Bundesliga

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Just finished watching Borussia Dortmund win 3-0 away at Augsburg in the most exciting Bundesliga title race in over a decade. The WWK stadium in Augsburg today was packed and bouncing. I don't know what the crowd figures were but the away following was mighty impressive. Was their any fan not wearing a Dortmund shirt.

All season the lead has bounced between Dortmund and Bayern Munich and with one week to go it's now in Dortmund's hands. 2 points clear a win at home to Mainz 05 next Saturday will secure them the title but a draw won't be enough if Munich win at Koln as their goal difference is hugely superior. Should be a pretty amazing atmosphere in a 80k crowd. 

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

Tuchal's time at Bayern Munich been a disaster so far.

[Silvio Dante]

20 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

Just finished watching Borussia Dortmund win 3-0 away at Augsburg in the most exciting Bundesliga title race in over a decade. The WWK stadium in Augsburg today was packed and bouncing. I don't know what the crowd figures were but the away following was mighty impressive. Was their any fan not wearing a Dortmund shirt.

All season the lead has bounced between Dortmund and Bayern Munich and with one week to go it's now in Dortmund's hands. 2 points clear a win at home to Mainz 05 next Saturday will secure them the title but a draw won't be enough if Munich win at Koln as their goal difference is hugely superior. Should be a pretty amazing atmosphere in a 80k crowd. 

The Augsburg ones.

Edited May 21, 2023 by Silvio Dante

[chinapig]

17 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

Just finished watching Borussia Dortmund win 3-0 away at Augsburg in the most exciting Bundesliga title race in over a decade. The WWK stadium in Augsburg today was packed and bouncing. I don't know what the crowd figures were but the away following was mighty impressive. Was their any fan not wearing a Dortmund shirt.

All season the lead has bounced between Dortmund and Bayern Munich and with one week to go it's now in Dortmund's hands. 2 points clear a win at home to Mainz 05 next Saturday will secure them the title but a draw won't be enough if Munich win at Koln as their goal difference is hugely superior. Should be a pretty amazing atmosphere in a 80k crowd. 

I watched too, great result and the Dortmund fans are amazing. Imagine being part of the Yellow Wall next week! For heaven's sake don't blow it now.

And thanks are due to Leipzig for beating Bayern yesterday.

[Blagdon red]

Yep, it's been an exciting season. I hope BVB do it. Bayern constantly winning gets boring.

Meanwhile, my German club, Union Berlin, will qualify for the Champions League if they win at home on the final day next weekend (a draw or even a defeat may also do). Quite an achievement given that they were in the third tier when I started following them in 2008 and, being a 100% members' club, have no sugar-daddy benefactor.

[Kid in the Riot]

29 minutes ago, Blagdon red said:

Yep, it's been an exciting season. I hope BVB do it. Bayern constantly winning gets boring.

Meanwhile, my German club, Union Berlin, will qualify for the Champions League if they win at home on the final day next weekend (a draw or even a defeat may also do). Quite an achievement given that they were in the third tier when I started following them in 2008 and, being a 100% members' club, have no sugar-daddy benefactor.

Yes, incredible. They were top of the league Sept/Oct too from memory?

Kit Holden's book on Union, "Scheisse! We're going up!" is supposed to be a good read.

[Blagdon red]

3 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Yes, incredible. They were top of the league Sept/Oct too from memory?

Kit Holden's book on Union, "Scheisse! We're going up!" is supposed to be a good read.

Yep, they were top for a while, indeed.

Have heard mixed reviews of Kit's book. Some say it's just a reworking of all the well-known stories you hear alluded to in every UK TV commentary on Union games (the fans who bled for the club, the fans who built their own stadium, etc., etc.).

I liked Christoph Biermann's 'access all areas' account of the 2018-19 promotion season ('Wir werden ewig leben'). Unfortunately for most UK footy fans it's available in German only (although I did offer to translate it for him!).

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

1 hour ago, Blagdon red said:

Yep, it's been an exciting season. I hope BVB do it. Bayern constantly winning gets boring.

