Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. PSG; Manchester United sensing defeat with Alphonso Davies; Joshua Kimmich close to contract extension?; Manchester City eyeing Jeremie Frimpong; and MORE!

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain were set for a heavyweight tilt and, boy, did they not disappoint.

The first half was played in a frenzy and the second half seemed like it was on pace for more of the same, but some silly play from PSG doomed the visitors and let the Bavarians coast into a victory. Let’s not waste any more time, here are some quick hitters on the match:

• As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:

• The only mild surprises with the starting XI were with the wingers. Kompany opted for Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman over Michael Olise. In reality, it was not thoroughly shocking, but it does show that the coach might now be moving to embrace more movement at the position. Or…maybe Sané jumped over Olise in the pecking order. Either way, things are changing. Otherwise, Coman and Gnabry is pretty much like flipping a coin, though Coman was not good last weekend against FC Augsburg.
• PSG came out with a lot of life — they were aggressive and all over Bayern Munich.
• Leon Goretzka was in a great spot for a quality chance in the 4th minute, but his touch betrayed him.
• For as energetic as PSG was, Bayern Munich matched the intensity. Musiala ripped an attempt in the 7th, but it was saved by Matvey Safonov.
• Speaking of Safonov, you could slide him into any environment. Comic book convention, biker bar, carnival, IT department…dude has a versatile look to him.
• Konrad Laimer set up Sané for a decent look in the 11th minute, but Safonov was there again.
• Laimer was covering all kinds of ground early on.
• Coman and Achraf Hakimi had quite a battle on the left flank. In the 28th minute, Coman did some amazing dribbling to set himself up for a great chance, but he airmailed it.
• It was okay, because seconds later Warren Zaïre-Emery returned the favor by shanking a fairly easy chance.
• Manuel Neuer made a massive save on Ousmane Dembélé in the 32nd minute. Clearly, the attacking groups were starting to wear down each team’s defense.
• Finally, in the 38th minute, Kimmich lofted a beautiful ball into the box off of a corner, which Safonov misjudged with his punch, somehow landed in front of the net, and bounced straight up and was headed home by Kim Min-jae. Musiala should get some credit for being in the way of Safonov, without making contact.
• The shame of it for Safonov is that he made quite a few key saves before that error and played a pretty solid game.
• Seconds later, Coman got a step on Hakimi and barrelled down on Safonov, but lifted the ball over the net. The man needs to work on his finishing. It was not an easy chance by any means, but Coman is not shaking that perception of his game any time soon.
• As far as entertainment value goes, the first half was straight fire. The pace was so frantic, though, that it made viewers wonder if the teams could possibly keep it up.
• PSG started the second half with a real sense of urgency as Bayern Munich looked like it was reeling.
• Dembélé, though, lived up to his spotty reputation and picked up a second yellow card with a totally unnecessary foul on Alphonso Davies. It was Dembélé’s second yellow of the match, which meant PSG was a man down for the rest of the match.
• That was just the break that Bayern Munich needed as the Bavarians could play a much more methodical style.
• In the 66th minute, Neuer made an insane run up to midfield to receive a back pass from Kimmich (definitely not intended for him), which ultimately resulted in Kane setting up Coman for another great attempt…which he sent over the crossbar.
• Musiala hit the post in the 74th minute, which would have put the game out of commission, but this was not Bayern Munich’s best shooting performance.
• Not to be an alarmist, but Thomas Müller looked like he was lumbering. This was the same way he looked during the EUROs. That jump that he had in his to start the season for Bayern Munich is gone. Unfortunately, this was the first time since the EUROs where Müller really did not look like himself. He looked like he had lost two steps.
• In the 85th minute, PSG had its best chance to pull off a miracle when a ball landed right at the feet of João Neves, who sent his shot wide of the mark.
• Overall, the game was really fun for a half, but instantly shifted fully over to Bayern Munich thanks to Dembélé’s senseless foul on Davies. This was the win that Bayern Munich wanted, but it did lose some luster given that turn of events. Bayern Munich was, indeed, the better team, but PSG when really testing the Bavarians before the red card. Bayern Munich will take the win and run, though, and that is all that matters.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Manchester United really would love to bring in Bayern Munich left-back, but the Red Devils are getting hit with the reality that Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona are likely stronger contenders to ink the Canadian:

The search for a new left-back at Manchester United is in full swing. Highest priority for Ruben #Amorim as reported!

