Xavi, Pirlo, Carrick, Modric... A Tactical And Statistical Analysis of Deep-Lying Playmakers in 2011-12 is a post from: Just Football

With the death of the traditional number 10 many of Europe's top sides have looked to other areas of the pitch for the creative spark, which has seen the rise of the ‘inverted forward' or ‘inverted play-maker,' who dictates the play from wider positions.

Alemania Arqueros: Manuel Neuer (Bayern), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen) y Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)Defensas: Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm (Bayern), Benedikt Höwedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen) y Christian Träsch (Wolfsburgo).

Soothing hearts the immediate task

Yesterday I kicked off the Euro 2012 theme on the blog and started with the favourites, Spain. Moving on, today we'll have the joint favourites, Germany (in the eyes of the bookmakers, at least).

Germany

In terms of the top 6 teams earmarked with the best chance to win the tournament, Germany has the lowest average age in their squad.

One of the best parts of coming together and bonding at an international competition is the memories to take with you forever. And the best way to leave a legacy? By taking a team portrait, of course! You can bet that Thomas Mueller wants to dust off the framed photo from 2012 on his mantelpiece in the year 2050 and mutter: "Das beste Team aller Zeiten" ("The Best Team Of All Time) to his eleven grandchildren.

We are now just over a week away from kick-off at Euro 2012 and going into the tournament in Ukraine and Poland, the Spanish are favourites to make it 3 major titles on the bounce.

Vicente Del Bosque's men are priced around the 11/4 mark to lift the trophy, but I am steering clear of them this time around.

Presently, you could argue that the German National Team has the most overworked players (apart from the Dutch, Spanish and England) at the Euro 2012 tournament. The likes of Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez were barely given a week to recover themselves before turning up at their training camp in Tourrettes, France, while Arjen Robben played a friendly for The Netherlands a mere three days after Bayern's Champions League final loss!

Presently, you could argue that the German National Team has the most overworked players (apart from the Dutch, Spanish and England) at the Euro 2012 tournament. The likes of Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez were barely given a week to recover themselves before turning up at their training camp in Tourrettes, France, while Arjen Robben played a friendly for The Netherlands a mere three days after Bayern's Champions League final loss!

The Swiss cut open the German defense like one of their cheeses. To be fair they were missing the Bayern Munich contingent with Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Holger Badtstuber, Derek Boateng, Toni Kroos, and Bastian Schweinsteiger rested for this match.

Eren Derdiyok scored a hat trick, two of them through headers, as the Germans elected to remain earthbound.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has revealed that his penalty shoot-out heroics against Bayern Munich in Saturday's Champions League final triumph are directly attributable to homework rather than guesswork.

Even before the shoot-out, Cech was brilliant in denying former Blues teammate Arjen Robben five minutes into extra time, thus thwarting Bayern's hopes of taking a 2-1 lead in the contest.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has revealed that his penalty shoot-out heroics against Bayern Munich in Saturday's Champions League final triumph are directly attributable to homework rather than guesswork.

Even before the shoot-out, Cech was brilliant in denying former Blues teammate Arjen Robben five minutes into extra time, thus thwarting Bayern's hopes of taking a 2-1 lead in the contest.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has rued his side's inability to finish off Chelsea as the German giants lost Saturday's Champions League final on penalties despite a dominant performance.

There were several chances for Bayern to put the Blues away but the defiant Premier League side managed to hang on until the very end, when Didier Drogba converted the decisive penalty kick to shock the Allianz Arena.

After his penalty miss on Saturday night, Bastian Schweinsteiger hasn't been in the best of moods. Naturally, the German tabloids decided to stalk the defender on Sunday morning as he walked his dog wearing the worst outfit ever assembled. Well, to be fair, after you've lost such a painful Champions League final 15 wasted corners and all the last thing you'll care about is your shirt or the fact you look like Eminem's hobo brother.

After his penalty miss on Saturday night, Bastian Schweinsteiger hasn't been in the best of moods. Naturally, the German tabloids decided to stalk the defender on Sunday morning as he walked his dog wearing the worst outfit ever assembled. Well, to be fair, after you've lost such a painful Champions League final 15 wasted corners and all the last thing you'll care about is your shirt or the fact you look like Eminem's hobo brother.

Redemption. Vindication. Triumph.

In the space of 120 plus minutes, Chelsea washed away four years of anguish, validated nine years of Roman Abramovich-led investment, and a lifetime of longing from a base of fans salivating for the taste of silverware on the continent. True to form, it was a battling display from Chelsea's aging core of veterans that left it late.

