Bastian Schweinsteiger was the 10th best player of 2009-10, according to a panel of Goal.com editors…
By Clark Whitney
2 Aug 2010 09:29:00
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2009-10. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 10th with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
Bastian Schweinsteiger may have just celebrated his 26th birthday, but in many ways, his career has only just begun. From his 2002 debut to the beginning of the 2009-10 season, the Bayern Munich man had stiff competition for a central midfield role, and was forced to play as a winger. Too slow to be a sprint-and-cross wide player and lacking the goal-scoring instincts of many others in his position, however, Schweinsteiger never fully realised his potential on the flank.
Following the departures of Stefan Effenberg, Jens Jeremies, Michael Ballack, Owen Hargreaves and Ze Roberto, the Bavaria native was finally given an opportunity to prove himself in central midfield, where he played in his youth. 'Schweini' immediately impressed coach Louis van Gaal, putting to use his greatest talents: quick thinking, accurate passing, delicate ball control, tenacious defence, flawless positional awareness, and an excess of endurance. Over the year, Schweinsteiger developed into arguably the world’s most complete central midfielder.
While it took Bayern nearly the entire autumn campaign to reach their best form, the German record champions had finally lived up to their billing by December. In his new role, Schweinsteiger played as the crucial link between defence and attack, willingly accepting the ball deep in his own half and shepherding it to safety. Moving forward, he served as the architect of Bayern’s attack, taking the burden off the shoulders of full-back Philipp Lahm, who previously led the team in passing and touches. Schweinsteiger’s technical wizardry in the centre of the park allowed Bayern to change their strategy from one employed exclusively on the flanks to a more dynamic plan that includes use of the entire width of the pitch.
Along with Schweinsteiger’s development, Bayern quickly became one of the most overpowering teams in Europe. Van Gaal’s men averaged over 500 completed passes per Bundesliga game, and had a completion rate in excess of 80 per cent. In Champions League play, only Barcelona averaged a greater share of possession. Bayern’s complete dominance led to Bundesliga and DFB Pokal championships, as well as the title of Champions League runners-up. And in all but five of his team’s games, Schweinsteiger was the lynchpin.
Being at the heart of Bayern’s game plan may have been a huge burden to shoulder, but for Schweinsteiger, the World Cup brought a whole new level of challenge. After Germany captain Michael Ballack was ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury, 'Schweini' was called upon to serve as a replacement on the pitch, and as his country’s vice-captain. In a slightly more defensive position than that which he occupied at Bayern, Schweinsteiger still managed to thrive. His defensive work in the centre of the park shielded off-form central defender Per Mertesacker, and he always managed to steer the ball out of danger. To many, Schweinsteiger’s dribbling and quickness in passing was an improvement over Ballack’s slower-paced playing style.
Always a big-game player for his country, Schweinsteiger put in a virtuoso performance in Germany’s 4-0 rout of Argentina. The 81-times capped Germany internatinal assisted Thomas Mueller’s opener, beat three defenders en route to setting up Arne Friedrich’s goal to make the score 3-0, and played a large part in the play leading up to Miroslav Klose’s late strike. All that, and 'Schweini' also man-marked reigning Ballon d’Or holder Lionel Messi out of the match while avoiding a yellow card.
To his misfortune, Schweinsteiger couldn’t match up to Spain in the semi-final. There were too many red shirts in the middle of the park, and the midfield maestro simply did not have enough support. Sami Khedira struggled against an exceptionally technical Spain side, and Mesut Oezil was suffering from fatigue. As a result, Germany bowed out of contention for the title with a 1-0 defeat. Still, the tournament ended well for Schweinsteiger: Die Mannschaft won the third place match against Uruguay, and he was named in the World Cup’s All-Star team.
Still just 26 years of age, Schweinsteiger enters the 2010-11 club season in the prime of his career. He may have not yet won the Champions League or any tournaments with Germany, but then again, Xavi didn’t even play in a major final until the age of 28. Given a few more years, Schweinsteiger just might become the next German legend.