Meanwhile, my German club, Union Berlin, will qualify for the Champions League if they win at home on the final day next weekend (a draw or even a defeat may also do). Quite an achievement given that they were in the third tier when I started following them in 2008 and, being a 100% members' club, have no sugar-daddy benefactor.

As a team from what might be called the sticks of Berlin I have to admit Union's rise has been impressive. Their rise also seems to have coincided with Hertha's demise. 

I don't really have a German team as such but I've followed BVBs results since I spent some time in Dortmund back in 1980.

Edited May 21, 2023 by RoystonFoote'snephew
Added content

[Mr Popodopolous]

Some or all of RB Leipzig, Union Berlin and Freiburg were still all on the fringes of the title race until a few week's back. Leipzig have put a real run together, can only assume they had a slump or it'd be a 3 horse race.

Borussia Dortmund now in the driving seat. A home win vs midtable Mainz...surely. Surely.

Not sure Bayern sacking Nagelsmann was smart, domestically or Europe wise.

Edited May 21, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Davefevs]

10 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

As a team from what might be called the sticks of Berlin I have to admit Union's rise has been impressive. Their rise also seems to have coincided with Hertha's demise. 

I don't really have a German team as such but I've followed BVBs results since I spent some time in Dortmund back in 1980.

BMG for me, partly because Liverpool v BMG was the first game I ever watched (remember watching anyway), but then on a school trip I bought a BMG sticker, so that confirmed it.

[archie andrews]

shalke in the shit too...need to win at leipzig next week to stay up.....................

[Wealwayseatcheese]

Hertha BSC are a basket case at present, 8 managers in last 4 years and almost 400million euros investment have bought nothing but a slide into Bundesliga 2 , which has been on the cards for the last 3 years. 
i have been there a couple of times in last 3 years and it’s a fantastic club and City but I fear that it may be a couple of years until they bounce back again.

[Blagdon red]

3 hours ago, Wealwayseatcheese said:

Hertha BSC are a basket case at present, 8 managers in last 4 years and almost 400million euros investment have bought nothing but a slide into Bundesliga 2 , which has been on the cards for the last 3 years. 
i have been there a couple of times in last 3 years and it’s a fantastic club and City but I fear that it may be a couple of years until they bounce back again.

Their finances are indeed in a mess. So much so that they may not be granted a licence for next season for the second division. The German licensing system is very strict on clubs being able to show their ability to fund their operations for the coming season. Hertha could well end in the third tier.

[Mr Popodopolous]

43 minutes ago, Blagdon red said:

Their finances are indeed in a mess. So much so that they may not be granted a licence for next season for the second division. The German licensing system is very strict on clubs being able to show their ability to fund their operations for the coming season. Hertha could well end in the third tier.

How do their FFP rules compare out of interest? Domestically I mean.

As you say Licensing and Solvency without doubt a big factor and tbh I look at a side like Bayern who are a) Debt free and b) Have posted profits for 10-15 years, maybe longer and wonder why they don't spend a bit more. I'm sure that they could spend more on wages, fees etc once in a while. They must be a million miles within whatever loss limits they are.

I expect Borussia Dortmund could spend more if they chose to.

Edited May 22, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Coxy27]

Don't follow German football closely enough - but given Mainz don't really have anything to play for - and, everyone hates Bayern...?

Surely a chance they are not overly 'motivated' when the game comes?

[Blagdon red]

1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

How do their FFP rules compare out of interest? Domestically I mean.

As you say Licensing and Solvency without doubt a big factor and tbh I look at a side like Bayern who are a) Debt free and b) Have posted profits for 10-15 years, maybe longer and wonder why they don't spend a bit more. I'm sure that they could spend more on wages, fees etc once in a while. They must be a million miles within whatever loss limits they are.

I expect Borussia Dortmund could spend more if they chose to.

 I don't know the details. But the basic assumption is that clubs will live within their means. Hence the key question at relicensing time each spring being 'Does the club have the liquidity to operate throughout the whole of the next season without getting into financial difficulty?' If through the required submission of their accounts and forecasts they are unable to demonstrate that, they don't get their licence renewed, which means forced relegation to a lower division. That threat keeps the clubs in line 99% of the time.

