Tuchel-Bayern 2-1

I just have to write a post about the biggest surprise result this season. As everyone who have witnessed Bayerns last two games can wonder what has happened to them. Of course during a long season it is hard to maintain the level they played some weeks ago, but from a team like Bayern and especially from players like Gomez, Ribery and Müller one could expect the level being more even throughout the season.

Mainz didn't play great. Well, a team that has been playing the worst game in the league one can't expect too much. They have lost their lead on many occasions after being in front, for example against Dortmund and Hoffenheim. This time it was close as well. The goals Van Buyten was able to score were defended very poorly. Actually Van Buyten was very near in scoring on two more occasions, one in the last minute of extended time. Luckily for Mainz he didn't. This time Mainz was able to hold on defensively to their lead. I still see Mainz's defence as the weak link in their team, as it was also last season. In my opinion Bungert can manage against good players, but not the really tops. Fortunately for Mainz and himself he has also scored goals. Svensson is just too old and slow, even though an experienced player. I'm not even going to go on the keepers. On the other hand the attack is decent on a good day, as it was for them on Sunday. The crown for the game came from Marco Caligiuris foot. An astonishing shot from nearly 30 meters behind one of the top goalies in the world this moment. I think that shot was enough for Mainz to deserve the victory. Personally I would've chosen him as the man of the match, although Ivanschitz, who was chosen the man of the match, played a good game as well.

Thomas Tuchel seems to have a secret for beating Bayern. This was the second time in three games he has lead his squad to victory against the Bavarians in three games. Defence seems to be the key,m although it isn't Mainz's strength. It seems that Bayern has a few things to pick up on every area, including defensive play. Especially Badstuber is concentrating on everything else than defending i.e. complaining. It has been almost hilarious to watch the young man shout at referees and basically arguing at every whistle. He doesn't know how to play when histeam is down. If I was the coach, I'd bench him for a while.

Let the Mainzer enjoy this victory. They might be facing the reality again next weekend. I'm sure Bayern will jump up to their own level soon. At least when they get Schweini back.

Is it over for Werder?

Werders last week performance was a big disappointment for many fans and at least for me a big surprise. 5-0 against Mönchengladbach doesn't leave much questions to be asked. M'gladbach has proven quite good a group this season, but I doubt that it will last until the end of the season. Back to Bremen. After their shock defeat there came even worse news. Claudio Pizarro, who has been the big reason for Werders success is going to be away from their strength for a month. The Peruvian has scored 11 goals in 12 games and he became the all time most scoring foreign player in the Bundesliga. Pizarro's 11 goals is almost half of goals his team has managed to score this season (23).

The big question that's left to ask if there is anyone in the team to fill his boots. Markus Rosenberg showed good form in the pre-season matches, but has been sitting on the bench more than playing on the field. Maybe he will get his chance now, but I doubt his ability to keep up with Pizarro's scoring rate. Another player which I personally would expect to pick up his game is Marko Arnautovic. He hasn't been playing bad in the matches I've seen and he has also gotten his temper under control. I have expected more from him, and I think he has the potential, but just has to fully concentrate in playing the game. Now would be a great time to show what he is capable of, because someone has to score the goals while Pizarro is gone.

The other big news last round, if we don't concentrate on the sad news, was Bayerns defeat against Dortmund. The match didn't give too much for the audience, and sometimes it was actually quite boring as the teams concentrated on defending. Götze was able to score from a situation that should've been cleared by the Bayern defence. The good thing in that was, that the excitement in the champion race stayed close, and the bavarians now only lead by two points.

On the next round Dortmund is playing against Schalke 04. That is a big match for both teams and both need points to stay in the race for the cup. Huntelaar showed who's the number one striker in his team as Schalke had no difficulties against Nürnberg. Pukki got to play too, which is always positive, but he didn't have to prove anything as his team was already leading by three as he got on. Wolfsburgs win over Hannover was almost a shock especially as Magaths men have been playing so poorly. Maybe this was a turning point, but next round game against Augsburg will show if Magath has found the right direction. When we talk about the top teams the focus in my book lies on Werder next round. Can they forget about the last game? And are they able to perform without Pizarro? It's a little hasty to give predictions on the basis of one game and one injury, but I'm still gonna say that this will be the turning point in Werders season. One team doesn't make a team, but sometimes it can be crucial. We'll see Pizarros worth for Bremen, and how they play without him.

Bundesliga from Finland

Last round was superb for a finnish Bundesliga fan. Teemu Pukki proved that a finnish guy can also score, which unfortunately hasn't happened in a while. Last season finnish football was represented in the Bundesliga by Mikael Forssell, which is kind of sad. He is the best Finland has had to offer for a long time but that will hopefully change.

Pukki is a young player, but he has already proved a big talent and also developed a lot in the last years. When he got transfered to Schalke, at least i was very excited. But the excitement turned into frustration, as it happened that mr. Ragngick decided to resign. The thought that went through my head was that Pukki will not play for a good while now. I'm more than happy to be proved wrong.

As I'm starting on Pukki, I'll have to refer to Schalke too. They are facing Nürnberg on the next round, which should be an easy opponent. As I watched Denmark-Finland I wouldnt count on Pukki to score now. But in all honesty, his teammates are much better in delivering right kind of balls for him to score. But the news are telling that Jefferson Farfan is injured and off the fixture. Fortunately for Schalke, their game is not relying on Farfan and Pukki. Huntelaar should be back on duty against Nürnberg, but will he start? As Farfan is injured there might even be room for both Pukki and Huntelaar, although I regard them both as pure strikers.

Otherwise the round seams interesting. I'd say we can enjoy a few good and tight games. Personally I'm interested in Freiburg's performance. They have played decent in the last few games, and in the last game they took home 3 points even if it was slightly by luck this time. Their opponent Hertha hasn't performed greatly and I wouldn't put my money on them. Another game, that I have to take a closer look at is of course Bayern-Dortmund. Bayern is the huge favorite, but it's interesting to see how last years champions will answer. Dortmund hasn't been convincing, except for the last game against Wolfsburg. But Wolfsburg, and especially Magath, seem to be a joke this year. So I'm expecting Dortmund putting up a good fight against Bayern, but if and when Bayern can take the lead, they won't give it up. If the wonderboy Götze can make something happen before Bayern get their game going, it can end either way.

Thats enough for the first time. Hopefully we'll see Pukki scoring more goals this weekend. Or what's more important see him on the pitch.