Bayern Munich brought a true energy on to the pitch against Tottenham Hotspur during its friendly in South Korea.
The Bavarians would go on to capture a 2-1 victory, which featured a really fun playing style, aggressive attacking, and creative passing. In the end, it was a worthwhile investment of time for fans who were able to tune in. Let’s take a look at some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s take a look at the starting lineup:
- Jamal Musiala was a noticeable omission from the XI and while no concrete reason for his absence was released before the match, the FCBTV+ broadcast did say that Musiala was not yet back at full fitness (which is not wholly shocking). Otherwise, Vincent Kompany went with a mix of established stars and some players that he needs a closer look at. Kimmich featured as a central midfielder, Josip Stanišić played center-back (and was easily the better of the two starters), There was no true No. 9 in the starting XI.
- Bayern Munich came out playing a fast, fun, and creative style. One team looked like it was excited to be there, while the other squad looked very jet-lagged.
- A risky play by Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario resulted in a good chance for Serge Gnabry and while the winger could not convert, Gabriel Vidović corralled the rebound and calmly deposited the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 4th minute. It was a blazing start for the Bavarians.
- Tottenham Hotspur would eventually wake up…just a few minutes too late.
- Stanišić was a beast early on. Every time there was a breakdown, he was there to clear up the mess as a center-back.
- Gnabry had some really brilliant moments and was clearly playing with a purpose. It looked like he was a player fighting to prove himself and also battling for his job. Needless to say, the German looked revitalized.
- The starting attacking group of Gnabry, Vidović, Mathys Tel, and Thomas Müller was a lot of fun to watch and they were absolutely troublesome to deal with for Tottenham.
- While Bayern Munich did not rev its engine for the entirety of the first half, it was clear that this style of play under Kompany (if it can be sustained) will be far less conservative than it was under Thomas Tuchel.
- Bayern Munich’s high press was incredible.
- Aside of Gnabry, players like Tel, Vidović, and Stanišić did really well for themselves. If Bayern Munich is trying to unload Vidović, he helped the cause.
- As expected, Kompany went to his bench to start the second half as Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer, Sven Ulreich, João Palhinha, and Bryan Zaragoza entered the match. Palhinha immediately committed a foul, which might be an indication of the style of play he is ready to bring to Bavaria.
- Zaragoza had a great chance in the 53rd minute, but could not convert. That would have been big for the Spaniard. He definitely needs some work and fine-tuning, though. It is still hard to see how he will fit on the team or get any consistent playing time.
- In the 56th minute, Tel avoided the urge to play Zaragoza, who had drifted offside, and instead sent a nice ball to Goretzka, whose first attempt was saved. After gathering his own rebound, though, the midfielder deposited the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.
- In the 60th minute, Sven Ulreich made a tremendous save to clean up a mess made by Eric Dier. Ulreich really seized that moment.
- Ulreich would eventually get beat by an absolute rocket of a shot from Pedro Porro in the 66th minute. What a laser!
- The final 25 minutes were an absolute free-for-all due all of the subs and to the wear-and-tear of the match overall. The players looked a bit cooked on both sides, which led to some wild swings of momentum.
- Overall, it was very clear from the outset that Bayern Munich was the fresher, more energized team. Tottenham Hotspur looked tired and listless for stretches of time, while the Bavarians poured it on in waves. This was a very good showing for Bayern Munich and one that should generate excitement from fans. There were a lot of good things on display, but it remains to be seen how this will all look when the games mean something. For now, though, let’s enjoy a fun, creative showing from Bayern Munich — something that has been absent too long over the past two seasons.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, and/or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
This seems very loose, but FC Barcelona was reportedly offered the chance to ink Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia if it whiffs on its pursuit of Nico Williams:
Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia if they are unable to finalise a deal for Athletic Club’s Nico Williams.
