Bundesliga Preview: Bayern Munich - Schalke

Magath Out for Revenge Again?

Since his unceremonious dismissal as Bayern coach in 2007, Felix Magath has carried a rather public grudge against his former employers. In April, towards the end of his Wolfsburg side’s 5-1 victory over Bayern, Magath substituted his goalkeeper in an obvious insult to the club that fired him after he led Bayern to consecutive domestic doubles.

Now at Schalke, Magath has taken on a new challenge: to bring a largely unchanged team that struggled last year to financial safety by qualifying for the Champions League. In consecutive 3-3 and 2-2 home draws with Hamburg and Leverkusen, respectively, Magath’s side has proven worthy challengers thanks to seemingly superior fitness, a hallmark of the ex-Hamburg midfielder’s coaching philosophy. In both matches, Schalke went two goals down in the first half, but fought back and managed draws thanks to late heroics from a very motivated team.

Against Bayern, Magath’s side will be especially motivated as both coach and team (Schalke have yet to forget Bayern’s last-gasp claim of the title in 2001) bear somewhat of a grudge against their hosts.

The play tomorrow will undoubtedly see Bayern win the majority of possession, but Schalke will be quick to exploit their hosts’ rather inconsistent defence, which has a knack for conceding against determined opponents. A win would give Schalke a clear legitimacy among the league’s leaders, but a draw would likely suffice. After all, the return leg awaits in spring and offers Magath an even greater chance at revenge.

Does “We Need to Score a Goal” Sound Familiar?

“Down with Van Gaal!” This the fans and media scream in unison, and for increasingly good reason. Following a 0-0 draw against Stuttgart, Bayern lost 2-0 to Bordeaux at home, and now face a premature exit from the Champions League. Strikers Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose, and Mario Gomez have hardly found the target, the defence is far from resolute, and the midfield simply is not doing enough to pierce through opposing defences and create plays. Increasingly, it seems that currently injured winger Franck Ribery - who is out for an indefinite period due to injury - is the only man who can bring the best out of Bayern as a team.

Arjen Robben and Thomas Mueller, however, might be able to provide enough individual class to earn a win for their team even if they are the only in-form players on Saturday. The two have provided an offensive spark that has not always inspired their team-mates, but has produced goals.

There is little doubt as to how tomorrow’s match will be played, and what the requirements are for a Bayern victory. In order to win, the midfield must do more than win and hold the ball. The defence must always be focused, especially from set pieces. Any defensive errors (Mark van Bommel and Holger Badstuber take notice) will be exploited by an unforgiving, efficient Schalke counter-attack. Up front, Bayern’s forwards must take their chances, and cannot afford to send every opportunity into orbit. Ultimately, there is only so much a coach can do. Tomorrow’s result will decidedly rely on who shows up to play.

FORM GUIDE

Bayern Munich
3 Nov v Bordeaux (H) LOST 2-0 (Champions League)
31 Oct v Stuttgart (A) DREW 0-0 (Bundesliga)
28 Oct v Frankfurt (A) WON 4-0 (DFB Pokal)
24 Oct v Frankfurt (H) WON 2-1 (Bundesliga)
21 Oct v Bordeaux (A) LOST 2-1 (Champions League)


Schalke
31 Oct v Bayer Leverkusen (H) DREW 2-2 (Bundesliga)
28 Oct v 1860 Munich (A) WON 3-0 (DFB Pokal)
25 Oct v Hamburg (H) DREW 3-3 (Bundesliga)
17 Oct v Stuttgart (A) WON 2-1 (Bundesliga)
2 Oct v Frankfurt (H) WON 2-0 (Bundesliga)
26 Sep v Dortmund (A) WON 1-0 (Bundesliga)

TEAM NEWS

Bayern Munich

Long-term casualties Ivica Olic and Franck Ribery remain unavailable for Bayern. Otherwise, Louis van Gaal should have a full line-up to choose from. Whether Arjen Robben will feature as a starter or substitute has yet to be determined, however.

Possible Starting XI: Butt – Lahm, van Buyten, Badstuber, Braafheid – Tymoshchuk, van Bommel, Mueller – Schweinsteiger – Toni, Klose

Schalke

Jermaine Jones, Danny Latza, David Loheider, and Pedrag Stevanovic have resumed training, but remain definite absentees. Christian Pander (ligament tears) and Levan Kenia (knee) are also sure to miss out.

Possible Starting XI: Neuer – Hoewedes, Zambrano, Bordon, Westermann  – Rafinha, Schmitz, Moritz – Rakitic – Farfan-, Kuranyi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

The €25m man may be Bayern’s only hope for a successful season. With Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose, and Luca Toni all in miserable form, and with Frank Ribery injured indefinitely, Robben is one of Bayern’s few reliable attacking options. He made an instant impact against Eintracht Frankfurt, and was easily his team’s biggest threat against Bordeaux. Schalke’s defense will be very difficult to crack, but if anyone can do it, it’s Robben.

Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke)

If Jogi Loew is in attendance, pay extra attention to Kuranyi, who will do his best to one-up his ex-Germany colleagues. The Brazilian-born forward has come up when needed in recent draws with Hamburg and Leverkusen, and without a doubt will be eager to strike against struggling Bayern.

PREDICTION

Schalke’s first half form has been miserable lately, but the Gelsenkirchen side has bounced back well in consecutive matches. Bayern, on the other hand, have been in terrible form. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Schalke were to win, but because Bayern have the quality to come good at any time, 1-1 seems entirely possible.

Bayern 1-1 Schalke

Clark Whitney, Goal.com