Welcome to The Week That Was! Bayern Munich didn’t have the greatest match against Freiburg at the weekend. It was rough to watch at times, even though I honestly had a great time watching the game. Vincent Kompany is still feeling things out and trying to find the right tactics to fit this team.
And, I say “tactics to fit this team”, because everybody has their own beliefs as to what would be best. Coaches are going to want to implement their style of play regardless of the talent at their disposal, so Kompany has to figure this out.
Never forget the value of your veteran players
We all love the new hotness. It has never mattered how good your veteran players are, when your club signs an exciting young player, your eyes obviously drift that direction.
Jamal Musiala. Mathys Tel. Aleksandar Pavlović. Michael Olise. They’re all so extremely talented and young! They’re such good players, but Sunday’s game against Freiburg was the verge of slipping away. Then, Kompany made some changes.
You know, sometimes you just need your veterans to come in and exert control.
The second half saw the introduction of Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman, Joao Palhinha, Konrad Laimer, and Leon Goretzka. Steadily, Bayern regained control, and Müller scored a brilliant goal. Bayern held on to win 2-0 and remain perfect to start the season.
We all love the new, young, talented players. Sometimes, the club really just needs the veterans to take charge and run things for a little bit. For Bayern to be successful this season, Kompany is going to have to figure out a better way to balance the two age groups on the field.
Luck FINALLY wasn’t on Bayer Leverkusen’s side
Lady Luck has turned away from Bayer Leverkusen. Finally. Sure, look, I remember all of the ‘Neverkusen’ jokes, because I used to make them all the time, too. They were funny!
Over the last year, it wasn’t fun or funny to watch nearly every bounce and call go in their favor on their way to the domestic double last season. It was awful. Then, of course, they had to start the same way this season with the DFL Supercup and the first Bundesliga game.
Then, something beautiful and perfect happened this weekend against RB Leipzig. Leverkusen lost. It was their first loss in the Bundesliga since May 2023. Goodness, it felt great.
They’re still a great team, there’s no questioning that; however, them losing the aura of invincibility will be beneficial as Bayern chase the championship this year.
Am I back talking about Paul Wanner?
Hey, y’all, the kid is good. Wanner picked up another goal and assist over the weekend, boosting Heidenheim into the top spot in the Bundesliga. He became the Bundesliga’s youngest player to ever score a penalty and the youngest to ever score in the first two matchdays.
And, what did he do midweek? In their Conference League Playoff game against BK Häcken, Wanner he also picked up a goal and an assist as well.
It’s not the most devastating opposition at this point, but Wanner is on a roll to start this season. In Heidenheim’s five competitive matches to start the season, Wanner has four goals and two assists.
The kid is looking brilliant.
Looking for more chatter on Bayern Munich’s 2-0 victory over SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, plus some additional thoughts on Julian Nagelsmann’s German national team selections? Great, then check our latest Bavarian Podcast Works Show on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
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