Showing posts with label Appreciation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appreciation. Show all posts
Monday, August 2, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Goal.com 50: Mesut Oezil (22)
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2009-10. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 10th with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
Long considered a potential superstar, Mesut Oezil sprung to prominence during the 2009-10 season. Fresh off a European Championship-winning campaign with Germany’s U-21s, the Gelsenkirchen native was entrusted with the “Diego role” at Werder Bremen. As the cornerstone of coach Thomas Schaaf’s attacking machine, the 21-year-old took over where his No. 10 predecessor left off, and flourished.
In the first four Bundesliga matches of the fall term, Oezil scored three goals and assisted two more, earning high praise from national team coach Joachim Loew. In early September, the youngster was awarded his second Germany cap in a friendly match with South Africa, and took his chance with aplomb. Oezil was influential in setting up Mario Gomez’s opener, and later scored his first international goal to cap off a 2-0 win. From that day onward, Oezil was a shoo-in for the playmaker role in Loew’s squad.
Oezil’s impressive form continued throughout the campaign, and was highlighted in Bremen’s 6-0 demolition of Freiburg, in which the rising star scored once, and provided a hat-trick of assists. Sadly, a string of five consecutive defeats in the Bundesliga effectively ended Bremen’s chances of competing for the league title before February. Later in the spring, Bremen were eliminated by Valencia in the Europa League, and lost the DFB Pokal final to Bayern Munich.
While he failed to earn silverware with Bremen, Oezil managed to lead his club to a third place finish in the league — and with it, a return to Champions League play — and ended the season with 24 assists and 11 goals in 46 appearances.
During Germany’s pre-World Cup warm-up games, Oezil failed to convert several sitters, but did well as the mastermind of Loew’s offence, and retained his starting role. At the finals tournament, the versatile attacker became a household name thanks to a series of dazzling performances. His brilliant, long-range strike against Ghana — his only goal of the tournament — put Germany through to the knockout rounds at a time when it seemed that all hope of winning Group D was lost. Although fatigue hindered Oezil’s performance later in the tournament, his Germany side managed to take third place. The Schalke youth product finished his World Cup campaign with a goal and three assists, and was shortlisted for the golden ball award.
Following his stellar performances for club and country, it is no wonder that Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona have shown interest in acquiring his services. Oezil is a natural playmaker, with uncommon precision in his crosses and trademark through-balls. But what makes him truly exceptional is his brain. Without exaggeration, Oezil just might be the most intelligent footballer on the planet. He somehow knows exactly where to go, when to go there, and what to do in order to break down an opposing defence. He then acts upon his prophetic instincts with impeccable precision.
Where Oezil will play next season remains a mystery, but the team that manages to put him on its roster will be a lucky one indeed. Only 21 years of age, Europe has only just begun to see the promise Oezil has to offer.
Long considered a potential superstar, Mesut Oezil sprung to prominence during the 2009-10 season. Fresh off a European Championship-winning campaign with Germany’s U-21s, the Gelsenkirchen native was entrusted with the “Diego role” at Werder Bremen. As the cornerstone of coach Thomas Schaaf’s attacking machine, the 21-year-old took over where his No. 10 predecessor left off, and flourished.
In the first four Bundesliga matches of the fall term, Oezil scored three goals and assisted two more, earning high praise from national team coach Joachim Loew. In early September, the youngster was awarded his second Germany cap in a friendly match with South Africa, and took his chance with aplomb. Oezil was influential in setting up Mario Gomez’s opener, and later scored his first international goal to cap off a 2-0 win. From that day onward, Oezil was a shoo-in for the playmaker role in Loew’s squad.
Oezil’s impressive form continued throughout the campaign, and was highlighted in Bremen’s 6-0 demolition of Freiburg, in which the rising star scored once, and provided a hat-trick of assists. Sadly, a string of five consecutive defeats in the Bundesliga effectively ended Bremen’s chances of competing for the league title before February. Later in the spring, Bremen were eliminated by Valencia in the Europa League, and lost the DFB Pokal final to Bayern Munich.
While he failed to earn silverware with Bremen, Oezil managed to lead his club to a third place finish in the league — and with it, a return to Champions League play — and ended the season with 24 assists and 11 goals in 46 appearances.
During Germany’s pre-World Cup warm-up games, Oezil failed to convert several sitters, but did well as the mastermind of Loew’s offence, and retained his starting role. At the finals tournament, the versatile attacker became a household name thanks to a series of dazzling performances. His brilliant, long-range strike against Ghana — his only goal of the tournament — put Germany through to the knockout rounds at a time when it seemed that all hope of winning Group D was lost. Although fatigue hindered Oezil’s performance later in the tournament, his Germany side managed to take third place. The Schalke youth product finished his World Cup campaign with a goal and three assists, and was shortlisted for the golden ball award.
