Agent FC: Lucas Hernandez trying to convince Rodri to join Bayern Munich
MediaWith Kimmich, Goretzka, and Gnabry already workingon Leroy Sané, it looks like Bayern's entire negotiation strategy this season is to let the players do it themselves.Bayern Munich players have always been expected to be versatile, but it appears that things are getting out of hand. First we had Benjamin Pavard convince Lucas Hernandez to make the switch from Atletico Madrid, and now we have our entire German international contingent lobbying Leroy Sané during the Euro Qualifiers. With this latest report, it's safe to say that Bayern are officially Agent FC — FC Berater München.According to AS journalist Manuel Esteban, Lucas Hernandez has been trying to convince his former teammate Rodri to join up with him in Munich.De momento lo más positivo en el #Atlético es que nos han dejado tranquilo a #Oblak y mira que le han tirado los tejos y que #Giménez quiere superar el listón tan alto que dejó #Godin. Mientras #Lucas le sigue tirando los tejos a #Rodri para que acabe en el #Bayern.— Manolete (@AS_Manolete) June 9, 2019This comes in conjunction with a report by AS to the effect that says Rodri will meet with the Atletico bosses this week to announce whether he will stay. The 22-year-old has offers from both Manchester City and Bayern, but the report claims that the Conchoneros are ready to match any salary offer. Rodri has a rumored release clause of €80 million.This is a fascinating saga, for so many reasons. There's Bayern and City competing for the same player, while presumably engaged in negotiations for Sané. There's poor little Atleti, desperately trying to stem the mass exodus of players from the club. And finally there's Rodri, who has to choose between playing for Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, or joining his friend Lucas in Germany.It will be interesting to see how this transfer develops in the coming weeks.Read more...
MediaWith Kimmich, Goretzka, and Gnabry already workingon Leroy Sané, it looks like Bayern's entire negotiation strategy this season is to let the players do it themselves.Bayern Munich players have always been expected to be versatile, but it appears that things are getting out of hand. First we had Benjamin Pavard convince Lucas Hernandez to make the switch from Atletico Madrid, and now we have our entire German international contingent lobbying Leroy Sané during the Euro Qualifiers. With this latest report, it's safe to say that Bayern are officially Agent FC — FC Berater München.According to AS journalist Manuel Esteban, Lucas Hernandez has been trying to convince his former teammate Rodri to join up with him in Munich.De momento lo más positivo en el #Atlético es que nos han dejado tranquilo a #Oblak y mira que le han tirado los tejos y que #Giménez quiere superar el listón tan alto que dejó #Godin. Mientras #Lucas le sigue tirando los tejos a #Rodri para que acabe en el #Bayern.— Manolete (@AS_Manolete) June 9, 2019This comes in conjunction with a report by AS to the effect that says Rodri will meet with the Atletico bosses this week to announce whether he will stay. The 22-year-old has offers from both Manchester City and Bayern, but the report claims that the Conchoneros are ready to match any salary offer. Rodri has a rumored release clause of €80 million.This is a fascinating saga, for so many reasons. There's Bayern and City competing for the same player, while presumably engaged in negotiations for Sané. There's poor little Atleti, desperately trying to stem the mass exodus of players from the club. And finally there's Rodri, who has to choose between playing for Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, or joining his friend Lucas in Germany.It will be interesting to see how this transfer develops in the coming weeks.Read more...
