After some frighteningly good performances, FC Bayern Munich has recently experienced a dip in form. Jonathan Tah doesn’t want to talk about a “bad phase”. Nevertheless, an increase is urgently required. Preferably against Hoffenheim.
It wasn’t that long ago that FC Bayern seemed downright untouchable. Even opponents like Paris Saint-Germain were easily dominated, while in the national competition the only question that remains is how much Munich would win.
FC Bayern is weakening
Two and a half weeks ago, the German record champions dismantled an ambitious RB Leipzig after an explosion in performance 5:1after actually being the weaker team in the first half.
19 days and four competitive games later, there is not much left of the aura of invincibility. In addition to two narrow victories in the Champions League against Union Saint-Gilloise (2:0) and PSV Eindhoven (2:0), there was a surprising home defeat against FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga (1:2) and an unconvincing draw at Hamburger SV (2:2), which was still available in the first half of the season 5:0 had dispatched.
Defense with problems
The slip-ups against FC Augsburg and in Hamburg caused the lead over pursuers Borussia Dortmund to melt from eleven to just six points within a very short time.
It’s not just the standings in the table that give the impression that Bayern are currently in a slump in form. In 2026, head coach Vincent Kompany’s team only failed to concede a goal in one of seven competitive games, after keeping nine out of 25 games to zero before the turn of the year.
Load inhibition in the Bayern offensive
The offensive also seems inhibited, at least compared to the performances up to the winter break. In the last four appearances they never scored more than two goals, which had only happened six times in the previous 30 appearances including the Supercup, including against well-known opponents such as Borussia Dortmund (2:1), PSG (2:1) or Arsenal FC (1:3).
From the outside it looks as if the Bayern giant has faltered. Central defender Jonathan Tah sees it differently. The 29-year-old explained that he didn’t have the feeling “as if we were in a bad phase.” Sky.
Bavaria crisis? Tah weighs it down
Rather, for Tah, his team’s current problems are part of the usual process in a season. “The other teams are adapting – trying to do different things against us because they have now had enough time to see what Vincent Kompany wants. We have to adapt again,” is the German international’s solution.
What sounds so simple for Tah is, however, an increasingly pressing task for Kompany. The season is slowly but surely entering the hot phase. After another duel with Leipzig in the DFB Cup quarter-finals (February 11th), the landmark match in the championship against Borussia Dortmund (February 28th) awaits FCB in a few weeks, before the round of 16 of the Champions League (from March 10th) is just around the corner.
Surprise team demands Bavaria
Of course, football professionals only look from game to game, but the immediate next task is also tough. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is the surprise team of the year and is in third place in the table. With 43 goals, the Kraichgauers have the second best attack in the Bundesliga and also have the third best defense (23 goals conceded).
In addition, Austrian coach Christian Ilzer’s team is in top form. The last defeat was on December 7th last year (0-2 at Borussia Dortmund). In 2026 you could win all five games.
Tah warns about Hoffenheim
Tah also knows about Hoffenheim’s strengths. “They run a lot, have an intense game, a lot of sprints, a lot of deep runs. They have a clear idea of what they want to do – it won’t be an easy game,” warned the Hamburg native.
Despite all the warnings, Bayern’s summer newcomer also knows what is expected of him and his teammates on Sunday: “Our aim is to leave the game with three points.”
Kane worries and Laimer comeback
However, fulfilling Tah’s announcement before the big game could be more difficult than expected. Superstar Harry Kane was once again missing from training on Wednesday, but an appearance on Sunday is open. At least the personnel situation in defense could ease: Konrad Laimer was working fully with the team again.
Source: BR24Sport
02/05/2026 – 8:30 a.m
