<b>Bundesliga Matchday 26 (yes, incredibly yes) Preview: Union against Bayern</b>
Had everything gone to plan, this preview would have been the finale one of the current Bundesliga season. We would have previewed FC Bayern’s matchday 34 trip to VfL Wolfsburg. But instead, the record-breaking champions will travel to Berlin on Sunday – for matchday 26.Perhaps the final game to conclude the first matchday after the restart will be representative of the many problems that the clubs and the DFL are expecting for the restart. On the one side, there are the mighty record champions, who lead the league by four points at the top of the table. On the opposite side, there is Union Berlin, who seem to be free from any relegation worries with an eight point cushion to the relegation play off place.However, the game will be a meeting of two teams whose quality occupies opposite ends of the spectrum. The match could thus show early on how justified the concerns about a potentially distorted competition due to coronavirus are.A tactical preview of this game is impossible. During a regular Bundesliga season, teams can be observed, studied and, to a certain extent, it is also possible to predict how they will perform. All that can be predicted about Bayern and Union now is that at least they will try to do their best.<a href="#the-matchday-of-uncertainty"></a>The matchday of uncertaintyBayern’s football is characterised by high pressure and a lot of ball possession. Union are known for their highly organized pressing as well, especially at home. Early in the season, they proved in their match against Dortmund that they did not come to the Bundesliga just to make up the numbers. Instead, they hold their own with an intense pressing game where they like to push up aggressively and disrupt their opponents’ build-up play early.Beyond such broad strokes, however, predictions are more complicated. What is the level of fitness of both teams? Then there is the mental aspect, which is particularly complex. The lack of an audience will in all likelihood significantly influence the course of the game. The question will only be how much so and to whose advantage. On the one hand, Bayern will probably not suffer from playing with a training pitch atmosphere in one of the most unpleasant away games in the season calendar. Dortmund and Gladbach already failed at the “Alte Försterei” earlier this season. Both got to feel first hand how strong the oft quoted twelfth man can be in Berlin-Köpenick.On the other hand, the lack of home support could make it hard for Union to release the last few percentage points of their potential, something which they would urgently need against an already stronger opponent. Unfortunately, it is to be expected that high-quality teams with a lot of individual talent and strength in depth are now even more superior to those who, without their fans, will find it difficult to go beyond their limits.<a href="#will-the-top-clubs-stand-to-profit-most"></a>Will the top clubs stand to profit most?Of course, the sport itself as a practice will be more in focus than before, which means that the fundamental quality of the teams will be even more crucial as the influence of external factors will be less important or even eliminated. So perhaps the lack of pressure from playing in front of extatic crowds will lead to fewer individual mistakes by the players. They can also coach and organize themselves better on the pitch. They will not be affected by whistling, booing, chanting and other external factors as much as usual. We may even see a cleaner and better football.However, the current conditions cannot really be desirable for either team. Union’s coach Urs Fischer left his team during the week for private reasons. It is still unclear whether he will rejoin his team before Sunday. This could prove an additional complication for the newly promoted team.It is above all a contest of uncertainty. Even though there is every indication that FC Bayern…
Had everything gone to plan, this preview would have been the finale one of the current Bundesliga season. We would have previewed FC Bayern’s matchday 34 trip to VfL Wolfsburg. But instead, the record-breaking champions will travel to Berlin on Sunday – for matchday 26.Perhaps the final game to conclude the first matchday after the restart will be representative of the many problems that the clubs and the DFL are expecting for the restart. On the one side, there are the mighty record champions, who lead the league by four points at the top of the table. On the opposite side, there is Union Berlin, who seem to be free from any relegation worries with an eight point cushion to the relegation play off place.However, the game will be a meeting of two teams whose quality occupies opposite ends of the spectrum. The match could thus show early on how justified the concerns about a potentially distorted competition due to coronavirus are.A tactical preview of this game is impossible. During a regular Bundesliga season, teams can be observed, studied and, to a certain extent, it is also possible to predict how they will perform. All that can be predicted about Bayern and Union now is that at least they will try to do their best.