The aftermath of losing…
There’s losing, and then there’s losing when you’re winning. The Champions League final in Munich was a game of inches, and both sides should be able to reflect upon it with their head held high. Bayern, most likely, will choose not to. Chelsea soaked up pressure, as they had hoped to, but Bayern failed to capitalise on their supremacy. In the end, tens of thousands inside the Allianz Arena, and millions watching across the world, had every right to be in an strangely dignified state of despair. Bayern had dominated the match, but were uncharacteristically wasteful. Petr Cech and Dider Drogba played the heroes, as they have often done, and in the wake of this victory, Chelsea supporters may well be calling for their statues outside Stamford Bridge. As with the loss in 1999, the unthinkable pain that accompanies this missed opportunity will likely stay with Bayern for years. [posted by MG]

The aftermath of losing…

There’s losing, and then there’s losing when you’re winning. The Champions League final in Munich was a game of inches, and both sides should be able to reflect upon it with their head held high. Bayern, most likely, will choose not to. Chelsea soaked up pressure, as they had hoped to, but Bayern failed to capitalise on their supremacy. In the end, tens of thousands inside the Allianz Arena, and millions watching across the world, had every right to be in an strangely dignified state of despair. Bayern had dominated the match, but were uncharacteristically wasteful. Petr Cech and Dider Drogba played the heroes, as they have often done, and in the wake of this victory, Chelsea supporters may well be calling for their statues outside Stamford Bridge. As with the loss in 1999, the unthinkable pain that accompanies this missed opportunity will likely stay with Bayern for years. [posted by MG]

Losses and llamas: a complicated week at Bayern Munich

By Max Grieve

Jupp Heynckes was, to a point, playing the fool, but there was a grim undertone to his comments. “I have watched and coached in the Spanish League,” he declared earlier in the week. “I know how hard it is to beat Barcelona. And now I’m left to wonder if Barça can’t beat Chelsea, how can we?”

Certainly Bayern Munich’s loss to Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal Final at the weekend has furthered the perception, in English-language media especially, that Chelsea could well trouble the Bavarians. And there is an element of truth to this thought: internal struggles, occasionally catastrophic defending, and a creeping sense of self-doubt is beginning to damage what has been, by most standards, a phenomenal season. Bayern have finished second in the Bundesliga to a side that had to break the points total record to better them. They came runners-up in the one domestic cup, and are in a Champions League final. Rather than marvel at the progress they have made, however, they will be more inclined to reflect upon their failings.

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Through Ryu’s Lens: Bayern Munich vs. Marseille, Champions League

After a 2-nil victory in the south of France, all Bayern Munich had to do was hold on to their lead. Not only did they hold their lead, but they won once again by the score of 2-0, this time with Ivica Olic scoring a brace. Ryu was at the Allianz Arena to capture Bayern’s smooth progress into the Champions League semis.

(Interact with Ryu on twitter @Toksuede and check his Flickr)

Allez la France!

It’s only a friendly, but France have a monumental game against what is quickly becoming one of the strongest and most eye-catching Germany sides ever. Here’s a gem for all fans that will be supporting Les Bleus against the Germans, inspired by a certain Stromae song that has become inescapable once you set foot in any given European nightclub.

The Mönchengladbach way

Borussia Mönchengladbach are one of the biggest surprises in Europe this season. Facing relegation at the end of last year, manager Lucien Favre has done a remarkable job in instilling a brand new system in his players. The league table doesn’t lie, and Mönchengladbach sit in second place, above Bayern Munich and completely capable of snatching the Bundesliga title from Borussia Dortmund.

Favre’s new tactics have emulated Barcelona’s tiki-taka system full of triangular passing, with a more physical twist that adheres to the customs of German Fußball. Fans are fawning over the likes of Marco Reus and Marc-André ter Stegen, but ‘gladbach as a team have transformed into a real force that can compete with the very best, in Germany and beyond.

(Thanks to 3nil for sending this vid our way)

Why does Germany wear green? The Ireland myth and the truth.

After dropping a few hints over the past few months, Adidas released the new Germany away kit that will be used throughout EURO 2012. It’s green. Really, really green. Like you, we’ve seen a German flag before and could not find a trace of green on it. So where does this green come from? Well, there’s a popular myth and then there’s the truth.

The myth is that the roots of green lie in post-World War II Germany. Many believe Ireland were the first team willing to play against Germany after the war ended, and so the Germans remembered the gesture by donning Ireland’s traditional green kits.

The truth is, however, that the green does not have anything to do with Ireland. Actually, the first team to play Germany after the war was Switzerland. As for the green and white combo? Well, it wasn’t purely motivated by aesthetics. The colors are derived from the DFB (German football federation) logo, which was designed using green and white, the colors that make up a football pitch. So Ireland, you’re still great, but you’re not responsible for the creation of these awesome green kits.

On the new spot for the German National Team - Execution can be just as important as an Idea.

The video of everything moving backwards has been done many, many times. (ahem… Chris Martin will take full credit for promoting the trend). But the idea is solid, and this new spot for the German national team is undeniably fresh.

The execution is phenomenal. And it stands alongside the beautiful soundtrack of Erol Alkan & Boys Noize’s Waves (Chilly Gonzales Piano Remix). Perhaps the aspect of this video that separates it from its predecesors is that it actually looks cool in its original, unreversed form. Jack Johnson definitely can’t say that.

Planning a bet on Germany? Check out https://www.bwin.com/pt/

Check soccerpro.com for some sweet keeper gloves and keeper jerseys. Free shipping on all orders over $65

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