By comparison, our fines and fairly modest points deductions are no more than a slap on the wrist.

[22A]

17 hours ago, archie andrews said:

shalke in the shit too...need to win at leipzig next week to stay up.....................

Ever seen that film "Das Boot" about the WW2 U boat. The skipper listens to the radio then announces to the crew "Schalke have lost again".

[Ska Junkie]

19 hours ago, archie andrews said:

shalke in the shit too...need to win at leipzig next week to stay up.....................

I hope they get stuffed. Bitter rivals of Dortmund unlike Bochum who are much closer.

As one who nailed his colours to the BvB mast, along with a few other City fans, many moons ago, I would love to be near the WFS next Saturday.

A few of ours had already organised a trip for the last game of the season but, sadly, I have a funeral on Friday so can't join them.

Stroebels (massive open bar outside the ground) will be absolutely bouncing on Saturday.

Auf gets BVB!

Edited May 22, 2023 by Ska Junkie

[Blagdon red]

54 minutes ago, Ska Junkie said:

I hope they get stuffed. Bitter rivals of Dortmund unlike Bochum who are much closer.

As one who nailed his colours to the BvB mast, along with a few other City fans, many moons ago, I would love to be near the WFS next Saturday.

A few of ours had already organised a trip for the last game of the season but, sadly, I have a funeral on Friday so can't join them.

Stroebels (massive open bar outside the ground) will be absolutely bouncing on Saturday.

Auf gets BVB!

Good to see the proper name used!

[Wealwayseatcheese]

5 hours ago, 22A said:

Ever seen that film "Das Boot" about the WW2 U boat. The skipper listens to the radio then announces to the crew "Schalke have lost again".

Watched all 3 series of that on Sky Atlantic also seen Hertha play Schalke on a Friday night. Schalke brought 6k . 10 euro return train tickets . 300 mile journey . What’s not to like

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Looking at the Westfalenstadion today the crowd may have belted out You'll never walk alone but Coldplay's Yellow would be more appropriate. Is there a club anywhere I wonder where a greater proportion of fans wear the replica shirt? 

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Munich one up. Mainz one up. 

[bcfc01]

Currently;

Dortmund 0-1 Mainz (Dortmund missed penalty)

Koln 0-1 Bayern

Edited May 27, 2023 by bcfc01

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

2 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

Currently;

Dortmund 0-1 Mainz

Koln 0-1 Bayern

BVB miss penalty 

[bcfc01]

Just now, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

BVB miss penalty 

We're doubling up - you keep updating, I'll bow out 

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

2 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

We're doubling up - you keep updating, I'll bow out 

2-0 Mainz. BVB denied a clear second penalty. 

[Mr Hankey]

Shouldn’t be too much of a suprise that Dortmund are bottling it, they are pretty shit especially without Bellingham starting, even Chelsea managed to knock them out of the Champions League.

[chinapig]

4 minutes ago, Mr Hankey said:

Shouldn’t be too much of a suprise that Dortmund are bottling it, they are pretty shit especially without Bellingham starting, even Chelsea managed to knock them out of the Champions League.

I watched their game against Augsburg and BVB's defence looked suspect even though they won comfortably. They leave opponents far too much room.

[chinapig]

14 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

BVB miss penalty 

It looked like Haller took the penalty away from Can. How many times do we see a player do that and then miss?

[Mr Hankey]

1 minute ago, chinapig said:

I watched their game against Augsburg and BVB's defence looked suspect even though they won comfortably. They leave opponents far too much room.

That doesn’t surprise me, they are getting counter attacked everytime and with a partnership at the back of Hummels & Sule it has to be one of the slowest going in the “elite” levels! Have only watched thier keeper a couple of times but he looks a bit of a shocker, especially as he has been linked with some big teams. First goal was awful defending from Haller but there is no way he should of conceded it.

[Red-Robbo]

On 21/05/2023 at 19:46, Blagdon red said:

Yep, it's been an exciting season. I hope BVB do it. Bayern constantly winning gets boring.

