The ghost of Mikel Arteta haunts Bayern Munich
Corners. Penalties. Zero objectives from open play. Determined defending on the again. Two penalties. Did I describe an Arsenal sport from a couple of years in the past, or Bayern Munich tonight?
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Union Berlin had been the one group aside from the Gunners to take factors from the Bavarians this season. So coming into this sport, Vincent Kompany had one thing to show. He wanted to indicate that his group had discovered classes from video games passed by. Properly, it appears these changes paid off.
Bayern Munich scored twice from a nook and as soon as from a set piece. These numbers are virtually exceptional for this membership. In the meantime, by way of sport stability, it was pretty lopsided in Union’s favor — the Bavarians had been pinned again for many of the second half. This was not the assured, confident defensive efficiency that we noticed towards PSG. Bayern had been rattled, and attempting desperately to remain afloat.
By the tip of the sport, Union had all their attackers on the pitch whereas Bayern had been subbing on defenders. There was no measure of management, no dominance, and no model. It was the precise factor Arsenal beneath Arteta have been accused of at their lowest factors up to now few years.
So, was this a one off, or is Kompany tweaking extra behind the scenes? The sport towards the Gunners was a turning level for Bayern, one the gamers swore they’d study from. Properly, it appears the teachings are paying off — but when that is the result, is it one thing we would like?
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It’s too quickly to depend on Lennart Karl
Lennart Karl is simply seventeen years previous, and there’s an excessive amount of stress on his shoulders.
Beginning his fourth aggressive sport in a row, the teen was one of many extra energetic gamers on the pitch. Nonetheless, he was a far cry from his common mercurial self — barely making an impression over the length of the minutes he performed.
Merely put, that is an excessive amount of too quick for him. Karl wants extra relaxation, and he must be protected against these extraordinarily excessive stress conditions. The Stadion An der Alten Försterei is a cauldron, and Union used their dwelling help because the twelfth man to stress the Bavarians. Thrown right into a sport like this, Karl appeared overwhelmed — and greater than a bit of drained.
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Possibly Serge Gnabry wasn’t fully match to begin. Musiala is injured, and Guerreiro isn’t the person for this sport. Nonetheless, Kompany ought to have tried one thing else. Why not put Nicolas Jackson on as a striker, and let Harry Kane be the #10? He had choices to spare Karl the minutes, and didn’t take them. This exhibits that the coach sees Karl as a part of his greatest XI proper now. Whereas that claims good issues about his religion within the teen’s capabilities, it’s too early to depend on him simply but.
Bayern Munich have to carry again and never make the error FC Barcelona did with their younger abilities. Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal all received thrust into key roles for the Catalans at a really younger age, and suffered for it later down the road with accidents and dips in efficiency. The Bavarians are usually not so determined as to trot Karl out for each single sport, so it might be prudent of Kompany to deal with his starboy with a bit of extra tact.
Ugly, ugly, ugly efficiency
There may be not a single Bayern Munich participant who can say they’d a great efficiency towards Union Berlin.
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Harry Kane was maybe the very best of the lot — he scored the one aim by a Bayern Munich participant, and had a couple of stable makes an attempt on the facet. Nonetheless, it was a blended bag for the England captain, as a result of Bayern barely attacked within the second half, and he’s technically accountable for the second penalty.
Luis Diaz and Michael Olise had been each poor. Aleksandar Pavlović was nameless. Joshua Kimmich received an help, however his efficiency in midfield left quite a bit to be desired — for the third sport in a row now. Josip Stanisic was overwhelmed fairly simply on his facet. Konrad Laimer didn’t have his common impression. As for the remainder of the protection, you possibly can’t fault them for the objectives conceded, however there have been components of the sport the place it received extremely dicey.
General, this was a kind of days the place nothing clicks for the group. It’s a credit score to Vincent Kompany that the facet he has coached can pull out a victory even when taking part in at 30% or much less. Particularly since Union had been pushing all the best way, and had assist from their twelfth man (the followers) and thirteenth man (the referee).
Nonetheless, you sense that Bayern Munich have misplaced a step ever for the reason that worldwide break. The obliteration of Freiburg lined up a really sluggish begin, and there was nowhere to cover towards Arsenal. St. Pauli nearly pulled off an upset, and Union had been allowed momentum that they by no means ought to have gotten, given the huge gulf in high quality between the 2 sides.
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It feels just like the group is beginning to run out of steam. Kompany must rotate extra aggressively now, maybe begin sacrificing a couple of factors within the Bundesliga to make it occur. The squad is skinny and he needs to be artistic. If Bayern Munich are to limp into the winter break intact, then they can’t afford extra ugly performances like this one.
Miscellaneous observations
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Bayern scored from two corners and didn’t concede from any. Child steps.
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The referee was a complete catastrophe. The momentum would by no means have shifted to Union if not for these two penalties. Now, the truth that Bayern couldn’t shift the momentum again is an issue, however separate to the query of refereeing.
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Manuel Neuer has by no means been good at penalties, however his makes an attempt tonight had been particularly poor. Penalties are actually his kryptonite.
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Bayern Munich defended like prime Atletico Madrid towards PSG, then turned to jelly towards Union. Why?
