In winning 1-0 against Paris Saint Germain in a heavyweight Champions League bout, Bayern Munich collected a 7th clean sheet in a row in all competitions. Such a run was hardly conceivable after conceding four goals in one humiliating match against FC Barcelona, but the final whistle against the Qatari owned Parisian giants confirmed this achievement, one that Bayern have not achieved in over a decade, as captured by @iMiaSanMia:
Bayern have won and kept a clean sheet in each of their last 7 competitive matches – the last time they managed that was under Jupp Heynckes in August/September 2011 (10 in a row without conceding).
Incidentally, Manuel Neuer was tending the net for Bayern during both these runs. Back in 2011, he was bombarded with ‘Koan Neuer’ (No Neuer) shouts from Bayern fans furious at the signing of a goalkeeper with a reputation as a Schalke 04 ultra. The 10 clean sheets in a row, then, came at a good time to soothe fans and remind them that this was a world class goalkeeper the club had signed. All these years later, Neuer has delivered seven clean sheets in a row again and explains, via @iMiaSanMia, how the team managed to do this: “It comes down to our mentality and the confidence, not just from the back line, but the whole team. The attacking players are just as pleased with a 1-0 win and a clean sheet. This mentality and focus in every defensive action is setting us apart right now.”
One can see little reason that this mentality and focus will let up anytime soon, either. Would it not be fitting for Neuer (and the rest of the team) to go on to beat the record he set all those years ago? Four clean sheets to go…
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Bayern Munich’s massive 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League? Awesome, then check out our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
Be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @IredahlMarcus, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.
