Bundesliga: Leverkusen gearing up and Bayern haunted
Last season's Bundesliga turned out to be one of the most competitive title races ever witnessed anywhere and this time around things are shaping up to be just the same. However, the Bundesliga table as it currently stands is another surprise, the top 2 spots are held by the teams that finished 9th and 10th respectively in 2008-09.
On 23 points, and the only team left unbeaten after the first 11 games, is Bayer 04 Leverkusen. They are swiftly followed by Werder Bremen who are a single point behind them. The top 8 teams are only separated by a mere 5 points and Bayern Münich are down in 6th place, 4 points off the pace.
Last summer Wolfsburg famously kept their nerve to become champions for the first time in their history. If Leverkusen were able to maintain their current form and position to the end of the season, Germany will have the unusual statistic of first time winners of the championship back to back.
The major concern for Leverkusen is that they should be even further ahead of the chasing pack, their last 3 league fixtures have ended in draws. In fairness both away games were against Hamburger SV and Schalke 04, with the home draw versus Borussia Dortmund. All 3 sides finished above Leverkusen last season, which goes to show how much they have since improved.
Possibly their most impressive result thus far was the frantic 3-2 away win over Wolfsburg. The home team had to endure their goalkeeper Diego Benaglio being sent off after only half an hour, and then being taken apart by Leverkusen. They established a 3-0 lead despite also having Erin Derdiyok sent off. Some pride was salvaged by Wolfsburg netting 2 goals in the last 15 minutes, but Leverkusen were deserving victors.
A brace in that game by Simon Rolfes contributed to his tally so far of 4 goals in 9 games, already surpassing his total of last term. The German international midfielder has so far encapsulated the overall change around Leverkusen.
Defence has been the solid foundation, with only 8 goals conceded in the 11 games. Whereas goals are easier to come by, Stefan Kießling having provided 7 so far is in the most prolific form of his career. The big question is whether or not they will actually be able to keep themselves at the summit of the Bundesliga and stave off the challenges of the traditional big teams.
Bayern Münich should be faring better than they currently are, particularly with Louis van Gaal freshly appointed as manager. Last season's runners-up were not in the best of health before he arrived and the Dutchman should be given a couple of seasons to work his magic and make things to his liking. You only need to look at the eventual rewards of AZ Alkmaar last season to realise that van Gaal could make Bayern a European threat again.
Even so the hierarchy at Bayern may be just a little perturbed at how well things have turned out for Jupp Heynckes. The sixty-four year old journeyman coach was parachuted in as the club's caretaker manager after the sacking of Jürgen Klinsmann. He had previously retired in early 2007, leaving the top job at Borussia Mönchengladbach. On June 5th he was revealed at Bayer Leverkusen.
Clearly the experience at Bayern has whetted the appetite of the man who has coached Real Madrid and Benfica amongst others in his time. The scenario could lead to an ironic twist if he was to be responsible for Bayern failing to win the title back, and it would bring back painful memories of similar events last season.
Wolfsburg were helmed by a certain Felix Magath during their title triumph. The former Bayern manager was sacked in 2007 and left Münich to take up the reigns at the unheralded Wolfsburg. He had secured 2 Bundesliga titles whilst at Bayern but it must be assumed that the 2008-09 season is his greatest personal accolade to date. A real bolt from the blue and one that showed Bayern what they had spurned.
Nothing can be taken for granted at this stage though. Bayern are still clearly a threat and could come good as the season unfolds, they have held on to Franck Ribéry and if his mood improves he will be influential. Perhaps even more significant will be the return of Luca Toni from injury, he has continued to score freely in Germany and is a big miss for them.
The other main contender’s for now are Hamburger SV, who lay third by virtue of goal-difference. They are now managed by Bruno Labbadia, who as it happens left the same position he had held at Leverkusen in the summer- the fates have a habit of conspiring in the Bundesliga!
Finally a mention for the team in 4th place. Schalke 04 were big under-achievers last season, former FC Twente manager Fred Rutten lasted a scant 11 months before being sacked last March. They finally finished down in 8th place and the club meanwhile made an audacious and successful move for Felix Magath.
The speculation and confirmation that Magath would leave Wolfsburg before the end of their title-chasing campaign, did lead to some resentment and concern that the club may blow their chances. It turned out to be unfounded when they won their final 3 league games with a 13-1 aggregate score.
