Initial reactions and observations
- Yes, Bayern Munich seems to be in trouble. The most notable today was the toothless attack. What was going on up there? And just seven shots overall with two on frame? It’s not good enough.
- Julian Nagelsmann’s substitutions left a lot to be desired. Replacing Musiala was a strange decision, but not even bringing Thomas Muller in for him… well that’s just inexplicable. Muller and Tel entered the game only after the 80th minute, when it was already too late for them to turn the game around. Poor management of the game by the Bayern boss.
- Yann Sommer’s distribution is lacking compared to Manuel Neuer and it shows clearly. Bayern will have to adapt to that.
- Can someone please teach the wings how to insert? So many spent crosses.
- It’s a bad feeling to start 2023 like this. Now Bayern have to pull themselves together and do some research. PSG is not far away.
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82′ — Under: Thomas Muller comes on for Serge Gnabry. Too late, this submarine.
68′ — Under: This does not make sense. Jamal Musiala comes on for Kingsley Coman.
65′ — Dayot Upamecano is happy to avoid a red card for what looked like a last ditch challenge.
51′ — Goal. Halstenberg heads in. Kimmich made a big mistake in allowing this to happen.
45′ — The second half is underway!
Observations and analyzes at halftime
- Neither team seems to be going full throttle yet, as if they are wary of each other. Bayern Munich has been the better team so far, but the rust from the long break is visible.
- Dayot Upamecano gave Yann Sommer very little to do at the back. Apart from a few missed passes, the Frenchman was powerful at the back.
- Choupo-Moting makes it look easy. His goals sometimes seem almost as inevitable as Lewandowski’s.
- Without Mazraoui, Bayern once again rely on Alphonso Davies to move the ball down the flank.
- Sommer has only had to make one save so far, and that tamely. Is he disappointed or relieved?
Half time: Bayern Munich leads 1-0.
37′ — GOOOOOL! Choupo-Moting scores for 1-0! The first goal of the calendar year for Bayern!
29′ — Great finish by Goretzka! But he was offside. Or maybe it was a foul. Anyway, still 0-0.
20′ — No goals yet. Both teams look very rusty.
Start the game: Let’s go!
40 minutes until the start: We finally have lineups! Julian Nagelsmann leaves Thomas Muller out of Bayern Munich’s starting XI this year — a bold choice. The formation is 4-2-3-1 with Choupo-Moting at the top, Musial behind him, and Sane and Gnabry on the wings. new signing Yann Sommer starts in goal.
45 minutes until the start: We still don’t have the lineups. Apparently there are technical issues? This has literally never happened before. What does the Bundesliga do?
Technical problems currently prevent publication of the lineup. Even at the stadium, everyone is waiting [@ransport]
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 20, 2023
After a longer than usual pause, Bayern Munich they finally return to Bundesliga action against the team most likely to challenge them for the title — RB Leipzig. Since signing Marco Rose, the grass-court players have been moving up the table with solid performances that are actually reminiscent of how they looked when Nagelsmann was in charge.
Bayern have several major injuries coming into the game. Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez and Sadio Mane will be absent for one reason or another. Meanwhile, Leon Goretzka has a slight ankle problem and is questionable for the game. However, the coach has a new ace up his sleeve — Yann Sommer, newly signed for BMG. His debut will be a trial by fire against one of the best attacks in the Bundesliga.
Time for Bayern.
While you wait for the game, check out ours podcast preview? Listen below or on Spotify.
Information about the match
Place: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
Time: 3:30pm local time, 9:30am EST
TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find your country
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