Dante’s impact on Bayern more than just strong defending

As dedicated readers may recall, we mentioned not so long ago in one of our many articles that Javi Martinez’s impact on FC Bayern was profound before he ever stepped onto the pitch. In short, the increased competition in the midfield made players like Luiz Gustavo elevate the quality of their game in order to earn his time on the pitch. It also sent the message to the squad that Bayern are not shy about spending buckets of money to bring in players they know can help the team.

In similar fashion, today we will discuss how the acquisition of Brazilian defender Dante has had an impact on the squad that goes beyond simply stabilizing a central defense which had shown moments of uncertainty prior to his arrival. First off, let’s start with some of the facts. Prior to the Match Day 21 action, Dante had been credited with a successful pass completion rate of 96% of a total 1270 passes, good for top spot in the league.

Interesting to note was the fact that most of the others who were close to his own success rate were his Bayern teammates, namely fellow Brazilian Luiz Gustavo. The main difference was, Dante had attempted roughly three times as many passes as his compatriot. As a litmus test of this astounding number, I decide to track all of Dante’s passes in the recent fixture against Schalke to see how long it took him to put one wrong. It was not until the 75th minute, with the game well won and done at a score of 4 – 0, that Dante made an optimistic long pass up the middle of the park looking to spring David Alaba free so he could try to turn his brace into a hat trick. The pass was headed down by a Schalke midfielder. One can easily forgive this misplaced pass as the fruits of being a good teammate rather than a poor passing play.

Surely, coach Jupp Heynckes must adore this statistic, as I saw with my own eyes his relentless pursuit of perfection in the fundamentals of the game, with passing being the most basic of said skills. Indeed, as the (poor) video taken below shows, Heynckes is quick to point out to his players when their passing requires improvement and demand that they do better. (Feel free to peruse my Youtube channel for plenty of footage taken of Bayern’s training facility a summer ago.) It is this infallible standard to which he holds his players that has helped make Bayern the dominant force in the Bundesliga that they are today.

Stellar passing aside, Dante also provides a cool head and calm demeanor in front of goal. There is little panic in his game, simply the confidence of a man who knows his role and knows he can execute it well from minute to minute through-out the game. A stark contrast to the sometimes panicky and uncertain moments displayed in front of Manuel Neuer that prompted the acquisition of Dante from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the first place. As even the most novice footballer can tell you, panic in your own penalty area is contagious, and will often lead to goals conceded, panicky clearances, and an inability to retain possession once the ball is won.

In that respect, Dante has been a God-send for this team, helping calm the nerves of youngsters like Boateng and Badstuber and remind them to take their time and make the right play. A development which I am certain Jupp Heynckes and co. wholeheartedly agreed with and believed in, but it is often easier to hear these things from your colleagues than it is to hear them from the boss. His ability to help give his fellow defenders confidence is another intangible asset which cannot be under-estimated, and which has helped make Bayern the stingiest defense in the Bundesliga this season, conceding only SEVEN GOALS in a total of twenty-one matches thus far this season.

This confidence of his extends well beyond the penalty area and the defenders on the squad. Dante is a keen competitor and a sharp defender, but he is also a light-hearted and happy individual outside of the pitch. With the disappointment of a Champions League title lost on their home pitch heavy on the hearts of returning Bayern players heading into this campaign, Dante’s ear-to-ear smile was quite possibly the most valuable thing he could have brought into the squad when he arrived in the summer transfer window.

His affable and lovable nature quickly banished heavy thoughts of remorse, of the “Should haves”, “Would haves” or “Could haves”. In helping the team focus on the here and now, enjoying their football, playing to the best of their ability and making the most of the chances yet to come rather than dwelling on those that have passed them by, Dante’s playful and positive spirit, often typified by his iconic Afro, was just the tonic the Bavarians needed to remind them that the best has yet to come for this FC Bayern team.

In no way was this more evident than on the latest match day when Dante rushed over to congratulate Bastian Schweinsteiger on a brilliant free kick that went over the wall and off the inside of the post and into the back of the net, leaving keeper Timo Hildebrand frozen to the spot and watching helplessly in stunned disbelief. Though this was Schweini’s fifth goal of the season, it was the first time he had ever converted a free kick in the Bundesliga.

(I had hoped to share a video of this goal, dear readers, but as it would be in violation of copyright laws, those of you who missed it will have to catch the replay on your local “best of” footy review shows. With the majesty of the kick and the celebration that followed, I’m sure we’ll be seeing it again and again throughout the course of the year.)