More to the point, Magath has started his new position at a canter and Schalke 04 are just 2 points off of Leverkusen. If the Bundesliga continues to carry on as it is, Bayern's board may yet face more sleepless nights over the managers they let get away...
On 23 points, and the only team left unbeaten after the first 11 games, is Bayer 04 Leverkusen. They are swiftly followed by Werder Bremen who are a single point behind them. The top 8 teams are only separated by a mere 5 points and Bayern Münich are down in 6th place, 4 points off the pace.
Last summer Wolfsburg famously kept their nerve to become champions for the first time in their history. If Leverkusen were able to maintain their current form and position to the end of the season, Germany will have the unusual statistic of first time winners of the championship back to back.
The major concern for Leverkusen is that they should be even further ahead of the chasing pack, their last 3 league fixtures have ended in draws. In fairness both away games were against Hamburger SV and Schalke 04, with the home draw versus Borussia Dortmund. All 3 sides finished above Leverkusen last season, which goes to show how much they have since improved.
Possibly their most impressive result thus far was the frantic 3-2 away win over Wolfsburg. The home team had to endure their goalkeeper Diego Benaglio being sent off after only half an hour, and then being taken apart by Leverkusen. They established a 3-0 lead despite also having Erin Derdiyok sent off. Some pride was salvaged by Wolfsburg netting 2 goals in the last 15 minutes, but Leverkusen were deserving victors.
A brace in that game by Simon Rolfes contributed to his tally so far of 4 goals in 9 games, already surpassing his total of last term. The German international midfielder has so far encapsulated the overall change around Leverkusen.
Defence has been the solid foundation, with only 8 goals conceded in the 11 games. Whereas goals are easier to come by, Stefan Kießling having provided 7 so far is in the most prolific form of his career. The big question is whether or not they will actually be able to keep themselves at the summit of the Bundesliga and stave off the challenges of the traditional big teams.
Bayern Münich should be faring better than they currently are, particularly with Louis van Gaal freshly appointed as manager. Last season's runners-up were not in the best of health before he arrived and the Dutchman should be given a couple of seasons to work his magic and make things to his liking. You only need to look at the eventual rewards of AZ Alkmaar last season to realise that van Gaal could make Bayern a European threat again.
Even so the hierarchy at Bayern may be just a little perturbed at how well things have turned out for Jupp Heynckes. The sixty-four year old journeyman coach was parachuted in as the club's caretaker manager after the sacking of Jürgen Klinsmann. He had previously retired in early 2007, leaving the top job at Borussia Mönchengladbach. On June 5th he was revealed at Bayer Leverkusen.
Clearly the experience at Bayern has whetted the appetite of the man who has coached Real Madrid and Benfica amongst others in his time. The scenario could lead to an ironic twist if he was to be responsible for Bayern failing to win the title back, and it would bring back painful memories of similar events last season.
Wolfsburg were helmed by a certain Felix Magath during their title triumph. The former Bayern manager was sacked in 2007 and left Münich to take up the reigns at the unheralded Wolfsburg. He had secured 2 Bundesliga titles whilst at Bayern but it must be assumed that the 2008-09 season is his greatest personal accolade to date. A real bolt from the blue and one that showed Bayern what they had spurned.
Nothing can be taken for granted at this stage though. Bayern are still clearly a threat and could come good as the season unfolds, they have held on to Franck Ribéry and if his mood improves he will be influential. Perhaps even more significant will be the return of Luca Toni from injury, he has continued to score freely in Germany and is a big miss for them.
The other main contender’s for now are Hamburger SV, who lay third by virtue of goal-difference. They are now managed by Bruno Labbadia, who as it happens left the same position he had held at Leverkusen in the summer- the fates have a habit of conspiring in the Bundesliga!
Finally a mention for the team in 4th place. Schalke 04 were big under-achievers last season, former FC Twente manager Fred Rutten lasted a scant 11 months before being sacked last March. They finally finished down in 8th place and the club meanwhile made an audacious and successful move for Felix Magath.
The speculation and confirmation that Magath would leave Wolfsburg before the end of their title-chasing campaign, did lead to some resentment and concern that the club may blow their chances. It turned out to be unfounded when they won their final 3 league games with a 13-1 aggregate score.
More to the point, Magath has started his new position at a canter and Schalke 04 are just 2 points off of Leverkusen. If the Bundesliga continues to carry on as it is, Bayern's board may yet face more sleepless nights over the managers they let get away...
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