FC Bayern have played ten games since the 3-0 defeat in the Supercup, seven in the league, one in the DFB Cup and two in the Champions League. Can the people of Munich be satisfied with the result? What’s going well? And what needs to be improved? A kicker analysis.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel and the offensive trio Harry Kane, Mathys Tel and Leroy Sané. imago images
The only defeat for FC Bayern came a week before the start of the season in the Supercup, 3-0 against RB Leipzig. With newcomer and substitute Harry Kane, an unfinished squad and uncertainty still present in the team. But that has changed a little. Since then, the Munich team has played more calmly for the most part, although not always confidently for 90 minutes – as the 2-2 against Leverkusen, the 2-2 in Leipzig, the 2-1 in Copenhagen or the 4-3 against Manchester United showed.
Lack of concentration, simple playback errors in the setup and lack of positional adherence are identified as reasons. The draw against leaders Leverkusen in the league is a good example. Completely unnecessary, Alphonso Davies caused a penalty in stoppage time, shortly before opponent Jonas Hofmann left the penalty area with a bouncing ball. Last season, FC Bayern made life difficult for themselves in this way, with stupid actions in their own penalty area.
Looking for the defense chief
A defense chief or captain Manuel Neuer, who hasn’t played in a game for ten months, could give instructions. However, this leading defensive player does not (yet) exist. Min-Jae Kim and Dayot Upamecano don’t really fit the type. Matthijs de Ligt was already injured in preparation and is currently out due to a blow to his knee. In terms of his personality, he basically fulfills some of the requirements of this profile, but the Dutchman first has to get into top physical condition in order to be part of the first eleven again. As with Neuer, who was well represented by Sven Ulreich, those responsible are hoping that he will be fit to play again after the international break.
The midfield center, where Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka are basically intended as a double six, is intended to ensure balance in the game. Sometimes it takes more discipline to hold the positions; if the guidelines are not taken into account, it is too easy for the opponents to open up the spaces and invite them to play offensively. But it seems as if things are slowly improving, which is making Bayern’s game as a whole more structured and safer in its actions.
Sané and Tel are convincing – Kane could be even better integrated
The outstanding players of this young season are currently: Leroy Sané and Mathys Tel. The German international is really blossoming under coach Tuchel and alongside Kane. Together, the two offensive players have already had 19 direct goals in the league – out of 23 scored. Kane assisted Sané in three of them. And Tel, the Frenchman, accepts his role as Joker without complaint. He is being introduced slowly, coach Tuchel has discussed this with him – and it may be the right way to avoid burning an 18-year-old. In contrast to the previous season, Tel will be used regularly this season. In 143 minutes in the league, 90 in the cup and 16 in the Champions League, a total of 249 minutes, he has already scored eight points – six goals and two assists. An absolute ray of hope in the shadow of Kane, who does his job with 13 scorer points in nine games across all competitions, but could be integrated even better into the game.
With 17 points, 23:6 goals, FC Bayern is currently in third place, behind Leverkusen and Stuttgart. The Munich team has already played against the frontrunners and fellow competitors Leipzig (like Leverkusen). The mental state has certainly improved noticeably compared to the previous season. In the past, the Munich team sometimes lost their heads and then the game, especially in tight games, but in the current competitions they have shown that they have patience. They made it 2-1 late in Mönchengladbach, made it 2-0 against Leipzig (which came from a corner that wasn’t a corner; it should have been a goal kick), and they turned the game around in Copenhagen.
It takes time for the corrections
Yes, Bayern still have phases in games in which they lack confidence, but these phases feel like they are becoming fewer – and Coach Tuchel’s mood is visibly better. After all, the results are correct. Bayern have been unbeaten since the Supercup, started the premier class with two wins, advanced in the cup as expected and are close to the top in the league. And yet those involved at Säbener Strasse know that all the grievances that have arisen in the team and the sporting misdevelopments of the past few years cannot be repaired overnight. It takes time for the corrections.
2023-10-09 15:50:15
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