Bayern’s defense concerns – “They are far too open at the back”
After the defeat against VfL Bochum, FC Bayern is asking itself the question of mentality. Before the start of the knockout round in the Champions League, the focus is on the vulnerable defensive. Expert Dietmar Hamann believes changes are necessary.
IIt was quiet in the cabin like it hadn’t been for a long time. “If you’re 4-1 down in Bochum, you don’t have to yell as a coach. Every player at a certain level has to sit there and think: what we did for 45 minutes was rubbish,” said Julian Nagelsmann about the half-time break.
Bayern Munich lost 2:4 (1:4) at VfL on Saturday, more than ever before in the Bundesliga this season – and that after an early 1:0 lead. Bayern last conceded more than three goals in the first half in 1975 at Eintracht Frankfurt (0:5 at the break). They usually have a reaction after such a half of the game. But she stayed away – that annoys everyone in the club.
Joshua Kimmich and Niklas Süle (right) went down with FC Bayern in Bochum
Source: dpa/Bernd Thissen
The Munich team had won the first leg 7-0. Now it was the first defeat against Bochum in 18 years and the second overall this year. In the second half of the season, Munich have already lost as often as in the entire first half of the season. Midfield boss Joshua Kimmich spoke of the worst performance of the season.
Christopher Antwi-Adjei (14′), Jürgen Locadia (38’/penalty), Christian Gamboa (40′) and Gerrit Holtmann (44′) scored for Bochum, the Bayern goals came from Robert Lewandowski (9′ and 75′).
“We missed all the virtues,” says Kimmich. “We have to ask ourselves whether that’s the mentality of FC Bayern.” Nagelsmann criticized that he had already lacked the tension in the final training session. When it comes to the record German soccer champions, they ask themselves the question of mentality – that’s rare.
The defeat triggers an alarm for the industry leader for several reasons. He lost to Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Augsburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach and now Bochum – not top teams.
Wednesday first leg in Salzburg
In addition, the bankruptcy again reveals the defensive weaknesses of Munich. At the worst possible time: The decisive phase of the season begins on Wednesday with the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 at RB Salzburg.
Julian Nagelsmann (left) was served after the game in Bochum
What: REUTERS
Some of his fans are critical of the club’s squad planning. Dayot Upamecano, signed by RB Leipzig, is said to be the chief of defense of the future, but he always has dropouts. Since the first leg, Bochum (19) have conceded fewer goals than Munich (21). Overall, Bayern have already conceded 25 goals in 22 league games.
The departures of David Alabas and Jérôme Boateng have had a greater impact than hoped. In the summer, the next defender leaves the club on a free transfer, Niklas Süle moves to Borussia Dortmund.
“They are way too open at the back. The coach accepts the defensive vulnerability to some extent, only against Bochum they didn’t have the offensive power,” said Sky expert Dietmar Hamann. “In the future, they have to play football differently. Nagelsmann is doing wonderfully and letting the strongest attacking team play, but they also need stability at the back. Upamecano undersold and was substituted at half-time. That puts a completely different emphasis on Süle’s departure.”
But it’s not just the defense around Süle, Upamecano, the recently weak Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernández. Bochum had too much space on the flanks.
“I don’t know that from us in the past, that we concede four or five goals several times,” said Kimmich. Nagelsmann warned: “We shouldn’t lose the tension and say the league should be more exciting again.”
In Salzburg he will continue to miss Alphonso Davies. The defender is on the right track after his myocarditis.
“We missed some of the basics that are needed to win a Bundesliga game. There are no excuses,” emphasized offensive star Thomas Müller. “We have to do better on Wednesday.”
