How do you rank the Bavarian Giants?

by Reem

In recent years Bayern Munich has endured a couple of indifferent seasons to say the least. In a league where the overall quality and standards of the game were once questioned, the power of Bayern Munich reigned, and continuously cruised to glory as they displayed some incredible football and absolute dominance in the previous times, swooping the Budesliga in 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08.

Therefore it was bewildering to notice the poor form the Bavarians experienced in the domestic competition, as they even struggled to even qualify for the Champions League at one point. The fact is that this is testament to a growing league with quality sides that can compete against any German powerhouse.  Finally Bayern Munich have a league to fight for.

Slapped back into reality by the relentless pressure thrown on them by other competing teams, Bayern Munich has established usual proceedings in the Bundesliga this season as they continue to thrash their opponents - whether playing at home or away.  It is obviously a bonus to have the assistance of the German goal scoring junkie, Mario Gomez - who has been in immense form for the past two seasons, finishing last term on a respected 28 goals and is currently seated at the top of the goal scoring charts thus far this season, with 13 goals from 12 games, making goal scoring look the most simple of tasks at times.

Bastian Schweinsteiger sheilding Samir Nasri.

Being flanked by two renown wingers in the modern game, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, Mr. Gomez will be in no short supply of chances as these speed-frenzied wing demons annihilate almost any defenses they face and they are absolutely  crucial to Bayern’s attacking exploits. Continuing the trend of world-class talent Bayern have an outstanding enforcer on their books in the name of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who plays the classic box-to-box midfield role.  He is a 90-minute player that contributes comfortably to both sides of the game and is debatably Bayern’s most important player. Bayern Munich should hold their heads high as it is their home grown talent that continues to dictate their games in very casual and levelheaded flow, picking the right pass and making superb footballing decisions.

With these four world-class players Bayern are filled in with decent to great players in all positions with an excellent wing back in Philip Lahm and an upcoming, highly talked about goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, who hopes to repeat the heroics of Bayern’s goalkeeping great Oliver Kahn.

Bayern also has an extremely young football team that still obtains the vital bags of experience since these players have been playing together for several years now. The Bavarian lads are in a great position in terms of their peak form career wise (Robben, Ribery, Lahm, Bastian, Gomez), and the management and directors at Bayern need to fully exploit their form, before the cycle is restarted. The blend of experience and youth is superb and it allows the team to be full of energy to blow teams away yet provide the know-how on taking down difficult opposition when faced with challenging fixtures.

Arjen Robben revels in his glory

Based on their start to the season, Bayern Munich should be considered one of the favourites for the Champions League as they have almost dismantled the so-called "group of death" by schooling each opponent with relative ease. Let it be known the money hungry Manchester City and the great Italian team in Napoli has felt the wrath of the Bavarians attack, especially in front of their incredible home fans at the Allianz Arena.

They play with the flair necessary to be considered favourites, score goals a plenty for the neutral to enjoy and have a certain swagger about their play as of  recently.  Despite the glitz and glamour, they do need to refocus their attention to defensive duties.  This has been the cause of many frailties of late and has always been a downfall for the team in the past 5 years. With a top defensive signing in the January transfer window, Bayern’s chances of a final appearance in this year’s Champions League final can only be enhanced, as they are definitely contenders for this season.

Despite the one or two blips that all football teams eventually encounter, this Bayern side has steam rolled their fixtures and currently have all the ingredients for success. Don’t be surprised if they knock any of the other European giants out of Europe's most prestigious club competition, as this team is here to make a definitive statement, both for Munich as a club, and Germany as a whole. Bayern play defending league champions Borussia Dortmund this weekend and they are expected to put them to the sword.  It has been a recent trend so far this season.

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