While offensive production has been one important story of the Premier League season so far - in
particular for leaders Chelsea and Arsenal - matches aren't won with offense alone. At the end of
the day, it is the difference in goals that matters, and for that, defensive production is
important. Here's how the Big Four leagues stack up, using data from the 2009-10 season (no good
reason to assume this year will be any different).
Schalke go 0 out of 4 to slip from crisis to meltdown. Wolfsburg and Stuttgart grab their first
wins. Other top clubs keep stuttering. The little ones keep rocking the table.
Schalke 1-3 Dortmund. Schalke had lost their previous matches as well, but at
least there was something of an upward spiral, with hints of better attacking football or a
slightly more stable defense.
Mainz made it three wins from three Bundesliga matches while Wolfsburg are still without a single
point under Steve McClaren. Taner Yalcin's first senior goal earned Cologne all three points at
home to St Pauli. Werder Bremen made it five seasons without defeat at the Allianz Arena as they
held Bayern Munich to a goalless draw.
Well this is convenient. Some of our favourite German lads (in Cologne on September 3rd to watch
some boxing punch up situ) are nicely demonstrating the three stages of intoxication we plan on
executing this Friday night.
From right, Rene is "happy" drunk; Sami is "I'm so hot right now" drunk; and Mario (on the left)
is "I'm going to cut the bartender who only poured 1/2 a shot in my double vodka" drunk.
Well this is convenient. Some of our favourite German lads (in Cologne on September 3rd to watch
some boxing punch up situ) are nicely demonstrating the three stages of intoxication we plan on
executing this Friday night.
From right, Rene is "happy" drunk; Sami is "I'm so hot right now" drunk; and Mario (on the left)
is "I'm going to cut the bartender who only poured 1/2 a shot in my double vodka" drunk.
Matchday 4 produced a couple of statistical firsts.
0. Bayern scored 0 goals in their past three Bundesliga games. The last time
Bayern went without a goal for three Bundesliga matches was 12 years ago. The goal drought combined
with just 5 points from four matches tops last season's bad start, making this one the worst in 34
years.
Matchday 4 produced a couple of statistical firsts.
0. Bayern scored 0 goals in their past three Bundesliga games. The last time
Bayern went without a goal for three Bundesliga matches was 12 years ago. The goal drought combined
with just 5 points from four matches tops last season's bad start, making this one the worst in 34
years.
Schalke go 0 out of 4 to slip from crisis to meltdown. Wolfsburg and Stuttgart grab their first
wins. Other top clubs keep stuttering. The little ones keep rocking the table.
Schalke 1-3 Dortmund. Schalke had lost their previous matches as well, but at
least there was something of an upward spiral, with hints of better attacking football or a
slightly more stable defense.
Bundesliga on GolTV: Cologne - Hoffenheim at :30pm. Mexican Primera on Fox Sports en Espanol:
Necaxa - Cruz Azul at 9pm. MLS on ESPN2: LA - NY at 11pm. All Times Eastern
