Thinking about writing a book about Pep Guardiola's first year at FC Bayern and some general strategic aspects.

Welcome back! Die Nationalspieler sind zur…

Free kicks by Thiago and Shaqiri

Predsjednik Barcelone Josep Maria Bartomeu i trener Gerardo Martino sastavili su listu igrača od kojih barem nekoliko žele vidjeti u katalonskoj prijestolnici na pripremama za iduću sezonu. S obzirom da na kraju aktualne sezone klub napuštaju vratar Victor Valdes i stup obrane, ujedno i kapetan, Carles Puyol, logično je da Barcelona nastoji prije svega pojačati obranu.

Na popisu želja su se tako našli mladi njemački vratar Marc-Andre ter Stegen, zatim niz obrambenih igrača poput Davida Luiza, Iniga Martineza, Matsa Hummelsa i Jana Vertonghena, dok su za vezu i konačnici napad u kombinaciji Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, Ramires, Joan Cuardado i Koke.

FC Bayern in between national teams and Arsenal

VfL Wolfsburg v FC Bayern - 08.03.2014

FCB vor 'großer Herausforderung' in Wol…

Wolfsburg Bayern preview, stopping the rise of the Wolves

FC Bayern faces a good test against an interesting opponent when it visits VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday. The hosts can brag about having one of the smartest coaches in Germany, along with a couple of experienced former Bayern players and a solid midfield.

Wolfsburg, the Green Menace

Gone are Felix Magath and his insane transfer policy. The Wolves are an increasingly steady team under Dieter Hecking, whose coaching is transforming the club into a Champions League spot contender.

Hecking can thank automaker Volkswagen for its generosity, because its financial strength has allowed him to flex his muscles on the transfer market. Not so long ago, this team depended on Diego, but he was sent to Atletico Madrid.

Wolfburg’s biggest catch is arguably playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, formerly from Chelsea. Versatile and able to play many positions, he is a terrific set-piece taker and passer whose balls towards the area are very accurate and whose dangerous shots often come out of nowhere, to end up in the back of the net.

Winger Daniel Caligiuri came from SC Freiburg. The attacking-minded guy has great sense of positioning and a sharp right-footed shot. Ivica Olic, formerly from Bayern, is the Energizer bunny with solid finish in the box and killer passes/crosses in the area. Luiz Gustavo, who is somewhat known to Bayern fans, remains a tough defensive midfielder who wins the ball and delivers crunching tackles.

As a result, Dieter Hecking plays a strong 4-2-3-1 formation with a possession-based game, with short, accurate passes, frequent dribbles and quick position changes. His team also masters accurate long balls, heavy use of the wings and air challenges. Wolfsburg doesn’t concede too many shots and intercepts the ball frequently.

At left-back, Ricardo Rodriguez is known for his tackling and passing. Attacking midfielder Maximilian Arnold has a thunder shot but he is likely to miss this game. In central defence, Naldo is an intercepting and clearing machine.

With all the above strengths, Wolfsburg has taken down a few good teams such as Dortmund and Leverkusen, often dictating the play.

Goalkeeper Benaglio is excellent but he has made mistakes in the area, mishandling the ball on set pieces.

Last week, Hoffenheim ridiculed their defence with a wide attacking game and quick transitions, often leaving Benaglio without any kind of support from his defenders. Wolfsburg has been disorganized against them and against Hertha Berlin, especially in the middle. Their full backs have been vulnerable against wingers who cut inside to set up a shot or a short pass.

Possible lineup

Bayern, near the title

The news from the Bayern camp, which could win the league in a couple of weeks, are excellent. Everybody has been training or at least running lately and Arjen Robben has avoided picking up an injury in the international break. It seems that Franck Ribéry’s butt injury is a thing of the past and he is seen as a potential starter, although I would prefer to save him for Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola can therefore field his newly-preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with all the tactical options at his disposal, except Holger Badstuber, who needs to work hard on his fitness before he can return to central defence.

Against Wolfsburg, FCB will have to be careful when attacking. Gustavo will look to steal the ball away from his former teammates. While his side isn’t known for counterattacking, this is the kind of game when the Wolves will be deprived of possession and looking for the big counter. If he plays, the man to watch will be de Bruyne, whose playmaking could make a difference.

Vulnerabilities against wingers should be exploited by Bayern, who should overload the middle of the pitch with their triangles and look for that killer pass towards the wing and crosses that will search for Mario Mandzukic’s head.

Another key is to avoid conceding too many set pieces, which de Bruyne and Caligiuri are quite capable of putting away.

I think that Bayern can win by a goal and keep the undefeated run going by approaching the midfield battle cautiously.

Possible lineup