re: 2014-2015 FC Bayern München Thread | Year 2 of Pep... death to tiki taka pls

He was incredible in the World Cup.



Semi-unrelated, Christoph Kramer said he doesn't remember any of the first half of the final. He thought he got subbed off after the tackle and in his mind, the game began in the second half.

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Christoph Kramer said he doesn't remember any of the first half of the final. He thought he got subbed off after the tackle and in his mind, the game began in the second half.

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Also thought the game was played somewhere in Honolulu

Extra helping of Nutella pre-match...

Also, as reported by Hendo last night:

How Bayern Munich Won the World Cup (deadspin)

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They had such a deep catalog to choose from, because they weren't pulling from just one source. Many of these players also feature on club superpower Bayern Munich, widely considered the world's best, best-coached club team. Managed by ex-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, Bayern won the German double last year, and were favorites to win the Champions League until they were shocked in the tournament semifinal by Real Madrid.

Bayern's core also made up Germany's. Bayern are so dangerous because of their ruthless execution, and so it followed that when the Germans won a free kick, they'd probably be devastating as well. They were.

While other nations are at the mercy of the club calendar, able to practice and prepare as a unit only during international breaks, many of these Germans are working on set pieces all year round. As a result, they had more set plays than any other team, and performed them better.

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No one wants to read that, but it's in line with what we're seeing in international soccer these days. It's no coincidence that Barcelona's reign as the world's best team between 2008 and 2013 coincided directly with Spain's rise and fall as the world's best nation, which it turns out ended with a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in last year's Confederations Cup— the same year that Barcelona were thumped 7-0 over two Champions League legs to FC Bayern.

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Bayern are ridiculous. This surprisingly young German side have turned their domestic league into a joke, a one-horse race every year where they compete to see not whether they can win the title, but how quickly. Last year, they won the German Bundesliga by 19 points, with a goal differential of 71 and only two losses all year.

The best soccer in the world is played in Munich, and so it would follow that the Bayern-heavy side could take on the world's best, and emerge relatively unscathed. Even though they were pushed to extra time against Algeria and Argentina in the knockout rounds, they never had to endure the coin flip of penalty kicks, and they dominated every team they played. Next year, Bayern will be favorites to win the treble, as they did in 2013. In 2016, the German national team will compete for the honor of the best team in Europe. Let's just place our bets now.

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The best soccer in the world is played in Munich,

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Yeah, when Real traveled to Munich and frick stomped them.

Shaqiri doesn't like being called one for the future. Also

XS stands for Extra Small jersey...no one sports it better

Also outside of a late sub, it may be tough getting Shaqiri on the pitch in many situations next season. Hell with Alcantara back, they've got to find a place for WC hero Toadstool...he can go false 9, but Lewa needs to get reps with this squad early on.

Of course, if there are any injuries in the attacking midfield, I'll be more than happy to have the depth ready to roll.

Hendo, how good of a chance do you think it is that the deep middle could involve Thiago/Alaba/Lahm along side Bastian? You see experimenting or will Javi go back to his proper place?

#sorryforpartying

Lahm will remain the captain until he retires from the team. You don't take the captaincy from an all-time great

C'mon...You don't trust this guy??

Toni gone