German champion for the tenth time in a row. Nevertheless, FC Bayern Munich did not always feel like celebrating.
With a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 31 (April 23, 2022), FC Bayern Munich secured an unassailable twelve-point lead and thus secured their tenth championship title in a row.
After a two-year Corona break, it was celebrated again on the Munich City Hall balcony in front of thousands of Bayern fans (May 15, 2022). Only this one trophy was presented.
Champions League out against Villareal
Bayern were in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg against Villareal (12.4.2022) in the home stadium with a 1:1. “Nice bitter” for Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann. And that’s not all. Shortly thereafter, Polish media spread rumors that center forward Lewandowski could move to FC Barcelona in the summer.
Lewandowski says goodbye
In fact, the world footballer, who was voted world footballer of the year for the second time in a row in January, said in July after months of fuss finally “Servus” and said goodbye to Spain. Even power words CEO Oliver Kahn (“Lewandowski stays, Basta”) and President Herbert Hainer (“Contract is contract”) hadn’t helped.
Sports director Salihamidzic on a shopping spree
150 million were then invested in new players. The previously often scolded and seldom praised Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic was suddenly given good grades. He surprised with the signing of Sadio Mané, Matthijs de Ligt, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui. However, a weighty “nine” was not there. With the 17-year-old Mathys Tel, Munich had at least caught an offensive talent.
A furious start to the new Bundesliga season
After that, the Munich team started the new season strongly with three wins and 15:1 goals. It almost looked as if the offensive forces would suddenly play free in view of the missing world footballer and share the goals among themselves.
After the mini-crisis only in fifth place
In the weeks leading up to the Oktoberfest, however, the mood changed. After several draws in a row, the record champion caught himself suffered a defeat at FC Augsburg on the opening weekend of the Wiesn and was suddenly only in fifth place in the Bundesliga table. Accordingly, there was no mood at the festival visit. However, the chairman of the board, Kahn, underlined that there was no coaching discussion. And the team shot their frustration out of their souls with a 4-0 win against Leverkusen at the end of the Oktoberfest.
Nagelsmann strengthens Choupo-Moting
However, the “Nine”, who had migrated to Spain, was still missing. Coach Nagelsmann changed the system and brought in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as a central striker. Lo and behold: he suddenly scored – FC Bayern was back on the road to success. With a four-point lead, Munich ended the year after the 15th matchday as the table leader.
Confident group victory in the Champions League
They also finished the Champions League group stage with the maximum haul of 18 points and an impressive goal difference of 18-2 as sovereign group winner. They made it clear after a 2-0 win at home against Lewandowski, who had migrated away, with a 3-0 win in Barcelona. They also contributed to the Catalans’ elimination after the group stage.
Also in the cup still there
And in contrast to the previous season, in which FC Bayern was eliminated in the second round of the DFB Cup, they are still represented in the round of 16 in this competition in the new year. On February 1st they will face 1. FSV Mainz 05.
Frustration and injuries at the World Cup in Qatar – and the new failure
However, shortly before the end of the year, the Munich team had to swallow a few bitter pills, among other things due to the World Cup in Qatar. They hurt even more than the disappointment with the DFB kickers serious injuries to Mané and Lucas Hernandez. And as if that wasn’t enough Manuel Neuer broke his leg while skiing and is out for the rest of the season.
So the new year begins again with special challenges. Especially in the premier class. A top-class player awaits Munich in the round of 16 with Paris St. Germain (February 14, 2023, 9:00 p.m.).
Source: BR24 12/28/2022 – 2:54 p.m
