Bayern Edge Out Köln
April 13, 2024 With that in mind, they made seven changes to the squad with Sven Ulreich starting in place of Neuer (precautionary), Joshua Kimmich, Eric Dier, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in the back, Raphaël Guerreiro and Aleksandar Pavlović in midfield while Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller and Mathys Tel played behind Harry Kane in attack.
Three Things We Noticed
Unconvincing
This is perhaps the theme of Bayern’s season but once again they were far from convincing against a team battling relegation. Bayern certainly had their chances in the first half but Köln did as well and were probably unfortunate not to have scored at least two or three by the end of the match.
Of course there was a that eye on Wednesday. We all know that the league is over and Champions League progression is the priority. However given their position in the league, they also really cannot afford to drop points, especially against Köln at the Allianz.
The seven changes to the lineup certainly played a part with several of the players being put in positions that they’re not particularly used to, especially Mazraoui at left back, but it was once again a very listless performance all around.
It ultimately took a wonder goal from Guerreiro to take the lead and a very Müller-ish goal from Müller to cement Bayern’s 2-0 win.
Unlucky
That being said, they did actually create quite a few good chances in the first half particularly. Kane had several good shots that on another day almost certainly would have been goals, one of which hit the inside of the post and somehow stayed out. Tel also hit the post and forced a very nice save.
Guerreiro had a fantastic chance to put Bayern up early all alone in the middle of the box but he took it first time and the keeper guessed correct. All in all it looked like it might be one of those days where things just were never going to go in.
Given how deeply mediocre they were, it’s difficult to say they would have been hard done by if they had not won this match. However, it can’t be ignored that they did in fact create some chances and maybe that’s something to cling onto for Wednesday’s matchup with Arsenal.
To top things off, Coman’s streak of bad injury luck continued as he was carried off the pitch following what appeared to be a groin injury. Bayern will now head into Wednesday with 0.5 healthy wingers in the form of Leroy Sané. Not ideal.
Uncomfortable
Yet again though, Bayern were very prone to mistakes at the back. Both de Ligt and Upamecano made very bad mistakes that somehow did not result in goals.
Upamecano’s was especially egregious. With Bayern up 1-0 in the 89th minute with no one near him, passes to the middle of the box where there is not a Bayern player within 10 yards but perfectly set up for Luca Waldschmidt to score. Luckily Dier made it back just in time and Ulreich made a nice save on the followup attempt to keep the clean sheet and preserve the lead.
They were fortunate enough to get away with them today, but these mental lapses are far too common and one of the biggest reasons Bayern have struggled so much this year. Whoever the next manager is, will have to find a way to get these players to maintain focus for 90 minutes or this team will never improve.
