January 10, 2012 will be a very special occasion for fans of Indian football. Not only will the torchbearer of modern Indian football, Bhaichung Bhutia play his last game, but one of the finest European clubs will be in action in Delhi.
Considered by many to be the best deal in Europe after Real Madrid and Barcelona, Bayern Munich will bring their best players for the exhibition against India. Here is the first part of the players who have travelled to India and could take to field at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. In this piece, the focus is on the defence, the goalkeepers and defenders who will look to block the Indian attack.
Manuel
NEUER
Age: 25 yrs
Birthplace: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Position: Goalkeeper |
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Strengths: After the retirement of Oliver Kahn, there was a huge void between the sticks at Bayern Munich. They have filled that in the able figure of Manuel Neuer, who since his move to the Bavarian giants has turned out to be among the most consistent ‘keepers today. Neuer has the agility and an ability to read the ball like very few. Exemplified in the match against Manchester United in the Champions League last season, Neuer is capable of producing a string of saves or be still, and yet be an outspoken leader.
Weakness: His positioning can sometimes be at fault. Also he can sometimes have an occasional slip in concentration.
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Hans-Jorg
BUTT
Age: 37 yrs
Birthplace: Oldenburg, West Germany
Height: 6 ft 3 in
Position: Goalkeeper
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Strengths: After Michael Rensing was unable to reach even close to the mighty levels set by Oliver Kahn, Hans Joerg Butt was asked to step in between the posts. The old German custodian immediately added some sense of calm with his experience. A decent ball reader he keeps it simple and smart, and rarely does spill a ball.
Weakness: He does not have the agility to consistently produce match winning saves and an above average shot into goal can beat him. Also he is very weak with aerial balls, making him vulnerable. |
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Maximilian
RIEDMUELLER
Age: 24 yrs
Birthplace: Munich, West Germany
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Position: Goalkeeper
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Strengths: Great reflexes, with a wonderful jump.
Weakness: Is slightly rash in his positioning, and doesn't
comes out forward too well. |
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Breno
BORGES
Age: 22 yrs
Birthplace: Cruzeiro, Brazil
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Position: Center Back
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Strengths: Solid in defence and good in the air too, prospects that can some day make him a complete defender
Weakness: His biggest drawback is his temper. Not afraid to unleash it on anyone at any stage, he got himself an unnecessary red card at Oliver Kahn’s final game against Mohun Bagan in 2008. Had an arrest warrant against him for damaging his own villa. |
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Holger
BADSTUBER
Age: 23 yrs
Birthplace: Memmingen, West Germany
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Position: Centre Back
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Strengths: The German international has been a recent convert at centre-back since starting from left-back and is good with both in anticipation, and in the air. He is capable of taking free-kicks in the absence of Arjen Robben with his solid left foot, and can take the tough decisions on when to and not to tackle.
Weakness: More often than not gets complaints for wayward passing. Also gets beaten on the dribble sometimes too easily. This native Bavarian is also not comfortable with a change of personnel around him as without Bastian Schweinsteiger in front and Daniel Van Buyten beside him, it has been seen that he is error prone.
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Jerome
BOATENG
Age: 23 yrs
Birthplace: Berlin, West Germany
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Position: Centre/Full Back |
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Strengths: Expressing a very strong desire to play for Die Roten despite the riches of Manchester City around him last season, Boateng has proved to be a handy acquisition. His main strength is his versatility, being able to adapt in any defensive position and come up with the goods. Also he can use his strength to good use bringing in the odd desperate block whenever required. His signing has added a lot of stability to the Bayern backline.
Weakness: Can concede possession very cheaply.
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Daniel
van BUYTEN
Age: 34 yrs
Birthplace: Chimay, Belgium
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Position: Centre Back
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Strengths: Brings experience to this young Bayern defence. Brilliant in the air, and has a knack of scoring important goals in the opposition box. He can put in a solid shift if the team really requires it as well.
Weakness: Known for his lack of pace and major concentration lapses. One gets the feeling that he could be a much better player if he were more clued on with the proceedings going on around him at times.
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Philipp
LAHM
Age: 28 yrs
Birthplace: Munich, West Germany
Height: 5 ft7 in
Position: Full Back |
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Strengths: The skipper of FC Hollywood is known to be among the most ferocious full backs in the world. Diminutive he may appear to be, but the entire team relies on his leadership skills and he always comes up with the goods. Running with a great pace, he can also score the occasional wonder goal. Excellent in keeping possession, and has a great anticipation.
Weakness: Sometimes can give away possession when not required to. Also is not that great in the air. But he is in his element only while playing at left back. When switched to right back you might complain of lack of pace and a lot of indecision.
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Danijel
PRANJIC
Age: 30 yrs
Birthplace: Našice, Yugoslavia
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Position: Left Back/Midfielder
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Strengths: The Croatian wing back can also play in the middle of the pitch making short passes as the defensive midfielder. As a full back, he can produce marauding runs, and has a sweet left foot which can provide great assists when called upon. He also has some authority in the box being captain of Dutch side, F.C. Herenveen before being brought to Bayern.
Weakness: Rarely has he been asked to play in his natural role, often being used in the central midfield position. As a result, he has been unable to contain himself, and guilty of being dispossessed as well.
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RAFINHA
Age: 26 yrs
Birthplace: Londrina, Brazil
Height: 5 ft 7 1⁄2 in
Position: Right Back
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Strengths: A complete disaster at Genoa, Bayern bought him out of his misery this year. And it has been a good addition to their defence, as the Brazilian
full back has plenty of pace in him, and can provide his team with a consistent rate of crosses into the box.
Weakness: Guilty of wasting too much of possession. He cannot tackle cleanly often.
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Diego
CONTENTO
Age: 21 yrs
Birthplace: Munich, West Germany
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Position: Left Back
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Strengths: The racy young German named after Maradona is someone quite capable of rushing forward but like his club captain Lahm, is good at defending as well. He is capable of winning back possession and take it to the attacking half.
Weakness: Very injury prone, having suffered much at this age. Also can run into people being easily dispossessed at times. |
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Catch India vs Bayern Munich On January 10, 1800 IST Only On Ten Action!
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