Bayern Munich did not look like the juggernaut we had seen in late August and early September.
In fact, the team looked far from that.
Lacking energy and solutions to Aston Villa’s low block, Bayern Munich meandered through another game where it looked like it just could not figure out how to complete the task of getting a win. Only in this match, the Bavarians ended up taking a loss due to a defensive breakdown.
Whatever the case, this game left us lots to discuss, so let’s get to it:
- As always, let’s start with Vincent Kompany starting XI:
- So, a few surprises. Jamal Musiala took a seat so Kingsley Coman could join the starting lineup. Konrad Laimer slotted in at right-back, which put Raphaël Guerreiro on the bench, while João Palhinha and Leroy Sané were still on the outside looking in.
- Thomas Muller might never start again (half joking).
- Rotation is a great thing, but this felt a little arrogant (and maybe even disrespectful to Aston Villa).
- Bayern Munich looked completely disjointed early on to the point where Aston Villa asserted itself more in the match despite having far less possession through the first 25 minutes. That helped Dayot Upamecano pick up a needless yellow card and a goal from Pau Torres that was ultimately ruled to be offside.
- Upamecano would have his hands full with Ollie Watkins. Just minutes after the disallowed goal, Aston Villa had another quality chance, but the shot was right at Manuel Neuer.
- In the 29th minute, Serge Gnabry streaked down the right side for Bayern Munich’s best chance of the match, but instead of sending the ball centrally to Kane, Gnabry airmailed a shot, which made him look extremely selfish or unaware or both. Kane then verbally berated Gnabry, who was unfazed. This was reminiscent of Julian Nagelsmann’s first year when Gnabry, Coman, Sané, and Musiala would routinely shrug off Robert Lewandowski.
- The Bayern Munich attack missed having a true playmaker. Without Musiala or Müller, the profiles on the field all operated too similarly.
- Coman was a complete and utter non-factor. It is hard to tell why he is playing so much, but he is not putting out good scouting film if the intention is to showcase himself for a transfer.
- The squad seemed to lack energy and urgency in the first half.
- Leon Bailey, who came on as a sub in the first half for Jacob Ramsey, still has a propensity for forcing things. Bailey was later subbed off after showing no burst and a penchant for poor decisions. Bailey had 13 touches and lost possession six times. He might have been playing hurt.
- On the brightside, Bayern Munich’s press was effective and when the squad was able to set up its defensive shape, it was formidable. Still, you just got the feeling that leaving the backline was going to end up being trouble.
- Seeing the same thing that many of us did, Kompany subbed in Musiala for Coman at halftime, who probably needs a change of scenery and some time on the bench.
- Upamecano was really playing with fire while on a yellow card.
- Unai Emery seemed to get into it with Bayern Munich coaching staff a bit in the second half, which helped amp things up.
- Meanwhile, the game had devolved into sloppiness for both sides.
- Aston Villa was compact and very much playing a “bend, but don’t break” style, which did not afford Bayern Munich many great chances.
- While Aston Villa did not generate many good chances of its own, the book might be out on how to frustrate Bayern Munich’s attack.
- Musiala definitely added a jolt to the attacking group, despite ho-hum performances by just about everyone else.
- Ross Barkley was awful for Aston Villa by the way.
- In the 79th minute, though, Aston Villa would break through, as Jhon Durán beat Upamecano and then took advantage of Manuel Neuer being way too far out of the goal to give Aston Villa a 1-0 lead. As stated, Upamecano was playing with fire on a number of levels. Neuer had been roaming all game due to how little pressure he was facing, but the one-second lapse in positioning from Upamecano gave Durán just enough breathing room to take advantage of both Bayern Munich players. It was the perfect storm of poor positioning by both players.
- In a game that begged for good scoring chances, Mathys Tel came on and forced two weak shots in the game’s final minutes. That will not help his cause for more playing time. The kid looks unsure of himself right now.
