Bayern : Uefa Champions League's Dark Horses

At the start of the German Bundesliga season Bayern Muchen lacked flair. It was understandable as their playmaker Franck Ribery was suffering with injury. They drew against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1-1 with new signing Ivica Olic scoring. The second game never went to plan either. They also, drew 1-1 with Werder Bremen thanks to Werder's young German star Mesut Ozil. Their new 30 million euro signing Mario Gomez was on the scoresheet which, was encouraging to see for Bayern fans as they want him to score more to repay that huge transfer fee. A fee infact which, was the biggest in the German Bundesliga history. With Ribery still struggling to recover from injury Bayern faced lowly German side Mainz and lost 2-1. It was a shock. Bayern players admitted to the German press that teams didn't fear going to Bayern's stadium the Allianz Arena anymore. Their new Dutch coach they got off Dutch Champions AZ Alkmaar, Louis Van Gaal stated that the team had not fully adpated to his tactics and style of play.

Bayern's new coach, Louis Van Gaal.

In Spain, Real Madrid were having a clear out all Summer. After, the departure of Klass Jan Hunterlaar to AC Milan we all thought Real Madrid only had one player to clear out, Rafael Van Der Vaart. This was becuase both Sneidjer and Robben appeared in Pre-Season and Pelligrini, the new Real Madrid coach insisted that they were both staying. However, due to both players comments they were forced out of the club. One only can assume that both were sold for a combined fee of 40 to 45 million euros to help the club deal with their vast summer spendings. Sneidjer headed to Italy with Inter Milan and played a great contribution to their 2-0 thrashing of Milan in the San Siro derby. So, Mourinhio was right, Inter needed a playmaker! However, Robben went to Bayern Muchen for 25 million euros.

The first half Robeen never featured. Bayern were leading 1-0 due to an Altintop shot not being parried or cught by VFL Wolfsburg keeper Benaglio and Gomez scoring from the rebound. Gomez thought he scored agin but, he was offside from an Ivica Olic cross. At half time Hamit Altintop was replaced by Arjen Robben. And Robben's effect on the game was immediate. He gave Bayern another dimension on the wing. Running down it, cutting insdie and taking shots. He soon scored his first goal with this technique. Then Ribery came on. This is what everybody in Germany and the whole of Europe wanted to see. Ribery and Robben together! The third goal showed what the team would look like. It was on the break, Robben passes it to Ribery. Ribery runs half the pitch and while him and Robben are in the box he passes it to Robben who turns ahrply which, fooled Bengalio and Wolfsburg defender Barzagali then, he calmly tapped it into the net. Ribery hasn't signed a new deal for Bayern but, with Robben there and somebody on his same wave length he may actually sign a new deal. The game ended 3-0. Bayern had dominated and derservedly won.

Bayern's Franck Ribery and scorer Arjen Robben after, he scored his second goal against current German Bundesliga champions VFL Wolfsburg on Saturday in the 3-0 win at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern has not won anything in Europe since winmning the Champion's League in 2001. After buying the likes of Tymoshuck, Pranjic, Braahfield, Olic, Gomez and Robben. Expectations are higher then the quarter fianls of last year. But, with Ribery and Robben I can see them beating Juventus who have problems at right back and left back. Grygera and Mlinaro shall be ripped to pieces by Robben and Ribery. That is the reason I can see them qualifying first in their Champion's League group. Bordeaux won't trouble them. Just makr Gourcuff out of the game which Tymoshuck and Schweinstiger should be able to do. Maccabia Hafia is no problem. I expect them to reach the Semis of the competition.

Bayern's team for their next game against Stuttgart should look like this :

GK: Butt (He played alot better against Wolfsburg then Rensing would of. It was Rensing's fault for one of Mainz's goal.)

LB: Pranjic (Just some more attacking options I feel he can be more effectivethen Braahfield)

CB: Badstuber for the moment (Demichiles should get this place when he comes back. Stability and experience is needed. And Badstuber lacks both.)

CB: Van Buyten

RB: Lahm

CDM: Tymoschuck (Even when Van Bommel comes back. He is much better then Van Bommel)

LW: Robben

CM: Schweinstiger

RW: Ribery

FW: Olic (Yes over Klose. Works alot harder, gets in way more crosse, tackles etc.)

FW: Gomez (Bayern don't need Toni's height for crosses as this guy is tall enough to head also, better with his feet.)