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Bundesliga Team of the Week: Round 15
Clark Whitney runs the rule over the Bundesliga’s top performers in Round 15.
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Dec 7, 2009 7:00:00 AM
Goalkeeper:
Simon Pouplin (Freiburg)
The French goalkeeper single-handedly prevented Wolfsburg from winning a blowout, helping his team earn a 2-2 draw. Although he allowed two goals, and received help from the woodwork on two more occasions, Pouplin should be commended for making nine saves from Wolfsburg’s record-setting attack.
Defenders:
Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich)
Earlier in the season, a casual observer would say that the fact that Badstuber, a defender, is Bayern’s primary free kick-taker, indicates just how far the German record-champions have fallen in recent years. The 20-year old justified his coach’s faith in him on Friday with a game-winning free kick that helped Bayern move third in the league table. His play otherwise was good, although he did play Roel Brouwers onside for M’gladbach’s equalizer early on.
Christian Fuchs (Bochum)
The Bochum left back held down his flank very well, but his inclusion in Team of the Week is primarily due to his offensive contribution. With his team down 1-0 on the stroke of full time, Fuchs blasted home a free kick that earned his team a point in Stuttgart.
Christian Schulz (Hannover)
Heading into Saturday’s match, Leverkusen were an unstoppable attacking machine, and looked capable of demolishing even the tightest defenses. Hannover held the league leaders to a 0-0 draw on Saturday, and Schulz was the best performer among a back line that deserves top honors for doing the near impossible.
Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg)
Comanded Hamburg’s back line with all the experience and wisdom of a seasoned veteran. Mathijsen won his tackles, and took what was perhaps Hamburg’s best shot on goal, only to miss just over the bar. Holding Hoffenheim scoreless is always a difficult task, but Mathijsen’s efforts paid dividends as Hamburg were able to manage a 0-0 draw..
Maik Franz (Eintracht Frankfurt)
“Iron Maik” scored his second goal in as many games in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Mainz, and was unshakeable down the right side. Although his tackling was occasionally reckless, Franz kept Mainz silent on their attacking left, and held the ball well.
Midfielders:
Zvjezdan Misimovic (Wolfsburg)
The Bosnia/Herzegovina international had suffered a drop in form in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s match, but he saw instant resurgence against Freiburg. Pulling the strings in midfield, Misimovic was the mastermind of a Wolfsburg attack that took 28 shots on Simon Pouplin’s goal. Thanks to the Frenchman’s superb goaltending, Misimovic was only able to earn a single assist, but his influence was forth far greater. Should have scored early from a header, but was denied by the woodwork.
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
The versatile 20-year old played in central defense for the first 45 minutes and never set a foot wrong. After Felipe Santana was substituted in for Sven Bender, Hummels moved to central midfield where he remained a stalwart in defense and headed in his team’s fourth goal.
Mohamed Zidan (Borussia Dortmund)
The Egyptian is a natural in his role as central support for striker Lucas Barrios. Against Nuernberg, Zidan played at full speed, and for his effort had to be withdrawn with 10 minutes to go. For the 80 minutes he spent on the pitch, Zidan was a central figure in attack, and his team’s first defender. He took his goal well, too.
Strikers:
Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke)
It was a poor week for Bundesliga strikers, but Kuranyi gave perhaps the best performance of all. His headed goal against Hertha was the game winner, and he could have scored at least one more. His link-up play also deserves merit.
Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund)
The ex-Colo Colo striker was in fine form in Saturday’s 4-0 rout of Nuernberg. He may have scored just once, a well-taken effort in the 13th minute, but Barrios saw several other good attempts saved by Alexander Stephan. Drifted out of the game after the result was decided, but his play over the first hour earns him top honors.
Honourable Mentions
Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko had the best match a striker could possibly have without being involved in scoring, but misses out for his lack of goals. Mario Gomez scored a candidate for goal of the week, but that was all he did for 90 minutes and accordingly, he does not make the cut for this week’s edition.
Bayern starlet Thomas Mueller was among this week’s best midfielders, but was not selected because he failed to take his chances. Even though he earned an assist for the Gomez opener, credit for the goal should go fully to the striker, and not the provider in that case.
There were other goalscoring defenders who did not make the cut: Rafinha, Serdar Tasci, and Roel Brouwers all scored goals from the back, but miss the starting XI for various reasons.
