Stickied German Football

[yellow]

Schalke sign Johannes Geis on a 4-year deal. Bit of a blow for Tuchel and BVB, although perhaps not if they can hold onto Gundogan.

 

[mente captus]

what for a midfield we have now

Geis (21) Goretzka (20)
Sane (19) Meyer (19) Draxler (21)

 

[mistermagic]

Is Boateng still with you? Need to get rid of him imo.

 

[TheMinsterman]

Think they terminated his deal a few weeks back.

 

[mistermagic]

Yeah forgot about that.

Stuttgart have signed two players: Polish goalkeeper Tyton (first choice ahead of Ulreich?) and midfielder Lukas Rupp from Paderborn who got relegated this season to the 2nd division.

Also, lads, fixtures are out tomorrow. Buzzing!

 

[yellow]

Schalke add another player…Brazilian fullback Junior Caicera from Ludogorets.

 

[mistermagic]

It's fixtures day!

Bayern sign Donetsk winger Douglas Costa for 35M€. Start of the end for the Robbery?

 

[yellow]

Reina has returned to Napoli. Not a surprise he's left.

That Costa deal confirmed? If so, a good signing for them. Yeh wouldn't be surprised to see Ribery move into a lesser position or even move now to be honest.

 

[mistermagic]

I'd have him at PSG tbh...

 

[yellow]

Season opener sees Hamburg go to the Allianz. Nice

Dortmund host Gladbach, hopefully try and get tickets to that!

 

[mistermagic]

Try some new grounds!

 

[yellow]

..or Langerak to Stuttgart to replace Ulreich, and Weidenfeller given one more season as back up (and so he can get a proper send off from the club, perhaps). Certainly no need for the three of them, just wonder whether Langerak will get sick of being number two every year.

& Friday's euromillions are: 6, 7, 11, 23, 35

 

[Mustard]

Vidal is off to Bayern it seems.

 

[thespus]

Alonso, Vidal, Alaba, Martinez, and Lahm as holding midfielders. What formation is Pep going for? Could this mean Alaba or Martinez are available for the right price? Alaba might be the best of the bunch.

 

[yellow]

Or will Vidal be used in a more attacking role as he has had with Juve this season? I'd be very surprised if Pep allows either Alaba or Martinez to go, unless Martinez's injuries have caught up with him to an extent that he isn't the level he once was?

I wonder if Pep is considering phasing Alonso out a bit more this coming season. Use him in the Pokal and easier Buli games, but perhaps not so much in Europe.

 

[JimJams]

Given that Alaba can play left back, centre back, midfield and the wing I doubt you'll see them let him go.

 

[Mustard]

Yeah no chance Alaba goes, he is the master of all trades let alone the jack. Javi Martinez maybe, there have been suggestions he isn't Pep's favourite in midfield, but I think Vidal is more of a Schweinsteiger replacement than anything.

 

[Smally]

He sees Martinez as a centre back anyway I thought?

I remember reading that Hjolberg and I think Gaudino were going to be promoted to the first team squad this season, this not happening now?

 

[thespus]

I wonder if Pep is considering phasing Alonso out a bit more this coming season. Use him in the Pokal and easier Buli games, but perhaps not so much in Europe.

I think Alonso is a routine choice for him. He might sit out a few , but I think he'll be playing in their big matches.

Given that Alaba can play left back, centre back, midfield and the wing I doubt you'll see them let him go.

The issue is that the player doesn't want to play in defense. If he isn't starting in midfield, he'll want to leave given that he'd start in midfield for every club bar Barca and Bayern. Maybe Pep can convince him to play as a Libero?

 

[yellow]

Hmm, perhaps. Just feel that at his age now he might not play a large role. I think the Buli will be competitive next year - Dortmund, Schalke, Wolfsburg, Gladbach and Leverkusen will all be looking to challenge, and have all strengthened well so far.

And with Hojberg returning from a successful loan, I wonder if he sees him working in the engine room somewhere. He had a good season last year.

