'Getting over the line': Bayern Munich toil but win again
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Loading... - Margarita Zavala
- 08 May 2023
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Bayern Munich, a dominant team in the Bundesliga, faced an unusual match in May. They struggled with hacked clearances, time-wasting tactics, and fullbacks replacing forwards. Their coach was tense on the sidelines, seething with frustration. The match against Werder Bremen saw a nervy ending as Niklas Schmidt's sensational late strike brought the game to a close. Earlier in the game, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané had scored in the 62nd and 72nd minute, respectively, but Bayern's early jitters remained evident. Despite having plenty of possession and territory, the team looked stiff around the box, with Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich's probing going to waste. Gnabry, the nominal center forward in the absence of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, often struggled to link play with his back to the goal. Even so, Kingsley Coman and Sadio Mané failed to test Werder Bremen's weak defense effectively.
After the game, coach Thomas Tuchel expressed his disappointment with the team's lack of calmness and precision in the final third, despite dominating the match until the last five minutes. He called it a good away game and an essential win, but the need for a rethink in the club's approach was evident. In the short term, the victory gave Bayern three crucial points that put pressure on Borussia Dortmund, who had a game in hand against Wolfsburg on Sunday.
However, it is hard to ignore the fact that the team needs a significant overhaul. Tuchel's appointment as the coach was a surprise, but it is not enough to solve the club's problems. The future of CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic is also uncertain, adding to the debate on the club's direction. Tuchel emphasized the need for stability and putting players in comfortable positions while avoiding overcomplicating things. The team has good players and characters, but the current situation demands a reevaluation.
Bayern's experience and mentality may carry them to an 11th straight Bundesliga title win, but the team is not as strong as they were last season or as other teams that won the Meisterschale in the past decade. Their big-name signings, such as Sadio Mané, Joao Cancelo, and Ryan Gravenberch, have yet to make a significant impact on the team. Gravenberch started in place of the suspended Leon Goretzka but is yet to secure a regular slot in the team. The transition away from influential veterans Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller is a difficult task, and the team's current form shows that it is not a straightforward process.
Bayern's situation is far from simple, but they remain four points clear of Dortmund, who are the favorites to win their Sunday game. Bayern is also expected to win against Schalke, RB Leipzig, and Cologne in their final three games. Nonetheless, the club's future remains uncertain.
