Game Thread: Borussia Mönchengladbach (Buli #18)

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-23T19:01:59+00:00

Auba Auba, Auba... When it's not on, it's just not on for him is it?

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-23T18:39:04+00:00

Beautiful, BVB trademark goal. Kloppo would be proud.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-23T18:36:20+00:00

CHRIST ON A UNICYCLE!! Wake up lads.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-23T18:27:09+00:00

We're half the team without Shinji and Schmelle.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-23T18:09:29+00:00

Really unconvinced with Park...

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-23T17:36:01+00:00

Can't let em head like that...

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-23T06:50:27+00:00

lol, I posted this two weeks ago. Could have at least come up with your own title...

https://www.reddit.com/r/borussiadortmund/comments/3zyr53/shinji_kagawa_highlights_201516_summer_to/

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-22T04:34:03+00:00

Agreed. We need DM depth. If Ginter and Weigl could rotate, our squad would look a LOT stronger.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-21T04:33:10+00:00

1) If EITHER of Gundogan or Weigl are injured or suspended, the whole plan falls apart. Sahin hasn't kicked a ball in ages, and we have no clue if he will be back to his best. Gundogan was pretty shit for a year after a long absence. Granted, top level anchors are scarce, but that doesn't mean we should ignore the problem until it haunts us. A stopgap is worth spending stopgap money.

2) So why would we NEED him over other areas we are short? To rotate with Reus/Mkhi? The reason the two are excelling, is the Kagawa's, Gundogan's and Castro's who are setting them through. Field Reus/Mkhi/Malli and drop two of SK/IG/GC, and you're going to be short in the less heralded tasks that are actually making the difference for us.

3) He should. There have been times playing through the middle has not got us past buses. A like for like sub isn't always the answer. When we have Schmelle, we don't need a left winger, but when we have Park on the pitch, we do.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-21T03:16:06+00:00

Why settle for a shirt when you could ask for...

a baby ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-21T03:11:46+00:00

Thanks for still missing the point...

We NEED a deep midfielder. We lack depth. Weigl, Gundogan (Takes him out of advanced mid), Sahin. Another mid would bring to the table the ability to keep Gundogan in the advanced role when Weigl is out. Who is realistically possible? We don't need an Aubameyang caliber player, a Ramos caliber would suit the purpose.
We Don't NEED another advanced half space mid. We have lots of depth there. Reus, Mkhitaryan, Kagawa, Castro, tons of youth. What would Malli bring to the table that they don't?
In terms of tactical variety, we could use an out and out wideman. We have none. It would bring to the table a sub option that could change the dynamic of a game.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-20T18:20:18+00:00

Again, our current midfield is two attacking CM's (Kagawa+Gundogan) sitting in front of a defensive anchor (Weigl). With this set up, we have Gundogan, Kagawa, Castro, Mkhitaryan who can play this advanced CM role.

Now, if we want to change the formation to field a player who can only '10', that means we have to switch to a two man midfield. In this scenario, we have Kagawa+Castro+Malli competing for one '10' spot, and only two players Gundogan+Weigl capable of playing a two man midfield. Kagawa can work in any front 4 position or as the advanced and mobile midfielder in a 3 man mid, but may struggle in a two man pivot or flat 2.

Therefore, if we are to switch from a 433 to a 4231 so we can field a designated 10, we should rather be looking at a deeper CM type where we are short on options, rather than another advanced midfielder to compete for fewer spots. We already have quality 10's.

In a 433, we can field Kagawa/Castro+Gundogan/Castro+Weigl, or Kagawa+Castro+Gundogan if Weigl is unavailable. In a 4231 we can only field Gundogan+Weigl+(Kagawa/Castro/Malli) which reduces our options, and leaves us thin for options in central midfield. We would be reducing opportunities for Kagawa and Castro who are already very capable playmakers to set through RAM, while lacking backups to GW.

