Daily Schmankerl: Finally...Bayern vs. Fortuna Düsseldorf; Aaron Ramsey rumor doubted; and MORE!

Bayern vs. Fortuna Düsseldorf: A prediction (Bavarian Football Works)

The Bundesliga is finally back and once again, no one from BFW could read Niko Kovač’s mind to predict the lineup. Regardless, this should be a game that Die Roten can control from start to finish. Ok, wait...Bayern Munich needs to control from start to finish. That’s better.

Granted, there is a great chance that Fortuna Düsseldorf is going to come out and make a strong effort to park the bus (no, not the new one Bayern just got below), but Bayern has to play the game like it is Bayern and not some ninth tier side looking to grab a Natural Light at halftime.

Bongarts/Getty Images

The Bavarians should be strong enough to power through as Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery, Leon Goretzka, and Renato Sanches will be charged with supplying the offense.

Missing from the squad will be Serge Gnabry (adductor injury), but Arjen Robben’s knee is healthy enough to be a substitute, while reserves Woo-Yeong Jeong and Jonathan Meier were promoted for the contest.

This one *should* be ready made for a convincing win. I would expect heavy pressure throughout the contest even though F95 may try to jam seven or eight players in the box defensively.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 4, Fortuna Düsseldorf 0

Also, there is a wild, unruly, and possibly intoxicated bear rambling about...beware.

Reporter throws cold water on Aaron Ramsey-to-Bayern rumor (Daily Star)

Bayern insider Raphael Honigstein went on “The Totally Football Show with James Richardson”, and discussed why he thinks Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey will likely not be heading to Bayern on a transfer as captured by the Daily Star.

I’m not entirely sure that this is coming to pass. It is true that Bayern are looking to change the team. It is true that they are in the market for lots of players if they can avoid paying a fee, they’ve shown themselves very adapt at getting those kind of deals done in recent years, getting [Leon] Goretzka for free, getting [Robert] Lewandowski for free.

I am just not sure the demand for an Aaron Ramsey type of player is that acute at the moment. It might just be an opportunistic move, but I should stress that in Munich, which is famously leaky when it comes to these transfer stories, we’ve not really seen that name mentioned at all before or since the news broke in England that an agreement is imminent or has been made.

A call for fan groups (BavarianFootballWorks.com)

We are trying something here at the Daily Schmankerl and need YOUR help. If you read my man Tommy Adams’ piece about his experience with the FCBNYC Fan Club (if you haven’t, SHAME ON YOU!), you could see how great the event was. So we want to highlight some of these wonderful groups that are out there globally and this is what we need from you:

• Name of the group
• Location
• Year founded
• Leadership (if you have people are kind of running the show)
• Meeting place
• Social media handles
• Pictures

We want to be able to feature a different fan group every week this season. Maybe we can do it, maybe not...but only YOU can help decide the fate of this idea. Send your info to: barrelsportsblog@gmail.com