Bayern Munich traveled to the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg looking to bounce back from their first Bundesliga defeat of the season—Die Rothosen were having none of it.
North versus South, chaos versus control, top of the table dominance versus relegation scrap, the Nord-Süd Klassiker provided yet another legendary spectacle—the likes of which won’t be quickly forgotten by Bayern and Hamburg fans alike.
Teams are finally figuring Bayern out
Bayern Munich sent shockwaves around the footballing world in the first half of the season. After
a record-breaking start in Europe and the Bundesliga, Bayern raised a question that seemingly couldn’t be answered: How does one beat the mighty Bayern Munich? Well, last week it was Augsburg who finally came up with the correct answer, and it looks like they’re sharing their crib notes—bad news.
Surprisingly, it turns out the answer to the question isn’t necessarily hard work. After all, Bayern are not only the best team in the Bundesliga, but also the hardest working, covering more distance than any other team. In contrast, Hamburg cover the least amount of distance—a clear indication of how the North German side intended to approach the game. Sit back, defend with discipline, counter-attack, and make damn sure you don’t squander your chances—something Hamburg did extremely well. Hamburg’s answer didn’t turn out to be an A+ like Augsburg, but it was close—certainly close enough for a passing grade.
This doesn’t mean Bayern have become an easy team to beat — emphasis on their nine-point lead in the Bundesliga. But other teams in the league, and even Europe for that matter, will be paying close attention to Augsburg, and now Hamburg’s, successes against Die Rekormeister. And thus represents Vincent Kompany’s biggest challenge of the season: Adapt, or stay the same?
An embarrassing night for officiating in the Bundesliga
Referees make mistakes, after all, they are just human. Harm Osmers — the referee in Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw with Hamburger SV — is no exception. The 41-year-old made a series of questionable calls throughout the match, but the crown-jewel was the penalty awarded to Hamburg for Kimmich’s “foul” on Nicolai “Rambo” Remberg. There was barely any contact in the challenge—definitely not enough for a penalty. Nonetheless, Osmers pointed to the spot.
Again, one can forgive a ref for making a bad call in the heat of the moment— just like Osmers awarding Hamburg what clearly wasn’t a penalty. For that very reason, VAR was introduced. To reduce the clear and obvious error in a split-second judgment. However, even VAR allowed the clear and obvious error.
Harm Osmos had an embarrassing night, but it was a truly shocking showing for VAR — a technology that proved to enable the very thing it promised to eradicate.
Serge Gnabry is not a winger
Serge Gnabry’s impressive start to the season coinciding with deputizing at CAM is, in fact, no coincidence at all. Despite spending the majority of his Bayern Munich career on the wings, this season the German international has enjoyed all his best moments from the middle of the park. Gnabry’s performance against Hamburger SV proved it once again.
The 30-year-old was most dangerous drifting into the central spaces, linking play and firing off shots. Gnabry played a pivotal role in Bayern’s goal early in the second half. Shifting to CAM after Lennart Karl was replaced by Luis Díaz, Gnabry combined with Michael Olise in the center of the pitch. The Frenchman ultimately threading a perfectly weighted pass through to Díaz, who provided the finish. A perfect example of where he operates at his best.
Don’t get me wrong, Gnabry, can still operate on the wing, but he is a placeholder at best. The former Hoffenheim man lacks the pace, dribbling ability, and razzle dazzle required to beat his man, essential components of wing play. However, what he does have is the intelligence and agility to operate in attacking midfield.
It’s a shame the attacking midfield position is so backlogged with talent — a pleasant problem to have for sure. But since Jamal Musiala, Karl and Gnabry all play their best football in CAM, it’s unlikely ‘Gnabs’ pips the former, more crucial future first-team players for minutes, thus pushing him back to cover the wing.
If Bayern do extend Gnabry, it would be a shame to see a player in the twilight of his career waste his final years in a position that no longer suits him.
Put (some) respect on Manuel Neuer’s name
On Wednesday Jonas Urbig who was grabbing headlines after his man of the match performance against PSV in the UEFA Champions League. There is even a growing movement amongst Bayern fans for the young German to start in goal over Manuel Neuer. However, despite conceding two goals, Neuer showcased what he can still offer Vincent Kompany’s side.
Neuer pulled off a crucial one-on-one save along with an incredible reflex save from a close range shot—which was eventually ruled offside. The 39-year-old goalkeeper was also close to saving Fábio Vieira’s penalty, guessing the right direction but coming up inches short in the end. Despite on sketchy moment in which Alphonso Davies bailed him out, Neuer’s distribution and positioning were also excellent.
Jonas Urbig has a strong claim to start, but Neuer, at the very least, still has something to offer.
Bonus Observations
- Michael Olise picked up yet another assist. That takes his tally to 15 in the Bundesliga. To anyone hoping Olise won’t break Thomas Müller’s record of 21, now is the time to start worrying.
- Bayern still don’t inspire confidence in defensive set-pieces. It often provides a goal-scoring opportunity for the opposition.
- Luka Vušković was an absolute menace tonight. The 18-year-old was everywhere, including striker where he headed home an incredible goal. If reports are to be believed, it’s no surprise Bayern have an eye on him.
- Alphonso Davies’s goal-line clearance was a stark reminder of how crucial his pace can be when defending counter-attacks. I’d love to live in a world where Kompany doesn’t have to lean so heavily on his players’ physicality to patch up holes in the defense but man is it good to have the Canadian’s pace back!
- After Saturday’s slip-up, Borussia Dortmund have a chance to cut Bayern’s lead to six points when they take on 18th place Heidenheim tomorrow.
