Bayern Munich wins from Hoffenheim

Bayern Munich 2-0 Hoffenheim

Ribery double enough for the Bavarians

Jupp Heynckes' side banished the memory of its poor loss in midweek with an easy victory over Markus Babbel's side, and kept up its 100 percent start to the Bundesliga

Franck Ribery grabbed both goals as Bayern Munich bounced back from midweek disappointment to record a routine 2-0 victory over Hoffenheim.

The hosts controlled the match throughout, and the Frenchman was on hand to open the scoring just before the 20 minute mark, and he finished the job just after the half.

Bayern suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to BATE Borisov in midweek, but immediately set about looking to set the record straight, with Ribery finding some space on the left-hand side of the box and flashing a ball across the face of goal which no-one was able to turn in.

However, with the memories of a 7-1 drubbing at the Allianz Arena in March still fresh, Hoffenheim was resolute in defense and was fairly successful in limiting the Bavarians' chances.

A Thomas Muller cross was hastily hacked over Koen Casteels' bar by Daniel Williams, but soon enough, the hosts would find the opener.

Muller brilliantly fed Ribery, who turned Andreas Beck with some fine footwork, before firing a strike between Casteels' legs to net his first of the season.

Despite, going ahead, Bayern was still having problems converting its dominance into clear-cut chances. A Toni Kroos volley was deflected behind for a corner, from which Mario Mandzukic headed over.

At the other end, meanwhile, the only time the dominated visitors came close to threatening Jupp Heycnkes' side was when Manuel Neuer charged out of his goal to head away a chipped pass, only for the ball to fall behind Joselu, despite an unfortunate deflection off Jerome Boateng.

After its modest first-half efforts, Bayern returned after the break with renewed vigor, and within two minutes of the restart, it was two ahead.

Kroos failed to make meaningful contact with a cross from the right, but recovered to prod the ball into Ribery's path, and the former Marseille winger duly swept the ball into the top corner.

Bayern was cruising, and threatened to register a third when Ribery charged into the area once more, but failed to pick out Kroos.

Then Xherdan Shaqiri's quick footwork was followed by a ferocious right-footed shot which was deflected behind for a corner which Javi Martinez failed to make contact with, despite being well stationed.

The Spaniard was then within inches of notching his first goal in a Bayern shirt, but saw Shaqiri's cross sail past him, and made his frustration clear by kicking the woodwork.

Hoffenheim finally registered an effort in the 76th minute when Beck shot from all of 30 yards, but the strike was plucked out of the air with ease by Neuer.

But the match had long ceased to be a contest, and Bayern was able to able to make it seven wins from as many Bundesliga games this season.

Source: goal.com

Champions League Final tomorrow

Bayern Munich, Chelsea Seek Same Champions League Destiny for Different Reasons

Much of the buildup for Saturday's Champions League final has focused on Chelsea's rejuvenation under Roberto Di Matteo and their miraculous semifinal win against Barcelona, but Bayern Munich's story is just as compelling.

For the second year running, Germany's richest, most popular and most successful football club were outgunned in the Bundesliga by Borussia Dortmund.

Revenge was on offer in the German Cup final, but Bayern were once again humbled, swept aside 5-2 by a Dortmund side inspired by Robert Lewandowski and Shinji Kagawa.

Said Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes, as per The National: "Congratulations to Borussia. They deserved it today. They used our weaknesses. I don't need to explain what they were."

While there may be occasional weaknesses on the pitch for Bayern, there are none to be found in their bank accounts. According to Forbes, Germany's superpower is the fifth-most valuable club on the planet—behind only Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal.

Bayern generated $466 million in revenue for the 2010-11 season, which is more than double the $197 million mustered by Dortmund, and was bettered only by United ($532 million), Barcelona ($653 million) and Madrid ($695 million).

And then there's their comparatively small debt. Bayern's amounts for just 13 percent of their value, whereas Barcelona's debt is at 54 percent, United with 32 percent, and Chelsea at 22 percent.

Bayern's ownership structure plays a big part in their financial stability. Like all Bundesliga teams, Bayern's majority shareholders are their fans, who own 82 percent of the club and make decisions such as the ticket prices.

Here's football finance expert David Conn, writing in The Guardian:

Bayern reach Saturday's Champions League final having sought to maintain a balance between being supporter-owned and having the commercial clout to compete for and keep the world's best players.


Alongside the 82 percent of Bayern owned by 130,000 club members, nine percent stakes are held by two mighty German companies, Adidas and Audi, which also sponsor the club.