<a href="#the-matchday-of-uncertainty"></a>The matchday of uncertaintyBayern’s football is characterised by high pressure and a lot of ball possession. Union are known for their highly organized pressing as well, especially at home. Early in the season, they proved in their match against Dortmund that they did not come to the Bundesliga just to make up the numbers. Instead, they hold their own with an intense pressing game where they like to push up aggressively and disrupt their opponents’ build-up play early.Beyond such broad strokes, however, predictions are more complicated. What is the level of fitness of both teams? Then there is the mental aspect, which is particularly complex. The lack of an audience will in all likelihood significantly influence the course of the game. The question will only be how much so and to whose advantage. On the one hand, Bayern will probably not suffer from playing with a training pitch atmosphere in one of the most unpleasant away games in the season calendar. Dortmund and Gladbach already failed at the “Alte Försterei” earlier this season. Both got to feel first hand how strong the oft quoted twelfth man can be in Berlin-Köpenick.On the other hand, the lack of home support could make it hard for Union to release the last few percentage points of their potential, something which they would urgently need against an already stronger opponent. Unfortunately, it is to be expected that high-quality teams with a lot of individual talent and strength in depth are now even more superior to those who, without their fans, will find it difficult to go beyond their limits.<a href="#will-the-top-clubs-stand-to-profit-most"></a>Will the top clubs stand to profit most?Of course, the sport itself as a practice will be more in focus than before, which means that the fundamental quality of the teams will be even more crucial as the influence of external factors will be less important or even eliminated. So perhaps the lack of pressure from playing in front of extatic crowds will lead to fewer individual mistakes by the players. They can also coach and organize themselves better on the pitch. They will not be affected by whistling, booing, chanting and other external factors as much as usual. We may even see a cleaner and better football.However, the current conditions cannot really be desirable for either team. Union’s coach Urs Fischer left his team during the week for private reasons. It is still unclear whether he will rejoin his team before Sunday. This could prove an additional complication for the newly promoted team.It is above all a contest of uncertainty. Even though there is every indication that FC Bayern…
<b>DFB-Pokal Semi-final: Bayern against Frankfurt</b>
On Wednesday evening FC Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt will meet for the second time after the coronavirus break. Will it be a clear affair again?It was a clear story when Eintracht Frankfurt last played in Munich’s Allianz Arena a few days ago. Apart from a brief phase when two set piece goals in quick succession for the side from Hesse raised the hopes of the Frankfurt fans of a different outcome, Bayern played with a lot of confidence and calmness.Frankfurt’s pressing came to nothing on several occasions. For the most part, Bayern left nothing to chance during build-up play and in front of goal, and even managed to capitalize on invitations such as the one leading to Alphonso Davies’s goal. It was an all-around satisfying evening.Now the big question is what should have changed within just a few days. Frankfurt continues to bob around in the league from matchday to matchday, knowing that staying up is a mortal lock but there is little chance of an upward trend as well. On the other hand, Bayern march ahead with an ever-broadening chest. Even if they fall behind early like last weekend against Leverkusen, this hardly serves to break their stride.<a href="#a-different-game-than-last-time"></a>A different game than last time?But the calculation before the semi-final is not quite so simple. Even if Bayern are of course the clear favourites, the game will be played under completely different conditions than a few days ago in the Bundesliga.For one, there is a lot more at stake for Frankfurt. The DFB-Pokal is the last realistic chance for the Hessians to win a Europa League ticket. If they beat Bayern, another season in the Europa League is on the cards, a competition in which Frankfurt have provided a lot of joy to their fans in recent years.But there are also considerable financial aspects at play. Whether or not the club reaches the Europa League could influence their squad planning and ambitions for the short to mid-term future. This turns this semi-final almost into a final for Frankfurt. It is therefore all the more bitter for them that their key player Kostic will be unavailable.<a href="#will-thiago-make-the-first-eleven-yet"></a>Will Thiago make the first eleven yet?Frankfurt has proven several times in the past just how unpleasant they can be when they do not have to make the game. It will therefore be crucial for FC Bayern to go up a gear compared to the average Bundesliga fare. This may seem absurd at first glance, as the Bayern team have played their last opponents off the park. But cup matches tends to become even more intense – especially if there is so much at stake.Bayern will probably not make a lot of personnel changes again. Flick will not want to take any risks, but he has try to keep those who do not see much game time at the moment happy, too. Probably the only real imponderable is whether Thiago is ready to make his starting eleven comeback and whether Flick is planning to play with him in this game. Both Frankfurt and Gladbach are teams that (try to) keep up the pressure in midfield. Thiago might be a vital component in countering this pressure with his calm and composure on the ball. Next weekend, Lewandowski and Müller will be missing in the Bundesliga, sitting out their respective fifth yellow cards. Thiago should then have the chance to make the first eleven at the latest. Yet despite his enormous importance for the team, his way back to a regular first choice option will not be easy, as Goretzka has recently made significant steps forward.Goretzka and Müller are players who are associated with vertical play and many gegenpressing moments. Despite their good performance in Leverkusen, Bayern’s wingers seem to be more expendable than the two of them. Perhaps Flick chooses to shuffle his team around a bit and bring back an asymmetrical formation in which Müller is strongly indented from the right, thus strengthening the center. Then he, Thiago…