▫️Alphonso Davies remains the desired target but difficult to realize

Theo Hernández is also on the list alongside other options. However, Hernández is being closely monitored. Contract with AC Milan until 2026. #MUFC @SkySportDE

Interestingly, Hernandez has been rumored to be a target for Bayern Munich should Davies leave, but recent rumors have given much more optimism on Davies-re-upping with Bayern Munich than anything we have seen in months. Will the Bavarians get a deal done before Real Madrid or FC Barcelona can sway Davies?

Manchester City could be looking closely at Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong:

Manchester City could look to re-sign Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, according to Football Insider, with this coming as Kyle Walker approaches the last years of his career. At 23, Frimpong is seen as a long-term option for the Citizens while Brentford’s Sepp van den Berg is also being looked at for their defence.

Frimpong has been linked to a number of clubs, but it remains to be seen just how serious these links are. One thing seems certain — Leverkusen is going to experience a mass exodus after this season.

Thank the stars that the Bundesliga is back!

After the international break, The Bundesliga Rundown returns, showcasing the thrilling drama from Matchday 11.

From analysing the 7-goal ‘El Plástico’ thriller between TSG Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig to offering controversial VAR opinions, this episode has it all!

Additionally, this episode will cover:

• Christian Ilzer: TSG Hoffenheim’s intriguing managerial signing.
• Why Mainz 05’s Bo Henriksen might be one of the most underrated coaches in the Bundesliga.
• Why Marcus is not head over heels in love with VAR.
• Dominik Salz: The most heart-warming story of the past week.

Stay tuned for detailed highlights of the two featured games below.

TSG Hoffenheim 4-3 RB Leipzig

Holstein Kiel 0-3 Mainz 05

Joshua Kimmich could be closing in on a contract extension with Bayern Munich:

Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is close to agreeing a contract extension in Bavaria despite interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, according to a report.

The Germany international’s current deal is set to expire in the summer and there has been constant speculation over his future in recent years. There has been talk of a free transfer to La Liga leaders Barcelona, while French giants PSG have also been linked.

Kimmich himself didn’t shut down talk of a move to Barca when asked back in October but recent developments suggest he may end up extending his stay at the Allianz Arena after all.

L’Equipe write the 29-year-old is now “closer” to extending his contract with Bayern than he is to signalling his desire to join PSG. Talks are said to have intensified over the past few weeks and the report adds “the agreement is almost a done deal”.

There has been plenty of positive change in Bavaria in recent months. Thomas Tuchel’s departure and Vincent Kompany’s appointment as manager has reinvigorated the squad, while Kimmich has played more regularly in central midfield having spent a large amount of the unsuccessful 2023/24 campaign at right-back.

The new season hasn’t been without its hiccups, however. While Bayern are back at the top of the Bundesliga table, two losses in the Champions League mean the German giants must finish the preliminary stages strongly or risk missing out on a top-eight finish, which offers automatic qualification for the last 16.

One of those defeats came away at Barcelona but Bayern have won each of their six games since then, keeping clean sheets in every match and scoring a total of 17 goals.

Alphonso Davies is not the only Bundesliga player on Manchester United’s watchlist. Bayer Leverkusen attacker Victor Boniface might also be on the radar of the Red Devils:

FC Barcelona wants to keep Robert Lewandowski, but it could also be looking at a contingency plan — Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres:

Barcelona are closely monitoring the situation of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, a target for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. The Swede has an €80m release clause written into his contract.

Bayern Munich is running away with the league this season; they have won nine of their 11 games and drawn another two; the draws came against the teams sitting second and fourth in the table currently, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, but is this the best Bayern out there? We try to answer this question in the Flagship and more:

• What is going on with Mathys Tel?
• Is Vincent Kompany rotating Jamal Musiala enough?
• Was Bayern good against Augsburg?
• What is going on with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen?
• Reflections on Robert Lewandowski’s interesting interview with Rio Ferdinand
• What are the best words to describe Bayern Munich currently?