Bayern Munich took off for its jaunt in Asia where it will continue its preparation for the 2024/25 campaign. Competition on the squad will be fierce, moves will still be made (transfers in and out), and fan excitement/anxiety will likely start to skyrocket.
What better time to gauge how we are all feeling? Let’s get to it. This is what we have on tap for this episode of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- How about a heat check on where fans stand at this point of the transfer window?
- Joshua Kimmich is reportedly going to play out his contract — what does that mean for him and why it could be bad news for Bayern Munich.
- Noussair Mazraoui is just about gone, will Matthijs de Ligt follow him to Manchester United?
- The Entertainment Rundown featuring takes on House of the Dragon and…BlackBerry (!?).
Did you ever hear about that time Liverpool FC ignored some advice to pick up Manuel Neuer? Well, now you have:
Speaking on the Aldo Meeds Podcast, John Achterberg has been discussing some of the signings Liverpool failed to make, and he says that he told Damien Comolli to sign Manuel Neuer when he was at Schalke.
However, the German ultimately ended up making a £13m move to Bayern Munich as Liverpool struggled to settle on a quality goalkeeper. Achterberg claimed he told Liverpool to sign Neuer.
“I was looking non-stop. I enjoyed it as well. You could say what you wanted. The first goalie I said to Comolli was Neuer at Schalke, I said he would be good for us, but then he said he’s going to Bayern,” Achterberg said.
“The second one I said Handanovic who was at Udinese, and he said he doesn’t like it. I watched him against Ireland, he’s physical, a good shot stopper, and a good size.”
If Liverpool had signed Neuer, their entire trajectory could’ve changed.
Make no mistake about it, the German may be the best goalkeeper of the past 15 years, and if he’d joined Liverpool, things could’ve gone so differently.
As Manchester United seeks to reload its roster, the Red Devils could be looking at Real Socieded defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi:
Manchester United are keen on signing Euro 2024 winner Martin Zubimendi, but any deal would be complicated despite his £51m release clause as he has little desire to leave Real Sociedad.
In what would be unfortunate timing for Hoffenheim, Pellegrino Matarazzo could be considering taking the USMNT gig:
Kicker reporting the USA want Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo as their next men‘s coach. Club currently in an uncertain period following the departure of Alex Rosen. But does Matarazzo (contract until 2025) want to leave a place that has become home, for the unknown? #USMNT https://t.co/hrNWcSxCZS
— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) August 3, 2024
Bayern Munich looks set to continue onward in its preseason knowing that changes are (maybe) coming.
An overloaded roster will eventually have to be addressed, but Vincent Kompany will have to deal with that, while also figuring out exactly what he has in this group and how he wants them to play.
That will be no easy task. Needless to say, we have a lot to chat about.
This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- Is Bayern Munich’s front office taking an amateurish approach to this transfer window?
- João Palhinha looks and sounds like the real deal…can he avoid the pitfalls that have felled other big Bayern Munich signings?
- Despite the poor showings in friendlies, it is not time to panic at Bayern Munich just yet.
- Is it inevitable that Jamal Musiala leaves Bayern Munich next summer? Will Florian Wirtz replace him? Some things appear to be in motion, so let’s discuss.
Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips could finally be on the verge of a move now that Aston Villa is expressing interest:
Aston Villa have made an offer to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan.
The full list of teams interested in Juventus attacker Federico Chiesa could include Arsenal FC, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tottenham Hotspur:
The agent of another Juventus star, winger Federico Chiesa, is in talks with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Disgruntled Borussia Dortmund attacker Youssoufa Moukoko is probably on his way to Olympique Marseille:
⚪️ EXCLUSIVE: Youssoufa Moukoko has decided to join Olympique Marseille!
Despite bids from more than 5 clubs around Europe, Moukoko wants OM project; personal terms agreed.
Negotiations underway between OM and BVB on loan deal with buy option clause.
Here we go, soon ⏳ pic.twitter.com/w0pE1lIsKx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2024