Meanwhile, my German club, Union Berlin, will qualify for the Champions League if they win at home on the final day next weekend (a draw or even a defeat may also do). Quite an achievement given that they were in the third tier when I started following them in 2008 and, being a 100% members' club, have no sugar-daddy benefactor.

 

They're my German club as well. I have yet to get round to watching them live, but I try to visit Berlin as often as possible, so it's on a to-do list for me. 

[Blagdon red]

20 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

They're my German club as well. I have yet to get round to watching them live, but I try to visit Berlin as often as possible, so it's on a to-do list for me. 

Sadly, missing out on the CL as it stands ... but only need one goal in the second half to change that!

[Mr Hankey]

This is so poor from Dortmund, don’t have a team in the Bundesliga but have always preferred them to do well over Bayern, would be devastated if i was a fan, such a bad performance in one of the biggest games of their history.

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Reus is on but Dortmund lack any creativity and are not moving the ball quick enough. They have to get Bellingham on. 

[HoldenBall]

This is exactly how I expect Bristol city to play if we needed to win on the final day to get promotion 

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Dortmund finally score. 1-2 now but need 2 more in the final 20 minutes. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

Been watching since about 20 mins in. Borussia Dortmund haven't been able to get that precision, though Mainz when they break also seem quite sharp. Borussia Dortmund for their part have seemed sloppy often, Mainz quite stubborn.

Guerrerio! Though Borussia Dortmund probably should have had a 2nd penalty too at 1-0.

Two goals needed and yet must guard against the counter as well as possible..very interesting scenario.

Edited May 27, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

I noticed from what I've seen that Borussia Dortmund don't seem a typical tactical foul..could have been useful for Mainz 2nd goal.

[Mr Hankey]

Think its too little too late unfortunately.

[Sleepy1968]

They will get an equaliser  and have a chance for a winner ...

[Mr Popodopolous]

Penalty Equaliser for FC Koln! Deserved too by the sound.

If Bayern don't win, Borussia Dortmund win it no matter what.

Edited May 27, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

Damn Bayern winning again. Back ahead...Two goals as we were 10 mins ago.

[Mr Popodopolous]

This I dunno what can you say.

Mainz 4 losses in a row and midtable albeit nonpreseure and quick on the break.

Borussia Dortmund so impressive since January overhauling 6th place placing and 11 points in the subsequent 18 games.

5 minutes seemed light stoppage time wise too.

Edited May 27, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[petehinton]

Hell of a choke that. If you were a dortmund fan, you’d probably just admit you’re never gonna win the league again the way this feels. 

[Mr Hankey]

3 minutes ago, petehinton said:

Hell of a choke that. If you were a dortmund fan, you’d probably just admit you’re never gonna win the league again the way this feels. 

Think it falls on the coach, there was no composure or calmness from the beginning, from minute 1 they were getting counter attacked & he couldn’t stop it, they seemed far too excited…….also Dortmund aren’t a great team, Bayern have had the season from hell but still won it, if you can’t win it this year against them then you never will.

Edited May 27, 2023 by Mr Hankey

[Mr Popodopolous]

It is and it isn't a choke. They clawed back a 9 point deficit from January to today, 11 points in fact from January to last weekend. Mainz were in certain ways dangerous opponents- strong on break and no pressure, away from home.

Hell of a run after Christmas. Haller penalty miss will haunt him. His offside goal he may wonder about.

Edited May 27, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Have to say they blew it. No pace to their play and without Bellingham lacked guile. 

[HoldenBall]

Very strange game. Don’t want much bundesliga but where was the urgency in the stands too? It felt like a dead rubber game. 

[Red-Robbo]

1 hour ago, Blagdon red said:

Sadly, missing out on the CL as it stands ... but only need one goal in the second half to change that!

 

Which they got!  

[BCFCGav]

Wow, what an ending. Heartbreaking for Dortmund.

[ExiledAjax]

On 21/05/2023 at 19:46, Blagdon red said:

Yep, it's been an exciting season. I hope BVB do it. Bayern constantly winning gets boring.

