
Highlights:
Borussia Dortmund 2 - 0 Borussia M’gladbach... by Futbol2101
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Title in Germany As Good As Decided
Three hours before their match against Mainz, the Bayern fans and staff were surely hopeful that Schalke 04, Dortmund's bitter rivals, could prevent Borussia Dortmund from continuing their march towards their second title in a row.
But even Schalke was no match for Borussia D.
And, so, the team in black and yellow defeats the second- and third-placed teams in consecutive encounters.
Jefferson Farfan opened the scoring for Schalke, in the 8th minute, with a spectacular shot from outside the box, but, 9 minutes later, Piszczek equalized with an even more spectacular effort.
A scrappy goal by Kehl, in the 63rd minute, put Dortmund ahead.
And that's where they stayed.
For sure, Bayern knew they were left very few chances this season.
Maybe that's why they couldn't even beat Mainz, at home, later in the day. That one finished 0-0.
So, Borussia Dortmund is now 8 points ahead, with three matches left. Surely, they'll get two points from those...
Highlights from Schalke 04 - Borussia D. 1-2:
www.todayfoot.com Sc 1-2 Do 14/04/2012 by 123dz
But even Schalke was no match for Borussia D.
And, so, the team in black and yellow defeats the second- and third-placed teams in consecutive encounters.
Jefferson Farfan opened the scoring for Schalke, in the 8th minute, with a spectacular shot from outside the box, but, 9 minutes later, Piszczek equalized with an even more spectacular effort.
A scrappy goal by Kehl, in the 63rd minute, put Dortmund ahead.
And that's where they stayed.
For sure, Bayern knew they were left very few chances this season.
Maybe that's why they couldn't even beat Mainz, at home, later in the day. That one finished 0-0.
So, Borussia Dortmund is now 8 points ahead, with three matches left. Surely, they'll get two points from those...
Highlights from Schalke 04 - Borussia D. 1-2:
www.todayfoot.com Sc 1-2 Do 14/04/2012 by 123dz
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
The German Derby
Probably the biggest match of the year in the German league ended with a somewhat surprising victor.
Bayern Munich, the winner of 22 previous German league titles (which is more than four times those won by their closest follower), was not that victor!
After beating Bayern at the Allianz Arena, 1-0, in November 2011, Borussia repeated the feat in a much more critical match, in Dortmund, today.
Lewandowski's goal, coming in the 77th minute, was somewhat scrappy, but the remaining minutes were amazing!
Bayern got a penalty, justly awarded, but Robben failed to show his supposed finishing class (much like in the final of the 2010 World Cup).
Not only that, but he also sent over the top of the bar a huge chance that had "1-1" written all over it.
Borussia also missed an enormous opportunity of making it 2-0 very late. The upright saved Neuer, though.
Borussia Dortmund now sits six points ahead of Bayern, with just four matches to go.
But Dortmund needs to go to the stadium of their fiercest rivals in just three days' time. I'm talking, of course, about the upcoming Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen - Borussia Dortmund match, on Saturday.
Highlights:
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munchen (1:0) by larrsson
But Borussia Dortmund should win the title, this year too, unless they really mess it up now.
And maybe next year they'll finally show some good form in the Champions League!
Bayern Munich, the winner of 22 previous German league titles (which is more than four times those won by their closest follower), was not that victor!
After beating Bayern at the Allianz Arena, 1-0, in November 2011, Borussia repeated the feat in a much more critical match, in Dortmund, today.
Lewandowski's goal, coming in the 77th minute, was somewhat scrappy, but the remaining minutes were amazing!
Bayern got a penalty, justly awarded, but Robben failed to show his supposed finishing class (much like in the final of the 2010 World Cup).
Not only that, but he also sent over the top of the bar a huge chance that had "1-1" written all over it.
Borussia also missed an enormous opportunity of making it 2-0 very late. The upright saved Neuer, though.
Borussia Dortmund now sits six points ahead of Bayern, with just four matches to go.
But Dortmund needs to go to the stadium of their fiercest rivals in just three days' time. I'm talking, of course, about the upcoming Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen - Borussia Dortmund match, on Saturday.
Highlights:
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munchen (1:0) by larrsson
But Borussia Dortmund should win the title, this year too, unless they really mess it up now.
And maybe next year they'll finally show some good form in the Champions League!
Friday, 30 March 2012
Dortmund Should Worry
What a big fuck-up by the leader in Germany!
How can Dortmund lead 2-0, give that up, then come back from 2-3 to 4-3 in the dying minutes, and then fuck that up, too?
This had all the makings of a great game for Borussia, but they did not pay attention to that extra time at the end, at all. And that's not how one wins a title.
