Bundesliga Preview: Bayern Munich – Bayer Leverkusen

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Bundesliga: Hoeness, Gerland, Heynckes, Bayern Munich (firo)

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• Bayer Leverkusen
• Bayern Munich

Kick-Off: Sunday, November 22, 2009, 15:30 CET
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

“Rueller:” The Next Best Thing After “Robbery”

Bayern’s fall campaign has thus far been anything but impressive, but the next week offers the Bavarians an opportunity to make it all up. Before a do-or-die Champions League match against Maccabi Haifa, Bayern host Bayer Leverkusen in what is easily the most important match for both teams before the winter break.

Having had two weeks to mull over a 2-0 home loss to Bordeaux and successive league draws with Stuttgart and Schalke, Louis van Gaal’s club now looks forward to new beginnings. Although Franck Ribery remains out with a persistent knee injury, Arjen Robben appears to be prepared for at least 45 minutes of play, and could make the difference. The Dutch winger has been a real sparkplug for Bayern since his return from injury, and will look to pair up with Thomas Mueller on the opposite flank.

These last two weeks haven’t been without trouble. After the Schalke match, reports were released citing statements that Philipp Lahm made against his club’s management. Among other criticisms, Lahm accused the Bayern board of buying good players without a real plan to use them. For his statements, the vice-captain was fined an undisclosed (but estimated at €50k) amount. The very same day, striker Luca Toni walked out after being substituted at halftime, and was also fined. Toni’s feud with van Gaal has yet to be resolved, and whether or not the team will be able to come together and perform on Sunday is in question.

Exactly how van Gaal will send out his team also remains a mystery. He could continue to use the 4-4-2 that has featured in recent weeks, but the availability of Robben allows Bayern to line up in van Gaal’s favored 4-3-3. Each system has its merits: a 4-4-2 includes two target men to take on unshakable duo Sami Hyypia and Manuel Friedrich, while allowing attackers Robben and Mueller to come forward and make plays from deep. The 4-3-3 would be more conservative, with Robben and Mueller providing service for a target man (Mario Gomez or Luca Toni) from their positions as wide forwards, and a trio of central midfielders to combat Leverkusen in the middle of the park.

The right setup will depend on exactly how Leverkusen play, in terms of formation and approach. Sunday’s match will be a real tactical battle enough to make a Serie A enthusiast proud.

Never Say “Neverkusen” Again?

In sharp contrast to their hosts, Leverkusen have far and away exceeded expectations en route to a league-leading 26 points from 12 matches. Leverkusen boast the Bundesliga’s best defense, second-best offense, and despite making few offseason changes, are a much-improved side.

Credit for Leverkusen’s vast improvement should primarily go to new coach Juup Heynckes. The Champions League-winning coach has taken a ragtag group of talented attacking players and turned it into a team. Among other things, Heynckes has instilled a much-needed sense of discipline, which has caused an average defensive team to turn into an exceptional one. And yet, despite the continued absence of last year’s top striker Patrick Helmes and playmaker Renato Augusto, Leverkusen’s offense is on pace to easily surpass last year’s kikilscoring record.

Although Heynckes’ tactics and leadership have definitely been the greatest factors in his team’s success, it would be foolish to overlook the contributions of Leverkusen’s personnel. Veteran Finland defender Sami Hyypia has been an impenetrable wall, and nearly anything to get past him has been stopped by the equally impressive Rene Adler. Tranquillo Barnetta has rediscovered the form that he once had when considered among Europe’s best rising stars, and Toni Kroos has had a similar renaissance of form while filling in for Renato Augusto. In attack, Leverkusen have the league’s prolific striker in Stefan Kiessling, and in central midfield, Simon Rolfes has become one of the league’s most reliable ball-winners.

Given his team’s league standing, Heynckes will almost surely opt to use a 4-4-2 setup, but at a deeper tactical level, it will be interesting to see just how he deals with Bayern’s attacking threats. Tight marking from the fullbacks is almost a given, meaning that Kroos and Barnetta will be more or less on their own on their respective flanks. Their ability to cope, and get past Bayern’s attacking fullbacks, could make all the difference.

FORM GUIDE

Bayern Munich
7 Nov v Schalke (H) DREW 1-1 (Bundesliga)
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)

Bayer Leverkusen
6 Nov v Frankfurt (H) WON 4-0 (Bundesliga)
31 Oct v Schalke (A) DREW 2-2 (Bundesliga)
23 Oct v Dortmund (H) DREW 0-0 (Bundesliga)
17 Oct v Hamburg (A) DREW 0-0 (Bundesliga)
3 Oct v Nuernbern (H) WON 4-0 (Bundesliga)

TEAM NEWS

Bayern Munich

Franck Ribery (patellar tendon), Andreas Goerlitz (toe surgery), and Miroslav Klose (illness) are definite absentees for Louis van Gaal’s side. Ivica Olic is back in training after suffering a muscle tear, but the Croatian international may have to wait a little longer before he makes his return. Arjen Robben is also fit once more and will definitely feature, although his contribution may only be for the second half.

Possible Starting XI: Butt – Lahm, van Buyten, Demichelis Badstuber – Tymoshchuk, van Bommel, Schweinsteiger – Robben, Gomez, Mueller

Bayer Leverkusen

Simon Rolfes, Renato Augusto, Pierre de Wit, Benedikt Fernandez (all rehab), Michal Kadlec (ankle), and Patrick Helmes (knee) are all out for Juup Heynckes’ side. kikilkeeper Rene Adler is set to make his return following his recovery from an inflamed eye.

Possible Starting XI: Adler – Schwaab, Friedrich, Hyypia, Castro – Vidal, Reinartz – Kroos, Barnetta – Kiessling, Derdiyok

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

It’s been nearly two months since the Dutchman injured his knee against Juventus, and it seems that he may be given a starting role in what will surely be Bayern’s biggest match of the 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, and will look to carry his team on Sunday. Although he’s managed just one kikil since his return from injury, he has made an impact in each match. Playing against the league’s best defense will be difficult, but if anyone can break through, it is Robben.