Forwards accounted for more than half the goals scored in the Bundesliga last season – a ’striking’ statistic. Strikers notched 433 goals between them in 2007-2008 – 50.3 percent of the total in the top flight, the highest ratio for four years. bundesliga.de discusses the “return of the frontman ” with coaches Thomas Schaaf (Bremen) and Friedhelm Funkel (Frankfurt), and Stuttgart forward Cacau.
“Going for the win”
All three are in agreement on one point – the individual talent of the strikers has been a major contributing factor. “The top teams all have at least two very good front players”, says Cacau, who himself bagged eight in the season just ended: “FC Bayern and Werder Bremen actually have three or four.”
The first five places on the top scorers chart are all filled by ‘classic’ forwards: Luca of FC Bayern München (24 goals), Stuttgart’s Mario Gomez (19), Kevin Kuranyi of FC Schalke 04 (15) and Hamburg’s Ivica Olic and Markus Rosenberg of Bremen (14 each).
According to Funkel, this is down in part to the fact that, “The forwards are simply making more of their chances, as well”. Schaaf, whose team totalled more goals from strikers – 44 – than any other, throws an interesting consideration into the pot: “Maybe teams have generally been going for the win more this season than in the past.”
“Inject greater offensive spirit”
Eight of the top nine scorers in 2007-2008 are forwards. The only midfielder to inveigle himself amongst the frontmen is Bremen playmaker Diego, who scored 13. Says Funkel, “It’s the coach’s task to inject a greater offensvie spirit into his midfield. Having just four midfielders among the 21 top scorers is a terribly low return.”
For his part, Schaaf is certain every club would love to have the kind of attacking midfield motor available at Bremen: “Every team is on the lookout for the goal-hungry midfielder with a good shot on him, who can effectively double-up as a forward.”
A matter of balance
On the question as to whether an attack-minded team can simultaneously stand secure at the back, Schaaf has no doubts: “It can certainly be done. It’s a matter of finding the right balance in your game, the proportionate ratio.” It has to be noted, however, that this balance was conspicuously absent at Bremen latterly. The Bundesliga ‘goal factory’ also conceded, proportionately, the most goals to strikers (67 percent).
For Schaaf, the explanation is simple: “It’s important to have constancy with regard to personnel. And it’s not just a question of the quality of players, but also of their interaction on the pitch. When players get injured, this often presents a major problem.”
source: bundesliga.de