As Conn points out, Bayern's business model is the antithesis of that in operation at Chelsea.

The Blues are owned outright by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who has total control and has poured an estimated £1 billion into the club since taking over in 2003.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness is clearly not a fan of Chelsea's ownership structure, nor Abramovich for that matter. Here's what he told the Daily Mail this week:


I get angry every week when I go to buy petrol. The oil mafia takes money out of my pocket to invest it in footballers. For me this stinks to high heaven and I include Mr. Abramovich in all this.


We need to beat clubs like Chelsea on the field of play. Chelsea are a club with their backs to the wall as a result of their patchy league season. If they lose they won’t be in the competition next year. 

If Bayern win it, we will make around £20 million. That is what the game is all about: sporting success based on sound economic sense. Mr. Abramovich has put £900m into Chelsea. If he pulls the plug on them, you’ll be able to pick the club up for the price of a puzzle magazine from a newsstand.



Hoeness echoes a sentiment felt by many others, but let's be honest, Chelsea would be nowhere near a Champions League final if not for Abramovich deciding they were worth both his time and considerable resources. Without Russian money, they'd be treading water in the Premier League—or worse.

Some have even suggested the club was on the verge of financial collapse when Abramovich swooped in—literally. Legend has it he chose Chelsea on a whim after spotting Stamford Bridge on a helicopter shopping trip over London.

Chelsea chose success over mediocrity. Guilty as charged.

Nine years on, Abramovich has already helped deliver three Premier League titles and four FA Cup wins to southwest London.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, center. 

The success of his team has coincided with a commercial explosion. Television markets are expanding and the global interest in the Premier League has soared. As a result, there are many in the U.S. who will know far more about Chelsea than they do about Bayern.

When you consider Bayern have won 22 league titles to Chelsea's four, and four European crowns to Chelsea's none, it's a skewed perspective.

But Abramovich won't be satisfied until he wins club football's biggest prize—the Champions League.

That is the weight of expectancy that falls on Chelsea this Saturday. Roberto Di Matteo and his team will enter the Allianz Arena knowing that only victory can quench the ambition of their owner.

All that money. All those semifinals and the lingering heartbreak of the 2008 defeat to Manchester United in Moscow. All of it will be worthwhile if Chelsea can reach the fabled promised land in Munich.

Bayern's motivation has nothing to do with money. Their currency is pride.

For Heynckes' team, a place in Bayern's rich history beckons. Not since 2001 have the Germans been champions of Europe. And for a club of their stature, the wait has felt like a lifetime. What better chance than Saturday, in their home stadium, to be back where they feel they belong?

Bayern might have missed out on the league title and the German Cup, but with victory against Chelsea, bragging rights will be emphatically restored. They will make a statement that will be heard throughout the world.

Suddenly, this Bayern team will be talked of as one who can rule the continent again—just as Franz Beckenbauer's men did in the 1970s, winning three straight European Cups in 1974, '75 and '76.

“You need an international title if you want to become a golden generation," said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm this week.

Win in Munich, and Bayern will be reborn. Lose, and the club will end the season trophy-less.

Destiny beckons Lahm and his teammates at the Allianz Arena, just as it does for Di Matteo and Chelsea.

And despite their differences, there could hardly be more at stake for both teams. And such is the defining nature of the contest: You wouldn't bet against the winners being back in the final in 12 months' time.

Source: Bleacher Report

WHO DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE THE CHAMPION???

Bundesliga Report

Hertha Berlin 0-6 Bayern Munich

Robben nets hat-trick as Bavarians run rampant

The Dutchman led the way with three goals as the Bundesliga record champions followed up recent 7-1 and 7-0 triumphs with another dominant display

 

Bayern Munich maintained their irresistible form as they hammered Hertha Berlin 6-0 at the Olympiastadion, and in doing so reduced their deficit to Bundesliga leaders Dortmund back to just five points. Their prolificacy saw the Bavarian giants increase their tally to 20 goals scored in the last three competitive games.

Thomas Muller opened the flodgates in under nine minutes, and Arjen Robben doubled the visitors' lead moments later. Following a foul against Muller, the Dutchman completed his double from the penalty spot, and the Bavarians were in full control with a three-goal advantage.

In the second half, Robben and Mario Gomez each scored from the spot, and Toni Kroos added another from open play to complete a comprehensive rout.