<b>Champions League Group Stage Draw Review</b>
Last night the balls for the Champions League group stage were drawn in Geneva as well as a number of UEFA awards conferred. In Group A, FC Bayern will play against Atlético Madrid, RB Salzburg and Lokomotive Moscow – and won a number of awards at individual level.Due to the pandemic, the balls for the Champions League group phase were drawn this year in Geneva behind closed doors. There were also some awards conferred for achievements in the past season. FC Bayern Munich was the first team to be drawn from the bowl, thus forming the head of Group A. Over the course of the evening, they were joined by Atlético Madrid, RB Salzburg and Lokomotive Moscow.<a href="#the-opponents-in-group-a"></a>The opponents in group A<a href="#atletico-madrid"></a>Atlético MadridYou can always count on Diego Simeone’s team to perform on the international stage. For years, Atlético Madrid has been one of Europe’s top teams, even reaching the Champions League final twice in 2014 and 2016. The head to head record between the Bayern and Atlético of recent times is also fairly even: In Madrid, the Spanish won twice, in Munich Bayern came out on top twice. However, it were Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos who beat Pep Guardiola’s Bayern in the 2016 semi-final. Other than that, there have only been two more matches contested between the two teams in European competitions. Both in the 1974 final: After a draw in the first game, Bayern won the replay clearly 4-0.But it is the present that is much more exciting. Atlético, and we will analyze this in our preview of the group games in more depth, have changed. The narrative that the team would only defend and rely on transition moments is at best only partially true. Simeone’s team has made great progress recently, particularly with the ball. Atlético has long since become more than just a pressing machine that makes life difficult for every opponent through an unpleasant way of playing. Simeone has been working hard to add a presentable possession game to his team, which could often be seen last season. With Luis Suárez they have gained an exciting new player for the center-forward position and Joāo Felíx has also already shown that he can become a difference maker in the future. The two group stage fixtures will definitely be two thrilling games that all fans can look forward to. And it will definitely be a challenge for FC Bayern, as Atlético is without doubt one of the best teams in the world.<a href="#rb-salzburg"></a>RB SalzburgTheir next lot gave Bayern the advantage of a short trip. About 115 kilometers lie between Salzburg and Munich. The game against the marketing tool of Red Bull will also be interesting on a sporting level. Salzburg have always stood for a modern, energetic and offensive soccer. It should be expected that Salzburg will want to put a lot of pressure on Bayern.After many years of failing in the qualifying phase, Salzburg managed to qualify for the Champions League for the second time this season. Fans can look forward to a young team that is full of young talents who see Salzburg as a springboard for the big leagues – or for their sister club RB Leipzig. More about this in our preview.<a href="#lokomotive-moskau"></a>Lokomotive MoskauAs if to offset the short trip to Salzburg, the visit to their third opponents will see Bayern having to make the trip to Moscow. From a purely sporting point of view, the fixture should not present them with a lot of surprises. The Russians will try to solve their task by means of unpleasant defensive and transition football.The problem for Bayern here lies perhaps in the context of the match. A long journey, a defensive bulwark that will require a lot of running to be broken down and the tight schedule this season could cause problems surrounding the two matches, if not regarding the game against Lokomotive itself. Nevertheless, it must be the ambition of Bayern to win both games.<a href="#assessment">…
Last night the balls for the Champions League group stage were drawn in Geneva as well as a number of UEFA awards conferred. In Group A, FC Bayern will play against Atlético Madrid, RB Salzburg and Lokomotive Moscow – and won a number of awards at individual level.Due to the pandemic, the balls for the Champions League group phase were drawn this year in Geneva behind closed doors. There were also some awards conferred for achievements in the past season. FC Bayern Munich was the first team to be drawn from the bowl, thus forming the head of Group A. Over the course of the evening, they were joined by Atlético Madrid, RB Salzburg and Lokomotive Moscow.