Matthias Schrader / AP/Press Association Images
Matthias Schrader / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Bayern’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid prompted relentless criticism of Pep Guardiola’s system and philosophy.
This week, one of his players, Franck Ribery, expressed his frustrations at the Spaniard’s rotation system.
“Sometimes you were playing, sometimes you were on the bench and sometimes you were just left at home. That was a new situation for all of us. Personally, I need to be playing games. I need five or six games before maybe taking a break, but not after just one game.”
This season was supposed to go swimmingly. The most sought-after coach in charge and a couple of expensive new additions to complement the new approach. But there appears plenty of dissenting voices at Bayern these days, despite the fact a Bundesliga title was wrapped up early with considerable ease.
Should Pep Guardiola complete a domestic double in his debut season, those that criticised will surely look a little silly.
2. Will Robert Lewandowski shoot down Bayern before he joins them?
We’ve been here before. A player announces his plans to join a rival club and then comes face-to-face with them before the move happens. When that showdown occurs in a final, things get very interesting.
This will be Robert Lewandowski’s final appearance for Dortmund before he joins Bayern. He finished the season as the Bundesliga’s top-scorer and, was treated to a hero’s reception by Dortmund fans after his final Bundesliga appearance for the club against Hertha Berlin.
But, psychologically, is his mind on his future employers already? In the build-up, he’s talked the talk, insisting he’s focused entirely on Dortmund and wants to guide them to another title before leaving.
In theory, it sounds great. In practice, it’s surely a lot more difficult.
3. Can Dortmund’s difficult season end on a high?
John Walton / EMPICS Sport
John Walton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
Dortmund finished nineteen points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga and earlier this month, manager Jurgen Klopp admitted the campaign has been a real struggle.
“It’s been a tremendously difficult season, since the beginning, full of extraordinary challenges and what is, in my experience, an unprecedented injury crisis. But I’ve always said that it’s not necessary for us to be the “best” team in the world, just that we are capable of beating the “best” team in the world.”
The injuries have certainly decimated the side with key figures like Gundogan, Piszczek, Blaszczykowski and Subotic all missing huge chunks of the season.
On their day though, they can always turn it on, as they showed when ripping Real Madrid to shreds in their Champions League final quarter-final second leg.
To beat Bayern, they’ll need something similar.
4. Contrasting styles
One fascinating aspect to this evening’s clash is how both sides go about their football. For Dortmund, there’s a freedom of expression, an old-fashioned approach that focuses on working tirelessly as a unit, feeding the ball quickly into key areas and utilising the finishing of a deadly striker.
Jurgen Klopp likes his players to harass and hunt the opposition. He likes his players to be physical. He likes his players to tackle. He likes his players to be an extension of himself – honest and emotional.
Meanwhile, Bayern’s approach is well-documented. Guardiola prefers mental exertion. The emphasis is on intelligent ball-players and, even in central midfield, there’s no combative presence. It’s a collection of like-minded, well-drilled passers. Ahead of them, Robben and Ribery are allowed some leeway to inflict as much damage as possible.
Just days before their Champions League final clash with Chelsea, the Bavarians were humbled by their rivals who had already claimed the league title.
Jupp Heynckes’ team were a goal down after just three minutes when Shinji Kagawa popped up in the area to slide home the opener. Though Robben responded later in the half, goals from Mats Hummels and Robert Lewnadowski made it 3-1 at the break.
After the restart, the Pole scored two more and Bayern were stunned. Ribery did manage to grab a second but it was an embarrassment.
Dortmund certainly don’t find it difficult to score against Bayern – this season alone they’ve racked up seven in three games against them – four of those coming in another final – the Super Cup.
There will be goals this evening but it’s unlikely Bayern will concede five.
5 talking points ahead of tonight's German Cup final
1. Problems in paradise?
Bayern’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid prompted relentless criticism of Pep Guardiola’s system and philosophy.
This week, one of his players, Franck Ribery, expressed his frustrations at the Spaniard’s rotation system.
“Sometimes you were playing, sometimes you were on the bench and sometimes you were just left at home. That was a new situation for all of us. Personally, I need to be playing games. I need five or six games before maybe taking a break, but not after just one game.”
This season was supposed to go swimmingly. The most sought-after coach in charge and a couple of expensive new additions to complement the new approach. But there appears plenty of dissenting voices at Bayern these days, despite the fact a Bundesliga title was wrapped up early with considerable ease.
Should Pep Guardiola complete a domestic double in his debut season, those that criticised will surely look a little silly.
2. Will Robert Lewandowski shoot down Bayern before he joins them?
We’ve been here before. A player announces his plans to join a rival club and then comes face-to-face with them before the move happens. When that showdown occurs in a final, things get very interesting.
This will be Robert Lewandowski’s final appearance for Dortmund before he joins Bayern. He finished the season as the Bundesliga’s top-scorer and, was treated to a hero’s reception by Dortmund fans after his final Bundesliga appearance for the club against Hertha Berlin.
But, psychologically, is his mind on his future employers already? In the build-up, he’s talked the talk, insisting he’s focused entirely on Dortmund and wants to guide them to another title before leaving.
In theory, it sounds great. In practice, it’s surely a lot more difficult.
3. Can Dortmund’s difficult season end on a high?
Dortmund finished nineteen points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga and earlier this month, manager Jurgen Klopp admitted the campaign has been a real struggle.
“It’s been a tremendously difficult season, since the beginning, full of extraordinary challenges and what is, in my experience, an unprecedented injury crisis. But I’ve always said that it’s not necessary for us to be the “best” team in the world, just that we are capable of beating the “best” team in the world.”
The injuries have certainly decimated the side with key figures like Gundogan, Piszczek, Blaszczykowski and Subotic all missing huge chunks of the season.
On their day though, they can always turn it on, as they showed when ripping Real Madrid to shreds in their Champions League final quarter-final second leg.
To beat Bayern, they’ll need something similar.
4. Contrasting styles
One fascinating aspect to this evening’s clash is how both sides go about their football. For Dortmund, there’s a freedom of expression, an old-fashioned approach that focuses on working tirelessly as a unit, feeding the ball quickly into key areas and utilising the finishing of a deadly striker.
Jurgen Klopp likes his players to harass and hunt the opposition. He likes his players to be physical. He likes his players to tackle. He likes his players to be an extension of himself – honest and emotional.
Meanwhile, Bayern’s approach is well-documented. Guardiola prefers mental exertion. The emphasis is on intelligent ball-players and, even in central midfield, there’s no combative presence. It’s a collection of like-minded, well-drilled passers. Ahead of them, Robben and Ribery are allowed some leeway to inflict as much damage as possible.
5. Bayern dare to speak of 2012
Two years ago, Bayern were blitzed by Dortmund in Berlin.
Just days before their Champions League final clash with Chelsea, the Bavarians were humbled by their rivals who had already claimed the league title.
Jupp Heynckes’ team were a goal down after just three minutes when Shinji Kagawa popped up in the area to slide home the opener. Though Robben responded later in the half, goals from Mats Hummels and Robert Lewnadowski made it 3-1 at the break.
After the restart, the Pole scored two more and Bayern were stunned. Ribery did manage to grab a second but it was an embarrassment.
Dortmund certainly don’t find it difficult to score against Bayern – this season alone they’ve racked up seven in three games against them – four of those coming in another final – the Super Cup.
There will be goals this evening but it’s unlikely Bayern will concede five.
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Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund German Cup final Jurgen Klopp Pep Guardiola ze germans