While the visitors were without doubt the better side in the opening stages, Hertha will be disappointed not to have been awarded a penalty after David Alaba made contact with Nikita Rukavytsya inside the box.

Seconds later, Franck Ribery stormed up the left flank and sent a low cross to Muller, who finished with aplomb.

The scorer turned provider shortly thereafter as he won the ball in midfield before slipping the it through to Robben, who sprinted into the box before beating Thomas Kraft with a thunderous finish.

The irresistible Muller was then felled by Christoph Janker after being released on goal, and Robben stepped up to the penalty spot to make it 3-0. The Dutchman along with Muller and Gomez, all had clear chances to score before half-time, but were unable to convert.

The hosts saw little of the ball, but were not without opportunities to pull themselves back into the game. Raffael capitalised on a weak back pass from Alaba to find a path into the box, but fired wide whent it was only 2-0. 

After Hertha went down a third goal, ex-Bayern man Christian Lell found Adrian Ramos available for a free header, but the Colombian missed the target.

Ramos again won a header on 38 minutes, and after a deflection, Toni Kroos cleared off the line. Not for lack of effort, Hertha entered the interval facing a steep uphill battle.

Bayern stormed out of the gate in the second half, and made it 5-0 within the opening moments. Substitute Alfredo Morales wrestled down Ribery to concede a penalty on 49 minutes, and Gomez finished past back-up keeper Sascha Burchert, who had replaced Kraft at half-time.

Janker's nightmarish evening continued two minutes later, as his loose touch conceded possession to Robben, who had a pass tipped away by Burchert, but straight to Kroos, who volleyed home from close range.

Morales' evening later went from bad to worse as he conceded another penalty to Ribery, after which time Robben completed his hat-trick.

Following the withdrawals of Ribery, Muller and Robben, the Bayern attack lost their bite. However, Luiz Gustavo almost got his name on the scoresheet late on after taking Kroos' clever chip off his chest. However, Burchert did well to come off his line and block the Brazilian's finish.

After a rather pedestrian closing spell, referee Tobias Welz blew the final whistle, sealing an emphatic win for Bayern, which brings Jupp Heynckes' side back to within five points of leaders Dortmund. Hertha sink to 17th and are three points away from safety.

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Werder Bremen

Kagawa strike puts hosts eight points clear as BVB break club record for undefeated streak

The hosts were in total control and could have won by a far greater margin yet the single goal was enough to guide them to a record-breaking win on Saturday afternoon

 

Borussia Dortmund brushed aside the challenge of Werder Bremen at Signal-Iduna-Park with a 1-0 win, creating a new club record of 20 games without defeat.

The Bundesliga leaders were far more dominant than the scoreline suggests with Roman Weidenfeller having little to do between the posts as a Shinji Kagawa strike was enough to secure victory.

Dortmund stormed into the lead after just eight minutes as they countered from a Bremen corner. A cross from the left found Ilkay Gundogan at the back post and he unselfishly squared the ball back across goal for Kagawa to knock in a simple goal on his birthday.

The hosts almost grabbed a second four minutes later as Bremen allowed Jakub Blaszczykowski space to run into on the left but his shot was deflected wide agonisingly wide of the post.

Dortmund continued to pepper Sebastian Mielitz goal with shots but the visitors managed to work Weidenfeller in a rare foray forward. With 21 minutes gone Mehmet Ekici’s shot from distance was spilled by the keeper but he managed to recover the ball as no one followed the effort in.

BVB heeded the warning and three minutes later they came close to adding to the score. Gundogan found Kagawa once again and the Japanese took one touch before firing from the edge of the box but Mielitz got down well and turned the effort onto the post.

The frame of Mielitz goal was struck once again in the 35th minute as Sebastian Kehl saw his header beat the keeper but bounce of the bar and down onto the line before being cleared away.

Dortmund continued to dominate yet the second goal remained elusive. Ten minutes after the restart Lukas Piszczek’s cross fell to Kagawa but the Japanese sliced his effort the wrong side of the post.

BVB were relentless and shortly after Piszczek surged forward from defence and fired wide, Gundogan saw his effort from 25 metres saved by Mielitz. The ball almost fell for Blaszczykowski to tap in but Lukas Schmitz was on hand to clear the danger.

Bremen rarely had an opportunity to get forward as Dortmund held on for the win that sends them provisionally eight points clear of Bayern Munich who face Hertha Berlin on Saturday evening, while Thomas Schaaf's men remain in sixth place.

Source: goal.com