On Wednesday evening FC Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt will meet for the second time after the coronavirus break. Will it be a clear affair again?It was a clear story when Eintracht Frankfurt last played in Munich’s Allianz Arena a few days ago. Apart from a brief phase when two set piece goals in quick succession for the side from Hesse raised the hopes of the Frankfurt fans of a different outcome, Bayern played with a lot of confidence and calmness.Frankfurt’s pressing came to nothing on several occasions. For the most part, Bayern left nothing to chance during build-up play and in front of goal, and even managed to capitalize on invitations such as the one leading to Alphonso Davies’s goal. It was an all-around satisfying evening.Now the big question is what should have changed within just a few days. Frankfurt continues to bob around in the league from matchday to matchday, knowing that staying up is a mortal lock but there is little chance of an upward trend as well. On the other hand, Bayern march ahead with an ever-broadening chest. Even if they fall behind early like last weekend against Leverkusen, this hardly serves to break their stride.<a href="#a-different-game-than-last-time"></a>A different game than last time?But the calculation before the semi-final is not quite so simple. Even if Bayern are of course the clear favourites, the game will be played under completely different conditions than a few days ago in the Bundesliga.For one, there is a lot more at stake for Frankfurt. The DFB-Pokal is the last realistic chance for the Hessians to win a Europa League ticket. If they beat Bayern, another season in the Europa League is on the cards, a competition in which Frankfurt have provided a lot of joy to their fans in recent years.But there are also considerable financial aspects at play. Whether or not the club reaches the Europa League could influence their squad planning and ambitions for the short to mid-term future. This turns this semi-final almost into a final for Frankfurt. It is therefore all the more bitter for them that their key player Kostic will be unavailable.<a href="#will-thiago-make-the-first-eleven-yet"></a>Will Thiago make the first eleven yet?Frankfurt has proven several times in the past just how unpleasant they can be when they do not have to make the game. It will therefore be crucial for FC Bayern to go up a gear compared to the average Bundesliga fare. This may seem absurd at first glance, as the Bayern team have played their last opponents off the park. But cup matches tends to become even more intense – especially if there is so much at stake.Bayern will probably not make a lot of personnel changes again. Flick will not want to take any risks, but he has try to keep those who do not see much game time at the moment happy, too. Probably the only real imponderable is whether Thiago is ready to make his starting eleven comeback and whether Flick is planning to play with him in this game. Both Frankfurt and Gladbach are teams that (try to) keep up the pressure in midfield. Thiago might be a vital component in countering this pressure with his calm and composure on the ball. Next weekend, Lewandowski and Müller will be missing in the Bundesliga, sitting out their respective fifth yellow cards. Thiago should then have the chance to make the first eleven at the latest. Yet despite his enormous importance for the team, his way back to a regular first choice option will not be easy, as Goretzka has recently made significant steps forward.Goretzka and Müller are players who are associated with vertical play and many gegenpressing moments. Despite their good performance in Leverkusen, Bayern’s wingers seem to be more expendable than the two of them. Perhaps Flick chooses to shuffle his team around a bit and bring back an asymmetrical formation in which Müller is strongly indented from the right, thus strengthening the center. Then he, Thiago…
Paul Will leaves Bayern Munich for Dynamo Dresden
Bayern Muenchen II v 1. FC Magdeburg - 3. Liga Photo by TF-Images/Getty ImagesThe Bayern Munich II midfielder leaves the club after two years.Bayern Munich and Dynamo Dresden have announced the transfer of Paul Will today. The midfielder has signed a three year contract with Dresden and has already joined the club for team training. Both clubs have agreed to not disclose the terms of the transfer, but a fee did change hands as Will had another season left on his Bayern contract.“Paul approached us with the desire to take on a new challenge. He played a major role in the promotion of the amateurs to the third division and in the championship,” Campus Director Jochen Sauer said. “We would like to thank him for his great commitment over the past few years and wish him all the best for the future.”Dresden was relegated at the end of the 2.Bundesliga season down in the 3.Liga, and the Saxony side will be expecting to end the 2020/21 3.Liga season with promotion back into the second division.Die SG Dynamo Dresden hat am Samstag Paul #Will als 13. Neuzugang für die Spielzeit 2020/21 verpflichtet.
