Augsburg turn to cast-offs in a bid to revitalise their fortunes

“FC Augsburg is an experience I simply could not refuse.” So said Stephan Lichsteiner, as the 35-year-old put pen to paper to finalise a transfer to the WWK-Arena.

Lichsteiner joins the Fuggerstädters following his release by Arsenal in the summer, having played for some of Europe’s largest clubs in Juventus and the Gunners. But whilst his pedigree might represent a juncture compared to the calibre of usual newcomers in this part of Bavaria, Lichsteiner’s addition to Martin Schmidt’s ranks forms an auspicious  similarity with the fortunes of most recruits at the club.

Indeed, Augsburg have often both looked to pick up professional football’s cast-offs and to provide them a second chance in Suebic Bavaria.

VAR will count for nothing if the standard of refereeing remains so poor

“I am convinced that it should go well,” announced referee Jochen Drees ahead of the introduction of VAR into the 2. Bundesliga, prior to the 2018/2019 season. “We now have a wealth of technological components,” the 49 year old added.

Each Second Division club had to pay around €180,000 to facilitate VAR, with the vast majority also having to invest in fibre optic cables, so that video pictures could be sent back to the referee centre in Cologne as quickly as possible.

VAR has been in operation in the highest tier of German football, the Bundesliga, since the beginning of the 2017/2018 season.

With such confidence, as well as an opulence of technological infrastructure, one would imagine that the standard of refereeing has never been higher. In theory, that is the case.

The Bundesliga’s new generation

The last few seasons in the Bundesliga has been synonymous with the rise of clubs such as FC Augsburg and 1899 Hoffenheim; but what has been the catalyst for the rise of the Bundesliga’s new generation? The well-publicized decline of the traditionsverein, or combination of astute signings and good management.

It seems only recent memory that VfB Stuttgart were defying all the odds, lifting the coveted Bundesliga shield in 2007; but it’s the club from Baden-Württemberg that have epitomized all the shortcomings of the traditionsverein. Turmoil in the boardroom mixed with questionable signings has led to the downfall of one of the giants of German football, with relegation to the second tier looming like the Grim Reaper, scythe in hand.

5 alternate stand-out players in the Hinrunde

There have been many stand-out players during the first half of the Bundesliga season. As the table would suggest, many of those have come from the self proclaimed “Deutscher Rekordmeister”, FC Bayern Munich. Pep Guardiola’s side have gone the full Hinrunde undefeated; a third Bundesliga title on the bounce is surely inevitable. But to suggest all the success has been with the Bavarian side is simply untrue, as there has been many other sides and players alike going about their business with varied levels of success. From an Argentine forward aiming for Europe at the SGL Arena to a club legend in Frankfurt, I’ll be taking a look at five alternate stand-out players from the 2014/15 Hinrunde.

Manchester City vs Bayern Munich: Into Pictures and words

As most of you will already be aware, I’m a Manchester City season ticket holder (since around 2002, before I get the “glory hunter” comments) so on Tuesday night I was presented with the 3rd visit in 4 years of the Deutscher Rekordmeister, Bayern Munich; the juggernaut of German football.

In this short little piece, that may resemble in some ways the article I did on the return leg in Munich, I’ll be expressing some views whilst providing some sorts of media from the game. I won’t be edging either way on certain key issues, just detailing my experience in watching Bayern Munich for the 5th time.

Going into the match and I wasn’t expecting much, why would I? What have Manchester City done to convince anyone that Tuesday nights encounter would be anything other than a routine Bayern victory. The musings in the press had been one of last chance saloon, but for me and many other Blues that had already long gone.

By halftime my earlier feelings had been proved and disproved in many ways. It’d been a dogged performance by City, but individual mistakes and some brilliant play by Bayern had resulted in a 2-1 lead for the German side heading into the interval.

The introduction of Pablo Zabaleta seemed to change something in the game, although Bacary Sagna had arguably had his best performance in a Sky Blue shirt, the Frenchman offered nothing going forward. The Argentine, along with another compatriot (any guesses for who?!) in tandem with some key errors by Bayern players amassed in the unthinkable victory for Manchester City. Could this perhaps signal a change in fortune for the Blue side of Manchester? We could know the answer after the trip to the Stadio Olimpico.

In was great to see the anti-UEFA protest by the travelling Bayern fans along with the home support, my thoughts for the farcical organisation shouldn’t be too hard to infer. The atmosphere itself was great in patches, you could tell for the Bavarian visitors that the game had nothing riding on it; whereas for the home support the matter is too complicated for a short piece.

That has been my short piece on Tuesday’s match, just a little insight into my experience. I’ll leave you with a few pictures from the match.

Is Europe on the horizon for FC Augsburg?

For the majority of their history FC Augsburg have been synonymous with mediocrity, flirting between the second and third tiers of German football. But that all changed in 2011, when for the first time in their 104 year history they were promoted to the Bundesliga. Many were forgiven for thinking that the Fuggerstädter would swiftly be relegated back into the 2nd division, but they were wrong; Augsburg did the unthinkable and stayed up.

Player Analysis: Mainz’s Shinji Okazaki

Welcome to a new series. In each instalment I will take an in-depth look at a Bundesliga player. They may not necessarily be the biggest name or best player; but they have certainly made an impact. Starting us off will be Shinji Okazaki of 1. FSV Mainz 05.

What system should Bayern Munich play?

How Bayern Munich play has been a hotly contested issue ever since Pep Guardiola was appointed manager of the Bavarian giants. His tenure so far has seen radical changes into the clubs entire philosophy, which has seen mixed results for a club the size of Bayern. So the question is; “What system should Bayern Munich play?”

My trip to Munich

On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, I travelled to the heartland of Bavaria to watch my team (Manchester City) face Bayern Munich. I’d already been once before, but this was a chance I couldn’t pass up on, after missing the infamous victory last year.

Although the match didn’t go to our favour, I still had a great time, in a great city meeting some great people. I sampled some of the fine Bavarian culture, and also took in the FC Bayern Erlebniswelt and the Allianz Arena stadium tour.

The history of Bayern is stunning, how a club that languished in the Regional leagues from its early days has been transformed into a powerhouse of World Football.

Here are some pictures from my trip, below;

 

Jurgen Klopp: Is he all that?

Hailed by many to be the best manger in German football, I’ll take a look at Jurgen Klopp (and to quote Talksport presenter, Adrian Durham) and see if he is all that.