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Bundesliga Team of the Week: Round 14
Clark Whitney runs the rule over the Bundesliga’s top performers in Round 14.
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Nov 30, 2009 7:00:32 AM
Goalkeeper:
Hans-Joerg Butt (Bayern Munich)
Bayern may be looking to replace him in the near future, but Butt made a convincing appeal to retain his place on Sunday. Although his defense was far from convincing at times, Butt was able to make a series of brilliant saves from Constant Djakpa, Arnold Bruggink, and Jan Rosenthal.
Defenders:
Maik Franz (Eintracht Frankfurt)
“Iron Maik” lived up to his nickname on Saturday as he took a number of knocks, but played on, and was duly rewarded with service for the goal that doubled his team’s advantage in Berlin. Otherwise, his attacking and defensive support on the right side of defense was superb. He may never be called up to Jogi Loew’s Germany squad, but Franz is certainly among the league’s best right backs.
Oliver Barth (Freiburg)
The Freiburg central defender was a rock, helping his side keep an improbable clean sheet in Nuernberg. After going a goal down, the home side laid siege to the Freiburg goal, but Barth put in an exceptional shift. Surely, he’ll retain his starting role after Pavel Krmas’ forgettable performance in last week’s 6-0 loss to Bremen.
Sami Hyypia (Bayer Leverkusen)
The veteran Finn has been a regular in Team of the Week and earned yet another appearance following his rock-solid display against Stuttgart. In addition to holding Stuttgart goalless, the ex-Liverpool defender assisted Stefan Kiessling’s opener with a fine headed pass.
Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)
Going to Hoffenheim and conceding only one goal is no easy task, especially considering the form die Hoffe have displayed in recent weeks. Subotic played very well in defense and, albeit in somewhat questionable circumstances, won the penalty that produced the game-winner.
Midfielders:
Patrick Ochs (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Took his goal well and assisted Franz’s effort that put the match out of reach. May have drifted out of the match at times, but he was definitely his team’s source of offensive productivity, and the match winner.
Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen)
At just 19, Kroos is rapidly becoming one of the league’s best midfielders. Provided perfect service assiting goals from Eren Derdiyok and Stefan Kiessling, and played a large role in Kiessling’s opener. The Bayern-owned midfielder was also unlucky not to score, as he was twice denied by the left post and forced Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to make impressive saves on more than one occasion.
Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich)
The 20-year old netted Bayern’s opener and was only denied two more by superb play from Florian Fromlowitz. In addition to his goalward efforts, Mueller’s work in midfield was also superb: his creativity and service from crosses made him a candidate for man-of-the-match. His form since the recent internationals had been questionable, but his play on Sunday was enough to silence his critics.
Strikers:
Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen)
Could he be the missing link in Jogi Loew’s World Cup squad? Kiessling netted a hat trick in Leverkusen’s 4-0 hammering of Stuttgart, increasing his goal tally to 12 strikes in 14 matches. The ex-Nuernberg hitman took his brace well before slamming home a late penalty kick.
Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg)
Wolfsburg were comprehensively outplayed on Saturday, but Dzeko single-handedly earned a 2-2 draw. His opener in the 42nd minute was easily the goal of the week, if not the year, and his late strike was a classic poacher’s finish. Against Bremen, Dzeko showed his ability to take on defenders with both strength and technical skill, as well as his knack for scoring without giving defenders a chance.
Ivica Olic (Bayern Munich)
Bayern’s speedy forward was as industrious as ever against Hannover, and provided a goal and assist in an impressive 3-0 victory. Bayern have won both of their matches since the Croat’s return from injury, and have a newfound liveliness that was absent during his layoff.
Honourable Mentions
Hertha striker Gustavo Ramos put in another great half of play, but his best efforts were not enough to earn points.
Ivica Banovic, playing in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role, balanced attack and defensive duties well in Freiburg’s 1-0 win over Nuernberg, and deserves credit for his efforts.
Werder defender Per Mertesacker scored a great equalizer late in Bremen’s 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg, but was occasionally questionable in defense and misses out on TOTW for that reason.
