Just Mel's nonsense

My place to post everything the world doesn't want to know. =) At the moment my blog is mostly focused on FC Bayern München, the German NT and most of all, my favorite goalie Manuel Neuer.

[melanie-hh]

Congrats!

Manu is our new captain, and he deserves it without any doubt. He’s a great teamplayer and always puts his own needs behind the team. There is never an “I” or “me” when he speaks, there is always an “us” and “we”. He is smart and very diplomatic. However, that doesn’t mean he will not speak up when it’s needed. He just chooses not to do it in front of cameras. His skills and success speak for themselves and don’t need further elaboration.

It was as Jogi said the logical choice. It just WAS Manu’s turn and not making him captain would have been an affront, especially after he captained the team thru the very strong Euros.

[melanie-hh]

I read the Merkel thing on some English site but if the German media hasn't mentioned it, then it was very likely mistranslated. Sorry.

No prob. Translation errors happen every now and then, especially when the press is involved. German isn’t an easy language. ;)

[melanie-hh]

I just read online that Chancellor Merkel is backing Jerome Boateng to be the new captain of Die Mannschaft?! What on earth? What is this all about?

Really? Where? I haven’t seen it in German news articles. They mostly focused on Merkel’s lil blunder when she called him Jeromy.

I guess we’re easily amused folks lol.

[melanie-hh]

As an American who watches Bundesliga, one thing I've noticed that I find interesting compared to American sports is that in Germany, the national anthem is only sung once, at the first Bundesliga match of the season. That's it. Where in the US, the national anthem is sung at EVERY sporting event from amateur to professional.

It’s not very popular to show patriotism to your own country over here, it usually only happens during world cups or euros. At least that’s when I notice a remarkable increase in public displayed flags. I think it has to do with our past which isn’t anything to be proud of. It’s kinda a dead horse, but I think people are still beating on it. We’re still far away to making it a common trait to be proud of our country and sing the anthem before every sport event.

However, there is another thing. Fans of their clubs identify themselves first and foremost with their club and not so much with the nation. Most clubs have an own club anthem which is sung  or played before every home game.

I gotta admit I’ve never paid attention how it is in other countries. Do they sing the anthem before every matches in the Premier League or Primera Divison?

[melanie-hh]

I asked this same question to another person. When Guardiola first got to Bayern, Neuer was already a top GK but he wasn't the "Sweeper Keeper" who was technically good with his feet correct? If not why was Guardiola willing to teach Neuer while in Manchester, Guardiola wants to get rid of Hart? Is it the norm now in Germany for Keepers to be good with their feet? Did Guardiola have an influence on that?

Manu has always been a sweeper keeper, he was out of his box many times when he still played for Schalke, however it didn’t happen with such a high frequency as with Bayern when Pep became coach. IMO the reason is pretty simple, with Pep Bayern played ultra pressing ball possession football, so in most matches it was very often just Manu being in the own half while all fieldplayers were in the opponent’s half.

I think most Bundesliga clubs still have classical goalies and not sweeper keeper types, at least I cannot see a trend that goalies try to turn into sweeper keepers. You can see them doing some sweeping or running out their box every now and then, but it’s not really common. It’s also not really needed for most clubs in the Bundesliga as most don’t press that much and instead focus more on defense in general.

It’s very likely that now with Carlo Ancelotti you’ll see less sweeping Neuer but more of his longthrows again.

As for Pep obviously saccing Hart, I don’t understand it really. Football in the PL is different. It’s much faster, very pushy, miles consuming. The ball goes back and forth between the teams. That doesn’t leave a goalie that much time to keep the ball going in the match when there are already 3 strikers close. So it’s kinda normal that you don’t see many short passes or building up an attack from the defense, usually the ball is simply kicked away from the danger zone.

I’m not even certain that Pep’s playing philosophy will work out so well in the PL, I wouldn’t be surprised if the other teams can score often with counter attacks, using long passes to bring the ball behind Pep’s high line of defense. That’s what usually broke Bayern’s neck in the big matches.

Either way, he doesn’t even give Hart the chance to adapt to his new playstyle, he just assumes he can’t do it.

I just hope Hart will find a new club that’ll appreciate to have England’s No. 1 and show him the respect he deserves.

[melanie-hh]

I'm incredibly proud of the Germany Olympic Football Team. They only had one week of preparation and continued to grow together each day. They played their heart out and gave it all in the end. This bodes well for the Germany NT because there were a few players who impressed at this tournament who are pretty young.

