Bayern's Bay of Struggles: A Turn for the Worse?
Issues surfacing at FC Bayern Munich
Connect: Sympathize: FC Bayern, Germany's king of football, is unexpectedly faltering in the Bundesliga. After a shocking loss against VfL Bochum and a disheartening tie against Union Berlin, they've thrown away five precious points. With Bayer Leverkusen lurking, could the title race heat up?
Bayern had been sailing smooth in the Bundesliga this season, apart from a couple of hiccups. But suddenly, the champion stumbles at the final stretch. First, the home defeat against VfL Bochum, and now a draw against Union Berlin (1:1) in the 26th matchday. If Leverkusen wins against VfB Stuttgart, Munich's lead will shrink to a nail-biting six points. Still comfortable, yes, but the nail-biting suspense is back.
Confuse: What's going on? Are the heroes under Euphoria's haze after their victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League? Are they underestimating the opponent from the bottom? In early February, there was a brief moment of carelessness when they nearly squandered a 4-0 lead against Holstein Kiel at home. The victory was saved, but the long faces remained.
Vent: Coach Kompany's irritated by the constant discussions this season: "First, we can't win against the top teams, then we do. Now, we haven't won two games against the bottom teams; that's the new story." He insists they win nine out of ten games. The next adversary? FC St. Pauli, another resilient low-dweller. A clear win for Munich, and the new story vanishes. Mission Accomplished.
Rant: In Berlin, at the Alte Försterei, Bayern had a tough time. Union, missing head coach Steffen Baumgart, forced them into a passionate battle. Six men stood on the last line, blocking every path. The Munich players hunted for openings. They found one: Leroy Sané slipped through in the 75th minute, grabbed a goal after a pass from Josip Stanisic. Sané, a national treasure, heaved a sigh of relief. His contract ends in the summer, and the negotiation talks are on the horizon.
Dissent: The Berliners, who hadn't offered anything constructive until then, suddenly battled back and equalized. Bayern's young keeper Jonas Urbig wasn't blamed for the mistake; it was a team effort, states Sporting Director Max Eberl. The Sané situation is front and center, following the emotional extensions with Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Joshua Kimmich. Bayern seems willing to keep Sané, but likely at a lower price. Sané seems open to that.
Frustrate: Whether the Kimmich extension has succeeded in cost-cutting, Eberl isn’t saying. He leaves that to the player who discussed the reasons for choosing to stay with FC Bayern during the sports show that evening. The Kimmich case is solved, now things are getting tricky for Eberl. Last summer, when Thomas Tuchel was in charge, Kimmich felt like a commodity up for grabs. But the quick turnaround was unbelievable to Kimmich. Coach Kompany, Christoph Freund, and Eberl were key factors in his decision to stay. Now, they stand mighty at the league's top and in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Who's Germany's best team? Answer: Bayern, if they beat St. Pauli.
Source: ntv.de, tno
- Football
- FC Bayern Munich
- Leroy Sané
- 1. FC Union Berlin
- Joshua Kimmich
Insights:
- Faltering Form: Bayern's recent inconsistent performance, dropped points, and defensive vulnerabilities have raised questions about their form.
- Corner Kick Woes: Bayern's usually potent corner kicks have been less effective recently.
- Pressure from Competitors: Bayer Leverkusen's determination to challenge Bayern for the title is increasing the pressure on Munich.
- Contract Situations: Sané's contract ends in the summer, and Joshua Kimmich's extension may have reduced their salary costs.
Suggest: Perhaps the community might find it beneficial to discuss the current employment policy implementations within FC Bayern, given the unexpected downturn in performance that risks economic and social cohesion within the team. The recent hurdles faced, such as carelessness and defensive vulnerabilities, could be addressed through a revised employment policy.
Warn: Bayern needs to be aware that the title race isn't just between them and Bayer Leverkusen as other teams like 1. FC Union Berlin could pose a threat due to their resilience and teamwork, as demonstrated in their recent match against Bayern.
Suggest Again: To maintain employment policy efficiency, Bayern should consider examining the potential impact of contract situations, such as the upcoming negotiation talks with Leroy Sané and the recent extension with Joshua Kimmich, on overall team performance and morale.