Following his stellar performances for club and country, it is no wonder that Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona have shown interest in acquiring his services. Oezil is a natural playmaker, with uncommon precision in his crosses and trademark through-balls. But what makes him truly exceptional is his brain. Without exaggeration, Oezil just might be the most intelligent footballer on the planet. He somehow knows exactly where to go, when to go there, and what to do in order to break down an opposing defence. He then acts upon his prophetic instincts with impeccable precision.
Where Oezil will play next season remains a mystery, but the team that manages to put him on its roster will be a lucky one indeed. Only 21 years of age, Europe has only just begun to see the promise Oezil has to offer.
Goal.com 50: Thomas Mueller (15)
World Cup golden boot winner was the 15th best player of the 2009-10 season, according to a panel of Goal.com experts...
By Peter Staunton
30 Jul 2010 13:40:00
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2009-10. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 10th with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
From the Bayern Munich reserves to a league and cup double, a Champions League final and the World Cup Golden Boot in the space of a year; that is the remarkable progress made by Thomas Mueller during the 2009-10 season.
What began as a potential season of further development in the long process of becoming a rounded player ended with Mueller being one of the most coveted commodoties in the European game after 52 games and 19 goals in all competitions.
Although the 20-year-old had been part of the first-team picture at Bayern during 2008-09, making four Bundesliga appearances and scoring once in the Champions League, he had to wait for Louis van Gaal to appear for his time to truly come. And he seized his chance with aplomb during a dominant season for FC Hollywood.
The Dutch coach has been renowned for his faith in youth and wasted no time in promoting Holger Badstuber and Mueller to full-time first team duties last summer. Such was the startling ability shown by the pair, new signings like Edson Braafheid, Danijel Pranjic and Alexander Baumjohann were quickly deemed surplus to requirements.
The Bavaria native proved himself to be a versatile player throughout his 'breakout' season, featuring in all Bundesliga matches across a number of positions as well as ending up as top scorer in the DFB Pokal.
Initially a substitute, Mueller powered his way to a brace against Borussia Dortmund in a September hammering and was quickly promoted to starting duties, earning a Bundesliga Player of the Month award in the process. As Bayern's season gathered momentum he became undroppable and fulfilled a key function in the line-up. Indeed, the only match he missed all season long was against Bordeaux in the Champions League as he was serving a suspension.
At times, in truth, the youngster foundered in continental competition and scored only twice in his 12 matches; that double came in the routine dismissal of Maccabi Haifa. Nonetheless the experience he accrued against some of the world's best teams will only serve to enhance his progress. He will however, mull over the chance he missed in the final against Inter that could have put FCB back on terms.
On home soil though, Mueller, and Bayern, were untouchable as they romped towards a record 22nd German title. Mueller netted vital goals against Werder Bremen and Schalke to help steer Die Roten to the top of the table. He was rewarded for his effervescence and maturity with a call-up to the national team, first in November, and then in March for the friendly against Argentina. That game served little notice of what was to come in the national colours on a poor night for the Nationalmannschaft.
Once club duties were wrapped up though, and a place on the BuLi team of the season assured, Mueller did enough to merit inclusion in Joachim Loew's World Cup panel, in which he filled the lauded No.13 jersey once worn by his namesake, Gerd, and Michael Ballack. After falling off his bicycle early in the pre-World Cup training camp, Mueller dusted himself off to become a starter for the tournament proper.
An outstanding display against Australia yielded a goal and a highly effective outing against England, in perhaps the team display of the tournament, brought two more. The quarter-final against Argentina saw him net again but a booking during the 4-0 win meant that he was ruled out of the semi-final against Spain. Had he been available, then the Germans may have come closer to the eventual winners.
The third-place play-off saw Mueller use his anticipation and composure to clean up Bastian Schweinsteiger's drive and put Die Elf in the ascendancy. His fifth goal of the tournament put him level on strikes with Wesley Sneijder and David Villa, but his three assists earned him the prize of Golden Boot winner. Mueller also saw off Andre Ayew and Giovani Dos Santos for the Best Young Player award.