Yep, the silver medal is certainly nothing to fret about, even if this means they lost the final. Without hardly any preperation they entered the turney and got better with each match. But I think it was mostly every player’s strong will and a great team spirit that brought them so far.

I’m not worried about the A-Team’s future, as you said there are very good youngins to fill the gaps. And I’m pretty sure a bunch of players will be lifted to the A-Team pretty soon cuz I think Jogi didn’t want to weaken Hrubesch’s team before Olympia but now that the turney is over he can promote players.

[dxbayern]

[melanie-hh]

:D

Don’t hit me, just had to do it.

[melanie-hh]

I've always had a lot of respect for Bayern for the way they treat their players. Specifically players who have suffered a lot with injury like Badstuber and Robben who haven't played alot. In your opinion, at what point do you think if ever, the team will have to just most on, if they aren't contributing much to the team? I heard that Bayern want to give those two contract extentions, but they havent played much and are injured a lot? What's your opinion on all of this?

An injury prone player usually gets a “cheaper” contract if he prolongues his contract with the same club. They just don’t have the arguments on their sides to ask for a salary that’s as high as it was when they were in their prime.

I think as long as such players don’t ask for moon prices, it’s a good choice for Bayern to keep them. It’s good for the team morale, it keeps the family feeling intact.

Robben usually goes kaput when he plays for his national team or returns from it. He is made fit and healthy after weeks of therapy at Bayern, just in time to be called to his national team from where he usually returns injured. IMO he should maybe consider to quit there and use his remaining years to focus on the club only. It’s not uncommon to do that. You gotta listen to your body and accept that it gets older and needs more rest.

Badstuber is another story, a very sad and tragic one. He reminds me of Uli Hoeneß a lot who had to stop playing when he was still so young. I hope Holger doesn’t have to share the same fate. But every new knee injury is another step closer to a premature career end. :(

I don’t expect Bayern to urge the two to stop playing tho. They’ll be given the time to decide that on their own.

[melanie-hh]

I like Boateng as a player and he seems like a nice guy. But I don't like the way he campaigns for the NT captaincy. The issue is brought up in every interview (and there has been a LOT of those lately); he says he'd be ready, it'd be an honour, it'd be a statement etc. When Manu has been asked about the captain's armband, he has simply said that he's sure that the coach will make the right choice.

I know, it really starts to annoy me, too. He is the only one who runs a campaign that aggressively. But that’s not even the thing that bugs me the most. I’m mostly annoyed that his campaign contains 90% politics and a racism discussion and just 10% are about his skills and football, and 0% are about the team. He plays a card no other player can (and prolly wants to) play. He puts himself over everyone else and I absolutely dislike that.

Besides that, I don’t see him as the perfect choice for captaincy anyways. Not until he finally stops to have his rages on the pitch.

I’m unsure what Jogi will do. He’s usually very strict on the hierarchy structure and acknowledges when someone shows excellent skills for a long time. The logical choice should be Manu, Jogi made him captain in so many matches already. But I dunno if he maybe lets himself get influenced by the Boateng Hype just to be political correct and not start a shitstorm. I’d be very disappointed if that happens.

[melanie-hh]

I feel truly sorry for Joe Hart. I'm not particularly a fan of his because I don't care about the EPL, but apparently Pep Guardiola never gave him a real chance to prove himself. A brilliant coach but probably not the easiest person to work with.

Yeah me too. I like Joe a lot. I hate it when so established and successful players get shunned like that. I hated it when it happened to Iker, I hate how it happens to Schweini. Sure, a player as he gets older might not be as good as he used to be when he was a young fella, but I just don’t understand why they are treated with so little respect. Why aren’t they given the chance to leave the club without losing their faces? Just approach them internally and let them communicate their move to the public in a respectful way, but not in a way to let everyone know they got kicked out.

I haven’t followed it that closely so I’m not sure if it’s really official that Pep wants to get rid of Hart. So far I thought it’s mainly just media doing their usual speculative stuff. Maybe Pep gives him the chance to adapt to his new system. However, that he benched Hart isn’t a good sign indeed. :(

[melanie-hh]

I know it's way to early to be thinking about it, but after EURO 2016, Bierhoff stated that next years Confederations Cup they will rest some of their players. I would not be surprised to see Neuer rested for that tournament seeing as they always seems to give him rest when possible. What do you think?

Yes I heard Bierhoff saying that and I kinda agree, but then again I think the closer the tournament will be the more Löw will be eager to win it. How often do you get the chance to win the Confed Cup anyways?