 

[thespus]

Hmm, perhaps. Just feel that at his age now he might not play a large role.

I don't think much has changed in his athleticism between last season and this. He started all of their important matches last season and was one of the best passing midfielders in Europe as the pivot behind Lahm/Schweinsteiger/Thiago/etc. I don't think Pep will reduce his role drastically. I agree re: Hojbjerg. His emergence plus the Vidal signing is what makes me think one of the midfielders could be sold. Real Madrid should make Alaba #1 on their wishlist; he's exactly the type of player they need in midfield.

 

[yellow]

True enough. I know his stats last season were spectacular. I just feel they have so many options now, something will give. Schweinsteiger going was a surprise, and I just feel there'll be another one. I hope to god it isn't Alaba. I can see a larger role for Thiago/Hjojberg/Gotze this coming year. Actually, Bayern have almost too many options in midfield now:

Lahm
Alonso
Javi Martinez
Alaba
Vidal
Hjojberg
Thiago
Gotze
Robben
Douglas Costa
Ribery

And even Muller, but he must surely be used in a central forward role now?!

Wow.

 

[thespus]

Bernat is tidy in a left midfield position, too.

If I could pick an XI from their squad:

Neuer
Martinez - Boateng - Benatia
Alonso
Lahm - Vidal - Alaba
Müller - Lewandowski - Robben

I still think Barca's XI is better due to Messi + Suarez, but this squad is maybe the strongest in depth I've ever seen in my time watching European football. Could do with another CF, maybe.

 

[GodsGift]

If they've got so many midfielders, it might be a good idea to put the best full back in the world back into his rightful position?

 

[mistermagic]

If they've got so many midfielders, it might be a good idea to put the best full back in the world back into his rightful position?

Yeah. Stick Lahm back at RB too.

 

[GodsGift]

I like what you did there.

 

[mistermagic]

The Buli Zwei kicks off this weekend!!!

We start on Friday evening with Duisburg hosting Kaiserslautern! Who's everyone's bet to go up? Money's on Freiburg and Leipzig obvz but fancy Nurnberg to have a good season. Not sure if it'll take them to promotion.
The less said about 1860 the better.

BRING BACK FOOTBALL, MM'S BORED!!!

 

[RKP]

The Buli Zwei kicks off this weekend!!!

We start on Friday evening with Duisburg hosting Kaiserslautern! Who's everyone's bet to go up? Money's on Freiburg and Leipzig obvz but fancy Nurnberg to have a good season. Not sure if it'll take them to promotion.
The less said about 1860 the better.

BRING BACK FOOTBALL, MM'S BORED!!!

Freiburg should bounce back, last season was disappointing (except the win over Bayern).

Hate RB Leipzig in all honesty, franchise club - but a nice stadium which aids the atmosphere. They'll probably be promotion favourites, would be surprised if they don't.

Think Fortuna Düsseldorf might have a crack at promotion, though last season was underwhelming, Nürnberg will have a shot at it as well.

Shout out to the 3. Liga which also gets underway on 24th July, hoping Dynamo Dresden have a good season under Uwe Neuhaus.

 

[mistermagic]

Kaiserslautern won the opening game of the season 3-1 at Duisburg last night. Half-time between Fürth and Karlsruhe. 0-0. Tuned in after 40 minutes, commentator said not much has happened.

FOOTBALL IS COMING BACK HOMZ!

 

[mente captus]

Hate RB Leipzig in all honesty, franchise club - but a nice stadium which aids the atmosphere. They'll probably be promotion favourites, would be surprised if they don't.

there is a further (new) Leipzig club which is filthy rich and it seems they are more evil as the red bull club. they paid the club which they have beaten on the last matchday last season 15k after they sealed promotion with their 7:0 win at their home.
furthermore, to get a licence for the 5th level, they buyed the youth department of a other, poor, club from Leipzig

the name of the club is FC International Leipzig.

will be interesting when they meet each other in 3-5 years.