Goal.com welcomes your opinion…
Clark Whitney, Goal.com
Simon Pouplin (Freiburg)
The French goalkeeper single-handedly prevented Wolfsburg from winning a blowout, helping his team earn a 2-2 draw. Although he allowed two goals, and received help from the woodwork on two more occasions, Pouplin should be commended for making nine saves from Wolfsburg’s record-setting attack.
Defenders:
Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich)
Earlier in the season, a casual observer would say that the fact that Badstuber, a defender, is Bayern’s primary free kick-taker, indicates just how far the German record-champions have fallen in recent years. The 20-year old justified his coach’s faith in him on Friday with a game-winning free kick that helped Bayern move third in the league table. His play otherwise was good, although he did play Roel Brouwers onside for M’gladbach’s equalizer early on.
Christian Fuchs (Bochum)
The Bochum left back held down his flank very well, but his inclusion in Team of the Week is primarily due to his offensive contribution. With his team down 1-0 on the stroke of full time, Fuchs blasted home a free kick that earned his team a point in Stuttgart.
Christian Schulz (Hannover)
Heading into Saturday’s match, Leverkusen were an unstoppable attacking machine, and looked capable of demolishing even the tightest defenses. Hannover held the league leaders to a 0-0 draw on Saturday, and Schulz was the best performer among a back line that deserves top honors for doing the near impossible.
Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg)
Comanded Hamburg’s back line with all the experience and wisdom of a seasoned veteran. Mathijsen won his tackles, and took what was perhaps Hamburg’s best shot on goal, only to miss just over the bar. Holding Hoffenheim scoreless is always a difficult task, but Mathijsen’s efforts paid dividends as Hamburg were able to manage a 0-0 draw..
Maik Franz (Eintracht Frankfurt)
“Iron Maik” scored his second goal in as many games in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Mainz, and was unshakeable down the right side. Although his tackling was occasionally reckless, Franz kept Mainz silent on their attacking left, and held the ball well.
Midfielders:
Zvjezdan Misimovic (Wolfsburg)
The Bosnia/Herzegovina international had suffered a drop in form in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s match, but he saw instant resurgence against Freiburg. Pulling the strings in midfield, Misimovic was the mastermind of a Wolfsburg attack that took 28 shots on Simon Pouplin’s goal. Thanks to the Frenchman’s superb goaltending, Misimovic was only able to earn a single assist, but his influence was forth far greater. Should have scored early from a header, but was denied by the woodwork.
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
The versatile 20-year old played in central defense for the first 45 minutes and never set a foot wrong. After Felipe Santana was substituted in for Sven Bender, Hummels moved to central midfield where he remained a stalwart in defense and headed in his team’s fourth goal.
Mohamed Zidan (Borussia Dortmund)
The Egyptian is a natural in his role as central support for striker Lucas Barrios. Against Nuernberg, Zidan played at full speed, and for his effort had to be withdrawn with 10 minutes to go. For the 80 minutes he spent on the pitch, Zidan was a central figure in attack, and his team’s first defender. He took his goal well, too.
Strikers:
Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke)
It was a poor week for Bundesliga strikers, but Kuranyi gave perhaps the best performance of all. His headed goal against Hertha was the game winner, and he could have scored at least one more. His link-up play also deserves merit.
Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund)
The ex-Colo Colo striker was in fine form in Saturday’s 4-0 rout of Nuernberg. He may have scored just once, a well-taken effort in the 13th minute, but Barrios saw several other good attempts saved by Alexander Stephan. Drifted out of the game after the result was decided, but his play over the first hour earns him top honors.
Pouplin
Franz Mathijsen Schulz Badstuber Fuchs
Zidan Hummels Misimovic
Kuranyi Barrios
Franz Mathijsen Schulz Badstuber Fuchs
Zidan Hummels Misimovic
Kuranyi Barrios
Honourable Mentions
Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko had the best match a striker could possibly have without being involved in scoring, but misses out for his lack of goals. Mario Gomez scored a candidate for goal of the week, but that was all he did for 90 minutes and accordingly, he does not make the cut for this week’s edition.
Bayern starlet Thomas Mueller was among this week’s best midfielders, but was not selected because he failed to take his chances. Even though he earned an assist for the Gomez opener, credit for the goal should go fully to the striker, and not the provider in that case.
There were other goalscoring defenders who did not make the cut: Rafinha, Serdar Tasci, and Roel Brouwers all scored goals from the back, but miss the starting XI for various reasons.
Goal.com welcomes your opinion…
Clark Whitney, Goal.com
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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