<b>Bundesliga MD 06 Preview: Köln vs. Bayern</b>
It seems as if FC Bayern have finally got going after the bitter defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim. This weekend, however, the whole breadth of the squad may be needed for the first time. The game is away to Köln.It was plain to see in Moscow that Bayern are a bit running on fumes these days. Certainly the performance was not bad. For long stretches of the game, the team controlled the action both offensively and defensively. They could well have been two goals up at the break and then the game might have been over already.But as it is so often the case when clinical efficiency in front of goal goes begging, before you know it the opponent gets a foot in the door again. Moscow managed to charge down dangerously on Manuel Neuer’s goal on several occasions, but they failed to use their best opportunities. Still, they finally managed to draw level and suddenly the game became an open contest.In the end, it was for Joshua Kimmich, who did not enjoy the best of games, to secure his team the victory with a remarkable finish from a tad outside the penalty area.<a href="#will-the-bayern-bench-players-be-able-to-step-up"></a>Will the Bayern bench players be able to step up?Bayern’s defensive performance was bizzare at times, especially in the second half. After the substitution of Thomas Müller in particular, the pressing seemed to lack punch and precision.This shows once again how important Müller is for his team. If he is missing, calamity ensues. But it is not only his absence that has made a second half like the one in Moscow possible in the first place.Of course, Bayern’s mental fatigue was evident throughout the game. Compared to the previous weekend, Flick had hardly rotated at all. He clearly put the Champions League first – possibly also because, on paper, Köln is a weaker opponent than Lokomotiv.<a href="#integration-of-the-new-arrivals"></a>Integration of the new arrivalsThe main lesson for Flick from Tuesday evening will be that his second string players are not an adequate replacement of his first choices in all areas. Players like Douglas Costa (weak going back before Lok’s goal) or Javi Martínez do not yet have the rhythm to be able to help immediately and in every situation. With the real newcomers, it will probably take some time before they are fully integrated. Marc Roca, who has seen precious little game time so far, is a case in point.In Flick’s system, small mistakes are enough to challenge the stability of the whole system. That is why Flick is called upon. He has to accelerate the integration process of the newcomers through clever rotation without jeopardising the success of the team.This weekend against Köln, he may have a good opportunity to give important minutes to players like Roca, Costa or even Bouna Sarr. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting could also be recalled to the team. It is all about these players catching up and geling with their teammates as quickly as possible.<a href="#striking-a-balance-against-koln"></a>Striking a balance against KölnIt is absolutely clear that individual quality is missing on the pitch when Müller, Kimmich or Robert Lewandowski sit on the bench. Oftentimes, however, this is of little consequence, because in most games of a season Bayern’s substitutes also have more quality than the opponents.Once they have internalised Flick’s philosophy and the procedures on the pitch, it will be easier for the coach to prevent mental fatigue and to compensate for the slight loss of quality with tactical adaptations.But he will still have to strike a balance against Köln: On the one hand, there is the ambition to decide the game as quickly as possible. On the other hand, there is also the responsibility to give players like Kimmich, Leon Goretzka or Müller a break.<a href="#defensive-issues-at-1-fc-koln"></a>Defensive issues at 1. FC KölnFlick already took a slight risk in Moscow. All three players mentioned probably were not 100% match fit. It is therefore…
It seems as if FC Bayern have finally got going after the bitter defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim. This weekend, however, the whole breadth of the squad may be needed for the first time. The game is away to Köln.It was plain to see in Moscow that Bayern are a bit running on fumes these days. Certainly the performance was not bad. For long stretches of the game, the team controlled the action both offensively and defensively. They could well have been two goals up at the break and then the game might have been over already.But as it is so often the case when clinical efficiency in front of goal goes begging, before you know it the opponent gets a foot in the door again. Moscow managed to charge down dangerously on Manuel Neuer’s goal on several occasions, but they failed to use their best opportunities. Still, they finally managed to draw level and suddenly the game became an open contest.In the end, it was for Joshua Kimmich, who did not enjoy the best of games, to secure his team the victory with a remarkable finish from a tad outside the penalty area.<a href="#will-the-bayern-bench-players-be-able-to-step-up"></a>Will the Bayern bench players be able to step up?Bayern’s defensive performance was bizzare at times, especially in the second half. After the substitution of Thomas Müller in particular, the pressing seemed to lack punch and precision.This shows once again how important Müller is for his team. If he is missing, calamity ensues. But it is not only his absence that has made a second half like the one in Moscow possible in the first place.Of course, Bayern’s mental fatigue was evident throughout the game. Compared to the previous weekend, Flick had hardly rotated at all. He clearly put the Champions League first – possibly also because, on paper, Köln is a weaker opponent than Lokomotiv.<a href="#integration-of-the-new-arrivals"></a>Integration of the new arrivalsThe main lesson for Flick from Tuesday evening will be that his second string players are not an adequate replacement of his first choices in all areas. Players like Douglas Costa (weak going back before Lok’s goal) or Javi Martínez do not yet have the rhythm to be able to help immediately and in every situation. With the real newcomers, it will probably take some time before they are fully integrated. Marc Roca, who has seen precious little game time so far, is a case in point.In Flick’s system, small mistakes are enough to challenge the stability of the whole system. That is why Flick is called upon. He has to accelerate the integration process of the newcomers through clever rotation without jeopardising the success of the team.This weekend against Köln, he may have a good opportunity to give important minutes to players like Roca, Costa or even Bouna Sarr. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting could also be recalled to the team. It is all about these players catching up and geling with their teammates as quickly as possible.<a href="#striking-a-balance-against-koln"></a>Striking a balance against KölnIt is absolutely clear that individual quality is missing on the pitch when Müller, Kimmich or Robert Lewandowski sit on the bench. Oftentimes, however, this is of little consequence, because in most games of a season Bayern’s substitutes also have more quality than the opponents.Once they have internalised Flick’s philosophy and the procedures on the pitch, it will be easier for the coach to prevent mental fatigue and to compensate for the slight loss of quality with tactical adaptations.But he will still have to strike a balance against Köln: On the one hand, there is the ambition to decide the game as quickly as possible. On the other hand, there is also the responsibility to give players like Kimmich, Leon Goretzka or Müller a break.<a href="#defensive-issues-at-1-fc-koln"></a>Defensive issues at 1. FC KölnFlick already took a slight risk in Moscow. All three players mentioned probably were not 100% match fit. It is therefore…