Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-0 victory over Club Brugge in the UCL (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich was in dominant form as it ran through yet another opponent.
This time, it was Club Brugge in the Champions League where the Bavarians showed great talent, mentality, and depth. Bayern Munich
was on-point in every way and was barely threatened in a forceful performance. Let’s get into it, here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at Vincent Kompany’s starting XI:
- There were two big changes to Vincent Kompany’s lineup. Lennart Karl stepped into the lineup for Nicolas Jackson (who filled in for injured attacker Serge Gnabry last Saturday vs. Borussia Dortmund), while Sacha Boey went to the bench in favor of Raphaël Guerreiro. However, Konrad Laimer stayed at left-back rather than moving over to right-back.
- It was very obvious that Bayern Munich was going to be dominant early and Karl repaid Kompany for his faith in the 5th minute as weaved his way through — and exploded by — the Club Brugge defense before unleashing a wicked curler while driving down the center. Club Brugge goalkeeper Nordin Jackers had no chance and all of a sudden it was 1-0.
- It is understood that Nicolas Jackson was brought into help bolster the attack, but this author would be okay with him strictly backing up Kane and giving any other minutes plotted for him to Karl or Wisdom Mike. Just sayin’…
- Just minutes after Karl’s goal, Aleksandar Pavlović stung the post. Bayern Munich was overwhelming Club Brugge.
- There was a lot of interchanging in the Bayern Munich attack as Club Brugge was just desperate to stop the Bavarians from scoring.
- Seconds after Konrad Laimer gave Luis Díaz some guff for missing him on a run (in favor of a wild, low percentage cross to Olise — a crazy decision), the Colombian threaded a ball to Laimer, who crossed it perfectly to Harry Kane for a 2-0 lead.
- As they say, the rout was on!
- That one play defines the difference between last season and this season. There were no hurt feelings or sulking, everyone involved shook off the earlier failure, fixed the issue, and found success. The resiliency and ability to work together is evident.
- Jackers was getting pummeled. Díaz fired one at him next.
- In the 34th minute, Laimer and Díaz combined again for goal as Laimer set up the winger for a blistering shot that rang off the crossbar and caromed into the net. Bayern Munich was just rolling at 3-0.
- Just before halftime, Díaz hit one directly at Jackers that rebound to Kane, who smashed his attempt off the near post. Bayern Munich was just smothering Club Brugge.
- Kane had a number of good chances in the second half, but could not find his mark. On another day, Kane walks out for a hat-trick.
- In the 76th minute, both Nicolas Jackson and Díaz had golden opportunities, but could not make a play.
- Just a few minutes later, though, Jackson would get his goal on a rebound to make it 4-0 in the 79th minute.
- Overall, Bayern Munich just dominated once again. The attacking group is functioning in a way that it is hard to think about anyone being able to stop them (and this was with a kid born in 2008 filling in for Jamal Musiala). This is a special group, but, yes, it was Club Brugge and not Real Madrid, but this kind of performance has been consistent no matter who the opposition is. The bigger tests are coming, but there is nothing wrong with savoring this showing.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast give them a look or a listen:
United to pursue Lewy? (ESPN)
It would not be a summer transfer window if Manchester United was not stockpiling another striker into the mix on its roster. Who’s next? Maybe FC Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski:
Manchester United could sign Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski as a free agent in the summer if his contract is allowed to run down, according to The Daily Star, although the Blaugrana have an option to extend the deal by a year. It is uncertain whether the club will do so, due to concerns about the 37-year-old’s age and whether he can keep up with their pressing game. However, Lewandowski has said he wants to play in MLS before the end of his career, so Inter Miami have also been linked.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Special Edition Reaction Show: Bayern Munich signs Vincent Kompany to a contract extension (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich announced the signing of a contract extension with head coach Vincent Kompany — a move that was well-deserved and needed by all parties.
Let’s break it all down on this special edition of Bavarian Podcast Works. This is what we have on tap:
- Let’s talk through how the situation evolved to get to the this point.
- The history of Kompany’s hiring.
- Why Kompany has been successful and why he deserved the extension.
- Where the coach needs to improve.
- What challenges could lie ahead.
Hjulmand staying positive after Leverkusen throttling (Sport1)
Bayer Leverkusen was battered by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League by a score of 7-2 in a game where both squads were assessed red cards. Afterward, Bayer Leverkusen Kasper Hjulmand’s mood – despite the humiliation and the second-highest Champions League defeat in Leverkusen’s club history.
“At the moment, we have a lot of pain in our bodies, but we have to shake it off,” Hjulmand said. “We shouldn’t get too high when we suddenly win a game. But we shouldn’t fall too low either when something like tonight happens.
“PSG were often faster and better. That’s just the way it is. Of course, this increases the pressure on us. It’s a challenge to put this behind us. There’s only one way to do it, and that’s on Sunday against Freiburg. We will bounce back.”
Multitude of teams eyeing BVB’s Guirassy (ESPN)
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool are all reportedly interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy:
Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy has a release clause that will see the fixed €50 million fee decrease annually, reports Bild, although the clause only applies to a handful of clubs that includes Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. Interested clubs from other leagues would have to offer €80 million to convince Dortmund to let him go. Barcelona are currently looking at the 29-year-old as they could need to sign a replacement for Lewandowski.
The Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl: Matchday 7 (Bavarian Football Works)
The Bundesliga is top heavy, but there could be some real competition as the season goes on. We’ll take a look at a resilient and resurgent Bayer Leverkusen side and how they are proving everyone wrong!
Today’s Bundesliga Rundown will include:
- A look at the scores from the weekend.
- A dive into how Bayer Leverkusen has seemingly defied the odds and overcome so many losses.
- A look at the Bundesliga table ahead of Matchday 8.
Flick talks Yamal vs. Wirtz vs. Moose (Sport Bild via @iMiaSanMia)
“The three players are not comparable. Lamine is an absolute genius. Even at his young age of 18, he can single-handedly decide matches. He’s very intelligent, but still very young. Therefore, he still has some things to learn. We are supporting him in that. I’m confident he will become one of the greatest players the football world has ever seen,” said Flick.
Hoeneß says no one person drives a transfer at Bayern (@iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich supervisory board member Uli Hoeneß recently said that the club makes uniform transfer decisions.
“There’s no Max Eberl transfer, Uli Hoeneß transfer or Karl-Heinz Rummenigge transfer. There are only Bayern Munich transfers,” said Hoeneß.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 8, Episode 16 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich has a busy week ahead and much like the team’s activity, there are a ton of news items and talking points to discuss following the team’s big 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Let get into the big topics for the show. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- Unpacking the reaction to Bayern Munich’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.
- Is if time for Bayern Munich to think about talking over a contract extension with Vincent Kompany? The head coach has 1.5 years left on his deal and will be a hot target for many clubs in 2027.
- Did Bayern whiff on Nicolas Jackson? The Chelsea loanee has not impressed so far.
- Does Bayern Munich need to think about adding another attacker in January?
- Leon Goretzka could be getting a new deal from Bayern, too.
