The German Football Thread

How does everybody watch it?

I don't think I have the channel which provides the Bundesliga match coverage. Are there any good streams available? Like actual good ones which don't buffer in between.

Most probably use stream. ITV4 show highlights 10pm every Monday.

Hannover Mainz turning out to be a decent game Diouf and Muller have scored for their respective teams.

Buzzing for Schalke Bayer later on.

Bayer should absolutely murder S04. Cricket score

Bayer should absolutely murder S04. Cricket score

Bayer have been pretty poor. Would have expected their front three to destroy Schalke's make shift defence. Fair play though, let's hope this is the start of a recovery for Schalke. Hearing some rumours they have made a bid for Ronaldinho

This is probably going to come across as highsight 20:20 but why did you think so? I expected Schalke to win.

Recovery from what?

Bayer have been pretty poor. Would have expected their front three to destroy Schalke's make shift defence. Fair play though, let's hope this is the start of a recovery for Schalke. Hearing some rumours they have made a bid for Ronaldinho

Watched Schalke this season and theyve been just awful whereas Bayer have been very good so as simple as that really. Guess they must have improved after their CL games, and also KPB made a difference today, linked up well considering he's just arrived. Aogo shaped up the defense nicely too, needed him.

Lars Bender didnt get hold of the game at all either so they struggled to get the front 3 into the game, if they had then the game couldve been different.

Horrific start to the season?

Haven't watched any matches thus far although I should get round to doing so.

Anyone watching Dortmund, how has Mkhitaryan been doing? Early days yes but he was a beast for Shakhtar league wise and in the CL so I'd be interested to know if he carries this on in Germany...

Loving Borussia Monchengladbach at the moment, managed to catch all their full games this season. Max Kruse (early candidate for European signing of the season? Amazing value!), Patrick Herrmann, Raffael and the one and only Juan Arango (that left foot ) are linking up brilliantly when they go forward. Could tighten up defensively but two difficult away fixtures to Leverkusen and Bayern done and dusted, and no European football to distract them.They could make a charge this year.

Can someone explain why Low seems to hate KeiBling?

I think KeiBling has said though he will never play for Germany under Low though again.

He can't ignore him for his next squad. No way.

That's what is going to happen. Löw is incredibly stubborn when it comes to these issues - just look at Weidenfeller.

Personally, I've lost my trust in Löw with those player decisions. Germany has a ridiculous amount of talent right now, so it would be a shame if they failed next year, but with Löw as a coach, I don't see it happening.

I agree that it's criminal Weidenfeller's never had a call up. Neuer, Weidenfeller and Ter Stegen would be my personal choices.

As for Kießling, I get the previous poster's comments about Löw being stubborn in his choices. To leave the top goal scorer in Germany out of the team doesn't send out a very good message. Look at the competition he beat off: Lewandowski during his best year, the superstars of Bayern, Huntelaar) all quality players. I think Löw should base his decisions on form rather than names, wont happen, but it would be good to see.

Lastly, I'm still amazed that Jerôme Boateng actually starts for Germany.

He won't call him up for the world cup, even if only for the single reason that he hasn't been fitted into the system. Löw is someone who pedantically follows his plan, everything is prearranged. He's easing Kruse in as his new future striker, and by next June he will probably be rotating the three of them. In order for Kießling to be part of his plans, he would have to start playing him now. Löw is not someone who's spontaneous or takes risk (except for his change in strategy in the Italy game in the Euros).

His focusing on names rather than form is a problem though. It annoyed me how in the Euros, he constantly preferred Müller over Götze, Reus and Schürrle, although it was clear Müller wasn't playing his best tournament and Götze was as promising as swallows for summer. I'm happy that with talents like Gündogan, Reus, Götze, Hummels etc. obviously establishing themselves as recognised talents the "Bayernpreferencia" has ended (if we consider Götze as dortmundgrown), but quite often, there's still no justice done, especially for players of smaller clubs.

It will be interesting to see also how he will rotate between Schweinsteiger, Khedira and Gündogan. Khedira has made quite a few defensive mistakes in the last games. No way anyone would leave Schweinsteiger out given his current beast form, but he's constantly missing out on friendlies (12 in a row now) in which Gündogan performs well and if he has one of his depressive phases again like last year, would Löw take him out? In the Euros, Schweini was almost asking to not be played ("I wouldn't be surprised to not be a starter next match"). Anyways, the midfield is not something to worry about, as there is plenty of depth and talent.

As for Boateng, I agree. You can only lol at him sometimes. The defense in general is tricky, it will be interesting to see how he will sort it out.

But anyway, I don't see Germany winning it next year anyhoo. First, because of Löw, second, because it's in Brazil. It is a shame seeing the golden generation and number of talented and technically gifted playre Germany has (imo better than all German teams in a long, long time) going to waste, but maybe with a new coach (Jupp? Klopp?) they can finally go for it in 2018. But then again, who knows what will happen next year. I see Argentina or maybe Brazil (with home field advantage) winning, but who knows...

(And I'm not even supporting Germany.)

Yes i agree with your Low part there. I was very disappointed last year in the Euros when he didnt take advantage of the depth of the squad. (Gotze, Reus, Schurrle etc) and keep basically the same team (bar Podolski) through out. Schweinsteiger and Muller had poor tournaments and still he didnt change. The bench is there to be used and all three of those players mentioned can change a game.

My pick for the defence would be Lahm - Hummels - Badstuber/Howedes - Schmelzer. No Mertesacker or Boeteng. In midfield i'd like to see a Gundogan - Schweinsteiger partnership. Khedira is good but doesnt offer enough at the attacking end IMO.

I can see Germany winning it but the can't afford to have anymore heartless performances like against Italy last year. An interesting fact though, a European team has never won the WC in South America...