The Laudrup Legacy

It seems FC Bayern Munich's dominance on the German game may not be undone for some years to come. They were once again the massive favorites to win the Bundesliga for a third year running this season, but had to undergo a serious title challenge from perennial runners-up Borussia Dortmund, under the new management of the Dane, Brian Laudrup. Let's take a look back at the past year.



Bayern Munich easily stormed their way to a third straight Bundesliga title, a record twenty-fifth time in the club's history. Despite finishing only four points ahead of archrivals Borussia Dortmund, Die Bayern never really looked like losing it and had taken their foot off the pedal as early as April, back when they were eleven points ahead and coasting.

Under Josep Guardiola's guidance, the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Xabi Alonso reached incredible heights this season. Lewandowski netted 25 times and added 10 goals, while Alonso pitched in with 6 goals and 12 assists as well, two of the best players of the season.


Borussia Dortmund finished in second place, and Marco Reus was the great inspiration. Scoring 16 goals and assiting 13 more, the German left winger overcame an early season injury to nearly push der BVB to the title, falling just short, mainly due to inconsistent performances early in the season and two disheartening losses against the eventual champions, Bayern Munich.

Borussia Moenchengladbach finished comfortably in third, well ahead of fourth place. Die Fohlen showed an incredible team spirit all season long, relying on no individual star to reach these heights. Hamburg was the big surprise package of the season, brought back into the Champions League on the shoulders of Rafael van der Vaart, who scored and assisted 10 goals in the league.


Two clubs had to face the depressing sentiment of being relegated to the 2. Bundesliga for next season, Germany's second division, after finishing at the foot of the table this past year. Both Hannover and Freiburg were the favorites to go down from the very start of the season, when neither won any of their first ten games.

Together, the two squads won ten Bundesliga games, and their combined points total would barely have gotten them into the top half, so bad were the two clubs' performances this year. Now, both clubs have sacked their managers and face a tough summer of losing their stars and preparing for life in the lower division of mediocrity and sadness.


Robert Lewandowski was given the Bundesliga Footballer of the Year award for his fantastic performances over the course of the title-winning season for Bayern Munich. He led the goalscoring charts with 25 goals and added 10 assists well, averaging a league-high average Opta rating of 7.63. Judging from this season, the Polish international is probably quite glad he ended up leaving Dortmund for this new home.


As previously mentioned, Robert Lewandowski led the league in goals with his 25 strikes in 32 appearances. Japanese international Yuya Osako from FC Koln scored 17 to finish a distant second, while Marco Reus, a midfielder, came third in the league with his 16 finishes in 30 appearances. This is the second year in a row Lewandowski has won this award, triumphing in it last season with 20 goals for Borussia Dortmund.


Though some people are surprised by this selection, Borussia Dortmund's new manager Brian Laudrup was given the Manager of the Year award. Despite this being just the Dane's first ever season in professional management, he led der BVB to a close second place finish and introduced an all-out-attacking style of play that the fans loved. Most people believed the award would be given to Josef Zinnbauer for leading Hamburg to 4th, but it was not to be.

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Sweet logopack do you have a link to it? :L

Looks like the Laudraup Brothers have come a long way now they win Manager of the year for their leagues

26 points from second to third in Bundesliga and a 20 point gap from third to fourth in Liga BBVA.
shows the gulf in class between the teams.

Walter: It's a great resource. They don't have a huge selection, but they have all the big leagues and some of the smaller ones. Enjoy!

http://www.sportslogos.net/leagues/list_by_sport/5/Soccer/logos

Ta31_a: Yes, they've both done really well this year to be voted best player of their respective leagues

mo_123: Yeah, there's a HUGE gap in class between the top and the rest in Spain and Germany.

It's been a long season in Europe, filled with triumphs and failures, late winners and thrown leads, the emergence of heroes and the destruction of villains, and it all culminates tomorrow in Berlin. The UEFA Champions League final is nearly upon us, and the two finalists are prepared to duel for the right to lift the famous trophy and be crowned the greatest club in Europe.

