Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-0 win over Heidenheim (Bavarian Football Works)
A very depleted Bayern Munich side hit the road to face Heidenheim in the last game of the Hinrunde.
No one (except those in the know at Säbener Straße) had any idea Bayern Munich was this banged up with injuries and illnesses, plus a suspension and one player on international duty. The state of the team was one of the best-kept secrets of the week.
Ultimately, the Bavarians were able to use that makeshift lineup to secure a convincing 4-0 victory over Heidenheim, which limped into the break. Let’s
dig into it all. Here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- The list of unavailable players was insane: Jamal Musiala (injured), Manuel Neuer (injured), Sacha Boey (ill), Konrad Laimer (suspended), Joshua Kimmich injured), Nicolas Jackson (international duty), Kim Min-jae (injured), Aleksandar Pavlović (ill), and Tom Bischof (ill).
- The bench was arguably a more wild list as it included Javier Fernández (19/central midfielder), Felipe Chávez (18/attacking midfielder), Deniz Emre Ofli (18/left-back), Cassiano Kiala (16/center-back), Wisdom Mike (17/attacker), and David Daiber (18/midfielder).
- While it was not a certainty to happen, this could have been the last time that we got the chance to see Pavlović and Bischof start together. That stinks.
- Bayern Munich loanee Arijon Ibrahimović did not start for Heidenheim. He would, however, sub in at the start of the second half.
- Even against a thinned out lineup, Heidenheim hunkered in very deep and the Bavarians used some quick passing and constant movement to keep Heideneheim working extremely hard.
- Bayern Munich was dominant in possession again. It was a little reminiscent of the Mainz 05 match early on, but Heidenheim was less of a counterattacking threat.
- In the 12th minute, Jonathan Tah slammed a header toward the goal, but it was right at Diant Ramaj.
- Urbig was cool and confident in taking Neuer’s spot.
- In the 15th minute, Olise hit a corner, which found the head of Tah. Tah sent his header toward Ramaj, who made contact with the attempt. Unfortunately for the goalkeeper and his Heidenheim mates, Josip Stanišić was crashing in and headed the ball into the net. It was a well-earned goal for Bayern Munich and a needed contribution from Stanišić, who has had a few rough games in the last two months.
- After some chaos in front of the net, a scrum put the ball into the path of Olise, who slammed the ball authoritatively into the net for a 2-0 lead. Olise’s kick could have been dropped into the old Nintendo game Kung Fu as a finishing move!
- Karl took a big hit a few minutes after the goal and was very balky in the immediate aftermath. Overall, Heidenheim seemed to make it a point to be very physical with Karl.
- In the 38th minute Kane got his foot on the end of a set-piece with his back to the net. It would have been a Goal of the Year candidate if it was a few meters over one way or the other.
- Former Bayern Munich academy standout Niklas Dorsch put a nice hit on Kane early in the second half.
- Karl seemed like he was trying to appease someone. Just shoot the ball, kid!
- This was not one of Karl’s best efforts, honestly.
- Kane had a good look in the 53rd minute, but sent his look wide.
- Ibrahimović showed some glimpses of his prowess, but could not really convert any of the good ideas that he had. He should have probably scored in the 68th minute. It was the second near-goal for Heidenheim, after a header clanged
- Daiber checked in at the 72nd minute mark, which was cool to see.
- Urbig finally got tested in the 78th minute and was up to the task he thwarted a close-range attempt from Stefan Schimmer.
- Leon Goretzka had a nice game in the central midfield. When asked to do a bit more and be on the ball more, he did well.
- Serge Gnabry was a trainwreck after coming on for Karl.
- Luis Díaz finally put Bayern Munich back on the scoreboard with a goal in the 88th minute. At that point, all that was left was to start the buses.
- Kiala would also make his debut, while Mike came on, too.
- Kane finally got a well-earned goal as well in the second minute of added time after a great turn and precise finish.
- Overall, Bayern Munich did well to dominate the match with a makeshift lineup. It was not a perfect effort, but it was good enough on this day. Kompany got what he needed from his boys and they can now safely take a few days, get healthy, and all get some much needed rest. It has been a hell of a Hinrunde and things will only get more intense moving forward.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Observations, Match Awards, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen.
Pep not giving hints on future (Fabrizio Romano)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is not giving any hints on when his time at the club will be over.
“I’m here! What is going to happen, who knows that?! Who knows? But even if I had a 10-year contract, or I have six months, football changes a lot,” said Guardiola. “In the last three or four years, every time in a certain period you ask me about my future. So yeah, sooner or later at 75 or 76 years-old, I will quit Man City.
“I have 18 months left on my deal. I’m so delighted, happy, excited in development of the team.”
This become relevant for Bayern Munich because Vincent Kompany is one of the coaches City has been rumored to want to succeed Guardiola. Kompany’s long history at the club could also make it tough for him to turn down that kind of opportunity.
More links for Boey to Palace (The Standard’s Dom Smith via @iMiaSanMia)
Sacha Boey seems almost certain to leave Bayern Munich in January and Crystal Palace seems more and more like the leader in the clubhouse to acquire him:
Crystal Palace are keen to increase competition for Daniel Muñoz at right wing-back, and hold an interest in Sacha Boey. Sources expect Boey to leave Bayern next month.
Will the price be right? That is a big question after Bayern Munich dropped a whopping €30 million for Boey back in 2024.
Bayern to offer €50 million for Fernandes? (The Peoples Person)
No one — and we mean no one — believes this, but it is out there, so YOLO.
According to this report, Bayern Munich is set to offer Manchester United €50 million for Bruno Fernandes (🤣):
According to Fichajes, Bayern Munich are planning to offer €50 million for Bruno Fernandes. The Bavarians have reportedly monitored the Portuguese for ages and are now ready to take the next step.
While their proposal is considerable given that the player will turn 32 at the start of next season, the Bundesliga champions believe that the price is justified because of Fernandes’ qualities.
The report adds that the player could be tempted by a move to Germany, given United’s recent lack of success and the team’s struggles under Amorim.
LFC to challenge Bayern on Djú (Anfield Index)
Liverpool could be emerging as a contender to land Franculino Djú:
The race for the signing of 21-year-old forward Franculino Djú has taken a new turn, with both Liverpool and Bayern Munich reportedly showing significant interest in the talented striker. The FC Midtjylland star has been in remarkable form this season, netting 21 goals and providing 3 assists across 30 games in all competitions. With an average of a goal every 98.09 minutes, his stats have caught the eye of top clubs across Europe, including Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
After dropping big money on Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké, it seems to be way too early to add Djú into that mix, right?
Milan wants to keep Maignan (Gazzetta dello Sport)
AC Milan wants to do its best to hang on to goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has been linked to several clubs including Chelsea:
AC Milan want to keep goalkeeper Mike Maignan at the club despite his current contract situation. He has previously been linked with Chelsea.
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…
