17th July 2009...
On 55 minutes, I introduced fresh legs to the action -- Klose and Saba replacing Tymoschuk and Müller. I also decided to throw Franck into the fray. Granted, he’s been a pain in the *** at times, but it’s difficult to ignore his exceptional talents when on a football pitch. No matter what personal differences may arise, it would be foolish of me to hold grudges in this cut-throat business.
17th July, 2009.
This morning, I went to see the hotel’s manager to raise issue over the drunken man wandering the hallway the other night. I know I’m a day late with my complaints, but it’s been annoying me.
Unfortunately, I was to discover that all ‘non--Bayern’ guests had received their keys from reception well before the time of the incident…
There is nothing worse than being left red-faced. It would appear it was one of my own party causing havoc in the dead of night! But who?
My guess is Franck. He overslept, arrived at training looking terrible and threw up under physical stress. Now that I think about it, it has to have been him. I’ll need proof though, before barging in with all guns blazing.
*
2pm -- 6pm.
We arrived at Antwerp’s Bosuil stadium and prepared for the match in similar manner to the previous friendlies. By all accounts, Antwerp are of a good standard and should provide us with a stern test.
I named the team -- Franck will begin on the bench.
Bayern : Hans-Jörg ****, Andreas Görlitz, Danijel Pranjic, Christian Lell, Daniel Van Buyten, Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Holger Badstuber, Mark van Bommel, Arjen Robben, Thomas Müller, Ivica Olic.
Substitutes : Maximilian Riedmuller, Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Christian Saba, Franck Ribéry, Michael Rensing, Miroslav Klose.
*
Antwerp 0 Bayern Munich 4.
Attendance : 15,513.
Fans were treated to a fine spectacle of football today. My lads performed brilliantly and never looked like losing. Van Bommel opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute -- tapping home from close range after good build-up play.
Robben, the flamboyant Dutch winger, doubled the lead moments before the half-time whistle.
On 55 minutes, I introduced fresh legs to the action -- Klose and Saba replacing Tymoschuk and Müller. I also decided to throw Franck into the fray. Granted, he’s been a pain in the *** at times, but it’s difficult to ignore his exceptional talents when on a football pitch. No matter what personal differences may arise, it would be foolish of me to hold grudges in this cut-throat business.
Barely four minutes later, with ease and grace, Franck thundered in an unbelievable 30 yard effort. The fans went wild and stood to applaud, “What a goal!” they screamed.
Antwerp ‘shut up shop’ after that strike and it became frustratingly difficult for us to breach their back four. Sure, we kept possession and made them run around like headless chickens, but I wanted more. We might come up against spoiling tactics in the league, perhaps even in Europe, so we must learn to deal with it better and create opportunities.
“Well done,” I said, offering my hand to Andries, as the referee drew breath to blow for full-time.
“Wait,” he urged, pointing to the pitch…
Robben had just gathered the ball close to the half-way line and embarked on a mazy run, “Pass, pass, pass!” I called, noticing Klose in space. He didn’t listen, perhaps he didn’t hear, but…
BOOM! Top corner! What a goal!
“He’s greedy,” Andries said with a smile, “But hey, he can certainly play!”
Andries was right, Robben had been a constant thorn in Antwerp’s side. He is going to be a major player for us this season, of that I have no doubts.
“Excellent performance,” I said as the players entered the dressing room, “We need to work on breaking down a deep defensive line, but you did well out there.”
Now for another road trip… next stop, Mechelen.
***
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tory still looks great