Former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid star Toni Kroos thinks Bayern Munich could be in some trouble in preparing for the latter stages of the Champions League because it will not be tested domestically.
“As a player, I always hated it when people said, ‘You’ll definitely be champions this year’ – because the games first have to be played. Nevertheless, I think Bayern will be champions this season in March, or April at the latest. I know as a player that you don’t always like to hear that, but it is just
how it is. This year, it’s simply obvious. They’re too far ahead of the rest,” Kroos said on Podcast Einfach mal Luppen (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “Leverkusen are having an upheaval. Dortmund and Leipzig cannot compete in the long run. None of the competition is consistent enough to challenge them in the table They [Bayern] won’t be tested [in the league] before the decisive Champions League matches.
“So, they have to make the most of the big games in the [UCL] league phase, because these games won’t come back until later in the quarterfinals. They won’t have that on the weekends. When the big opponents that will challenge them arrive, we’ll have to see how things go.”
Kroos has a point, but it has more to do with an odd year in the Bundesliga where there was an extreme talent exodus in the summer, which left a lot of parity — and a handful of bad teams. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig look like they could develop into serious contenders with some luck, but each has major flaws as Kroos pointed out.
Maybe — in a year where it needs to be tested — Bayern Munich will be able to overcome that obstacle…or maybe Bayern Munich is just head and shoulders above most teams in Europe. Either way, the Champions League will help tell the tale of just how good this group of regardless of what domestic league it competes in.
Bayern Munich coasted into this international break with a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and immediately (and rightfully) hit Oktoberfest before the squad breaks up for a week-and-a-half for another international break.
It feels like a good time to appreciate these good times and examine why it all has come together under Vincent Kompany so far this season. This is what we have on tap for this episode of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:
- Winning — and some personnel moves — have cured all at Bayern Munich. The winning formula is more complicated than that, but let’s explore why things are going so well and how to keep them moving in that direction.
- Some Bayern players need a break. It is a new world for several player and a tough adjustment, but it could be the difference between winning the Champions League and flaming out early.
- What’s wrong with Florian Wirtz? The former Bayern Munich transfer target got benched at Liverpool, proving again that fit is sometime more important than finances in a footballer’s career.
- Manuel Neuer to get a new deal? Bayern Munich might just be kicking it around.
Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.