<a href="#the-opponents-in-group-a"></a>The opponents in group A<a href="#atletico-madrid"></a>Atlético MadridYou can always count on Diego Simeone’s team to perform on the international stage. For years, Atlético Madrid has been one of Europe’s top teams, even reaching the Champions League final twice in 2014 and 2016. The head to head record between the Bayern and Atlético of recent times is also fairly even: In Madrid, the Spanish won twice, in Munich Bayern came out on top twice. However, it were Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos who beat Pep Guardiola’s Bayern in the 2016 semi-final. Other than that, there have only been two more matches contested between the two teams in European competitions. Both in the 1974 final: After a draw in the first game, Bayern won the replay clearly 4-0.But it is the present that is much more exciting. Atlético, and we will analyze this in our preview of the group games in more depth, have changed. The narrative that the team would only defend and rely on transition moments is at best only partially true. Simeone’s team has made great progress recently, particularly with the ball. Atlético has long since become more than just a pressing machine that makes life difficult for every opponent through an unpleasant way of playing. Simeone has been working hard to add a presentable possession game to his team, which could often be seen last season. With Luis Suárez they have gained an exciting new player for the center-forward position and Joāo Felíx has also already shown that he can become a difference maker in the future. The two group stage fixtures will definitely be two thrilling games that all fans can look forward to. And it will definitely be a challenge for FC Bayern, as Atlético is without doubt one of the best teams in the world.<a href="#rb-salzburg"></a>RB SalzburgTheir next lot gave Bayern the advantage of a short trip. About 115 kilometers lie between Salzburg and Munich. The game against the marketing tool of Red Bull will also be interesting on a sporting level. Salzburg have always stood for a modern, energetic and offensive soccer. It should be expected that Salzburg will want to put a lot of pressure on Bayern.After many years of failing in the qualifying phase, Salzburg managed to qualify for the Champions League for the second time this season. Fans can look forward to a young team that is full of young talents who see Salzburg as a springboard for the big leagues – or for their sister club RB Leipzig. More about this in our preview.<a href="#lokomotive-moskau"></a>Lokomotive MoskauAs if to offset the short trip to Salzburg, the visit to their third opponents will see Bayern having to make the trip to Moscow. From a purely sporting point of view, the fixture should not present them with a lot of surprises. The Russians will try to solve their task by means of unpleasant defensive and transition football.The problem for Bayern here lies perhaps in the context of the match. A long journey, a defensive bulwark that will require a lot of running to be broken down and the tight schedule this season could cause problems surrounding the two matches, if not regarding the game against Lokomotive itself. Nevertheless, it must be the ambition of Bayern to win both games.<a href="#assessment">…
<b>Champions League Group Stage MD 01 – Atlético vs. Bayern</b>
On Wednesday evening, FC Bayern wil kick off their new UEFA Champions League campaign – and they will do so against one of the best teams in the world: Atlético Madrid. We analyse the Spaniards, whose strengths could pose serious problems for Hansi Flick’s team.If you want to know what makes Diego Simeone so special, you should bring your patience. The coach has managed to establish Atlético Madrid among the European elite. He, not any of the players, is the star of the club because he manages to unite everyone behind a common goal. He has no time for players who put their self-interest above the interest of the team, put on airs or indulge in toxic relationships with their teammates.Simeone is a volcano on the sidelines. One whose heart rate even in normal circumstances is often beyond any healthy limits. One who with his sideline gamesmanship frequently likes to test the patience of the fourth official. But Simeone is not just pure emotion. He is also a thinker and a philosopher of football – a side of him that is rarely noticed in public.<a href="#atletico-madrid-simeones-work"></a>Atlético Madrid: Simeone’s workAnyone who is able to not just stay at but be quite successful with just one club for nine years must have special abilities. Even the greatest coaches of our time can tell you a thing or two about what it is like when their methods and approaches no longer work. Coaching a top team over time often turns into a war of attrition, something that Pep Guardiola, for instance, became only too painfully aware of towards the end of his time at Barcelona and which he vowed he would avoid letting happen ever again. The same happened to Jürgen Klopp in Dortmund.Simeone, however, seems to be the one exception to this rule who has so far somehow eluded this wear and tear. The reasons for this are probably so manifold and varied that it would take a book and not just an article to present them all. But a decisive element no doubt will be that he can always set new tactical stimuli that consistently keep challenging even long-time players like Koke.Added to this is a constant revitalization of the squad over the years, which is just as necessary to avoid wear and tear. If Klopp and Guardiola have been the principal philosophers of attacking football of the last decade, Simeone is probably the coach one would equate with defensive perfection more than anyone else. He has turned defense into an art. This should by no means be underestimated when talking about the “volcano”, his heart rate or his penchant for an overbearing display of emotions.