Analysis: FC Bayern – Werder Bremen 5:0 (2:0)

Bayern used the last week to regain strength for the upcoming games. Meanwhile the injury list is getting shorter as well. Martinez already trained with the team and Boateng was able to complete some light jogging. Compared to the last seasons Bayern look rather strengthened for the last third of the season.

3 things we noticed

1. Kingsley Coman, the team player

The big difference between Kingsley Coman and Arjen Robben was plain to see in this game. Coman is trying to get to the baseline, while Robben moves to the middle and tries to get a shot off. With his speed, Coman was able to move past Garcia again and again. Especially if Bayern succeeded in moving the ball from side to side and putting Coman in isolated situations, where he only had one opponent in front of him. The Frenchman won seven dribblings against Bremen, these created three assists and four other key passes. In short, Coman played a fantastic game and thus makes his claim for also playing in the next game against Juventus. Above all, his calm with the ball impressed in contrast to Douglas Costa. Even when Bremen succeeded in throwing two or three opponents at him, Coman did not get hectic, but was looking for a good solution. This is also reflected in the phenomenal passing accuracy of 95%. He only had three misplaced passes over 90 minutes. The three shots, two of which were on goal, should not go unmentioned. Neither should his missed chance midway through the second half (61), after a cross from Philipp Lahm, be forgotten. Against stronger opponents these chances should be used. This still is the greatest weakness of the young FCB talent.

2. Thiago shows a reaction

Against Borussia Dortmund Thiago sat on the bench for 90 minutes. This was surprising, since he is considered a good ball handler and good against strong pressing. Nevertheless Pep Guardiola started Arturo Vidal instead of Thiago. This was probably due to the performance of the Spaniard against Mainz. Too often Thiago switches between Bundesliga and Champions League appearances. He usually can improve his game significantly against international opponents. In the Bundesliga, however, he had some strangely erratic performances this season. The highlight was the game against Mainz. The positive thing was: Thiago showed a reaction. Again and again he advanced into the penalty area and offered himself as the final option. Symbolic at the first Bayern goal. While Götze just missed the Coman’s cross, Thiago put his foot where it counted. Similarly at the end of the game, as Thiago again showed up in the box. Thiago took six of the 20 Bayern shots on goal – by far the most. But Thiago not only convinced offensively, especially with his ability to press. He repeatedly prevented the Bremer build-up and transition game. He collected five interceptions and he won six duels, leading these statistics among Bayern players. The performance of Thiago was important, because Bayern need alternatives. Ideally, Thiago and Vidal push each other to new heights. Depending on how Pep Guardiola expects the opponent, he thus has many options and approaches.

3. The next comeback

Mario Götze had a good start in the Bundesliga season 2015/2016. With his place in the first XI in the top match against Borussia Dortmund, he finally seemed as if he had arrived at Bayern. All the more annoying was therefore the injury that he got on international duty a few days later. About four months Götze was not on the pitch for Munich. Meanwhile, Ribery and Robben have returned, the quality density in offense increased significantly. Götze has to fight for his place, if he wants to play a role in the squad 2015/2016. Pep Guardiola has no need to moderate. For him, the project Bayern is completed after the season. For Götze it should keep going, if possible. A step in this direction was the his first game in the starting XI after a long wait.

24 minutes into the game, Götze had a chance to score from about 16 meters. Although Wiedwald parried the shot well, this scene showed which qualities Götze can bring into the Bayern game. Explosiveness between the lines. A good shot. Against Bremen Götze played in the Müller role, which certainly helped him. All in all, it was a courageous performance. 48 ball actions in almost 55 minutes is good for this position. In comparison, Müller had 5 ball actions less with about 20 minutes more playing time. Although Götze had to horrible turnovers, these can be explained with the long break. For Götze it will be important now to always be there. Certainly he is not an option for the game against Juventus. But there are more pending Bundesliga games like now against Werder Bremen. Here he has to offer and prove that he belongs at Bayern.

FC Bayern Munich – Werder Bremen 5:0 (2:0)
Bayern Munich	Neuer – Alaba, Benatia, Kimmich (68. Rafinha), Lahm – Alonso – Ribery, Thiago, Götze (54. Rode), Coman – Müller (74. Lewandowski)
Bench	Ulreich, Vidal, Costa, Bernat
SV Werder Bremen	Wiedwald – S. Garcia (77. U. Garcia), Djilobodji Vestergaard Galvez, Gebre Selassie – Öztunali (46th Kleinheisler), Veljkovic (46. Lorenzen), Grillitsch, Yatabaré – Ujah
Bench	Tremmel, Fröde, Guwara, Eggestein
Goals	1:0 Thiago (09.), 2:0 Müller (31.), 3:0 Müller (66.), 4:0 Lewandowski (86.), 5:0 Thiago
Cards	Yellow: Ribery / Gebre Selassie, Djilibodji, U. Garcia
Referee	Winkmann (Kerken)
Attendance	75.000 (sold out)