Goal.com welcomes your opinion…
Clark Whitney, Goal.com
Hans-Joerg Butt (Bayern Munich)
Bayern may be looking to replace him in the near future, but Butt made a convincing appeal to retain his place on Sunday. Although his defense was far from convincing at times, Butt was able to make a series of brilliant saves from Constant Djakpa, Arnold Bruggink, and Jan Rosenthal.
Defenders:
Maik Franz (Eintracht Frankfurt)
“Iron Maik” lived up to his nickname on Saturday as he took a number of knocks, but played on, and was duly rewarded with service for the goal that doubled his team’s advantage in Berlin. Otherwise, his attacking and defensive support on the right side of defense was superb. He may never be called up to Jogi Loew’s Germany squad, but Franz is certainly among the league’s best right backs.
Oliver Barth (Freiburg)
The Freiburg central defender was a rock, helping his side keep an improbable clean sheet in Nuernberg. After going a goal down, the home side laid siege to the Freiburg goal, but Barth put in an exceptional shift. Surely, he’ll retain his starting role after Pavel Krmas’ forgettable performance in last week’s 6-0 loss to Bremen.
Sami Hyypia (Bayer Leverkusen)
The veteran Finn has been a regular in Team of the Week and earned yet another appearance following his rock-solid display against Stuttgart. In addition to holding Stuttgart goalless, the ex-Liverpool defender assisted Stefan Kiessling’s opener with a fine headed pass.
Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)
Going to Hoffenheim and conceding only one goal is no easy task, especially considering the form die Hoffe have displayed in recent weeks. Subotic played very well in defense and, albeit in somewhat questionable circumstances, won the penalty that produced the game-winner.
Midfielders:
Patrick Ochs (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Took his goal well and assisted Franz’s effort that put the match out of reach. May have drifted out of the match at times, but he was definitely his team’s source of offensive productivity, and the match winner.
Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen)
At just 19, Kroos is rapidly becoming one of the league’s best midfielders. Provided perfect service assiting goals from Eren Derdiyok and Stefan Kiessling, and played a large role in Kiessling’s opener. The Bayern-owned midfielder was also unlucky not to score, as he was twice denied by the left post and forced Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to make impressive saves on more than one occasion.
Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich)
The 20-year old netted Bayern’s opener and was only denied two more by superb play from Florian Fromlowitz. In addition to his goalward efforts, Mueller’s work in midfield was also superb: his creativity and service from crosses made him a candidate for man-of-the-match. His form since the recent internationals had been questionable, but his play on Sunday was enough to silence his critics.
Strikers:
Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen)
Could he be the missing link in Jogi Loew’s World Cup squad? Kiessling netted a hat trick in Leverkusen’s 4-0 hammering of Stuttgart, increasing his goal tally to 12 strikes in 14 matches. The ex-Nuernberg hitman took his brace well before slamming home a late penalty kick.
Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg)
Wolfsburg were comprehensively outplayed on Saturday, but Dzeko single-handedly earned a 2-2 draw. His opener in the 42nd minute was easily the goal of the week, if not the year, and his late strike was a classic poacher’s finish. Against Bremen, Dzeko showed his ability to take on defenders with both strength and technical skill, as well as his knack for scoring without giving defenders a chance.
Ivica Olic (Bayern Munich)
Bayern’s speedy forward was as industrious as ever against Hannover, and provided a goal and assist in an impressive 3-0 victory. Bayern have won both of their matches since the Croat’s return from injury, and have a newfound liveliness that was absent during his layoff.
Butt
Franz, Subotic, Hyypia, Barth
Mueller, Ochs, Kroos
Kiessling, Dzeko, Olic
Franz, Subotic, Hyypia, Barth
Mueller, Ochs, Kroos
Kiessling, Dzeko, Olic
Honourable Mentions
Hertha striker Gustavo Ramos put in another great half of play, but his best efforts were not enough to earn points.
Ivica Banovic, playing in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role, balanced attack and defensive duties well in Freiburg’s 1-0 win over Nuernberg, and deserves credit for his efforts.
Werder defender Per Mertesacker scored a great equalizer late in Bremen’s 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg, but was occasionally questionable in defense and misses out on TOTW for that reason.
Goal.com welcomes your opinion…
Clark Whitney, Goal.com
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