FC Bayern Munich - Theses for 1: 1 at Union Berlin: The biggest problem of FCB is not the missing center forward

FC Bayern Munich can’t get rid of the questions about Robert Lewandowski after the 1-1 draw against Union Berlin. But the real problem in the squad lies elsewhere. Union Berlin is also developing into the German version of Atalanta Bergamo. The theses on FCB’s draw on the 5th matchday of the Bundesliga.

1. FC Bayern: The question of Lewandowski will remain – unfortunately!

For the second time in a row, FC Bayern Munich only drew 1-1 in the Bundesliga, and for the second time in a row some of the record champions’ offensive players missed more or less high-quality chances. That not only led to the loss of the championship lead on the fifth day of the game, which of course not only coach Julian Nagelsmann should “give a fuck”. Instead, for the second time in a row, it led to the inevitable questions about Robert Lewandowski, which, for the most part, could not be answered satisfactorily.

But for the record:

Was Lewy missing against Union Berlin? It may be. In any case, Sadio Mané’s performance was not that famous.
Would it have been different with Lewandowski? Maybe, maybe not. Lewandowski didn’t score in every game for Bayern either.
Doesn’t it need a world-class center forward? Not if Bayern’s attacking quartet had been more effective in Berlin.

Sure, in contrast to the draw against Mönchengladbach, when Bayern managed the feat of scoring just one goal from 33 shots but played spectacularly well, this time the Bavarian goal drought can not only be explained by bad luck or an outstanding opposing keeper.

As Julian Nagelsmann rightly pointed out, it only took one brilliant act from Union keeper Frederik Rönnow to thwart Munich’s four top-class chances.

The biggest problem in Berlin wasn’t the ineffectiveness of the strikers in front of goal. In addition to the low level of energy that Nagelsmann had warned about and the fact that the attackers made the wrong decisions when it came to big chances, much more problematic was the lack of concentration on the part of the entire team when creating the chances. And on top of that a certain tendency to complicated play in the attacking third.

Bayern notes: Two total failures – only one real ray of hope

1/16

FC Bayern is playing 1-1 in the Bundesliga for the second time in a row and sometimes makes coach Julian Nagelsmann despair. At Union Berlin, one or the other FCB professional has problems. Only a newcomer can really convince. The notes.

2/16

MANUEL NEUER: Didn’t have too much to do, but his action in the 75th minute, when he parried the ball against Leweling in the short corner with a monster reflex, improved the grade in the long term. Grade: 2.

3/16

BENJAMIN PAVARD: Had a big part in the game because Bayern mainly played on his right side. At 40.3 percent, the share in the attack third was highest. Ryerson worked it up properly, but Pavard held back. Note 3.

4/16

DAYOT UPAMECANO: conceded the free-kick before the 0:1 but actually it wasn’t really a foul so exonerated. Rarely showed the bold passes he was famous for, but was mostly present. Note 3.

5/16

MATTHIJS DE LIGT: Good play by the centre-back. Defensively very robust and always ready to counter Union’s hardness. His body language matched too. The only drawback: Could fit even braver: Grade 2.

6/16

ALPHONSO DAVIES: It wasn’t his game. Many easy ball losses, also because he lacked the timing. In the second half with one or the other good offensive action, but overall not enough. Grade: 4.5.

7/16

JOSHUA KIMMICH: Met the aggressiveness of the Union with the same means. Fiddled the opponents also the opinion. His goal, almost impossible from the angle, came at an important stage. Preloaded with yellow out (62nd). Grade: 2.5.

8/16

MARCEL SABITZER: Hardworking as always this season, helped to build up from his own half and gave Kimmich the space so he could go forward. Also aggressive in a duel, especially in the air. Grade: 2.5.

9/16

KINGSLEY COMAN: Had a very strong opponent in Ryerson, and from time to time Trimmel also came over for fun. Coman had a lot of good ideas to break through with dribbling, but overall not very effective. grade: 4

10/16

JAMAL MUSIALA: Back in the starting XI after injury, but it was his weakest performance of the season so far. Has so much talent that he did well in a game like this. But just not enough. grade: 4

11/16

LEROY SANE: Had the 2-1 on his foot twice, but failed both times and was a bit unlucky. He wasn’t intimidated by his opponent’s gait and looked for duels. Therefore still: Grade: 3.5.

12/16

SADIO MANE: The striker seemed unable to cope with Union’s aggressive approach and endured a wasted afternoon. Before the 0:1, he simply let Becker go and was responsible for the goal. Hardly any danger at the front. grade: 5

13/16

RYAN GRAVENBERCH: Came into the game in the 62nd minute for Joshua Kimmich, who had a yellow card, and immediately picked up a yellow card for a harder foul. But maybe that was necessary in a game like this. Grade: 3.5.

14/16

THOMAS MÜLLER: Stayed out because of the “rotation” (Julian Nagelsmann), then came for the pale Jamal Musiala, but couldn’t set any more accents either. Remained without a shot on goal. grade: 4

15/16

SERGE GNABRY: Came in for Kingsley Coman in the 73rd minute and brought a lot of mood but little luck. Was noticed with ball losses in one or the other promising offensive action. No rating.

16/16

LEON GORETZKA: He still got five minutes for his first Bundesliga appearance this season. No rating.

Julian Nagelsmann prescribed a less wild and more patient build-up to Bayern over the summer, from which the defensive also benefited in Berlin. But in the attacking third, a certain sloppiness crept in, from which the Munich team suffered last season when they lost 1-0 at FC Villarreal in the Champions League. By the way, center forward Robert Lewandowski was on the pitch for 90 minutes.