<a href="#the-tough-work-on-a-possession-game"></a>The tough work on a possession gameOnly last year, Atlético Madrid was again in a state of flux. It is often said that Simeone has not been able to repeat the feat of winning the championship after 2014 because his team lacks the capacity to be creative in possession. Defending, closing the opponent down, hitting them in transition – hardly any other team can do this as perfectly as Atlético. But when they have to make the game themselves, they have a hard time.Atlético’s two goalless draws against SD Huesca and FC Villareal in the still very young season confirm this impression. But Simeone is by no means just sitting idly by and watching this development. For much of last season, he broke with his usual 4-4-2 formation which he had deployed with almost unvarying consistency for years, and tried his hand at other formations, such as a diamond in midfield in order to gain more presence in the final third in possession.In addition, Players like Saúl Ñíguez or João Félix have incredible technical skills that bear little resemblance to the narrative of an Atlético side who are all about destroying the opponent. There is more to this team than disciplined defensive behavior. Simeone has made considerable progress exploiting this potential, and he is looking to improve his team’s possession…
On Wednesday evening, FC Bayern wil kick off their new UEFA Champions League campaign – and they will do so against one of the best teams in the world: Atlético Madrid. We analyse the Spaniards, whose strengths could pose serious problems for Hansi Flick’s team.If you want to know what makes Diego Simeone so special, you should bring your patience. The coach has managed to establish Atlético Madrid among the European elite. He, not any of the players, is the star of the club because he manages to unite everyone behind a common goal. He has no time for players who put their self-interest above the interest of the team, put on airs or indulge in toxic relationships with their teammates.Simeone is a volcano on the sidelines. One whose heart rate even in normal circumstances is often beyond any healthy limits. One who with his sideline gamesmanship frequently likes to test the patience of the fourth official. But Simeone is not just pure emotion. He is also a thinker and a philosopher of football – a side of him that is rarely noticed in public.<a href="#atletico-madrid-simeones-work"></a>Atlético Madrid: Simeone’s workAnyone who is able to not just stay at but be quite successful with just one club for nine years must have special abilities. Even the greatest coaches of our time can tell you a thing or two about what it is like when their methods and approaches no longer work. Coaching a top team over time often turns into a war of attrition, something that Pep Guardiola, for instance, became only too painfully aware of towards the end of his time at Barcelona and which he vowed he would avoid letting happen ever again. The same happened to Jürgen Klopp in Dortmund.Simeone, however, seems to be the one exception to this rule who has so far somehow eluded this wear and tear. The reasons for this are probably so manifold and varied that it would take a book and not just an article to present them all. But a decisive element no doubt will be that he can always set new tactical stimuli that consistently keep challenging even long-time players like Koke.Added to this is a constant revitalization of the squad over the years, which is just as necessary to avoid wear and tear. If Klopp and Guardiola have been the principal philosophers of attacking football of the last decade, Simeone is probably the coach one would equate with defensive perfection more than anyone else. He has turned defense into an art. This should by no means be underestimated when talking about the “volcano”, his heart rate or his penchant for an overbearing display of emotions.<a href="#the-tough-work-on-a-possession-game"></a>The tough work on a possession gameOnly last year, Atlético Madrid was again in a state of flux. It is often said that Simeone has not been able to repeat the feat of winning the championship after 2014 because his team lacks the capacity to be creative in possession. Defending, closing the opponent down, hitting them in transition – hardly any other team can do this as perfectly as Atlético. But when they have to make the game themselves, they have a hard time.Atlético’s two goalless draws against SD Huesca and FC Villareal in the still very young season confirm this impression. But Simeone is by no means just sitting idly by and watching this development. For much of last season, he broke with his usual 4-4-2 formation which he had deployed with almost unvarying consistency for years, and tried his hand at other formations, such as a diamond in midfield in order to gain more presence in the final third in possession.In addition, Players like Saúl Ñíguez or João Félix have incredible technical skills that bear little resemblance to the narrative of an Atlético side who are all about destroying the opponent. There is more to this team than disciplined defensive behavior. Simeone has made considerable progress exploiting this potential, and he is looking to improve his team’s possession…