Friday night
SC Freiburg v. VfB Stuttgart
Prediction: 2-1
There's no better way to start a terrific weekend that this heated Baden-Württemberg derby after Freiburg won both meetings last season. Expect another shock result in a crackling affair.
Saturday
Hertha BSC v. FC Augsburg
Prediction: 2-0
Hertha did not lose to Augsburg in last season's two meetings in the Zweite Liga and should get the job done at home on Family Day at the Olympic Stadium.
Hamburger SV v. Mönchengladbach
Prediction: 2-1
It's hard to believe that Hamburg will continue to flounder in this matchup, and under-fire Michael Oenning has promised the supporters three points.
Bayer Leverkusen v. 1. FC Koln
Prediction: 4-1
Should be a nice, easy recovery from the Champions League for Leverkusen in the 32nd year of a North-Rhine Westphalia derby that should continue to be 'Stale.' (Get it?)
1. FC Nürnberg v. Werder Bremen
Prediction: 1-2
Bremen have been playing well and should avoid a banana peel on this trip to Bavaria.
1899 Hoffenheim v. VfL Wolfsburg
Prediction: 3-1
TBG believe that last week's win over Schalke was a fluke for the Wolves. Expect Hoffenheim to show their class.
1. FC Kaiserslautern v. FSV Mainz 05
Prediction: 2-2
One last derby for the weekend, and this Rhineland affair should end with the honours even.
Sunday
Hannover 96 v. Borussia Dortmund
Prediction: 1-2
It's time for the champions to make a stand, even without the suspended Gotze. Cristiano Ronaldo, do not watch this match!
FC Schalke 04 v. Bayern München
Prediction: 2-1
The featured match-up brings an injury-plagued Bayern to Gelsenkirchen in Neuer's emotional return. Surely the Royal Blues will be up for this one, no?
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Bob Bradley: "The Egyptian player is a talented one unlike the American"
Credit Bob Bradley for telling the truth. The man who led the United States to the top of a group containing mighty England and to a shock 2-0 victory in the Confederations Cup that ended Spain's incredible 35-match unbeaten run will coach the mighty Pharoahs of Egypt, the team that has won the last three African Nations Cups.
Egypt, alas, did not qualify for next year's event, and Bradley has been hired to lead the Pharoahs to the World Cup for the first time since 1990. He's also got a shot to get back to the Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013 since the African Nations Cup that year will determine Africa's representative.
Judging by Bradley's words, he is relishing the chance to coach a more talented team. He told CNN Arabic that "The Egyptian player is a talented one unlike the American who depends mainly on his fitness."
Bradley is 100 percent right. The problem with the American soccer player is a lack of talent. Credit Bradley for telling it like it is, even though the truth hurts.
Egypt, alas, did not qualify for next year's event, and Bradley has been hired to lead the Pharoahs to the World Cup for the first time since 1990. He's also got a shot to get back to the Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013 since the African Nations Cup that year will determine Africa's representative.
Judging by Bradley's words, he is relishing the chance to coach a more talented team. He told CNN Arabic that "The Egyptian player is a talented one unlike the American who depends mainly on his fitness."
Bradley is 100 percent right. The problem with the American soccer player is a lack of talent. Credit Bradley for telling it like it is, even though the truth hurts.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Bundesliga Matchday 5 review
Friday night
FC Augsburg v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-1
Actual score: 1-4
Are Leverkusen ready for Stamford Bridge after making a woeful Augsburg look like relegation fodder?
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 2-2
Actual score: 0-2
Hertha captain Andre Mijatovic told reporters after this shock that "we have arrived in the Bundesliga."
Bayern München v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 4-1
Actual score: 7-0
Bayern actually face some real competition next weekend in Schalke.
VfB Stuttgart v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-1
Actual score: 3-0
Stuttgart proving to be a very hot and cold side.
Mönchengladbach v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 2-0
Actual score: 1-0
'Gladbach in joint third after Matchday 5.
FSV Mainz 05 v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-2
Actual score: 0-4
Hoffenheim with a ruthless effort on the road as Babel gets a brace.
Werder Bremen v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 2-1
Actual score: 2-0
The pressure on Oenning is even more intense now.
Sunday
1. FC Koln v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 2-1
Actual score: 1-2
Two penalties doomed the home side to another defeat.
VfL Wolfsburg v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 1-3
Actual score: 2-1
Mandzukic rescued the Wolves from a losing position as Magath got a last laugh on professor Rangnick and company.
FC Augsburg v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-1
Actual score: 1-4
Are Leverkusen ready for Stamford Bridge after making a woeful Augsburg look like relegation fodder?