Meanwhile, my German club, Union Berlin, will qualify for the Champions League if they win at home on the final day next weekend (a draw or even a defeat may also do). Quite an achievement given that they were in the third tier when I started following them in 2008 and, being a 100% members' club, have no sugar-daddy benefactor.

Love it Jon. Well done to Union! Turns out you can get Champions Legaue whilst having heritage assets protected in your articles!

But seriously, enjoy it mate!

[Mr Popodopolous]

The disappointing thing is, it'll possibly be Borussia Dortmund's best chance for a while because..

1) Bayern haven't yet properly replaced Lewandowski . Expect them to do so this summer either with a top striker or one a notch or two below.

2) I expect Bayern to also pad out the squad a bit depth wise although it's probably only the top reasonably seasoned striker that they are deficent in. Lanier from Leipzig off there another midfield option which also weakens a rival.

3) Bellingham off. Sure Borussia Dortmund will have money to spend but how well?

4) Haller for a full season. Okay today wasn't his best gsme to put it mildly but after his cancer scare a full pre season focused purely on the football will help them for sure.

[Northern Red]

 

[Dr Balls]

3 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

The disappointing thing is, it'll possibly be Borussia Dortmund's best chance for a while because..

1) Bayern haven't yet properly replaced Lewandowski . Expect them to do so this summer either with a top striker or one a notch or two below.

2) I expect Bayern to also pad out the squad a bit depth wise although it's probably only the top reasonably seasoned striker that they are deficent in. Lanier from Leipzig off there another midfield option which also weakens a rival.

3) Bellingham off. Sure Borussia Dortmund will have money to spend but how well?

4) Haller for a full season. Okay today wasn't his best gsme to put it mildly but after his cancer scare a full pre season focused purely on the football will help them for sure.

The problem is that as long as Dortmund keep selling their best players (especially to Bayern) then they aren’t going to win anything. Would they have won today with Haaland? Course they would have done. And now they will sell Bellingham as well. And so Munich will win the Bundesliga again next year. There’s a moral there somewhere for us…

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 hours ago, Dr Balls said:

The problem is that as long as Dortmund keep selling their best players (especially to Bayern) then they aren’t going to win anything. Would they have won today with Haaland? Course they would have done. And now they will sell Bellingham as well. And so Munich will win the Bundesliga again next year. There’s a moral there somewhere for us…

Tbh they were a bit unlucky. So near yet so far. They were 9 points off with an inferior GD after 15 games that is an impressive surge.

Bellingham gone but there is plenty to build on. A fully fit Haller post cancer over a whole season is a boost, provided that they spend well, they often do- but Bayern themselves being underpowered surely won't repeat itself but many clubs sell key or top players.

Haller not playing before Christmas- Health clearly comes first, second and third, but that won't have helped . He has had an impressive last l 18 games of the campaign to last weekend, but it just did not happen for him today.

Question Is twofold if we don't sell Scott, threefold actually.

1) What financial headroom will we have to add? It's debatable.

2) Will Scott himself be happy with the scenario?

3) If the time comes that we are still Championship in a year's time and we really do need to sell not even just for FFP but just a natural progression...What then? What would we get for him with one year left on his deal.

I also give the counter argument- Blackburn. Twice going for the stars, twice sort of skimming and then slightly surpassing the moon.

Summer 2022

Nyambe, Lenihan , Rothwell

Out of the door for free.

Summer 2023

Ayala, Dack, Brereton-Diaz

£0 for the lot. Needing loans and frees, can't spend fees without transfer revenue coming in, bit like us probably betweek January 2022, summer 2022 and most of ie pre Semenyo sale January 2023. Except wow look at that list..out the door for £0, some player went to Luton as well, unsure who. Possibly didn't get anything for him either.

Edited May 27, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[2015]

I don't think i've seen a last day bottlejob as bad as this ever

[Mr Popodopolous]

57 minutes ago, 2015 said:

I don't think i've seen a last day bottlejob as bad as this ever

Mainz were a dangerous counter attacking side with no pressure, in some ways not the gimme many thought.

Weird combination of a deep, hard to get round line or through for a lot of the game but when they broke they were quite fast and difficult. Not a nice setup to play against chasing the win at home.

