The Paradox That I Call the Bayern Munich Frontline

Bayern had a poor season and finished fourth in 2007. In came Luca Toni, the Fiorentina hitman and scored using quite possibly most of his body parts. I never quite believed in Toni's ability, but he forced me to believe in it during that eventful night in Madrid.

Yep, I am talking about the UEFA Cup match between Bayern and Getafe, which finished 3-3. The hitman scored 39 goals in all competitions and made his strike partner Klose look like an ordinary utility man who was on the pitch for almost nothing.

Forward to 2008 and Toni couldn't score in Europe until the second round in the Champions League. Klose, however, was firing on all fours and broke a German record by scoring seven goals in the Champions League in two rounds.

During these two seasons, when Toni was shining, Klose managed to put in 20 goals while, when Klose was shining, Toni managed to put in a good total of 18 as well. Klose was perhaps the more consistent as he scored 21 in his second season.

Bayern still wanted more and in came Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic. Olic got himself injured and Mario after a good start is on a barren run. For Klose, the goals have dried up for his club with only two in 11 appearances this season and in Toni's case, one. They both ironically scored in the same match, against Frankfurt.

How many more times will Bayern have to rely on Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, and Thomas Muller for goals? The first two remain unfit while the third is a 20-year-old kid. From strikers with the experience of Klose and Toni, more is expected. How many more times will Daniel van Buyten need to score to get Bayern out of trouble. I am quite sure that Bayern will not receive any more help from Michael Ciani or that dude from Mainz.

Louis Van Gaal at the beginning of the season kept Miroslav on the bench, but looks like he is doing what all the other Bayern coaches did with the exception of interim manager Jupp Heynckes—sticking to Klose.  Except, there is a difference this time—it paid off for the others, not for him.

Uli Hoeness has shortlisted seven player for the Winter Break. Seven Bayern players are going to be up for grabs, i.e, for sale in December and one of them is Toni. Tymoschuk is also on the list by the way.

Conceding was a problem for Bayern last season and when scoring became a bit of a problem, Klinsmann was seen walking out of the Sabener Strasse for possibly the last time.

In no way am I blaming Louis Van Gaal for this absence of goals. A 1-1 draw is better than a 0-0. Atleast you know that your team can score. Toni Kroos could have provided some goals but Bayern sent him packing for Bayer. It's a question of whether Kroos will come back when the loan deal expires or whether he will do what Mats Hummels did.*

It all somehow makes me miss three players, one of them who could create if not score in the absence of Ribery and Robben and a far less injury-prone person.  Does the name "Claudio Pizarro" ring a bell?...hmmmm...the other two are for me to know and you to find out...

* Mats Hummels joined Dortmund permanently after being on loan at the club.