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 2-2
Actual score: 0-2
Hertha captain Andre Mijatovic told reporters after this shock that "we have arrived in the Bundesliga."
Bayern München v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 4-1
Actual score: 7-0
Bayern actually face some real competition next weekend in Schalke.
VfB Stuttgart v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-1
Actual score: 3-0
Stuttgart proving to be a very hot and cold side.
Mönchengladbach v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 2-0
Actual score: 1-0
'Gladbach in joint third after Matchday 5.
FSV Mainz 05 v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-2
Actual score: 0-4
Hoffenheim with a ruthless effort on the road as Babel gets a brace.
Werder Bremen v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 2-1
Actual score: 2-0
The pressure on Oenning is even more intense now.
Sunday
1. FC Koln v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 2-1
Actual score: 1-2
Two penalties doomed the home side to another defeat.
VfL Wolfsburg v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 1-3
Actual score: 2-1
Mandzukic rescued the Wolves from a losing position as Magath got a last laugh on professor Rangnick and company.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Hertha BSC with the shock win!
Second-half goals by Raffael and Peter Niemeyer were the difference as Hertha BSC shocked the world with a 2-1 victory over Bundesliga champion Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in a raucous Signal Iduna Park. The hosts' 18-match home unbeaten streak ended.
Billed as the "Battle of Champions," with Dortmund winning BL1 and Hertha winning BL2 in a landslide, the visitors employed their counter-attacking style to perfection, thwarting the Yellow-Blacks - playing without suspended Mario Gotze - at every turn.
After a first-half stalemate, Raffael burst in on goal past Mats Hummels and several other Dortmund defenders. He was stopped by Roman Weidenfeller, who blocked it off teammate Marcel Schmelzer right into the path of Raffael - who said, 'Thank you very much' and put it into the empty net.
Raffael would hit the woodwork two more times before Hertha made it 2-0 in the 82nd. BSC captain Andre Mijatovic's header off a corner kick was saved by Weidenfeller right into the knee of Niemeyer, who didn't know what hit him (the ball) and it went right into the net.
A late Dortmund goal created a nervy finish, but Hertha saw out the clock and set up next weekend's home clash with fellow promoted side Augsburg.
Said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp: "Hertha are deserving winners."
Klopp is 100 percent right. Congratulations to Hertha for the victory and for a tremendous showing by the visiting supporters.
Dortmund may find things easier in their next home game against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Billed as the "Battle of Champions," with Dortmund winning BL1 and Hertha winning BL2 in a landslide, the visitors employed their counter-attacking style to perfection, thwarting the Yellow-Blacks - playing without suspended Mario Gotze - at every turn.
After a first-half stalemate, Raffael burst in on goal past Mats Hummels and several other Dortmund defenders. He was stopped by Roman Weidenfeller, who blocked it off teammate Marcel Schmelzer right into the path of Raffael - who said, 'Thank you very much' and put it into the empty net.
Raffael would hit the woodwork two more times before Hertha made it 2-0 in the 82nd. BSC captain Andre Mijatovic's header off a corner kick was saved by Weidenfeller right into the knee of Niemeyer, who didn't know what hit him (the ball) and it went right into the net.
A late Dortmund goal created a nervy finish, but Hertha saw out the clock and set up next weekend's home clash with fellow promoted side Augsburg.
Said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp: "Hertha are deserving winners."
Klopp is 100 percent right. Congratulations to Hertha for the victory and for a tremendous showing by the visiting supporters.
Dortmund may find things easier in their next home game against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Klinsi getting ready for Bundesliga action!
United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann will be a guest of honor for Saturday's matchup between Mainz and Hoffenheim. 'Klinsi' attended Friday's training session for Hoffenheim.
He's got his eyes on four starlets for the Hoff: the now infamous Fabian Johnson, Daniel Williams, Joseph-Claude Gyau and 17-year-old Zambian-born sensation Charles Renken.
It's definitely good news for the States - where fans have been inspired by Klinsi's attacking style that has produced one goal in three matches - to see their head coach watch some exciting Bundesliga action!
He's got his eyes on four starlets for the Hoff: the now infamous Fabian Johnson, Daniel Williams, Joseph-Claude Gyau and 17-year-old Zambian-born sensation Charles Renken.
It's definitely good news for the States - where fans have been inspired by Klinsi's attacking style that has produced one goal in three matches - to see their head coach watch some exciting Bundesliga action!
Bundesliga Matchday 5 predictions
Friday night
FC Augsburg v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-1
Although Leverkusen have a trip to Stamford Bridge upcoming, they should have enough concentration to get these three points.
