The Bavarians were in a hurry. They routinely handled the celebrations after winning the Supercup against Borussia Dortmund, there was only a short laugh, singing and dancing, then the players trotted towards the cabin. Most of all, Alphonso Davies seemed to be happy, he carried the trophy into the catacombs, beaming. It was the most insignificant title in the recent past, but the record is still impressive: five triumphs in less than 100 days.
It seems all the more ludicrous that after this successful series, people in Munich are still looking to the future with some skepticism for the time being. Because the 3-2 win against BVB again revealed the current deficit: Injuries to regular players can hardly be adequately compensated in the long term, the squad has too large gaps in the depth – and there is no longer much time to make improvements.
There is a problem in four positions
The transfer window will close next Monday. And the question arises more and more: Is there someone else coming? And who and especially how many new players? Do they still strike before the market closes until winter? Or are there no newcomers at all in the end? Bayern are making it very exciting right now.
Three months ago, at the beginning of July, the club presented the last two signings: the young defensive talent Tanguy Nianzou and Leroy Sané. Nothing has happened since then, and the club kept asserting that they still had until October 5th. Nothing has changed about that, but now it’s getting tight, October is here.
In order to get through the intensive program until the end of the year and, as the club claims to fill every position twice, Bayern would have to sign four more players:
Missing in attack, despite Joshua Zirkzee’s talent, a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. The speculations about Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric seem to be justified, the Croatian’s agency confirmed a request from the record champion on Sky TV. His contract runs until 2022, TSG will be demanding proper compensation. Kramaric would be a prudent solution, he can also help out in other positions.
For example on the wing, where, after the departure of Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho and the injury of Sané, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are currently on their own.
On the right defensive side there is no alternative to Benjamin Pavard.
It could be particularly tricky in midfield headquarters will. Thiago is in Liverpool, Michael Cuisance on the move to Leeds and the loyal Javi Martínez has been rumored for weeks, but now really played his last game before returning to Bilbao. Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich remained. Both are in excellent shape, but should be overplayed in the long run.
So does the club want to sign four new players in four days, one every day? Shortly before the Supercup, two statements from Hansi Flick and Herbert Hainer made you prudish. The Bayern coach said on Tuesday: “If we want to achieve our goals, we have to have an appropriate squad available.” But he also said: “If the window is closed on Monday, we are welcome to talk about goals.” Does that mean that ambitions will be revised downwards without increasing the roster?
Club President Hainer was also amazed when he spoke about Bayern’s financial losses in Corona times on the sidelines of an appointment with the Bayern basketball players on Wednesday. “We are more or less short of four million in ticketing, food, drink and catering per home game. We generate significantly less merchandising sales because people don’t buy jerseys if they are not allowed to go to the stadium.” And further: “If we add it all up, then we are missing a hundred million fingers. And we have to take that into account.” As a precaution, did he mean to suggest why one shouldn’t expect so much news until Monday?
The Bavarians are therefore looking for inexpensive solutions. Since the demands in Munich are naturally high, the coming days will be a special test for Hasan Salihamidzic – at the end of the first transfer phase, which he can and must help shape in his new role as sports director.
