Team of the Year Predictions: Bundesliga.

GK: Manuel NEUER
The obvious choice really, conceding just 13 goals all season in the 28 games he's played. Many will say he's had nothing to do all year and he's just had the best view of Bayern's attack, if that was ever in doubt his tremendous performance against Eintracht Frankfurt in Bayern's title winning game typified Neuer's alertness and qualities as a goalkeeper. Commanding and reassuring to his defence, as well as being one of the finest 1v1 stoppers in the world, Bayern's goalkeeping position will be his for the foreseeable future.

RB: Daniel CARVAJAL
A product of the Real Madrid youth academy, Carvajal has impressed hugely since he moved to Leverkusen. Equally adapt at attacking as he is at defending, the young Spaniard has excelled this year and has been a big part of their success this season. As I looked at WhoScored, at the time of writing, he's made 100 tackles and interceptions... (speechlessness). How is it possible to be so adept at the defensive side, yet give so much in attack? All I know is, he's a pleasure to watch, especially with Schurlle and KeiBling in front of him to feed!

CB: Mats HUMMELS
The rock at the heart of the Dortmund defence, that does not look the same without the 24 year-old at the heart of their defence. A remarkable penalty taker (which German isn't?) and a big threat in the opposition box, he is widely admired around the world by the finest teams there are, with Barcelona among one of his many suitors. Also an incredible ball playing defender, Hummels is integral part of anything Dortmund do. Of course he is also one of the best defenders in the world, combining pace, strength and tackling ability to be one of the sights strikers hate to see on a Saturday.

CB: DANTE
Signing of the season would be an insult to how well the big Brazilian has acquited himself since his move from Mochengladbach. He has carried his previous season's form over, and has continued to be a rock at the back, the crowning glory, his first call-up to the national side to play England. As comfortable on the ball as anyone on the pitch Dante marshals his back four with ease, looking like he could put out his deck chair, and enjoy the customary Bavarian Beer festival, occasionally rises to dispossess any attacker daring to challenge him.

LB: David ALABA
One of the most attacking left-backs you'll see. The young, exuberant Alaba never stops running all game, and with a deadly finish, the Alaba and Ribery pairing is enough to make any right-back 'pull a hamstring' in the warm-up. One to get stuck in, the Austrian is a fantastic defender, strong and good in the air for a man of his height and is great in a tackle, without fully committing himself he is speedy to recover should he ever be beaten. Having to defend against some of the finest right-sided players like Reus, Ronaldo and co. He has faired admirably and a player a lot of people would love at their club.

RM: Marco REUS
'Rolls Reus'. There is no better description for the Dortmund attacker. Lethal from anywhere on the pitch, inside or outside the box, free-kicks, tap-ins, Reus has it all. His finishing is wonderful, but his dribbling is something else all together, the pace to trouble any player in the world and combine that with his flair and fantastic ball control, you have one of the most complete packages in the world. Reus has the ability to create the sublime from absolutely nothing, as we all seen with that amazing flick against Malaga. Let's all reminisce about it..ahhh..

CM: Toni KROOS
I often find myself saying Kroos's name over and to the tune of 'Baby give it up", sad this may seem but if there's one player who I've been hugely, massively, enormously impressed by, it's him. Despite his recent injury Bayern have continued to tick, but Kroos added that little something extra to the side, his passing, shooting and movement always gave the opposition something to think about. His finish against Arsenal, with the Lampard-esque run showcased everything good about him, starting and clinically finishing off a fantastic move. Wonderful player.

CM: Mario GöTZE
Götze has created more chances for his team mates (15) than any other Bundesliga player. One of the most creative players in the world, Götze is renown for his capability to create something from nothing. He could however add more goals to his game, as I'm sure he'd admit with the missed chances v Augsburg and Malaga, but that will come with time. (I say that and he's scored 10 goals..) Forming the 'Götzeus' partnership, if Dortmund can hang on to these two, they'll be set for the next few years, with the pairing being two of the most exciting players in world football.

