A Jose Mourinho sighting – no doubt to size up the opposition. Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Ivica Olic, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Hans Jorg Butt did not disappoint. Inter have a fight on their hands in this month’s CL final.
Hertha were beaten 3-1 through an Olic goal and a brace by Robben who would have been a great tennis player. Think about passing shots and volleys. The Olympiastadion was a festoon of red with fans wearing Bayern colours and sporting flags and banners. The party had begun.
Franck Ribery was hugged rather forcibly by Louis Van Gaal at the end but looked like he had his mind somewhere else. And then began the stalking of Van Gaal by the Bayern players clutching steins filled to the brim with beer. You know it was good stuff not Coors Lite. The portly Van Gaal waddled off to the goalmouth in a comically choreographed escape. He escaped with a light drenching but Mark Van Bommel gave him a very good beer bath in the end.
A note: Hertha although relegated showed some very creative sparks going out on a high note. Hans Jorg Butt was quite busy just about fending of Levan Kobiashvili’s excellent free kick. Raffaele was denied again by Butt. Hertha’s South American contingent got back a goal as Cicero got past Van Buyten with a nice fake and cut back his pass to find Adrian Ramos who finished superbly.
Congratulations to Louis Van Gaal on his first season success and Bayern’s 22nd title. He is also the first Dutch manager to win the Bundesliga. With Arjen Robben and Mark Van Bommel integral to that success, it should provide for some form of social commentary.