Bayern Munich continued its torrid run of play by hammering Werder Bremen 5-0 on the road.
Vincent Kompany has a great feel for the team at the moment and the players are responding to his coaching and strategy. The players are also performing like the world class group that they are — which we have not always seen in recent seasons.
Let’s take a look at some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting lineup:
- There was not much a difference in personnel for this match. Kingsley Coman got a surprise nod, which we can assume is to help market himself for a move in January. Meanwhile, Konrad Laimer stepped in for Raphaël Guerreiro. Otherwise, everything else was pretty much expected. While Manuel Neuer was announced the starter, Sven Ulreich actually got the call. Neuer must not have felt 100% and there was no reason to risk it.
- In the 23rd minute, Bayern Munich broke through by taking advantage of a Werder Bremen turnover. Harry Kane poked the ball to a streaking Michael Olise, who put the Bavarians on the scoreboard.
- It was going to be an Olise kind of day because nine minute later — after a run of dominant play from Bayern Munich — the winger jabbed a ball to Jamal Musiala, who was waiting patiently in front of the net to make it 2-0.
- Olise could present a numbers problem at some point for Bayern Munich. Serge Gnabry is content to be a team player and likely will not cause an issue if he is in a rotation. Coman seems like he is playing to help make a move in January, but Leroy Sané is one to watch. The former Manchester City man does not like sitting out or not starting.
- It was very clear, Werder Bremen was overmatched. Bayern Munich just looks like a machine at the moment. We know this cannot go on forever, but it is definitely a lot of fun to watch for now.
- Early in the second half, Bayern Munich did lose some focus and get sloppy. It could have been fatigue or just an inability to adjust a ramped up energy level from Werder Bremen. Either way, the home side put together some nice possessions. Dayot Upamecano had a spectacular (but probably dangerous) clearance in the 54th minute, which showed he still has that in him. Terrific play from the Frenchman.
- Later in the second half, though, Upamecano took a sloppy, unnecessary foul, which did not hurt in a game like this, but could prove costly later in the season. He might be the living, breathing example of the Facts of Life theme song, “You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have, the facts of life.” Overall, Upamecano was good and Bayern Munich will take that.
- Noticing the downturn, Kompany brought on Gnabry and Guerreiro for Coman and Laimer. Neither player looked thrilled with the ealy sub.
- Immediately, though, Bayern Munich scored. This time, some combination work in the final third resulted in Olise setting up Kane. Both players are on an absolute heater!
- Somehow, Olise was not done there. Three minutes after setting up Kane, Olise hopped on a loose ball that was tackled away form Gnabry in front of the net and scored. Just like that, Bayern Munich was up 4-0 and Olise established himself as a cult hero.
- In the 65th minute (just five minutes after Olise’s goal), Kane sent a ball out wide to Gnabry, who did a subtle cut in and ripped a low shot to the far corner to make it 5-0. What an insanely good eight minute stretch.
- The response to Kompany’s substitutions was incredible. Gnabry and Guerreiro made an instant impact and brought energy.
- Overall, Bayern Munich was an absolute machine in crushing the soul of Werder Bremen. It was just a thoroughly dominating performance. What else can you say? It was a masterful showing.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look and/or a listen:
We have seen reports about Manchester City being interested in Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, but could the deep-pocketed English club really be planning to get both players next summer?
Well…maybe? Let’s see:
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has backed Man City to sign Bundesliga stars Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz in 2025.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the duo will help City “continue their dominance” in the Premier League if they have a positive outcome in their 115 charges case.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (17 September) that Man City are well placed to sign Bayern Munich star Musiala amid interest from Europe’s top clubs.
The Germany international will have just one year left to run on his contract at the end of this season. Meanwhile, Wirtz has also been linked with a potential move to the Etihad Stadium after his impressive form for Bayer Leverkusen.
According to Transfermarkt, the duo have a combined value of almost £220million. When asked if City could have the financial clout to pull off both deals next year, Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think they will.
“It’s a very clever plan, they’d fit into City’s plan really well. I think it would be a great move for Wirtz and Musiala, and it would really help continue their dominance in the Premier League. Depending on the outcome of this court case, I think they’d fit into Pep Guardiola’s system very well.”
I cannot imagine how scary Manchester City’s attack would be if Musiala and Wirtz were playing along with Erling Haaland. Just end football at that point (not really, but you get the point).
Bayern Munich has been rumored to be a longtime fan of FC Barcelona midfielder Gavi. Now, the Bavarians could be competing with Chelsea FC, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain to try and grab him next summer:
Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have all contacted the agent of Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who faces an uncertain future at the club after his serious injury saw him fall down the pecking order.
Bayern Munich has had a busy week — and so have we!
Let’s get right down to it and lay out what we have in store for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- Introducing a new show to our lineup: “Bavarian Podcast Works — LoneStar Locks” — which will focus on sports betting and gambling. If you are not a fan of betting, you can still get some unique insights on games across the Bundesliga and Champions League. The new show debuted early on Thursday, so check it out!
- Chuck details (as much as he can) some stories back when he used to partake in “the action.”
- Dinamo Zagreb sacked its coach after Bayern Munich smashed them…which is completely ludicrous.
- Vincent Kompany is going to do things his way.
- The Thomas Müller situation has become a talking point for fans.
- Can we just get rid of the “Performance Principle” for good?
- A look at Mathys Tel’s situation, how things are going to be tough for him, and why a loan in January would not be surprising.
- A quick update on where I am with my Game of Thrones re-watch
Liverpool might be ready to make Trent Alexander-Arnold even more rich:
Liverpool are prepared to make Trent Alexander-Arnold one of their top earners to try and fend off interest from Real Madrid.
After his dominating four-goal performance against Dinamo Zagreb, Bayern Munich star Harry Kane led a quarter of players, who were named to WhoScored.com’s Champions League Team of the Week:
This is a tremendous effort from Manchester United’s Andre Onana:
