Utter Domination
August 30, 2021 Bremer SV
As you’d expect for this match, Bayern made massive squad changes to face such a small side. The only primary starters in the squad were Muller, Kimmich, Sane, Sule and Musiala, all of whom would be replaced by 61st minute save Sane. Despite the massive changes in squad though, Bayern would demolish Bremer 12-0 as Choupo-Moting scored four, Musiala added two and Tillman, Sane, Cuisance, Sarr, Tolisso and Own Goal all added 1.
Bayern handled this game as you’d expect given the vast difference in quality. Musiala, Choupo-Moting and Sane all particularly had good game’s and especially for the latter, it was much needed given the pressure that he’s been under.
Hertha Berlin
Saturday saw Bayern take on Hertha at the Allianz. All of the usual starters would return and the lineup looked much the same as it had since Nagelsmann took over with the exception of Jamal Musiala replacing Leroy Sane on the wing. Once again, Bayern took control early as Alphonso Davies found Thomas Muller for a goal in just the sixth minute.
However, it would be Robert Lewandowski’s show from there on out. The striker would find the back of the net three times in the 35th, 70th and 84th minutes. Musiala added the third goal in the 49th minute to complete the 5-0 score line. Neuer also left the field happy as he collected his first clean sheet of the young season and really had very little to do.
Off Field News
Several noteworthy things also took place off the field. On Thursday, the UEFA Champions League draw took place and Bayern were drawn into Group E along with Barcelona, Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv. Should be a very entertaining and somewhat challenging group, though you’d expect Bayern to make it out with out too much trouble.
Sunday saw the DFB Pokal draw and Bayern will be on the road again to face Borussia Monchengladbach for the second time already this season. Not an easy draw for the second round of the DFB Pokal, but as we all know, you’ll have to beat several tough teams on the way to the final anyways. At the very least, it should be a very good and entertaining match.
Finally, it looks like the midfield reinforcement that we have so desperately needed over the last year are about to arrive as Marcel Sabitzer’s long rumored move is apparently all but done. This move will undoubtedly result in a few other moves, probably for Cuisance and Tolisso, and hopefully maybe one more incoming player for Bayern. Either way, this is an excellent fit for Bayern in an area of need and should solidify the middle of the pitch and take some pressure off of Kimmich and Goretzka.
On Field Takeaways
Musiala Shines
Musiala’s ascendance as a future (current?) Bayern star continues. While you can easily, and rightfully, point out that Bremer SV in particular is not the greatest of tests, but the way he dominated was impressive. Nagelsmann called out what I think many of us have noticed following this match saying that he seems to have a magnet in his foot that keeps the ball there while dribbling around countless opponents.
He also added to his scoring tally in both matches. His nose for goal is surely one of the biggest reasons for Bayern supporters excitement. Bayern have very talented attacking options but few outside of Lewandowski and Gnabry have shown the scoring acumen of Musiala.
Sane Improving
While he lost his starting position against Hertha this week to Musiala, Sane also had two good showings. Coming off the bench, he assisted Lewandowski on his third goal and really did most of the work to get there. He also added a goal and an assist against Bremer in the cup match. All in all, it was a good week for the German winger at a time when he needed a pick me up.
Hopefully this will boost his confidence and get him back into the player we all know he’s capable of being. Bayern’s success this year will largely depend on players like Sane, Gnabry, Coman and Musiala playing at the level we all know they are capable of and staying healthy.
Player(s) of the Week
Due to the two outstanding performances, I’m making this position of the week as the strikers in both matches dominated. Both Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Robert Lewandowski could not be stopped. Choupo-Moting not only scored goals but also assisted two more and caused the own goal against Bremer. Lewandowski meanwhile picked up his first hat trick of the season and extended his scoring run in the Bundesliga to 13 matches.
All in all, it was a great week for Bayern. The performances on the pitch were fantastic. They scored 17 goals and gave up zero. Nagelsmann and all Bayern supporters have to be very pleased with the play overall and the improvements shown by certain players especially headed into the international break.