Physically, Mueller still has a way to go to reach his peak; at times he can seem rangy and ungainly but there is no doubting the maturity and diligence of this outstanding prospect. Mature for his age, he married his childhood sweetheart, Lisa, in December but perhaps his response to being asked whether he proposed on bended knee will tell you all you need to know about the voracious learner and serial winner. "You only go on your knees when you celebrate a goal." There'll be more of that next season.
By Peter Staunton
30 Jul 2010 13:40:00
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2009-10. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 10th with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
From the Bayern Munich reserves to a league and cup double, a Champions League final and the World Cup Golden Boot in the space of a year; that is the remarkable progress made by Thomas Mueller during the 2009-10 season.
What began as a potential season of further development in the long process of becoming a rounded player ended with Mueller being one of the most coveted commodoties in the European game after 52 games and 19 goals in all competitions.
Although the 20-year-old had been part of the first-team picture at Bayern during 2008-09, making four Bundesliga appearances and scoring once in the Champions League, he had to wait for Louis van Gaal to appear for his time to truly come. And he seized his chance with aplomb during a dominant season for FC Hollywood.
The Dutch coach has been renowned for his faith in youth and wasted no time in promoting Holger Badstuber and Mueller to full-time first team duties last summer. Such was the startling ability shown by the pair, new signings like Edson Braafheid, Danijel Pranjic and Alexander Baumjohann were quickly deemed surplus to requirements.
The Bavaria native proved himself to be a versatile player throughout his 'breakout' season, featuring in all Bundesliga matches across a number of positions as well as ending up as top scorer in the DFB Pokal.
Initially a substitute, Mueller powered his way to a brace against Borussia Dortmund in a September hammering and was quickly promoted to starting duties, earning a Bundesliga Player of the Month award in the process. As Bayern's season gathered momentum he became undroppable and fulfilled a key function in the line-up. Indeed, the only match he missed all season long was against Bordeaux in the Champions League as he was serving a suspension.
At times, in truth, the youngster foundered in continental competition and scored only twice in his 12 matches; that double came in the routine dismissal of Maccabi Haifa. Nonetheless the experience he accrued against some of the world's best teams will only serve to enhance his progress. He will however, mull over the chance he missed in the final against Inter that could have put FCB back on terms.
On home soil though, Mueller, and Bayern, were untouchable as they romped towards a record 22nd German title. Mueller netted vital goals against Werder Bremen and Schalke to help steer Die Roten to the top of the table. He was rewarded for his effervescence and maturity with a call-up to the national team, first in November, and then in March for the friendly against Argentina. That game served little notice of what was to come in the national colours on a poor night for the Nationalmannschaft.
Once club duties were wrapped up though, and a place on the BuLi team of the season assured, Mueller did enough to merit inclusion in Joachim Loew's World Cup panel, in which he filled the lauded No.13 jersey once worn by his namesake, Gerd, and Michael Ballack. After falling off his bicycle early in the pre-World Cup training camp, Mueller dusted himself off to become a starter for the tournament proper.
An outstanding display against Australia yielded a goal and a highly effective outing against England, in perhaps the team display of the tournament, brought two more. The quarter-final against Argentina saw him net again but a booking during the 4-0 win meant that he was ruled out of the semi-final against Spain. Had he been available, then the Germans may have come closer to the eventual winners.
The third-place play-off saw Mueller use his anticipation and composure to clean up Bastian Schweinsteiger's drive and put Die Elf in the ascendancy. His fifth goal of the tournament put him level on strikes with Wesley Sneijder and David Villa, but his three assists earned him the prize of Golden Boot winner. Mueller also saw off Andre Ayew and Giovani Dos Santos for the Best Young Player award.
Physically, Mueller still has a way to go to reach his peak; at times he can seem rangy and ungainly but there is no doubting the maturity and diligence of this outstanding prospect. Mature for his age, he married his childhood sweetheart, Lisa, in December but perhaps his response to being asked whether he proposed on bended knee will tell you all you need to know about the voracious learner and serial winner. "You only go on your knees when you celebrate a goal." There'll be more of that next season.