- Gnabry had a perfect chance to knot the game in extra time, but he steered his shot right at Emiliano Martinez from close-range. Martinez was excellent.
- Bayern Munich had a free kick in the final seconds, but opted for a training ground play instead of just going after it. That teed up a wild final minute, but it was all to no avail for Bayern Munich.
- Overall, Bayern Munich did not show up to play and did not look prepared to face what seemed inevitable — another compact opponent looking to capitalize quickly on counter attacks. Not shockingly, it was that scenario that ended Bayern Munich’s undefeated season. Now, it’s back to the drawing board for Kompany, who has to find a way to solve the glut of compact defenses that his squad is about to face. It is one thing to face that kind if game plan from St. Pauli, but it is far more dangerous to face it from any high-caliber team with the weapons to pull off such a strategy. In the end, Bayern Munich might as well have listened to Cousin Avi from Snatch if they were going to play that way…
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
FC Barcelona looks like it really wants to bring Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala to Catalonia. Of all the clubs to take a run at Musiala, Barca seems like it would be the least likely to actually get the deal done given its shaky financial situation:
Barcelona are among the frontrunners to sign Jamal Musiala if he were to leave Bayern Munich as he would be interested in reuniting with former manager Hansi Flick.
Welcome to episode four of the Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl!
In this episode, we dive into Matchday 5 and the ultimate clash: the reigning champions against the record champions.
Marcus also explains why FC St. Pauli’s win was more than just 3 points and will reveal his thoughts on the new ‘Relevent’ partnership in the ‘Bundesliga Spotlight of the Week’ segment.
Additionally, Marcus will cover:
- Why Freiburg and new head coach Julian Schuster should not cry over spilt milk against FC St. Pauli.
- How Vincent Kompany is already fixing Bayern’s damaged reputation.
- The unique world of St. Pauli and Hafenstraße.
- …and much more!
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško is becoming one of the most sought after players in all of Europe. That will not distract him from his duties at RB Leipzig, though:
Benjamin Šeško on top clubs trying to sign him: “No comment on that”.
“I’m happy at Leipzig, that’s why I’ve decided to extend my contract”.
“I wanna do great things here as the club is very ambitious”, told Gazzetta. pic.twitter.com/LerVFRpCdt
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 1, 2024
Wojciech Szczęsny is making the move to FC Barcelona:
Bayern Munich’s performance against Leverkusen was one that displayed dominance, but was found lacking on the scoresheet. With Vincent Kompany focused on ironing out weaknesses, the upcoming game against Aston Villa in the Champions League gives the team the opportunity to make a statement against a familiar, albeit unpleasant foe in Unai Emery.
In this episode, Cyler and Schnitzel discuss the following:
- What went right against Leverkusen, and what didn’t
- Do Bayern fans have reason to worry already?
- Unai Emery’s Villarreal side of 2022 giving Schnitzel Vietnam flashbacks
- How should Bayern be set up to counter low-blocks?
- A lot of juicy tactical rambling (perfect for fellow tactitzels)
- A breakdown of Villa’s squad and gameplan
- How is Bayern going to deal with Harry Kane’s absence?
- Lineup predictions and potential strategies
- Final scoreline prediction
Real Madrid could be looking at Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot:
Real Madrid could turn their attention to signing Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot if Liverpool get Trent Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract, says GMS.
Madrid have been keen to land Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer but the one-club man is still only 25 and could commit his future to Anfield.
If he does, then Madrid will look to Portugal international Dalot to firm up their options as the 32-year-old Dani Carvajal reaches the end of his career.
Manchester City is still looking to bolster its midfield after the injury to Rodri. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi could be a target in January for Pep Guardiola’s club:
Manchester City are considering making a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi following the injury picked up by his international teammate Rodri, Football Insider reports.
The 25-year-old turned down a move to Liverpool earlier this summer, which has seemingly left the door open for Man City to step in with a January bid.