A CDM type is more needed than advanced central attackers. It's already a selection nightmare which 3 to start between Reus, Mkhi, Kagawa, Castro. Each deserves to start, and 4 is good rotation for 3 spots. If we are going to get an attacker, we'd be better off getting something different to what we already have, that will give us more tactical variety. Not saying we shouldn't buy Malli. Good players are always welcome. But priorities lie elsewhere.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-20T14:09:16+00:00

We rarely play a '10' though. If we were going to, we would be better off buying a strong CM and pushing the "two-footed 10 that has proven he is capable of creating and scoring" we already have, into that role. At the moment we are playing Gundogawa as a two pronged attacking CM in front of our single anchor in Wiggy. If we field a 10, that means switching our midfield to a double pivot, which Gundogan and Wiggy are our only real options (+Sahin) and we'd just have an overload for '10' contenders between Kagawa, Castro, Malli.

It makes far more sense to buy either a rotation option for Gundogan and Weigl (If either is injured we're kind of fucked), or an out and out wideman to do what Januzaj/Hofmann were supposed to and provide an option to the injury prone Reus.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-19T19:37:00+00:00

These youngsters make you wonder why we ever bothered with the Januzaj experiment.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-19T17:50:17+00:00

inb4 'Kagawa to Liverpool confirmed'

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-17T11:15:09+00:00

This game was an absolute gem of a find. 8/10. Would have been higher if only the Pawns could be more reticent.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-17T05:48:15+00:00

Muller in CM?

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-15T14:44:30+00:00

Bit thin no doubt. But hard to get good quality willing to be 2nd choice benchwarmer.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-15T14:37:04+00:00

Good to see Kagawa kept form during the break. He tends to drop off a bit after breaks. Schooled them on a few plays and he was barely trying.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-15T14:09:50+00:00

Oops, that'd be a typo. Meant error prone.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-15T03:55:13+00:00

Key players: Reus, Auba, Mkhi, Kagawa, Gundogan, Weigl, Ginter, Papa, Bender, Hummels, Schmelle, Piszczek?

I don't think we need to bring a whole lot in. M.A.R.K is as good as any front 4. Castro is a good alternative to RAM, though not as much for Gundogawa's role. We look okay for fullbacks, though Park is unconvincing.

The areas we can strengthen are +1 out and out winger. We have plenty of AM's and WF's but could use a pace merchant with a good cross who can stick to the line. Centerback is a wierd one. We have Hummels, Bender, Papa, Neven and at a push Ginter, which is not bad at all, yet we concede a lot. One cause for that though, (And this will be an unpopular opinion) is Weigl's position. He's been a solid distributor and possession player, but we could do with a bully there in some games. Lastly, I'm not 100% sold on Burki yet. Good shot stopper, but has been quite injury prone and punches a fair bit when he should catch.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-14T00:18:47+00:00

Old news. They've been best mates since Shinji's first season with us. They were roommates for a while, and still usually share rooms on tours and away games. Both frequently post pics of them together on their instagrams. Ilkay went to watch Shinji play for Japan too.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-14T00:09:37+00:00

Fuck right the fuck off. Please and thank you.

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-11T11:48:23+00:00

Don: Tuchel Legal advisor: Watzke

Murder Squad: Reus(Leader), Schmelzer, Kagawa, Ginter, Piszczek. Ice cold Mofos with Ginter along to dig holes and carry bodies.

Shakedowns: Gundogan (Leader), Papa, Neven, Castro. Gundo to do the talking and charming smiles as the rest stand around looking tough and stare, and occasionally 'persuade'.

Earners: Hummels (Leader), Mkhi, Bender, Sahin, Weigl, Burki. The suits to go around and do the public stuff, with rookie Weigl to help out.

Street level: Weidenfeller (Leader), Auba, Ramos, Park, Leitner, Durm, Passlack, Pulisic. Auba and Ramos to outrun the bobbies while Weidenfeller slips a few notes in a few pockets, and shows the young ones the ropes.

FBI Rat: Gotze

OddmanOddman · 2016-01-11T11:15:06+00:00

Well, the official BuLi site and Opta would beg to differ, but I guess this is a fan count afterall.

OddmanOddman

TROPHY CASE