And so it finally came to pass. Nine years after Roman Abramovich arrived at Stamford Bridge and spent like no other owner before him, and Chelsea win the one prize that always eluded Roman's riches. Ironically, this comes just a week after Sheik Mansour's Manchester City won the league on even greater resources than Chelsea have been used to.

Drogba Completes Roman's dream - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Chelsea found redemption for the misery of Moscow and ended their long quest to win the Champions League by beating Bayern Munich on penalties in the Allianz Arena.

Di Matteo delivered a surprise in his starting line-up, with youngster Ryan Bertrand handed a role on the left flank in front of Cole in an attempt to stifle the threat of former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

szólj hozzá: Chelsea Bayern HIGH + PENS

Five years ago in Munich, John Terry was a picture of abject misery, slipping on the slick Luzhniki Stadium turf and missing his penalty as Utd held off Chelsea in a heartbreaking loss.

Today, we saw Chelsea do the impossible as they held Bayern at the Allianz Arena, their home stadium, through full time and extra time for 120+ minutes through so many near death experiences.

It's nearly time. The goosebumps, yeah they've arrived.

Take it.

You may be wondering what's with today's photo selection? I know, I'm usually pulling out film-based artifacts (screencaps and the like) but today is an entirely different animal. This is the UEFA Champions League final for Christ's sake.

Champions League final: Dilemma for Di Matteo as Chelsea look to make history is a post from: Just Football

The Champions League final is ironically being contested by two sides who are not champions of their own domestic leagues.

Chelsea have finished 6th and Bayern Munich have lost the league for the second year running, compounded by a 5-2 defeat to Dortmund in the German Cup final last weekend.

Chelsea. Bayern Munich. One game for Europe's bragging rights.

The two clubs fought their way to the UEFA Champions League final (FOX, 2:45 p.m., Saturday), and while both will have to overcome some personnel absences Saturday at Allianz Arena in Munich, players like Franck Ribery, Didier Drogba, Mario Gomez, Frank Lampard, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Cole, Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer and Petr Cech carry the starpower and international cache to turn in a memorable final.

Members of Bayern Munich's squad and staff have aimed to settle debate surrounding whether or not they are favorites for tomorrow's Champions League final against Chelsea.

In recent days, the likes of Michael Ballack and Petr Cech have stated that Bayern have an emotional advantage as hosts, while Bastian Schweinsteiger has argued that the Blues' determination to erase their 2008 heartbreak gives them the emotional edge.

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has played down recent comments from Michael Ballack and Petr Cech that the Bundesliga side will have an emotional advantage as the host of Saturday's UEFA Champions League final.

Schweinsteiger could help Bayern win a maiden historic home Champions League final against Chelsea, with former Bayern and Blues midfielder Michael Ballack recently insisting that playing at the Allianz Arena would fuel up the Bavarians.

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has played down recent comments from Michael Ballack and Petr Cech that the Bundesliga side will have an emotional advantage as the host of Saturday's UEFA Champions League final.

Schweinsteiger could help Bayern win a maiden historic home Champions League final against Chelsea, with former Bayern and Blues midfielder Michael Ballack recently insisting that playing at the Allianz Arena would fuel up the Bavarians.

Next in my series of views coming out of Munich as we build up to Saturdays final is the view of Talisman, Bastian Schweinsteiger. I have posted some interesting views from the Manager and the President and now it's the turn Schweinsteiger. The German international was part of the side that lost to Jose Mourino's Inter Milan and has been quick to point out that Bayern are a better side now.

First spotted on Lowes Miserables Live Journal by reader, Anna.

They came. They saw. They scowled.

Four players from the German NT (plus Dennis Aogo, who failed to make the Euro 2012 squad) appear on four different German GQ covers in June: Mario Götze & Dennis Aogo (to be circulated in Northern Germany), Manuel Neuer (East Germany), Bastian Schweinsteiger (South Germany) and Mats Hummels (the luckiest part West Germany).

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has conceded that the prospect of losing two finals within the span of a week will be unacceptable for his side after they conceded the Bundesliga crown to Borussia Dortmund a few weeks ago.

Next Saturday's Champions League final against Chelsea at home is a spectacle that everyone in Munich is eagerly anticipating but tonight, Lahm and his teammates must face the in-form Dortmund in Berlin for the DFB Pokal.

