FC Bayern Munich: The List Grows Longer as the Board Plays the Blame Game

Sometimes, it is better to look at oneself than blame others for one's plight

The Van Bommel Saga

The Dutch FA might have had something to do with Arjen Robben's lengthy lay-off but in Van Bommel's case, the board should take a look at itself.

Bayern requested that Van Bommel be sent back to Munich for examination prior to the Netherland's match against Sweden. The Dutch FA refused and Van Bommel played for 72 minutes. Thus, Bayern is blaming the KNVB (Dutch FA) for Van Bommel's knee problems.

The problems started during Bayern's game against Werder Bremen on September 11. Then, why exactly, did Bayern play him against Koeln in a 0-0 draw a week later? According to Uli Hoeness, Van Bommel should skip the occasional international. Does this imply that Van Bommel should always play for his club even when he is injured?

The Injury List

Breno, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Alaba and Diego Contento are already injured; Mark Van Bommel and Miroslav Klose joined the list.

Both Klose and Van Bommel will miss Bayern's games against Hanover in the league and CFR Cluj in the Champions League, while both are extremely doubtful for the league meeting against Hamburg.

Ivica Olic fractured his nose and will thus be absent against Hanover while Daniel Van Buyten is doubtful. Louis Van Gaal only had 12 outfield players present to train. 10 of those 11 will feature against Hanover.

Hanover Up Next

Hanover is third in the table at the moment while Bayern is 12th; Hanover might have lost their last match against St.Pauli, but they will still fancy their chances.

Bayern is in deep trouble; Daniel Pranjic, Anatoliy Tymoschuk and Martin Demichelis will have to step up to the task if Bayern is to earn any points from their next few fixtures.Franz Beckenbauer has already counted them out of retaining their title.

Louis Van Gaal believes his side can win the title but if Philipp Lahm is to be believed, lack of motivation might turn out to be a problem. On top of all that, at the moment the board looks really dumb: they extended Van Gaal's contract and refused to reinforce their defence in the summer.Van Bommel wanted his club to sign Gregory Van der Wiel but the club refused.

Hans-Joerg Butt will be in goal on Saturday. Philipp Lahm will be the captain and the right-back. Perhaps, Edson Braafheid will play on the left. Braafheid's performances haven't set the world alight so far this season.The central defensive pairing will most likely be Holger Badstuber and Martin Demichelis.

Anatoliy Tymoschuk will perhaps take Mark Van Bommel's place in defensive midfield. He will perhaps be accompanied by Daniel Pranjic. The attacking midfield trio will perhaps be Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos and Hamit Altintop. Mario Gomez is the obvious choice up front.

My best guess is thus this line-up: Butt- Lahm, Demichelis, Badstuber, Braafheid- Tymoschuk, Pranjic- Mueller, Kroos, Altintop- Gomez

Prediction: I honestly do not see Bayern winning this.

Final Score: Bayern 0-1 Hanover