Goal.com 50: Philipp Lahm (25)
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2009-10. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 10th with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
There has never really been any doubt surrounding the capabilities of arguably the best full-back of his generation, but this season has been a true testament to what Bayern Munich and Germany stalwart Philipp Lahm can achieve – and why he has played almost every minute of every game for both club and country.
While goals were scarce for Lahm domestically, scoring only one as he left most of the trigger-pulling down the flank to Arjen Robben, 12 assists for his domestic campaign is nothing to be sneezed at. Internationally, the 26-year-old bagged only one as well, however it may have proved to be one of the most important goals of his career – but we'll get to that later.
Swapped from left to right since Louis van Gaal took over at the Allianz Arena in July 2009, many were unsure of Lahm's new role as he had proved time and again that scoring goals cutting in from the left was something he could do with ease.
However, his partnership with Robben has been one of a productive nature, rather than one of flair, ushering Bayern to a domestic double and the Champions League final.
Performances for his club saw Germany coach Joachim Loew turn to Lahm after an injury sustained by Michael Ballack meant he was without a captain. Donning the armband for the first time in Die Mannschaft's final friendly before World Cup 2010, the pressure was on. Especially as former team-mate and former Germany captain Oliver Kahn expressed his unease with handing the captaincy to such a young player.
And things didn't seem to be going his way as, after just 15 minutes, an attempted clearance against Bosnia and Herzegovina ended up in the German net after a deflection from Edin Dzeko sent it goalwards. It was the new German captain who had attempted to clear the ball.
Picking himself up after half-time, Lahm took matters into his own hands. Cutting in as he has done so many times in the past - although this time from the right - Lahm picked up the ball and drove an unstoppable shot from outside the box straight into the top left corner of his opponents' goal.
Lifted by their new skipper's example, Germany went on to win 3-1 and, more importantly, gained the confidence they needed to go on and perform so well as they did in South Africa.
Lahm made history in his opening game at the World Cup as he became the youngest player to ever captain Germany at the World Cup finals.
Heading up one of the youngest teams of the tournament, the little full-back steered his side to the semi-finals and an eventual third place finish, putting the cherry on top of an already impeccable season and sending out a warning to everyone to prepare themselves for this up-and-coming dangerous German side.
There has never really been any doubt surrounding the capabilities of arguably the best full-back of his generation, but this season has been a true testament to what Bayern Munich and Germany stalwart Philipp Lahm can achieve – and why he has played almost every minute of every game for both club and country.
While goals were scarce for Lahm domestically, scoring only one as he left most of the trigger-pulling down the flank to Arjen Robben, 12 assists for his domestic campaign is nothing to be sneezed at. Internationally, the 26-year-old bagged only one as well, however it may have proved to be one of the most important goals of his career – but we'll get to that later.
Swapped from left to right since Louis van Gaal took over at the Allianz Arena in July 2009, many were unsure of Lahm's new role as he had proved time and again that scoring goals cutting in from the left was something he could do with ease.
However, his partnership with Robben has been one of a productive nature, rather than one of flair, ushering Bayern to a domestic double and the Champions League final.
Performances for his club saw Germany coach Joachim Loew turn to Lahm after an injury sustained by Michael Ballack meant he was without a captain. Donning the armband for the first time in Die Mannschaft's final friendly before World Cup 2010, the pressure was on. Especially as former team-mate and former Germany captain Oliver Kahn expressed his unease with handing the captaincy to such a young player.
And things didn't seem to be going his way as, after just 15 minutes, an attempted clearance against Bosnia and Herzegovina ended up in the German net after a deflection from Edin Dzeko sent it goalwards. It was the new German captain who had attempted to clear the ball.
Picking himself up after half-time, Lahm took matters into his own hands. Cutting in as he has done so many times in the past - although this time from the right - Lahm picked up the ball and drove an unstoppable shot from outside the box straight into the top left corner of his opponents' goal.
Lifted by their new skipper's example, Germany went on to win 3-1 and, more importantly, gained the confidence they needed to go on and perform so well as they did in South Africa.
Lahm made history in his opening game at the World Cup as he became the youngest player to ever captain Germany at the World Cup finals.
Heading up one of the youngest teams of the tournament, the little full-back steered his side to the semi-finals and an eventual third place finish, putting the cherry on top of an already impeccable season and sending out a warning to everyone to prepare themselves for this up-and-coming dangerous German side.
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