The Malaysian Insider :: Breaking Views
The Malaysian Insider :: Breaking Views |
| Schalke face Bayern with backs to the wall Posted: 07 Feb 2013 08:02 AM PST  Greuther Fuerth 's goalkeeper Wolfgang Hesl (R) and player Abdul Rahman Baba watch the ball with Schalke 04's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (L)during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match in Gelsenkirchen February 2, 2013. — Reuters pic Established as the main title rivals to Bayern at the start of the campaign, Schalke, who topped their Champions League group, have imploded since late last year with one win in their last nine games to drop to sixth place. Their fans were jeering and whistling after last week's home defeat to bottom-placed Greuther Fuerth, adding more pressure on coach Jens Keller, who took over from Huub Stevens just before the winter break, and his team. Keller has so far failed to turn their fortunes around with only one win in three games since the Bundesliga restart in mid-January. The departure of playmaker Lewis Holtby to Tottenham Hotspur last week, has further compounded problems, with their midfield looking out of sorts against Fuerth. The absence this week of several players who are on international duty has also not helped. "It is understandable that our fans are frustrated. We are now obliged to pull ourselves out of this situation," said midfielder Roman Neustaedter. "We have to work together to do this. If everyone shows what they can do then we will pull ourselves out of this situation," he said. "We have to keep working hard to get back to the road of success." HUNTELAAR DOUBTFUL Schalke, who take on Galatsaray in the Champions League Round of 16 later this month, could be without forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who was replaced in the Netherlands squad prior to Wednesday's friendly against Italy with an eye injury. He will undergo further tests to determine whether he will be fit in time for Saturday's game, Schalke have said. The mood could not be more different a few hundred kilometres further south in Munich, where Bayern enjoy a 12-point lead at the top following a record-breaking campaign so far and look set to end a two-season title drought. With three wins and three clean sheets in all games since the league restart, Bayern tightened their hold on first place, having conceded just seven goals in 20 matches so far. "We do not want to let off. We want to continue like that because everything is in our own hands," Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, whose two goals last week in their 3-0 win over Mainz 05 sent him top of the Bundesliga scorers' list with 14, told reporters. "Up to now everything is going according to plan," he said. Champions Borussia Dortmund, on 39 points after their own fine start to the year with three wins, will look to strengthen their grip on second place with victory over visitors Hamburg SV (1430). Bayer Leverkusen, a further two points behind in third place, travel to Borussia Moenchengladbach (1430). — Reuters |
| Defeat shows France lack class to trouble world’s best Posted: 07 Feb 2013 07:57 AM PST  France's coach Didier Deschamps watches his players during their international friendly soccer match against Germany at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, near Paris, February 6, 2013. — Reuters pic When Didier Deschamps's team followed up a 1-1 away draw against Spain in a World Cup qualifier last October with an encouraging 2-1 friendly win over Italy in Parma a month later, many observers were claiming France were back among the elite. However, France were brought back down to earth against a solid Germany side, often lacking punch up front, looking slightly disorganised in midfield and vulnerable on the left side of the defence. "We lack efficiency," Deschamps told reporters. France enjoyed a handful of chances but the form of Karim Benzema came into question when the Real Madrid striker shot straight at Rene Adler after being set up nicely by Mathieu Valbuena and he missed another opportunity in stoppage time. "He just needs the goal that will free him for good," Deschamps added of the striker who has now failed to score in 10 international appearances. "He needs to get back the confidence a striker needs, as well as a bit of luck." Germany, though, did not need to rely on luck, outplaying France in the midfield thanks largely to Mesut Ozil's creative spark. The Real Madrid attacking midfielder set up club teammate Sami Khedira for the winner and proved a constant threat, exploiting the space between the France midfield and defence. "He is a player who has great technical qualities, it is hard to steal the ball from him, especially because of his positioning on the pitch," Deschamps admitted. Holding midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who has a history of struggling against top class opposition, was unable to prevent Germany from pouring forward while Blaise Matuidi did a better job, although only in the first half. GOOD DISPLAYS Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko also struggled, with an international friendly against the team ranked second in the world proving far trickier than life in the Premier League has proved so far since his January move from Toulouse. "It was really hard to block them in the midfield," Sissoko said. "They (Germany) have more experience," Deschamps said It was not the lack of experience, though, that had Patrice Evra being outfoxed on both goals ashe left back looked far from his Manchester United best. He was barely helped by Mamadou Sakho, who failed to protect the left side of the central defence. Next month, France take on Georgia and Spain in World Cup qualifiers at the Stade de France with Deschamps keen to accentuate the positives ahead of the fixtures. "I saw some interesting things," he said. "It was not all bad." Franck Ribery once again showed that he had put his 2010 troubles behind him, offering a remarkable display with dazzling runs at the German midfield and defence, while Valbuena scored the opening goal and looked very lively throughout. Right back Bacary Sagna, in his first appearance since Sept. 2011, was solid at the back and threatening down his wing. Deschamps's main goal will now be to channel those energies so that France can be more efficient against Spain as they look to leapfrog the world and European champions in Group I. "There is a lot of frustration but we prefer to lose this game (against Germany) and then win our match against Spain," Valbuena told reporters. — Reuters |
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