Bundesblog: Momentum Killing Break, die Mannschaft in Usual Form & Ozil Loves His Country
International breaks have a much different feel in Germany than they do in England. One could try to make a case for some great sociological effect based on the differences between the people of both nations, but the cause is really much simpler. The people of Germany get to watch a football masterclass when their lads leave their clubs to return home and turn out for their national side, a product that frequently echoes the structure and industriousness of its people. In England, well… it would be rude to compare the Three Lions to such a modern juggernaut. Perhaps the Czech Republic would make for a fairer fight?
Momentum Killing Break?
Surely one man likely to be more than a little annoyed by the break in Bundesliga action is Borussia Dortmund’s new manager Peter Bosz. Die Schwarzgelben endured a couple torrid stretches this summer, first with the less than amicable departure of their highly thought of manager Thomas Tuchel, and then with the Transfer drama swirling around its two most electric attacking talents, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele. The Dutchman, or more accurately club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke and Sporting Director Michael Zorc, was able to hold on to Aubameyang, with Dembele departing for a coffer lining €105 million initial fee.
Despite this, Dortmund positively fired out of the gates, winning their first two league matches by a combined score of 5-0. Inconsistencies throughout the preseason led some to question whether Bosz would have the squad comfortable in his system in time for the season, but the fast start has quickly softened those voices. Still, a week long disruption so soon into the young season could threaten to put a damper on the momentum of the young and exciting Ruhr club.
Dortmund are not the only club off to a perfect start with 6 points, with rivals Bayern Munich predictably right there, only 1 back on goal difference, followed by the less obvious Hamburg and Hannover. The Bavarians have looked much more their usual selves since the season started, dispatching of Werder Bremen and Leverkusen with relative ease in their first two matches. The bulk of Bayern’s production has once again come from the talismanic Robert Lewandowski, whose 3 goals lead the team and the Bundesliga. Newcomers Corentin Tolisso and Niklas Sule have already scored their debut goals for the club as well, no doubt leaving the fans pleased with the results of their summer transfer business. James Rodriguez has also looked impressive since joining on loan from Real Madrid.
The break might have a much greater effect on the two smaller clubs also on 6 points, with neither side having the talent to compete with the other two, both giants of the modern game in Germany. Still Markus Gisdol has his largely veteran Hamburg side competing hard, and their fast start indicates a club that may be safer from relegation than was first assumed. Their win against one of last year’s 5th place finishers Koln was especially impressive. For Hannover, they will be trying to put last season’s stint in the 2.Bundesliga behind them, and 6 points to open the year is a good way to start. Last season’s end of year hiring of former Schalke man, Andre Breitenreiter has looked inspiring so far, with the club going without a loss since his takeover 12 games ago. It remains to be seen how long these two can stay at the top of the table, but with a myriad of talented clubs breathing down their necks in the table, it should make for an exciting return to league action this weekend.
die Mannschaft in Usual Form
Germany again found themselves with few issues in their first of two matches this past week against Norway, winning 6-0 going away. The Germans have been perfect thus far in World Cup Qualifying, and the success of their prized youth in the Confederations Cup spells good news for continued Teutonic dominance in world football. With the news breaking this weekend that France gave the world’s most valuable international squad, collectively valued at over £1 billion on the open transfer market, a massive rivalry is shaping up between two of Europe’s most storied footballing countries for the next decade to come.
The Germans combination of organisation and creativity is unmatched by any of Europe’s other teams, with the continuity of success from their core that won the last World Cup in 2014 supplemented by some of the brightest talents on display at the Confederations Cup. Creativity is supplied largely from the midfield, with Mesut Ozil’s influence extending now into the way some of his teammates operate in the half spaces on attack. Against Norway on Monday, Germany fielded 6 midfielders, including Mario Gotze who operated as a false 9. Joachim Loew has successfully found a way of getting his two most creative players, Gotze and Ozil, on the pitch at the same time, something that was not possible with the two playing as central midfielders in the 4-1-4-1 that was implemented previously. The scoring input of the exciting Julian Draxler from the left, combined with the team focused work of Thomas Muller on the right allowed Germany the ability to really mix it up on the attack.
The slightly younger side (at least in midfield) utilized against the Czech Republic previously on Friday was decidedly less convincing, but nonetheless successful in their bid for victory. Joachim Loew deemed his side lucky to emerge with the win, as a late Mats Hummel goal secured the 3 points in the end. The Germans totally outplayed the Czechs in the first half, but a strong start to the second half saw the home side eventually equalise with just over 10 minutes to play. The Hummels goal saw to it that Germany would break camp having won all 8 of their Group C Qualifiers. It would be hard to call any other country the favorites to win the tournament, as Germany now looks almost certain to secure their automatic qualification.
Ozil Loves His Country
Perhaps the total diametric opposite to most of his North London fans, Mesut Ozil must absolutely love the international break. Far from the reason for Arsenal’s failures thus far in the Premier League, Ozil has nonetheless come under fire from fans former players as pundits alike. The playmaker actually went as far as issuing a message on social media to those former players and pundits that have been so brutal in their criticism of him and the team so far, essentially calling for them to stop spreading feelings of division amongst the Arsenal faithful with their on air rhetoric. Despite the criticism, Ozil has actually shown an increased work rate and improved body language so far this season for Arsenal, even in the midst of embarrassing defeats to Stoke City and Liverpool.
By stark contrast, Mesut Ozil is a hero in Germany. A huge part of their World Cup winning run in 2014, Ozil’s game is far more appreciated in Germany than in England, where fans are conditioned to appreciating nonstop running and shows of bravery far more than the subtle creativity that is a hallmark of the greatest number 10 in the modern era. One only has to glance at the reverence in which Ozil is held by his teammates and coaches, as well as others around the game who appreciate the sort of unique qualities he brings to his team.
So how does this matter to the Bundesliga? Well as few have failed to notice, Ozil has still not signed a new contract with Arsenal, and if the situation holds, he could then be free to sign with any club he likes. Could a move back to Germany, where he first broke in to professional football with Schalke and then with Werder Bremen? Certainly the contrasting affection that he receives every time he returns to his national side doesn’t hurt. His situation is one that will naturally put the entire league (or at least those with the financial capability) on notice.