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 2-2
Dortmund have an 18-match home unbeaten streak, but the yellow and black are really looking forward to Tuesday's visit by Arsene Wenger's English powerhouse Arsenal. Hertha are not very good but catch a break in facing the champions without the suspended Gotze. Said Hertha boss Markus Babbel: "We are not just going there to admire the stadium."
Bayern München v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 4-1
Yes, Bayern are off to a flying start but the fixture list has hardly been daunting to this point.
VfB Stuttgart v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-1
This is a very hard match to call so we will split the difference.
Mönchengladbach v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 2-0
These are the matches 'Gladbach have to win if they fancy themselves as a side in the top half of the table.
FSV Mainz 05 v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-2
This blog never seems to correctly pick Hoffenheim matches but we will give it another try nevertheless.
Werder Bremen v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 2-1
This Northern derby appears to be the last thing Hamburg need during their stuttering start.
Sunday
1. FC Koln v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 2-1
Solbakken appears to be on firmer ground and this is a very winnable matchup.
VfL Wolfsburg v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 1-3
There are too many questions with the Wolves after fines of Helmes and Mandzukic while the Royals Blues are on a rampage.
FC Augsburg v. Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction: 0-1
Although Leverkusen have a trip to Stamford Bridge upcoming, they should have enough concentration to get these three points.
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v. Hertha BSC
Prediction: 2-2
Dortmund have an 18-match home unbeaten streak, but the yellow and black are really looking forward to Tuesday's visit by Arsene Wenger's English powerhouse Arsenal. Hertha are not very good but catch a break in facing the champions without the suspended Gotze. Said Hertha boss Markus Babbel: "We are not just going there to admire the stadium."
Bayern München v. SC Freiburg
Prediction: 4-1
Yes, Bayern are off to a flying start but the fixture list has hardly been daunting to this point.
VfB Stuttgart v. Hannover 96
Prediction: 1-1
This is a very hard match to call so we will split the difference.
Mönchengladbach v. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Prediction: 2-0
These are the matches 'Gladbach have to win if they fancy themselves as a side in the top half of the table.
FSV Mainz 05 v. 1899 Hoffenheim
Prediction: 1-2
This blog never seems to correctly pick Hoffenheim matches but we will give it another try nevertheless.
Werder Bremen v. Hamburger SV
Prediction: 2-1
This Northern derby appears to be the last thing Hamburg need during their stuttering start.
Sunday
1. FC Koln v. 1. FC Nürnberg
Prediction: 2-1
Solbakken appears to be on firmer ground and this is a very winnable matchup.
VfL Wolfsburg v. FC Schalke 04
Prediction: 1-3
There are too many questions with the Wolves after fines of Helmes and Mandzukic while the Royals Blues are on a rampage.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Getting ready for USA v. Belgium
It seems fitting that the third game of the Jurgen Klinsmann era is set for Brussels against Belgium at the King Badouin Stadium. It's appropriate since this is the venue formerly known as Heysel, where one of the world's greatest footballing disasters once took place.
Dubbed by US Soccer as the "Tussle in Brussels," it's the first chance for a European audience to see the new-look U.S. attack that has produced one goal in two games. To be fair, the team's best player - Clint Dempsey - has yet to suit up for the U.S. and that will change tonight.
Klinsmann is already upsetting European coaches by his selection process. AZ coach Gertjan Verbeek was not happy that in-form striker Jozy Altidore had to
fly all the way to LA for the match against Costa Rica on Friday.
It's hard to know how excited Belgium will be to play an inferior opponent after a disappointing draw at Azerbaijan that will likely take them out of contention for Euro 2012. It's not like national pride is at stake either since the country could be on the verge of splitting up and is currently under a caretaker government.
It all makes for a rather drab atmosphere for what shapes up to be another loss for the U.S. in the Klinsmann era.
Dubbed by US Soccer as the "Tussle in Brussels," it's the first chance for a European audience to see the new-look U.S. attack that has produced one goal in two games. To be fair, the team's best player - Clint Dempsey - has yet to suit up for the U.S. and that will change tonight.
Klinsmann is already upsetting European coaches by his selection process. AZ coach Gertjan Verbeek was not happy that in-form striker Jozy Altidore had to
fly all the way to LA for the match against Costa Rica on Friday.
It's hard to know how excited Belgium will be to play an inferior opponent after a disappointing draw at Azerbaijan that will likely take them out of contention for Euro 2012. It's not like national pride is at stake either since the country could be on the verge of splitting up and is currently under a caretaker government.
It all makes for a rather drab atmosphere for what shapes up to be another loss for the U.S. in the Klinsmann era.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)