Asian Champions League Winners, four-goal heroes in Spain, Real Madrid dumped out of the Copa del Rey and violence in Bolivian football all feature on this week’s the good, the bad and the ugly.

Good

It was good for Japanese side Gamba Osaka as they became the second team from Japan to win the Asian Champions League in a row. They beat Australian side Adelaide 2-0 away to complete a 5-0 aggregate win. Brazilian forward Lucas scored twice in Australia but the real star of the show was Japanese international Yasuhito Endo, a class act. continue reading

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An exciting weekend for the Bundesliga where all eyes are at the top of the table. Bayern, currently 3 points ahead, entertain their closest rivals Bremen in the Allianz Arena in Munich. This game will go some way to establishing who will win ‘die Schale’ at the end of the season. Klose, playing against his former club, will be hoping to score, but must do so without the service of Ribery who is out injured. continue reading

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The Bundesliga wakes up again this week after the winter break when Bayern visit Rostock on Friday night. It will be interesting to see how the second half of the season unfolds.At the top, Bayern have a slender lead, on goal difference over Werder Bremen. This has been mentioned many times in recent weeks with Bremen mocking their arch rivals that all the money they spent has gained them no extra points. Bayern meanwhile are hoping to send Captain Oliver Kahn into retirement with the treble by winning the league, the cup and the UEFA cup. continue reading

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Germany did just enough to qualify for Euro 2008 this week. A draw and a home defeat are hardly flattering, but the business is only just beginning. The national team still seems to be riding a wave of confidence. Players that hardly rate (or are even unknown) outside of Germany are proving again that the Bundesliga is producing quality on the international level. Ever heard of Trochowski or Jansen? What about Odonkor? continue reading

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It seems that Bayern are indeed scoring for fun, and Klose is enjoying the ride. A hat trick during the week against lowly Cottbus sees the Bavarians comfortably on top of the table, three points ahead of Leverkusen. continue reading

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Amazing as it seems, Frankfurt can hit the lead in the Bundesliga (at least for one night) if they win tonight against Bochum. They have made a surprisingly good start to the season, much like Bielefeld, and are looking down the table to more fancied rivals. continue reading

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Several topics of conversation are circling around German soccer fans this week:

1. Victory at Wembley. The national team continues to surprise with strong results, despite a very weakened line-up. Beating England at Wembley, even in friendlies, is always a pleasant experience.

2. Can anyone keep up with Bayern? After three games Bayern have not yet conceded a goal and have already opened up a lead on their rivals. Some people are even talking of them going through the season unbeaten (though I feel this is a little premature). continue reading

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It has only taken one weekend of the new season for one thing to become clear: the old order has been re-established. Bayern, a disappointing fourth place finisher last season are set to ruthlessly dismantle any challenge to “their” title. And make no mistake about it, they mean business this season. continue reading

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Last week about 60,000 fans filled Schalke’s home ground for the game against Dortmund. This wouldn’t normally be surprising except that it was an away game. And they witnessed their team seemingly giving up the championship by losing. Now Schalke, often accused of choking, have to hope for Stuttart to choke at home against lowly Cottbus, to have any chance of winning the Bundesliga. continue reading

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Oh dear!
If Schalke can win this weekend, they will have one hand on the trophy, (or indeed be crowned champions if Stuttgart lose and Bremen don’t win). But to win they have to travel to their bitter rivals Dortmund. If ever there was a game to spark the imagination, this is it. continue reading

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Three games to go.
The champions in the Bundesliga this year will not be Bayern Muenchen. They have failed in all competitions and are planning a total revamp of their team. They are in fourth place. At the top it looks like this. Schalke are ahead of Stuttgart. Bremen are in third place. One of these teams will win, but whilst Stuttgart are on a winning run, having won their last five games, confidence in the other two teams is low. Bremen are continue reading

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Four games to go!
A Friday night game is great to keep the pressure on your opponents….if you win! So can Schalke put pressure on Bremen by beating their local rivals Bochum in tonights Ruhr derby? Everyone is waiting for Schalke to choke under the pressure. This game will not be easy, and Bochum are fighting for their Bundesliga lives. I predict few goals but a Schalke win none the less. continue reading

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Bremen used their Friday night game to put pressure on Schalke, winning 3-1 against relegation threatened Aachen. You can see Diego’s 60 meter goal here. This win puts them back on top of the Bundesliga, though for how long? continue reading

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My late post means that Hamburg have already recorded an important win, 0-1 against last placed Gladbach. Seems Gladbach will be dropping out of the Bundesliga this season, but which teams will join them? continue reading

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Schalke are playing Moenchengladbach with both teams needing to win, though for different reasons. Schalke want to remain at the top whilst Gladbach are desperately trying to fight relegation. This will be a very important game. Bayern and Bremen will keep the pressure on Schalke by winning their games (though they both played difficult games during the week) and Stuttgart visit Hamburg for another tricky game.
The game of the week, I feel, is continue reading

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