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has conceded that the prospect of losing two finals within the span of a week will be unacceptable for his side after they conceded the Bundesliga crown to Borussia Dortmund a few weeks ago.

Next Saturday's Champions League final against Chelsea at home is a spectacle that everyone in Munich is eagerly anticipating but tonight, Lahm and his teammates must face the in-form Dortmund in Berlin for the DFB Pokal.

Most domestic seasons haven't closed, yet the names of those heading off to the lands of continental glory in the Polkraine are already dropping, along with some of the squads to be whittled down in the coming weeks (the deadline being May 29th). Today Giovanni Trappatoni announced Ireland's formal 23 and Germany a damn close 27.

Let's take a moment to reflect on the MADNESS from the football world in the past week.

Ronaldo and Messi proved they were human beings after both missed their penalties, Sergio Ramos joined NASA, Bilbao made it to the finals of the Europa League for the first time in 35 years, Fernando Torres scored possibly the most important goal of his Chelsea career, Pep Guardiola confirmed his resignation as Barca coach, The Allianz Arena turned bright blue, Mario Gomez wore a flower 'garland' and for once in Jose Mourinho's life, he conceded defeat without outrightly blaming the referee.

Auf dem Weg zum Punkt hatte ich kurz meine Eier verloren, aber ich habe sie rechtzeitig wiedergefunden.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mittelfeldspieler des FC Bayern München, erklärt bei Sat.1, wie er sich vor dem entscheidenden Elfmeter im Elfmeterschießen des Halbfinalspiels der Champions League gefühlt hat.

Auf dem Weg zum Punkt hatte ich kurz meine Eier verloren, aber ich habe sie rechtzeitig wiedergefunden.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mittelfeldspieler des FC Bayern München, erklärt bei Sat.1, wie er sich vor dem entscheidenden Elfmeter im Elfmeterschießen des Halbfinalspiels der Champions League gefühlt hat.

The final is set. The Germans, doing what they do in penalty shootouts, secured their place alongside our lads in club football's centerpiece fixture on May 19.

Cold-blooded

I trust you were watching that match. If not, what's wrong with you? It was pulsating at times, cagey at others, but overall, it was nerve-wracking.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

Two days of breathtaking UEFA Champions League semifinal play are complete, and with the dust settled, neither of the two Spanish favorites will be playing for Europe's greatest prize.

Bayern Munich defeated Real Madrid on penalty kicks and will play for the UEFA Champions League trophy in their home stadium after their semifinal tie ended in a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has urged his Bayern Munich teammates to show complete focus throughout their Champions League semifinal second leg against Real Madrid, which they currently lead 2-1.

Conceding a costly away goal in the first leg at the Allianz arena has put Bayern in a tricky situation where they must either score at least once, or keep a clean sheet if they fail to score.

As Bayern Munich prepare for an intense second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal away to Real Madrid, star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has warned his teammates to avoid getting yellow cards that would jeopardize their involvement in a potential final appearance at the Allianz Arena.

As Bayern Munich prepare for an intense second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal away to Real Madrid, star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has warned his teammates to avoid getting yellow cards that would jeopardize their involvement in a potential final appearance at the Allianz Arena.

We had to summon our inner strength to prevent ourselves from captioning that ridiculous photo above ("YOU took my red jacket, admit it b***h") without sounding like an 11-year-old. An invariably difficult task because Real Madrid are a team armed with delightful facial expressions and secondly, because Crackovia exists.

RealMadridandBarcelonamoved a step closer towards the very first "El Clasico" Champions League Final this week by comfortably winning their Quarter Final ties against APOEL and AC Milan respectively. RealMadridovercame their Cypriot opponents 8-2 on aggregate, winning away 3-0 before ending APOEL's fairytale jounrey 5-2 at the Bernabeu, while defending champions,Barcelona, who were held to a goalless draw inMilanlast week finished offMilanat Nou Camp, winning 3-1.

And that there is your winner.

A German internet site devoted to finding partners for infidelity worth noting when considering the voting pool took a poll of 1300 female members to find the most desirable man of the German national team. In an completely shocking turn, Mario Gomez led the vote, which means there's a joke to go here about his ability to score on the pitch mirroring his ability to score off it as well.

The remarkable recovery of Fabrice Muamba took a significant step forward over the weekend with the news the Bolton midfielder was able to get out of bed.

According to a statement released by the London Chest Hospital, Muamba "continues to make encouraging progress in his recovery. Over the weekend he has been able to sit out of bed for a short time, watch television and has begun to eat.