Eager to celebrate his teammates’ accomplishment, Dante rushed to his side and guided him along with a bit of Brazilian flair, performing a “two-step celebration” together near the halfway line. As Schweinsteiger quickly caught on and took part, their Bayern teammates watched on in a display of camaraderie and teamwork that truly typified the secret to Bayern’s success in this year’s campaign. Teamwork, light-heartedness and most importantly a willingness to support one another, play for one another, and share in the success equally rather than as focus on individual accomplishments.

Though we cannot give any one player full credit for the stellar campaign that Bayern have had thus far this season, we can most certainly point out all the intangible qualities which the players possess off the field that have helped make this season one to remember for Bayern players and fans alike. Dante’s cool head, kind heart and ear-to-ear smile have become a perfect symbol for the general mood and spirit at the club this season. Luckily, the 29-year-old has been rewarded for all of his hard work with his first cap for his native Brazil in a recent 2 – 1 friendly loss to England.

Though Brazil have been much maligned and accused of under-performing relative to their immense potential in recent years, if the men’s team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari decides to make a habit of capping the Brazilian defender with the wide smile and the afro, then perhaps those fortunes are due to change. One thing is certain, he has already proven himself an invaluable member of FC Bayern’s squad this season, and we wish him all the best in enjoy equal success with the Brazilian men’s team.

(Unless of course they face Germany in a knock-out game at the 2014 World Cup, in which case we will hope he plays well, but has a lapse of form just long enough for Germany to be victorious. Even if that doesn’t happen, though, the sting of defeat will be a mixed blessing, as one cannot help but feel that Dante’s hard work has earned him the right to taste success in all of his endeavors.)

(The above photo was made by the Facebook page Die Bayern (The Bavarians). Feel free to join their Facebook group for plenty of news and interaction with other Bayern fans from around the globe!)

Bayern send message to the world with Guardiola signing

Forgive my elation, dear readers, but I feel like a kid in a candy store with a pocket full of money. After an unusually quiet transfer window in the Bundesliga, the biggest splash was made not in the acquisition of a player, but in the acquisition of the most sought-after coach in club football. After days of speculation and an early break in the story from Sky Sports Italia that was quickly re-tweeted by Your Humble Narrator (and cursed as speculation and rumour by many doubters who show little faith in Bundesliga football) the news is finally official.

Josep “Pep” Guardiola, the master-mind who helped mould FC Barcelona into the footballing juggernaut they are today, is officially the incumbent coach for FC Bayern Munich. Guardiola will take over at the club in July when current coach Jupp Heynckes’ contract expires. This acquisition is a massive boost not only for the club, but for the league in general as it sends a message to the footballing world that Germany is no longer simply a home for Germans, Eastern Europeans and young players looking to make a name for themselves before moving on to England or Spain.

In truth, a move like this has been in the works for much longer than many have realized, as reports suggest that Guardiola has been learning German for some months now to help ease his transition into the role. This would be a surprise to many, but not to Bayern fans, who know that the club only wants the best of the best, and will do whatever is takes to get them. Much like the prolonged courtship of Manuel Neuer, this move has likely been incubating for some time, and the timing of this news is not lost on Your Humble Narrator.

With much speculation in the media stating that Man City, Chelsea and Roma were all hoping to lure Guardiola, I think Bayern and Guardiola decided it was time to let the cat out of the bag. It was no secret that Jupp Heynckes had intended to make FC Bayern his last team and retire at season’s end. Let us not take anything away from Heynckes. Having seen him on the training ground with my own eyes, he is definitely a consummate professional, an excellent manager and a man dedicated to honing young talent and getting the most out of his players.

That being said, with the bar at Bayern set so incredibly high, who else could possibly follow up Heynckes at Bayern but Guardiola? With Guus Hiddink now retired, the list of managers who would not be considered a down-grade of sorts was extremely short. Those few who would be a good fit are all spoken for and would have been next to impossible to pry away from their current positions. Joachim Löw of the German National Team? Possibly, but why leave the biggest job in Germany for the second biggest job in Germany? Given the close relationship between Bayern’s board and the National Team, Löw is essentially an advisor at Bayern already.

