Kroos vs. Muller

I noticed something interesting, although Heynckes plays the team deeper than LVG, Bayern don't lose control or goal scoring ability. The reason is Kroos!

LVG final third:

-------------Gomez-----------
-------------Muller------------
--Ribery------------Robben--

He played Muller as SS very far forward. Bayern were much more attacking but had less control- You could interpret the formation as a possession based 4-2-3-1

Now, Heynckes plays as followed:

------------Gomez------------
Ribery---------------Robben-
-----------Kroos---------------

Jup plays possession based 4-3-3 with Kroos actually It gives Bayern more control and protection in midfield. I saw the opta stats on distance covered by players in Man City/ Napoli games. Kroos covers just as much as piggy, both at 10km+ each! Kroos also takes the burden from piggy to create from deep and is an extra passing outlet for the team (Robbery). The other interesting stats, Kroos ball possession and passing in upper midfield under pressure are phenomenal for his age. He rarely misplaced a pass in final third

All in all, Kroos suits Heynckes tactics in the middle more than Muller, so if you see Robben start, Muller would be the one who'll be dropped

By the way, Kroos is a big game player. He steps up in CL, look at his heat maps:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast?id=331182&cc=5739 (Napoli home)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast?id=331229&cc=5739 (Napoli away)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast?id=331196&league=UEFA.CHAMPIONS&cc=5739 (Sh!tty home)

The distance that was covered by Kroos in the 3-2 Napoli win were astounding 11232m for someone of his age group! :lol!: Keep in mind that Bayern pass more than run! He still topped in that category
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/matches/live/day=4/session=2/match=2007625/index.html (Napoli home)

Against Man City, he didn't play 90min but by the time he was subbed off he ran impressive 10240m!(10 minutes before FT)
http://www.uefa.com/match-centre/cup=1/season=2012/day=2/session=1/match=2007585/index.html

I'd say his role in Bayern is VERY underrated. In midfield, he is the second most important guy next to piggy and Ribery

I dont know who Jupp is going to bench as soon as Robben returns

Robben will be used more as a wild card for tough games or as an extra tactical option. Also, we can't rely on 1 player for the whole season, injuries, fatigue and all.

Yeah, Kroos has been great this season, his passing has been top notch and he's definitely given Schweini and co more breathing space.

But why the comparison to Mueller?

We'd be toast without Mueller. His workrate, ability to pull defenders off position, overall skills and goal threat still cannot be replaced by anyone I say they compliment each other very well, even if Kroos drags Mueller off position, he still plays beast on that wing.

It's funny you posting distance stats, because Bayern are supposedly lazy as shit in the league.

Why the comparison to Muller? If Robben starts, one of them will start ahead of piggy+DM. Isn't it kinda obvious?
The question was, who'll be kept in the starting eleven by Heynckes. I tried to explain that tactically keeping Kroos makes more sense
Also, Bayern press like crazy in CL A CL games is very different for Bayern, you could see the difference in the games afterwards, Gomez is usually meh

Alaba feels more comfortable in CM than Kroos Also, Heynckes started him over Muller
It paid off, his performance was superb

Alaba is a natural CM. It's what he's played in the reserves and what he was playing at Hoffenheim, replacing Gustavo when we bought him.

He's played on the wing probably to get him playing time and because he plays decently there, but his future is down the middle.

Jupp Heynckes will rotate them.

Muller as CF for Gomez. -> Gomez can be restet (Olic is also fit again)

Muller as RW -> Robben restet

Muller as AM behind Gomez -> Kroos restet

I think at the moment it is really important that arjen gets playing time to adept to the flow of the team.
Also Gomez does not look really fit in the last two games he played. I would start next game with Muller as CF and rest Gomez

I personally, don't care who is better..
I'm sure that Müller is only off-form atm, he needs some rest.

All what I care about is that we have those 2 good playes, beside Robben and Ribéry and of course Alaba.. and soon Reus.

Rotation, Depth and Quality above everything.. and everyone is happy..
Life is much easier for us.

The black Era are just ereased slowly from our memories, and I'm loving the whole team.

The team is pretty much perfect. Starting wise, we could maybe only improve our central defense, but apart from that, all we need are depth signings.