The two clubs; five-time champions Liverpool, from the Barclays Premier League, and the new boys in the European scene in Spain's champions Atletico Madrid. Los Colchoneros are looking for vengeance after their finals loss last season, while Liverpool are finally back with a chance in the final for the first time since their loss against AC Milan in 2007.

Both teams have endured very difficult roads to reach this final. Liverpool had to overcome a lot of English opposition on their way, defeating London sides Arsenal and Chelsea in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Atletico Madrid also had to overcome some British forces in the form of Manchester City, but faced their greatest challenge in the semifinals against archrivals Real Madrid, who they barely overcame.

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Mario Balotelli has scored 29 goals in 45 appearances in his first season with Liverpool and will hope to break the 30 mark against Atletico Madrid.

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Liverpool has been lead by their potent attack. Mario Balotelli is undoubtedly the star, making a brilliant impact to replace Luis Suarez after signing from AC Milan this summer. He has been aided by Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling, whose attacking trio is just as intimidating as it was last year.

There is extra incentive for Liverpool, as well. Having only finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League, they will not qualify for next season's edition of the UEFA Champions League unless they win this final and thus automatically qualify as defending champions.

The Reds will be missing their most influential player for the final, however; the legendary captain Steven Gerrard will miss out after sustaining a serious chest injury in training while lifting weights. Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho will now have a big playmaking responsibility on their shoulders for the final.

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Antoine Griezmann is a big doubt for the Champions League final after sustaining a back strain, but reports out of Madrid are suggesting he will take injections to be fit.

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Atletico Madrid are also packed with attacking talent. Mattia Destro will likely lead the line, but the real threat comes from the players behind him; Arda Turan, Antoine Griezmann, and Angel Correa have been in brilliant form with Koke and Gabi dictating behind them.

However, los Colchoneros also have some serious injury woes going into the final. Angel Correa has been out with 2 weeks with a twisted ankle and has no chance of playing in the final. Antoine Griezmann also hurt his back in training a few days ago, but our sources in the Spanish capital are saying the Frenchman will take injections to get through the pain and play in this European final.

Here are our predicted lineups for the final:

Atletico Madrid Predicted XI: Moya; Gamez, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Koke, Gabi; Cerci, Turan, Griezmann; Destro

Liverpool Predicted XI: Mignolet; Alves, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Leiva, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling; Sturridge, Balotelli

It is undoubtedly going to be a tough match to call; both sides have excelled beyond all expectations in this competition, and both sides will be completely driven to try and win this prestigious trophy. Who will rise above the other and claim their place in football history?

There's only one way to find out.

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come on atletico

I HOPE YOU THRASH LIVERPOOL.

I fkin hate Liverpool, so go out there and absolutely slaughter them! And Gerrard what a weak piece of shit injuring himself in the weights room.

Big big final there. If you can contain Mario & Coutinho, you should be able to come out on top!

Massively important game Neal, but I'm sure that you will come out on top, it's only Liverpool after all. Seriously though, best of luck

Good luck bud

Pauker: I'm curious to know what this said before Josh edited it

Josh_MU: ME TOO!

Walter: Yeah, I couldn't help but laugh when I saw he was going to miss the Champions League final because he hurt himself lifting weights

Justice: Easier said than done! Their defense looks a little susceptible, but their central midfield looks stronger than mine for sure, so we may struggle. Fingers crossed!

pompeyblue: Hoping for the best, even if it is only Liverpool

OllieGrocott: Thanks pal!

This was a great update please. I'm very glad to see you doing so well with both of your clubs please. Well, I guess you can't beat Bayern in any circumstance but can anyone? please.

AlexTHFC: Thanks so much Alex please! Yes, Bayern are just too tough, but maybe in the coming years I'll beat them please