LM: Franck RIBERY
For me, the best left-sided player in the world this year, Ribery has destroyed whatever has been put in front of him. Quick as lightning, agile as a gymnast and a shot to make any keeper run for cover. Ribery has been pivotal to Bayern's success this year, with 10 goals and 11 assists and 9 man of the match awards,  yes 9! Ribery is also one of the few skilful players in the world that uses his skills at the right times and knows when to pass, making 'Alabery'(?!) a force to reckon with. You know, that Alabery might catch on..

ST: Stefan KEIßLING
Second top scorer this year and only beaten by poaching master Robert Lewandowski, Stefan Keißling has been hugely impressive this year, notching up his 100th career league goal in the process. Early goals change games and true to form, Keißling has got that goal 8 times, making such a difference to his teams mentality knowing that the big man upfront will always get you a goal. Extremely versatile, being happy with the ball at his feet or in the air, it's a travesty that he hasn't got the chance he's deserved with Joachim Loew's Germany side.

ST: Robert LEWANDOWSKI

Goalscorer extraordinaire  Robert Lewandowski. He scores goals, it's that simple. 22 goals so far for Dortmund in the league this year has ensured that those United rumours won't go away, with just a year left on his contract. He may not have flattered with some of the missed chances in the Champions League, but he will get you goals, that's for sure. The composure and finish against Malaga was truly fantastic, he is so calm on the pitch, a spaceship would land and he wouldn't care, but if it was in HIS penalty box, well then that's different.

Honourable Mentions

I couldn't fit all the players I wanted into this squad so, what better to include so of the 'best of the rest', who could all have valid arguments for being in this team. These are the 4 players that I thought could have been in the side, but deserve some recognition for their efforts this year.

GK: Kevin TRAPP

A keeper who hasn't had much acclaim this season, but had it not been for Trapp, Eintracht Frankfurt would not be currently 6th in the Bundesliga. Not a flamboyant keeper by any stretch, he does what he needs to and does that well. Despite an injury unfortunately cutting his season short, Trapp has imposed himself well, with the 22 year-old continuing the trend of wonderful German keepers, by impressing in every game this year. Commanding and with the ability to pull off stunning saves, Frankfurt may do well to hold on to such a hot prospect in the coming years.

RB: Philipp LAHM

Mr consistency, Lahm has been doing everything to his best since he started playing for Bayern all those years ago. Lahm has 10 assists to his name this year, his partnership with however plays in front of him has always seems to be telepathic, they know when to overlap, cross, shoot and everything else in between. Lahm also possesses wonderful defending attributes, surprisingly strong and as strong in the tackle, Lahm was and still is one of the world's best right-backs and defenders.

CM: DIEGO

The Brazilian set-piece master has been magnificent this year for Wolfsburg, scoring and setting up freely, he's been a real threat for the team and their main bright spark this season, who without him, would be languishing far further down the table. Always there to receive and play a pass, Diego is integral to his team's success, being the metronome of the attack, give him the ball and he'll make the play. People could argue he's been more influential than Toni Kroos, but Kroos has been simply superb for Bayern and has probably doubled his value this year.

Mr. Versitile: Thomas MüLLER

I think Thomas Müller could play anywhere on the pitch and he would be suited to it. Able to play anywhere in midfield and a dab hand up front, Müller is brilliant, a manager's dream. He has finishing, passing, dribbling, heading, defending, work rates, you know I could go on and on and bore you to death, but I shan't, because if you've stuck with me until now I'm astonished! However, I would love Müller in my team, he never stops and never gives up, and God loves a trier.

German Super Cup Final Report.

German Super Cup 2012

Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich

Allianz Arena, August 12th 2012.

The German Super Cup started with a bang, with Bayern cutting through Dortmund from the word go, the League and Cup winners from last year looking very sloppy and they got punished via two early goals through Mario Mandzukic, a fine finish into the bottom corber after Ribery's cross evaded two Dortmund defenders and Thomas Müller, Müller's after Robben hit the post.

Following the goals Bayern continued to push for more, but got no further reward, Dortmund looked a shadow of their former selves, not making any passes and with very poor first touches. Not what we'd expect to see from the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal champions from last year, who also failed to create any chances against a strong Bayern defence.

Especially Dante who looks a very good buy, as does Mandzukic who looked very sharp. This was the first time I had seen young Emre Can aswell, who looks like a decent prospect/understudy for Alaba. Luiz Gustavo picked up the first yellow of the game for a synical challenge on Jakub Blaszczykowski after a mazy run from the winger, meanwhile new signing Reus had made little impact in the game.

