Die Folgen: Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Heidenheim (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich hosted Heidenheim in what amounts to be a meaningless (for the Bavarians) Bundesliga match given how FC Bayern has already clinched the league title.
A lot of fans were not happy with the amount of regulars who played and many others were not happy with the first half effort, but Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany knew what he was doing. The manager wanted to get his guys some rest, along with some work to keep them sharp for the Paris Saint-Germain match in the Champions League
on Wednesday.
In the end, that resulted in a 3-3 draw. Let’s get into it, here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- Surely, this could have became a hot button topic for fans if the Bavarians emerged with any injuries that we did not already know about at this point or if the team comes out flat against Wednesday against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
- Heidenheim was probably unhappy seeing how many regulars it was going to have to face, but the visitors got on the scoreboard first with one of the most conceded goals of the season. Marnon Busch lofted a ball into the box, which Kim Min-jae just watched like Haley’s Comet was passing by. That delay allowed Budu Zivzivadz (who was played onside by an unaware Hiroki Itō) to slip by the center-back and lay out for an awkward volley goal that both Kim and Jonas Urbig could not react to. Urbig either lost the ball in the sky, had the reaction time of roadkill, or was reading a book. It took a total team effort to make that happen. If you have not seen this mess of a goal, check out the highlights.
- Bayern Munich was wholly unfocused early on, which was to be expected. It does not make it right (and you would hope some of the subs would have aimed to take advantage of the situation), but it is what happened.
- Heidenheim would strike again as a miscommunication between Tah (he had better hope it was a miscommunication, otherwise it was an awful play by him) and Urbig led to an easy goal for Eren Dinkçi.
- Even with those two plays — somehow — Bayern Munich’s 44th minute free kick goal was more amazing because it was hit by…Leon Goretzka. What if Niko Kovač, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, and Vincent Kompany just suppressed the ultimate set piece weapon for years? #FreeGoretzka!
- Sticking to his plan, Kompany subbed heavily to start the second half to keep his guys fresh (the players he removed) and sharp (the players he brought in). The balance has been successful.
- In the 57th minute, Olise delivered a corner that Goretzka got on the end of to knot the game at 2-2. The midfielder had himself a day.
- Olise barely missed what would have been a terrific goal in the 65th minute and in the 67th minute, Kimmich smashed the post with a shot.
- Urbig had a massive save just after that to keep the game tied at 2-2. While this will not go down as Urbig’s finest game, he did have that moment.
- It is a damn shame that so many of Bayern Munich’s young players are banged up (or just coming off of injuries) right now.
- In the 76th minute, Itō put in a diagonal cross that was pretty to look at, but not effective. It went right to Heidenheim goalkeeper Diant Ramaj, who immediately initiated a counter attack, which ended with another goal from Zivzivadze. Bayern Munich loanee Arijon Ibrahimović had the asisst.
- Credit to Heidenheim, they showed grit, fight, and resilience. If only they had more of that earlier this season!
- In added time, Olise ripped a shot, which hit the post, and rebounded into the diving body of Ramat and into the net for a draw at the death. Wow…what a heartbreaking result for Heidenheim.
- Overall, Heidenheim picked up a draw, but it was not enough for them. Bayern Munich, did not punt the game, but it did start out bad, and had to measure how much it wanted to kill itself to try and win. Ultimately, it was just an off and choppy performance at times for the Bavarians, who ended up escaping with a draw. Onward and upward…PSG awaits.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Woltemade already out at NUFC? (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Former Bayern Munich transfer target Nick Woltemade could be one and done at Newcastle United:
Normally, Nick Woltemade wouldn’t want to leave Newcastle in the summer. However, we’ve all seen his socials (and, more specifically, what’s no longer on his socials). There is some background to this. There was an article from an English newspaper, and I think Woltemade is aware that the reporter in question is very close to Eddie Howe. It could be that perhaps the German feels the sentiment within the report is shared by his manager. I can say that, perhaps, this is true. This is why they could come to a new conclusion about what the next season holds for all parties involved.
In amongst this, it’s worth highlighting that Newcastle should develop their interest in Nicolas Jackson. This makes sense. It could happen. In that event, it begs the question as to who would move in for Nick Woltemade. He costs a lot of money! €80m is a lot, and then you have to find a club willing to pay this amount. I heard rumours that Bayern Munich would be interested in the 24-year-old – but this isn’t the case at the moment, as he is simply too expensive. We have to see what happens next, but it does seem like this chapter between the former VfB Stuttgart star and Newcastle could end. Perhaps the desire to end the relationship is coming more from the Magpies’ end. Woltemade would have been up for the challenge of the next season in the north east.
Despite his uneven season in England, Woltemade is rumored to still be on Bayern Munich’s wish list. It seems doubtful that Newcastle is ready to let him go just yet and maybe even more unlikely that Bayern Munich is ready to buck up to get him just yet.
If the situation sours that badly, though, who knows?
Stones to Juve? (ESPN)
It seems unlikely that John Stones will leave England this summer, but Juventus wants to try and tempt him:
Juventus have made initial contact with the representatives of John Stones as a free transfer option, Tuttosport reports. The 31-year-old defender has confirmed he will leave Manchester City at the end of his contract this summer, bringing an end to a 10-year stay at the Etihad Stadium. Juventus are monitoring the situation, eyeing up a possible deal, while fellow City star Bernardo Silva is also viewed as a target for this summer.
FIFA approves Afghan Women United’s inclusion for competitions (The Guardian)
In what amounts to a landmark decision, Fifa granted permission to allow Afghan Women United to participate in official competitions:
Fifa has given permission for Afghan Women United, a squad composed of refugees scattered around the world in Australia, the Middle East and Europe, to represent Afghanistan in official competitions without requiring the approval of the Taliban.
In a significant regulation change to be approved by the Fifa Council today, Afghan Women will be permitted to compete as the official Afghanistan national team for the first time, against the wishes of the country’s government.
Under the previous regulations Fifa required the team to receive recognition from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation, which will not recognize a women’s football team due to the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports.
For more than three years, the Afghan Women players and their supporters have campaigned for Fifa to intervene and provide them with the official recognition and financial support denied to them by Afghanistan.
Afghan Women was formed after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and the official women’s national team, which had been set up in 2007, was banned with most of their players seeking asylum.
LFC to chase Barcola (ESPN)
Liverpool could take another run at Paris Saint-Germain attacker Bradley Barcola:
Liverpool are likely to include Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola in their transfer shortlist having monitored several wide players to bolster the forward ranks, according to The Times. The right flank will be the main area to strengthen, with Mohamed Salah leaving as a free agent at the end of the season. France international Barcola, 23, is entering the final two years of his contract at PSG.
Al Hilal wants to keep Cancelo (Mundo Deportivo via ESPN)
Al Hilal wants to convince João Cancelo to stick around when he comes back to FC Barcelona:
Al Hilal will try to convince João Cancelo to stay at the club upon his return from his loan at Barcelona, amid links with a permanent return to the Spanish club.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