Surely, they're not worried about Schalke or the other Borussia, but generally, as soon as one German title contender starts faltering, Bayern is right there to take the title.
Perhaps having one title in a row is too much for Borussia Dortmund, and they just cannot make it two.
And they're probably cursing the three-points-for-a-win rule. One stupid mistake in injury time, one more goal conceded, and you drop two huge points. (It's very unfair, isn't it?)
Man, the German teams (except for Bayern) sure are pathetic most of the time!
How can Dortmund lead 2-0, give that up, then come back from 2-3 to 4-3 in the dying minutes, and then fuck that up, too?
This had all the makings of a great game for Borussia, but they did not pay attention to that extra time at the end, at all. And that's not how one wins a title.
Surely, they're not worried about Schalke or the other Borussia, but generally, as soon as one German title contender starts faltering, Bayern is right there to take the title.
Perhaps having one title in a row is too much for Borussia Dortmund, and they just cannot make it two.
And they're probably cursing the three-points-for-a-win rule. One stupid mistake in injury time, one more goal conceded, and you drop two huge points. (It's very unfair, isn't it?)
Man, the German teams (except for Bayern) sure are pathetic most of the time!
Sunday, 4 March 2012
What Good Is the Second Borussia?
Borussia Monchengladbach clearly cannot possibly challenge for the title.
Two matchdays ago, they were second, and quite close to the top. Now, one draw and one loss later, they seem already spent.
FC Nurnberg defeated them today, with an 87-minute goal, stopping Borussia M. from reaching second spot in the table again.
That's the way most German football teams perform, though(, except for Bayern Munich). They do well one time, then they take it easy for a very long time.
That could explain why Germany has only one team with tradition of winning.
Maybe Borussia Dortmund can change this, however. (They still have just four Bundesliga titles, but maybe they'll make it 5 this year, and two out of the last two.
Highlights from Nurnberg - Borussia M.:
Two matchdays ago, they were second, and quite close to the top. Now, one draw and one loss later, they seem already spent.
FC Nurnberg defeated them today, with an 87-minute goal, stopping Borussia M. from reaching second spot in the table again.
That's the way most German football teams perform, though(, except for Bayern Munich). They do well one time, then they take it easy for a very long time.
That could explain why Germany has only one team with tradition of winning.
Maybe Borussia Dortmund can change this, however. (They still have just four Bundesliga titles, but maybe they'll make it 5 this year, and two out of the last two.
Highlights from Nurnberg - Borussia M.:
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Bayer, Bayern, Who's Winning?
Bayer Leverkusen is not in the title race in the Bundesliga.
As a matter of fact, they're not even closer than 15 points from the German leaders.
But they have shown a lot of tenacity when they played Bayern Munich, the team that always starts the German league expecting to challenge for the title.
The team from Munich did, indeed, press more, in this match, but they were very unlucky, overall.
First, Stephan Kiessling tapped the ball in from no more than 2 yards (or approximately 2 meters), in minute 79, after an attack sequence that showed remarkable fighting spirit from the hosts to maintain alive every possible chance of scoring. In the end, unless you're a Bayern supporter, you should appreciate the efforts.
Bayer scored their second in the last minute, through a quick counter-attack, finalized by Bellarabi, as Bayern kept pushing forward.
Also, Borussia Dortmund won, 2-1 at home against Mainz, and so the difference between the two teams became seven points now against the southern German giants.
But, oh, well, Bayern still has over 4 times more championships won than the closest challenger (- 22 to Monchengladbach's 5).
Highlights:
[www.online-soccer.ru] Bayer Leverkusen 2-0... by all-goals
As a matter of fact, they're not even closer than 15 points from the German leaders.
But they have shown a lot of tenacity when they played Bayern Munich, the team that always starts the German league expecting to challenge for the title.
The team from Munich did, indeed, press more, in this match, but they were very unlucky, overall.
First, Stephan Kiessling tapped the ball in from no more than 2 yards (or approximately 2 meters), in minute 79, after an attack sequence that showed remarkable fighting spirit from the hosts to maintain alive every possible chance of scoring. In the end, unless you're a Bayern supporter, you should appreciate the efforts.
Bayer scored their second in the last minute, through a quick counter-attack, finalized by Bellarabi, as Bayern kept pushing forward.
Also, Borussia Dortmund won, 2-1 at home against Mainz, and so the difference between the two teams became seven points now against the southern German giants.
But, oh, well, Bayern still has over 4 times more championships won than the closest challenger (- 22 to Monchengladbach's 5).