 Since the goals no real chances were created, Bayern were happy to keep the ball when they had it and move forward when the opportunity arose. The first chance for a while fell to the dangerous Müller, who scored both the goals when Bayern last won the competition. He fired just over from a dangerous Kroos free kick which Dortmund made a hash of clearing. We then caught a glimpse of Jürgen Klopp who looks lifeless, which is unusual for the energetic Schwarz-gelb manager. Emre Can was then booked after Kuba went on another run, who looked like Dortmund's best chance of a goal in the first half. 

For me Dortmund missed Sven Bender and Sebastein Kehl, Gündogan and Leitner are too attacking to play defensive midfield at the same time. Schmelzer then picjed up a booking for a tough tackle on Robben, these last 5 minutes of the first half were probably Dortmund's best, with their long passing being better than their short. The first half ends with Robben playing a lazy, lazy pass in the direction of Kroos, had it been better would have been able to have a go at goal. Half time in a dull match, Bayern in full control from the first whistle.

Second half begins and Dortmund start off far better moving and passing like last season and from a corner Manuel Neuer had his first save to make and it was a fantastic save from a powerful header from Neven Subotic, Dortmund's bright start had been coupled with their usual high pressing style, which wasn't there in the first half. Leitner was unlucky not to get on the end of a pass which would have sent him through on Neuer from Gündogan. 

Reus! Oh so close! Good build up play from Dortmund and its just wide from Reus, should have worked Neuer though. Dortmund were starting to force Bayern to play now and it was working. Reus whiped a free kick in, to which Hummels got up first and headed wide, Dortmund piled on the pressure! Dortmund deserved a goal the way it's going at the minute, as I said this Bayern got their first chance of the half, but were denied by an excellent last ditch tackle from Hummels. Klopp then thinks its time for change and Götze and Perisic come on for Leitner and GroBkreutz. 

This sends Dortmund to sleep and Robben hit a rasping drive low to Weidenfeller's left hand and does well to push it away. After a great run from Kuba, Reus and Lewandowski exchange passes and Lewandowski's shot at an open goal is blocked more by luck than judgement by Lahm's right foot. Holger Bastuber comes on for Emre Can, who had an excellent game, expect for his yellow card. Suprise again as Klopp responds but Kuba who had a good game is brought off for Schieber. The game died again as the customary boredom Mexican wave rolls around the stadium. 

Then Mario Götze made a difference as soon as he's got the ball. There is his reward! Dortmund get their goal! Fantastic finish from Lewandowski with a low curler into the bottom left hand curler from 20 yards leaving Neuer with no chance, Dortmund's tails are up! They go close again, Götze has turned this game and plays in Schieber who shoots just wide! Could possibly have cut back but that had Neuer stretching! Schieber couldn't stay out of the action as he recklessly tackled Ribery. Robben then got booked for seemingly diving, pity he hadn't cut that out over the summer. Another chance fell BVB's way but Götze couldn't take it!

 The ball dribbled into Neuer's hands, as he seemed to look for a cut back. Game slowed down again with minutes to go as Dortmund had a penalty appeal turned down against Lahm, that was close! By the amount of replays shown they must have thought it should have been. That's all we've had time for, Dortmund had the chances to draw or win the game which was at times a great and at times desperately dull. 

Man of the Match: Mario Götze. 

Mainly for coming on and changing a game that was quite dull up to then. His difect dribbling style as well as his cutting edge passing and willlingness to mame something happen in the game it bodes well for next season. Dortmund were excellent last year, especially without Götze since Christmas. So this surely can only be a boost for the Ruhr club.

Dortmund's clean sweep
Before the match Marco Reus was announced as German footballer of the year, voted by top German journalists. Second was Robert Lewandowski and third was Mats Hummels. I also picked the same trio a couple of months ago, so maybe I'm not too bad at this after all! Jürgen Klopp was also named coach of the year, in a clean sweep for Dortmund.

So, I hope you enjoyed my last post and this one too!
Thanks for reading and the continued support I've received, I can't thank you enough! It's a great feeling to know that people actually think highly enough of your writing to read it!

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Jonathan.