It sounds paradoxical: the first points lost this season can make FC Bayern optimistic. However, the 2-2 draw in the top game against Leverkusen also showed that there is still plenty of work for coach Thomas Tuchel.
Meaningful faces on the Munich bench. IMAGO/Passion2Press
Of course, the penalty in stoppage time served as both an excitement and a distraction for the record champions, who were so close to their fourth three-pointer in the fourth game after Leon Goretzka’s late goal to make it 2-1. Opinions can vary as to whether Alphonso Davies’ entry against Jonas Hofmann justified VAR intervention and the subsequent penalty. It is undisputed that the Canadian’s action was impetuous, unnecessary and ultimately quite stupid, as there was no danger in the situation with the Leverkusen player in possession of the ball and running out of the penalty area.
Which makes the first construction site, carried over from last season, obvious: penalty against Munich. In 2022/23, avoidable penalties ran like a common thread through the season; one caused by Serge Gnabry on the last matchday almost cost the German championship. This season it was the second penalty against Bayern in the fifth competitive game after Noussair Mazraoui’s handball in the Supercup against RB Leipzig.
However, Tuchel is likely to be even more worried about construction site number two: the loss of control after 20 minutes. The trigger was Xabi Alonso’s switch to a back four and the equalizer, Alejandro Grimaldo’s wonderful free-kick goal and especially afterwards. In these 20 minutes, a strong opponent played against Munich.
“We struggled”
“We had a good first 20 minutes, we could have forced a preliminary decision. After that we had a bad 20 minutes and made a lot of mistakes,” analyzed Tuchel, while Konrad Laimer said: “We got into the game really well and won a lot of the ball overall and good chances. After 20 minutes we struggled to gain access up front.”
In the second 45 minutes, Bayern were initially better, but had problems creating big chances. The exception: Harry Kane, who should have scored to take the lead again (57th). Afterwards, Tuchel’s team was lucky not to fall behind on several occasions before Goretzka scored what was supposed to be the winning goal.
Previous Bayern teams would have brought the lead to the finish, Tuchel is working on making sure it works again in the future. “We found it difficult to maintain complete compactness. We have to become even more grippy and lead individual duels,” said Tuchel after the best performance of the season against by far the best opponent so far. The next chance comes on Wednesday at the start of the Champions League against Manchester United.
2023-09-16 09:35:27
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