Highlights:
[www.online-soccer.ru] Bayer Leverkusen 2-0... by all-goals
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Bayern No Longer within Touching Distance
Bayern Munich lost two points in the fight for the title. This was partly due to Dortmund's win at Hertha Berlin, but, more importantly, partly due to their own inability to win at Freiburg. The distance between Bayern and the leaders is four points, after this matchday.
Borussia Monchengladbach also won, away at Kaiserslautern, and passed Bayern, who is now in third.
Well, second or third in Germany doesn't really make a difference, because both teams go into the Champions League group stage the following season, but I guess Bayern people always want to be in contention for the title.
Dortmund is looking good, trying to achieve that goal, by the way, even though they sucked big time in Europe.
Highlights from Hertha - Borussia D. 0-1:
HBSC - BVB 0-1 www.rojadirecta.es by kehl3
Highlights from Kaiserslautern - Borussia M. 1-2:
www.todayfoot.com Ka 1-2 Mo 18/02/2012 by 123dz
Borussia Monchengladbach also won, away at Kaiserslautern, and passed Bayern, who is now in third.
Well, second or third in Germany doesn't really make a difference, because both teams go into the Champions League group stage the following season, but I guess Bayern people always want to be in contention for the title.
Dortmund is looking good, trying to achieve that goal, by the way, even though they sucked big time in Europe.
Highlights from Hertha - Borussia D. 0-1:
HBSC - BVB 0-1 www.rojadirecta.es by kehl3
Highlights from Kaiserslautern - Borussia M. 1-2:
www.todayfoot.com Ka 1-2 Mo 18/02/2012 by 123dz
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Monchengladbach Crushes Schalke
Fourth and third met in the 1. Bundesliga today.
It should have been a nice, tight derby, considering.
But the other Borussia team ridiculed the Gelsenkirchen squad by going 3-0 up in the first 32 minutes. Nothing much happened afterwards.
Reus, Hanke and Arango easily exploited big faults in the Schalke defense, and the two teams switched places in the league standings.
Monchengladbach now has 43 points, while Schalke 04 remains on 41.
Dortmund and Bayern Munich also won, defeating Leverkusen and Kaiserslautern, respectively.
Borussia Dortmund remains leader.
Highlights:
It should have been a nice, tight derby, considering.
But the other Borussia team ridiculed the Gelsenkirchen squad by going 3-0 up in the first 32 minutes. Nothing much happened afterwards.
Reus, Hanke and Arango easily exploited big faults in the Schalke defense, and the two teams switched places in the league standings.
Monchengladbach now has 43 points, while Schalke 04 remains on 41.
Dortmund and Bayern Munich also won, defeating Leverkusen and Kaiserslautern, respectively.
Borussia Dortmund remains leader.
Highlights:
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Dortmund on Top
Both Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen failed to keep up with Borussia Dortmund, who won yesterday at Nurnberg.
Bayern needed a 71-minute equalizer from Ivica Olic to draw level with Hamburger SV, 1-1, away from home, while Schalke drew at home against Mainz, registering the same scoreline. Schalke fell behind in the first half, too, just like Bayern.
Now, Dortmund is the sole leader, with a two-point cushion over the two rivals mentioned above.
Highlights from Hamburg - Bayern 1-1:
1-0:
www.todayfoot.com Ha 1-0 Ba 04/02/2012 by 123dz
1-1:
www.todayfoot.com Ha 1-1 Ba 04/02/2012 by 123dz
Highlights from Schalke - Mainz 1-1:
0-1:
www.todayfoot.com Sc 0-1 Ma 04/02/2012 by 123dz
1-1:
www.todayfoot.com Sc 1-1 Ma 04/02/2012 by 123dz
Borussia Monchengladbach could have leapfrogged both Bayern and Schalke with a win, but they messed it up, too, by drawing 0-0 at Wolfsburg.
Bayern needed a 71-minute equalizer from Ivica Olic to draw level with Hamburger SV, 1-1, away from home, while Schalke drew at home against Mainz, registering the same scoreline. Schalke fell behind in the first half, too, just like Bayern.
Now, Dortmund is the sole leader, with a two-point cushion over the two rivals mentioned above.
Highlights from Hamburg - Bayern 1-1:
1-0:
www.todayfoot.com Ha 1-0 Ba 04/02/2012 by 123dz
1-1:
www.todayfoot.com Ha 1-1 Ba 04/02/2012 by 123dz
Highlights from Schalke - Mainz 1-1:
0-1:
www.todayfoot.com Sc 0-1 Ma 04/02/2012 by 123dz
1-1:
www.todayfoot.com Sc 1-1 Ma 04/02/2012 by 123dz
Borussia Monchengladbach could have leapfrogged both Bayern and Schalke with a win, but they messed it up, too, by drawing 0-0 at Wolfsburg.
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