Germany's Fantastic Final Foursome
With one game to go, Steve Atkinson looks at the 4 challengers in what has been the most exciting European league finale in recent memory.
One round of games to go and three teams are still left in the hunt. The Bundesliga has been by far and away the most exciting of Europe’s top leagues in 2008/09. More goals, higher attendances, and realistic title challenges from 5 or 6 teams.
Hamburg have fallen to the wayside, along with Hoffenheim and Dortmund. That leaves 4, Wolfsburg who top the table on 66 points, Bayern Munich and Stuttgart chasing on 64, and Hertha Berlin on 63, who need to overturn a 24 goal difference deficit to win the league this year. Given that they’ve only scored 48 to Wolfsburg’s 75 this season, it looks beyond them.
The last round of fixtures has thrown up two potential classics then to decide the league. Bayern Munich play host to Stuttgart, with the winners potentially winning the league as well as the game. Goal happy Wolfsburg are at home to one of the most attacking minded teams in the league in Werder Bremen. Thomas Schaaf’s teams only play one way, they are sure to attack Wolfsburg who need to win to ensure the title. That could and should be a very open game.
The Bayern and Stuttgart game is so delicately poised too. Both teams need a win, which should guarantee a good game. Stuttgart are the form team in the league at the moment, unbeaten in 9 and with 16 from 18 points. They seem to have come from nowhere to challenge, with recent wins away to Schalke and at home to Wolfsburg. Mario Gomez has recovered his form and will be hoping for more against Bayern.
Bayern have looked shaky all season, yet they are still there at the end. Klinsmann has already paid the price for an embarrassing defeat to Barcelona, and Borussia Mönchengladbach legend Jupp Heynckes has taken charge for the last few games. He has already won the Bundesliga twice as the coach of Bayern Munich, and the Champions League with Real Madrid, he has the pedigree. The team has been largely disappointing though, but who would bet against the likes of Ribery and Toni turning it on in the season finale.
If Hertha win their last game, away to relegation threatened Karlsruhe, they could leapfrog the losers and nab the final Champions League place. Only the top 3 qualify in Germany. If Bayern and Stuttgart draw, Berlin could come second and qualify automatically for the group stages, some way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
A victory for attacking football would see Wolfsburg claim the league title for the first time in their history. They have been irresistible at times with Bosnian striker Edin Džeko having found the form of his life, scoring 9 times in the last 4 games. Džeko and Wolfsburg’s other striker, Brazilian Grafite, lead the scoring charts on 25 and 26 goals respectively.
Arguably their most influential player however, has been the German born Bosnian international midfielder Zvjezdan Misimović. He has been credited with 19 assists so far this season, and he looks dangerous every time he has the ball. While not the quickest, his passing and crossing have been nothing short of spectacular. A true trequartista, though he can also play wide left, he could be well sought after in the summer.
Bremen are no pushovers though, as their ascent to the UEFA Cup Final has proven. With players like Diego, Frings, Pizarro, and the exciting young mulletted playmaker Mesut Özil they are frighteningly good going forward at times. That both teams look far more comfortable with the ball should make for an exciting end to end affair.
So who will win? Wolfsburg deserve their moment in my opinion, and they must be favourites. As this is the Bundesliga though, anything can and probably will happen.
Great article Steve! I’ve followed Wolfsburg with a keen interest in recent weeks after reading reports about their free-flowing attacking football. I’m absolutely baffled to read that Felix Magath is leaving to coach Schalke 04. Having put so much effort into building his Wolfsburg side, arguably better than that with which he won 2 league titles with Bayern Munich, it seems obvious to view Schalke as a step backwards.
Wolfsburg will do well to hold onto the likes of Dzeko, Grafite and Misimovic this summer but I for one would like to see the group of players remain on their current trajectory for another year. As is so often the case, a big-money move could stunt the development of such exciting talent. Being introduced to Champions League football together could well benefit each player more than a move to England/Italy with big billing. Also, with so many plaudits inevitably going to come the way of their attacking players, the contribution of their defence should also be highlighted. Expensive acquisitions of Zaccardo and Barzagli have offered an effective platform from which to build further up the pitch.
I only hope that the loss of Magath does not lead to further losses for Wolfsburg, although I fear an exodous might be impending. It will be interesting to see how the coach and his players alike will fair next season, along whichever avenues they wish to take.
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Thanks, and conragtulations to all at Wolfsburg. it is a shame that Magath has left them, and it will be interesting to see how they cope with his loss, and how many of his players move to Gelsenkirchen as well. As you say though, Wolfsburg have been fantastic value for their title, superb to watch.
Schalke are one of the better supported teams in the country, so perhaps he can transform their fortunes. It is a bold change of direction for that club, who this season conceded fewer goals than any other team in the Bundesliga. If anyone can get them scoring goals, then it is Magath.