Der defensive Mittelfeldspieler unterzeichnete bei der SGD einen Dreijahresvertrag und wird mit der Rückennummer 28 auflaufen. https://t.co/QV0DVW1RdL #sgd1953 pic.twitter.com/DrM8cOYZ27— SG Dynamo Dresden (@DynamoDresden) August 22, 2020Will played 22 times for Sebastian Hoeneß in the 3.Liga last season in midfield and at left back. During his first year at the club, he made 18 appearances helping Bayern II earn promotion from the Regionalliga Bayern into the third division.Joining Will in Dresden will be his former Bayern II teammate from the 2018/19 season, Jonathan Meier. Meier has joined Dresden on loan from Mainz for the entirety of the 2020/21 season.At Bayern Munich, Will played with Lukas Mai. At Dynamo Dresden, he’ll get to play with his big brother Sebastian Mai. The more things change, the more things stay the same.Good luck, Paul!Read more...
Bayern Muenchen II v 1. FC Magdeburg - 3. Liga Photo by TF-Images/Getty ImagesThe Bayern Munich II midfielder leaves the club after two years.Bayern Munich and Dynamo Dresden have announced the transfer of Paul Will today. The midfielder has signed a three year contract with Dresden and has already joined the club for team training. Both clubs have agreed to not disclose the terms of the transfer, but a fee did change hands as Will had another season left on his Bayern contract.“Paul approached us with the desire to take on a new challenge. He played a major role in the promotion of the amateurs to the third division and in the championship,” Campus Director Jochen Sauer said. “We would like to thank him for his great commitment over the past few years and wish him all the best for the future.”Dresden was relegated at the end of the 2.Bundesliga season down in the 3.Liga, and the Saxony side will be expecting to end the 2020/21 3.Liga season with promotion back into the second division.Die SG Dynamo Dresden hat am Samstag Paul #Will als 13. Neuzugang für die Spielzeit 2020/21 verpflichtet.
Der defensive Mittelfeldspieler unterzeichnete bei der SGD einen Dreijahresvertrag und wird mit der Rückennummer 28 auflaufen. https://t.co/QV0DVW1RdL #sgd1953 pic.twitter.com/DrM8cOYZ27— SG Dynamo Dresden (@DynamoDresden) August 22, 2020Will played 22 times for Sebastian Hoeneß in the 3.Liga last season in midfield and at left back. During his first year at the club, he made 18 appearances helping Bayern II earn promotion from the Regionalliga Bayern into the third division.Joining Will in Dresden will be his former Bayern II teammate from the 2018/19 season, Jonathan Meier. Meier has joined Dresden on loan from Mainz for the entirety of the 2020/21 season.At Bayern Munich, Will played with Lukas Mai. At Dynamo Dresden, he’ll get to play with his big brother Sebastian Mai. The more things change, the more things stay the same.Good luck, Paul!Read more...
<b>DFB-Pokal first round preview: Düren vs. Bayern</b>
By rights, the first round of the DFB-Pokal should already be finished. But FC Bayern have been granted a postponement of their first game at their own request and now have to play against 5th tier club 1. FC Düren on Thursday evening.International breaks are usually rather relaxed times for FC Bayern. The majority of the squad is away on international duty and the resulting vacancies are filled in training with youth players. This week has been no exception: Leon Dajaku, Angelo Stiller, Johannes Schenk, Maximilian Zaiser, Josip Stanisic, Alexander Lungwitz, Kilian Senkbeil, Armindo Sieb and Fiete Arp were all called up to join the first team training on Tuesday.Of all the people involved at Bayern, the game on Thursday arguably presents the greatest disruption to the usual process to Hansi Flick. Instead of being able to prepare for the game on Saturday evening in Bielefeld in the usual manner, he has to come up with a starting eleven that gets by without any of the national team players if possible – at least without those who were actually called up for duty.<a href="#will-the-team-select-itself"></a>Will the team select itself?In goal, Alexander Nübel could make his debut. Even though Manuel Neuer is known for wanting to play every game, the time for him to recover after the game against Switzerland on Tuesday might not have been long enough. More importantly, however, it would not be a good sign for the young newcomer if Nübel would not even get this game.In defense, Flick benefits from Löw’s decision to retire Jérôme Boateng from the national team despite the defensive problems in the DFB team. Hence, Boateng is going to be a certain starter. The only question is who will start next to him. Niklas Süle did not play a minute on Tuesday evening, so theoretically he would be available. The <em>Kicker</em>, on the other hand, speculated that Chris Richards might get a start, but he might not become fit in time. Javi Martínez is also available. The experienced player will probably be given preference, especially since he has not had any game time recently and cannot be exhausted.Because Alphonso Davies did not have to travel with his national team, he will probably start on Thursday and will be replaced on Saturday by Hernández, who still was away with the French national team on Wednesday. At right-back, the situation is also very clear: Newcomer Bouna Sarr will most likely get his first appearance in a Bayern shirt.