| 27.10.2008 |
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| The first quarter of the season is over, and there are four teams ahead of Bayern -- something that last happened five years ago. Munich have a history of making stunning and often very lucky comebacks. But every once in a while, such as in 2003-4, they don't get the job done. Bremen won the league that year, and Stuttgart accomplished the same feat in 2006-7. So it can be done. The question is: Which, if any, of the quartet currently leading Bayern is up to the challenge? Here are my answers. Hoffenheim: yes. I'm not sure what makes me more nauseous -- Sarah Palin or hearing reporters talk about tiny Hoffenheim. This is a very professionally organized club, with lots of money behind it and a coach who knows what he's doing in charge. They remind me of the 2003-4 Bremen; a high-scoring, in-your-face outfit that plays its style of soccer, whatever the situation and beats the crap out of opponents. If they can hold their nerves in close matches, they could take it to the wire. Leverkusen: yes. For my money, this is the most well-rounded and one of the deepest squads in the league. There's hardly anyone in their starting eleven you'd particularly want to replace, and they have the league's best goalkeeper in René Adler -- who should be good for a few points on his own. The big question mark is history. Leverkusen has never won anything worth winning since anyone can remember, and they even pulled of the amazing feat of blowing the league, the Champions League and the German Cup in one season. But that was then, and this is now, and heck, if the Red Sox can win the World Series, anything's possible. Hamburg: doubt it. The Northern Germans got absolutely spanked by Hoffenheim this weekend, and I don't think that was an accident. Look at Hamburg's goal difference. Zero. Nada. Zilch. That means they've been grinding out wins without really putting their stamp on matches. Now, there's nothing wrong with winning the hard way, but not all close decisions are going to turn out to your advantage. To go on a seriously deep run at the title, you have to demolish some teams. And Hamburg, I think, just don't have the arsenal to do that. Stuttgart: seriously doubt it. |
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