Jürgen Klopp? Forget it! Not to take anything away from Klopp, as long-time readers know that I have been singing his praises since long before he become a back-to-back champion with Borussia Dortmund. That being said, however, Dortmund would NEVER in a million years, on pain of death and threat of global destruction allow their crown prince Jürgen Klopp leave for the Bavarian Giants. Even if they would, as a Schwarzgelben, it would take more than just a little convincing to get Klopp to trade the Black and Gold for Red and White. Who could blame him? After Bayern, Dortmund are the most storied and passionately supported team in the Bundesliga.

Barring those two, who else could possibly take this role? Jose Mourinho? Forget it! Mourinho’s ego would clash far too much with the Bayern Board, and his salacious nature and need to be in the spotlight would rub far too many people in the organization the wrong way. Not only that, but the fans at Bayern have a very strong say in what takes place in the squad. With Mourinho being known to take things somewhat personally and send messages to his players with his squad selection and practices, the Bayern faithful simply would not stand for “The Special One” and his shenanigans.

There had been speculation that Lucien Favre may be an option for Bayern if they could pry him away from Mönchengladbach, but the dip in form and failures in the Champions League that BMG suffered this season cast a lot of doubt on that possibility, with the perception being that players like BVB’s Marco Reus and Bayern’s Dante may have made Favre look a bit more effective as a manager than he actually is.

All these things really left only one name on the shortlist of candidates, and it’s the man who is being crowned the heir apparent at Bayern today, Josep Guardiola. With the news having finally broken, there has been, as to be expected, a public outcry of sadness and disappointment coming from fans of the English Premiereship. In their Anglo-centric view of football, EPL fans seem to have seen this move of the greatest of snubs; an unforgivable offense, a foolish mistake, an unceremonious over-sight on the part of Guardiola.

Let’s call this what it is for a moment, dear readers. Sour grapes. If we look at the evidence and the facts of the situation, this move is not the “catastrophic mistake” that EPL lovers are claiming it to be right now. UEFA’s recent club ranking ranked FC Bayern Munich as the second best club in the world behind FC Barcelona. They are, and have consistently been in the top 5 clubs as far as value is concerned for the past 10 years or so. They have been to the Champions League Final twice in the past three seasons, and they just might make it there again this season when the competition resumes.

They have some of the best young talent in the world on their squad. Toni Kroos is one of the best play-makers in world football, and he just celebrated his 23rd birthday a fortnight ago. Thomas Müller has bounced back from a disappointing sophomore campaign to become the best overall scorer in the Bundesliga, with 9 goals and 7 assists to his credit thus far. Both players show exceptional football IQ and have proven versatile and dynamic, playing various roles for both Bayern and the German national team.

They sport Manuel Neuer, the most coveted goalkeeper in world football prior to signing with Bayern who has only just begun to reach his near-limitless potential. They have Xherdan Shaqiri, the pacy young Swiss who is not only highly talented, but is incredibly strong and could easily be mistaken for a body-builder. David Alaba, the pacy Austrian has become a household name with his work at left-back for FC Bayern in the past calendar year.

They have Luiz Gustavo, who sports an incredible 95.4% passing completion in the Bundesliga thus far. Oh yeah, and then there’s the 40 Million Euro man Javi Martinez, who has adapted wonderfully to his role in the holding midfield role at Bayern after playing largely as a central defender for Atheltic Bilbao. Holger Badstuber, though injured, is a great young central defender with a promising future. They also have a little-known prospect called Emre Can who, like Alaba, has a bright future and will likely flourish under Guardiola’s tutelage.

All these, dear readers, are ONLY the players who are 25-years-old or younger on this club. They have Robben and Ribéry, two of the best wide players in the world. They have Bastian Schweinsteiger bossing the midfield, who can literally do it all; pass, shoot, score, tackle and mark. Mario Mandzukic has performed great as a striker, and Mario Gomez seems to have made great leaps and bounds after returning from injury, showing much more poise and a greater sense of the game as a striker after being forced to watch the first half of this season from the stands. Goals he once put over the bar he now pots with effortless ease, and where he once would have been frustrated with the positioning of passes, he now runs to the pass rather than waiting for passes to come to him.

In defense, Dante has added a great stabilizing effect at the central defensive role, and his calm demeanour and poise has really helped teach youngster Boateng and Badstuber the importance of keeping your head and being confident in your abilities in front of the keeper. Philip Lahm, the diminutive wing-back who has never in his career seen a red card, continues to make a strong two-way game defending the flanks look incredibly easy. Add in great teammates both on the pitch and in the training ground like Claudio Pizarro, Tom Starke and Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Bayern have the depth, class and talent to be one of the best teams in the Club Football for many years to come.