<a href="#a-newcomer-in-midfield-or-still-er-a-loser"></a>A newcomer in midfield or still, er, a loser?The personell selection in central defense might have knock-on effects on the setup in midfield. If Flick thinks Süle is fit enough, Martínez will move into holding midfield next to newcomer Marc Roca. Although the very ambitious Angelo Stiller of Bayern’s reserve squad has been training with the first team during the week, Flick has not really put much trust in him so far. After all, it was the first time ever that he had been allowed to take part in first team training.Nevertheless, Sky reporter Torben Hoffmann recently reported that Stiller could make his debut against Düren. For the talented and strong midfielder, it would be a great chance to persuade the coaching team of his talent – unless they choose Süle and Martínez after all.In offense, Thomas Müller will be set. Here, too, Flick profits from the fact that Löw has removed him from the national team for good. The remaining three positions will probably be filled by two newcomers and a youth player: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Douglas Costa and Jamal Musiala have the best chances of getting a start.<a href="#boateng-and-muller-provide-the-backbone"></a>Boateng and Müller provide the backboneIt will also be interesting to see who Flick will pick as the options from the bench. Besides many players from the reserves, Flick will probably want to have a few of his established players available as well to have…
By rights, the first round of the DFB-Pokal should already be finished. But FC Bayern have been granted a postponement of their first game at their own request and now have to play against 5th tier club 1. FC Düren on Thursday evening.International breaks are usually rather relaxed times for FC Bayern. The majority of the squad is away on international duty and the resulting vacancies are filled in training with youth players. This week has been no exception: Leon Dajaku, Angelo Stiller, Johannes Schenk, Maximilian Zaiser, Josip Stanisic, Alexander Lungwitz, Kilian Senkbeil, Armindo Sieb and Fiete Arp were all called up to join the first team training on Tuesday.Of all the people involved at Bayern, the game on Thursday arguably presents the greatest disruption to the usual process to Hansi Flick. Instead of being able to prepare for the game on Saturday evening in Bielefeld in the usual manner, he has to come up with a starting eleven that gets by without any of the national team players if possible – at least without those who were actually called up for duty.<a href="#will-the-team-select-itself"></a>Will the team select itself?In goal, Alexander Nübel could make his debut. Even though Manuel Neuer is known for wanting to play every game, the time for him to recover after the game against Switzerland on Tuesday might not have been long enough. More importantly, however, it would not be a good sign for the young newcomer if Nübel would not even get this game.In defense, Flick benefits from Löw’s decision to retire Jérôme Boateng from the national team despite the defensive problems in the DFB team. Hence, Boateng is going to be a certain starter. The only question is who will start next to him. Niklas Süle did not play a minute on Tuesday evening, so theoretically he would be available. The <em>Kicker</em>, on the other hand, speculated that Chris Richards might get a start, but he might not become fit in time. Javi Martínez is also available. The experienced player will probably be given preference, especially since he has not had any game time recently and cannot be exhausted.Because Alphonso Davies did not have to travel with his national team, he will probably start on Thursday and will be replaced on Saturday by Hernández, who still was away with the French national team on Wednesday. At right-back, the situation is also very clear: Newcomer Bouna Sarr will most likely get his first appearance in a Bayern shirt.<a href="#a-newcomer-in-midfield-or-still-er-a-loser"></a>A newcomer in midfield or still, er, a loser?The personell selection in central defense might have knock-on effects on the setup in midfield. If Flick thinks Süle is fit enough, Martínez will move into holding midfield next to newcomer Marc Roca. Although the very ambitious Angelo Stiller of Bayern’s reserve squad has been training with the first team during the week, Flick has not really put much trust in him so far. After all, it was the first time ever that he had been allowed to take part in first team training.Nevertheless, Sky reporter Torben Hoffmann recently reported that Stiller could make his debut against Düren. For the talented and strong midfielder, it would be a great chance to persuade the coaching team of his talent – unless they choose Süle and Martínez after all.In offense, Thomas Müller will be set. Here, too, Flick profits from the fact that Löw has removed him from the national team for good. The remaining three positions will probably be filled by two newcomers and a youth player: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Douglas Costa and Jamal Musiala have the best chances of getting a start.<a href="#boateng-and-muller-provide-the-backbone"></a>Boateng and Müller provide the backboneIt will also be interesting to see who Flick will pick as the options from the bench. Besides many players from the reserves, Flick will probably want to have a few of his established players available as well to have…
<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…