5-4-1 low block but a threat on the break..Mainz had what to play for exactly. Credit to them for their attitude and playing hard.

Edited May 28, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

Perhaps they were playing quite hard for Tuchel as well. He did impressive things there and is at Bayern now , whereas Borussia Dortmund sacked him in 2017. Could be rubbish but you never know. Treated it like a bit of a Cup final.

[Super]

Was Bellingham injured?

[chinapig]

12 minutes ago, Super said:

Was Bellingham injured?

Yes, a knee injury.

[2015]

7 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Mainz were a dangerous counter attacking side with no pressure, in some ways not the gimme many thought.

Weird combination of a deep, hard to get round line or through for a lot of the game but when they broke they were quite fast and difficult. Not a nice setup to play against chasing the win at home.

5-4-1 low block but a threat on the break..Mainz had what to play for exactly. Credit to them for their attitude and playing hard.

I watched the game and the whole set up pre match and at the start felt very cagey and nervy for my liking. I don't think their players handled the situation very well at all. They ideally needed to start fast, go 1-0 up early but they didn't. Bayern went ahead and the pressure mounted, Mainz went a goal up and Dortmund immediately got a penalty, which they missed. 

Mainz were always a threat on the counter for sure but Dortmund in my opinion lost all composure on the final day when it mattered. Unfortunately for Mainz I think the whole of Germany will hate them now for allowing Bayern Munich winning yet another Bundesliga title

[Blagdon red]

18 hours ago, ExiledAjax said:

Love it Jon. Well done to Union! Turns out you can get Champions Legaue whilst having heritage assets protected in your articles!

But seriously, enjoy it mate!

Yep, and with no ownership by a foreign state or American asset strippers either! The club is 'owned' by 40,000+ members. It's like AFC Wimbledon getting into the CL.

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 hours ago, 2015 said:

I watched the game and the whole set up pre match and at the start felt very cagey and nervy for my liking. I don't think their players handled the situation very well at all. They ideally needed to start fast, go 1-0 up early but they didn't. Bayern went ahead and the pressure mounted, Mainz went a goal up and Dortmund immediately got a penalty, which they missed. 

Mainz were always a threat on the counter for sure but Dortmund in my opinion lost all composure on the final day when it mattered. Unfortunately for Mainz I think the whole of Germany will hate them now for allowing Bayern Munich winning yet another Bundesliga title

Yeah agree with most of this. Seems odd that Mainz are suddenly like that after losing their prior 4 games tbh but credit to them for not rolling over.

Borussia Dortmund clearly had nerves, lacked composure. The penalty miss for one- had Haller equalised I suspect they go on to win. They seemed too gung no if anything early on Borussia Dortmund even though I understand the thinking.

Thought the one on Guerrerio was also a penalty but didn't even get a VAR check for some reason.

[2015]

4 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Yeah agree with most of this. Seems odd that Mainz are suddenly like that after losing their prior 4 games tbh but credit to them for not rolling over.

Borussia Dortmund clearly had nerves, lacked composure. The penalty miss for one- had Haller equalised I suspect they go on to win. They seemed too gung no if anything early on Borussia Dortmund even though I understand the thinking.

Thought the one on Guerrerio was also a penalty but didn't even get a VAR check for some reason.

I watched the whole time thinking eventually Dortmund will blitz Mainz here. Just didn't happen. The usual huge atmosphere Dortmund have just slowly evaporated as the game went on. Was a very strange match to watch. Have to feel for their supporters today.

[1960maaan]

3 minutes ago, 2015 said:

I watched the whole time thinking eventually Dortmund will blitz Mainz here. Just didn't happen. The usual huge atmosphere Dortmund have just slowly evaporated as the game went on. Was a very strange match to watch. Have to feel for their supporters today.

I think it's partly my fault. Had Dortmund in my acca , my betting kiss of death works again.

For context I also had PGG to win (draw), Marseille to beat 14th place Brest (lost) and Wolfsburg to beat bottom of the table Hertha (Lost)  . So if you see me give a tip, steer well clear.