Not just a fantastic week but I would also say fantastic season opening for a Bayern fan, counting from the first match, the 1-1 draw with Gladbach, to today:
– Better than expected results. I think most of us including Miasanrot prepared ourselves for a relatively rough riding for the first few matches, due to the team and Nagelsmann finding each others, taking into account injuries and Euro 2020. However, (and I know it’s still early day, and Bayern will play Leipzig and then Barcelona, both away, consecutively, and there is a chance we lose both), a draw, 2 league wins, 1 cup wins, 1 trophy win, it’s very hard to complain. And:
– Not just the result, be the upward trend in play and performance match after match is clear to see. There are still a lot of rooms for improvement but the progress throughout these 5 matches makes me so excited for the future.
– Most players also show improvement in fitness and form and the time goes on. Surprisingly the midfield to me looks the least convincing, but I think it’s more Kimmich and Goretzka still finding form after the summer break, and adapting to Nagelsmann’s system than anything. Speaking of midfield:
– I’m super happy that Bayern managed to sign Sabitzer. Much needed quality depth for central midfield and even attack from Sabitzer, being an allrounder. His mentality and will are also similar to what of Kimmich, which will only help this relatively young team. Getting Sabitzer for this absurdly low price (rumour 16+ millions) feels like a “compensation” for losing Thiago to Liverpool fo 30M 1 year ago. And on paper finally we have 3 high quality players again who can replace or play with each others at the same time. With Sabitzer’s profile and the fact that his coach is no one other than Julian Nagelsmann, I’m sure the reality would not be different.
– I still hope Bayern would spring another signing until tomorrow, but as of now, for the first time in 2 years, I’m relatively satisfied with the team’s depth. This if course take into account the recent performance of Jamal Musiala and Josip Stanisic, and the assumption that they could more or less sustain that level of contribution. The team lost a huge amount of experience, leadership and quality in Alaba, Boateng, Martinez, but on a euro to value basis, I think Bayern has done pretty well replacing them. The addition of Marcel Sabitzer alone has reduced the risk considerably, since he can directly or indirectly impacts central midfield, attacking midfield, winger and right back positions, positively. As compared to Hansi Flick’s Champions League winning team, I think the only noticeable drop (which is a big deal if not solved properly) is pressing-resistant capability of central defence-midfield. Thiago is/was a pressing resistant machine, who helped tremendously in dealing with relentless pressure from opponents, while Alaba/Boateng on-the-ball technique, vision and passing range is/was world class. Whether the new team axis (Hernandez/Upa/Sule/Kimmich/Goretzka/Sabitzer) can have the same influence is still a big question mark. I also notice the team play a lot more quick and forward passes now (Nagelsmann’s style), perhaps that explain the huge amount of missed passes during the opening matches, and that would mean this technical quality (of the team) would be even more important.
Finally, I know it’s a new era for Die Mannschaf with Flick and so on, but when is the next Bayern match again?
Completely agree Hien. It has been a great start to the season, especially given the transitions that have taken place. I agree that the midfield has been concerning thus far, though I find Goretzka to be the most at fault here. Something just looks off with him so far this season. Not sure if it’s a little injury or something else, but I suspect that will get better over the year and that Sabitzer will also help to stabilize the middle of the pitch. I too am a huge fan of the Sabitzer signing. There should be plenty of minutes for all three and we’ll FINALLY have that needed depth we lost when Thiago left.
Overall I would agree that the squad is in pretty good shape. Personally, I really think another Right Back could go a long way. Stanisic has done well so far, but I’m still not convinced that he’s ready against bigger sides or provides the offensive ability that Nagelsmann would like. While Pavard has proven himself capable, I also don’t really see him as an elite Right Back and think he could at least benefit from another player that really pushes him for that position.
As for the next Bayern match, that is September 11th against Leipzig! Should be a good one!
Hi Marc, I would also love that right back. However whom do you think could be a realistic target during the last day of the window? Now counting Upamecano, Nagelsmann, Sabitzer, Bayern has paid close to 80M, without having meaningful income from sale, this now I find quite amazing in this ever-going Corona crisis, especially since the board members repeatedly mentioned the need to balance purchase with sale. Maybe the rumored Jonas Hoffmann?
That is the issue. I’m honestly not sure who fits their budget and who is available. Right back is a position that has a ton of great players currently (historically?) so I’m not sure I really expect anything anyways. Hoffmann is an interesting option but I honestly do not expect it to happen. I do agree with you that Bayern have spent more this summer than I had expected. There should be no issues in terms of their ability to pay out 80M without bringing much in due to their exceptional financial situation, but they will certainly be reluctant to spend more without bringing in some money through sales. This could be a year where we actually see a few moves in the winter, especially some sales.