I think whether Manu will play or not will greatly depend on whether he’ll be the new captain or not. I don’t see the German NT going into a tourney without their captain.

Of course the confed cup would be a nice chance to grant another goalie to play, but we all know Manu and how much he hates not to play, especially if he has the chance to add another title to his collection. My personal feeling is if Manu is fit and healthy he’ll play.

[melanie-hh]

Manu was simply brilliant yesterday. Great, decisive saves and that Cruyff turn... oh Manu how I love you. ♥

Yeah he was awesome yesterday. I was totally flashed how well he played after just a week back in training. That bloke just doesn’t need much preperation to be in awesome form.

I am not sure Bayern woulda won if not for his saves.

[melanie-hh]

Who gets the #7 and #10 Jerseys on the German NT now?

I dunno, Jogi has to decide that. We’ll not have to wait that long to find out, the next friendly is already going to take place on August 31st.

[melanie-hh]

Hi Mel, do you know who exactly is Tiburcio do Faustao? He hangs around Bayern and Die Mannschaft but does he have a some sort of official status or is he just a very eager fan? Google doesn't help much. :(

I noticed, too that he hangs around a lot there. He seems to be friends with a bunch of players. I dunno whether he has an official function. It’s my impression he’s a vip fan. I think he’s a celeb himself from what I’ve heard.

[melanie-hh]

Thank you for your opinion about the captain-question. I completely agree with *everything* you said. I think that Manu is Jogi's first choice and I hope that Jogi won't let the media influence his decision. But I guess it's possible that the DFB-bosses want to choose the "politically correct" captain so don't know if the choice is only Jogi's to make. Gotta love Poldi who said that Manu should be the captain. Many NTs have/had goalkeepers as captains: Buffon, Lloris, Casillas... why not Manu?!!

Yep, Poldi nailed it cuz he’s kinda old school and knows it’s just Manu’s turn now. It would be so incredible rude not to make him captain after he was the secret captain for 2 years already (cuz as much as we all love Basti he hardly played). I do not want a captain just cuz it would be “a symbol” to racists. Football and politics should always stay apart.

Also, folks forget so fast, Olli Kahn was captain for 6 years and it wasn’t a problem either.

We’ll see in 3 weeks I guess.

[melanie-hh]

Do you think Manu will be the new captain of the NT? He's the best candidate: experienced, calm, collected, well-respected from all sides and he's done great job when captaining Bayern and the NT. I thought he would be the obvious choice. Media however seems to be eagerly pushing Jerome Boateng to be the new captain.

Yeah I know. This is one of the cases where Germans don't realize how rude they are for doing something typically German; if you know what I mean.IMO it IS Manu's turn. He's waited long enough, is already 30 yrs old, he always plays and is hardly injured, he's calm on and off the pitch and a smart cookie when it comes to interviews and press conferences. He is always in top form and always very professional.But thanks to the AfD it is now en vogue and totally politically correct to ask for Boa as captain, who IMO is a good vice captain but it's just not his time yet for captaincy. He still lacks some eloquence, tbh his mumbling is a no go (but it was tolerated when Basti did it so I guess it's not a criteria). I also did NOT like how he criticized the team all in public. I dunno why folks think of that as a great move and let people think the other leaders do not criticize the team enuff. I think they do, but they leave it behind closed doors where it belongs.I also don't get why suddenly so many "experts" are of the opinion that Boa is calm and levelheaded on the pitch. I totally don't see that. He still has his rages and attacks players who fouled him or a team mate, it happened against Frankfurt last season for example.Additionally Boa is injured quite often, at least compared to Manu.It would equal a degradation if Manu will still be just vice captain behind Boa, especially as he captained the team thru the Euros (except for the semi). But folks like to excuse that with the reason he cannot influence the team on the pitch enuff as goalie. As if that is all a captain has to do and as if all other leaders don't influence the team at all captain's band or not. Bollocks.Once again this would be unthinkable in other national teams. Think of taking the captain's band from Buffon. UNTHINKABLE!But anyways, brace yourself to see Boa as captain. I see it coming.

[melanie-hh]

I don't understand why people are upset that Lahm wasn't invited to Schweinsteiger's wedding. Maybe they aren't as close as many people thought? They're two very different people as well.

Except for Poldi and Thomas no other player was mentioned by media as being invited. Manu wasn’t there as well. Given the public nature of the wedding I can understand why Manu didn’t want to be presented on a silver platter like that but that’s just speculation on my end. As for Phillip, he has family who he maybe tried to protect from media, and besides that his training has already started and he’s already working with Ancelotti. Maybe he was just busy?