So, while the uneducated Anglo-centric EPL supporter may cry foul and ask “Why would Guardiola sign with Bayern”, I ask you a far more important question, my doubting friends. Why wouldn’t he? The team has talent, class, an excellent fan base, a great stadium, a strong tradition, a culture of success and a near bottomless pit of money to spend to not only keep their talent with the club, but to continue to add the best of the best to their stable, year after year, transfer window after transfer window.

Most importantly, unlike other suitors Manchester City and Chelsea, this money comes not from a rich benefactor or a billionaire owner who is willing to pour billions into the club, it comes from the millions and millions of passionate fans from around the globe who bleed Red and White and a more than happy to contribute their hard-earned dollar to the cause. Though teams like Chelsea and Man City may have to fear the dreaded Financial Fair Play Rules which are to be instituted into the game in the not-so-distant future, Bayern are already turning a profit based on the product they put on the field and the adulation of their fan base.

The importance of this move goes beyond simply making FC Bayern a better team. This move sends the message loud and clear to the EPL and La Liga that the Bundesliga is not a “Second tier” league as they would like to believe it to be. This is not a league of Haves and Have-Nots, where two or three teams compete for titles while the rest fight over the scraps (though, admittedly, the gulf between Bayern and some of the other clubs just got a bit wider). The Bundesliga is a terrific league supported by die-hard fans who pack the stadiums match after match, week after week.

It sends a message that the arrival in the league of players like Ribery, Robben, Sahin, Van der Vaart, Raul and Huntelaar were not just freak occurrences. The fact that players like Subotic, Hummels, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Neuer, Gomez, Götze and Müller decide to stay in Germany despite prolific interest from other leagues is not just a case of young men being home-sick and not wanting to stray far from their family. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world. It has grown by leaps and bounds in the past ten years, and it continues to grow year after year, with strong attendance figures, record profits and a strong economic model that far more troubled leagues like La Liga and the EPL should not be ridiculing. Maybe, given all the financial turmoil that surrounds some of their clubs, they should stop criticizing and start taking notes.

Change is a difficult thing for many people to accept. It often involves a necessity to admit that the status quo and the traditions that one has so long clung to out of love and devotion may be flawed. It requires humility to admit that one is less than perfect, and must come with a strong desire to improve. It is unfortunate for both the EPL and it’s fans that they are unwilling to make that admission and take a page out of the Bundesliga and the DFL (or German Football Federation) playbook in order to move forward themselves. In some cases, they may actually want to copy the entire book for their own benefit and for the benefit of their fans.

It is not surprising to Your Humble Narrator that many supporters of British Football and it’s footballing culture are loathe to admit that Sie Germans might actually be on to something, and dare I say, may be running their own football league in a manner superior to their own beloved Premiereship. The proof is in the pudding, however, as the German league and it’s teams become more and more successful year after year, shattering their own records and setting the bar ever-higher while the results in their own leagues stumble, stutter and diminish.

This is not surprising because, much like in my native land of Canada, where Hockey reigns supreme, the public and the media stubbornly refuse to admit that perhaps the rest of the world is catching up to our once dominant hockey program. Worse still, we may have to admit that we are being surpassed, as much like the English and football, the Canadian hockey team are no longer the de-facto favorites in every tournament and competition, with gold medals and championships being won by teams we once ridiculed for their inability to match our seemingly invincible squads.

In a perfect world, I would love to see Bundesliga football take top billing alongside the Premiereship on North American television. I would love to walk down the street and see people wearing Bremen hoodies, Dortmund jerseys, Frankfurt scarves and Bayern shirts rather than simply seeing the odd Man City scarf, Real Madrid jacket, Man United shirt or Barcelona jersey.

The reality, however, is that change takes time. As the world can clearly see, however, we Bundesliga clubs are doing everything we can to make believers out of even the staunchest nay-sayers. This publication is but one of millions of bits of evidence that we, the Bundesliga fans, are succeeding in that endeavour, one fan at a time. So, until such time as the Premiereship loyalist and La Liga supporters are ready to come to the Deutsch Side and join us in our passionate celebration of Fußball, we’ll keep a seat warm and a beer cold for you until you get here. That may be a long time in coming, but with all due respect, we seem to be doing just fine without you.

Until that day, we’ll see you at the Fußballplatz, my fellow footy fans from around the world. Best of luck to you and your team. If the Guardiola signing means anything, it’s just another reminder that you’re gonna need it, now more than ever.