Two draws in a row with only one goal each, that was the last time Bayern played in early autumn. At that time, a sporting descent began, including a winless series of five games. Now, of all things, FC Bayern’s highly decorated offensive is causing concern. A bad déjà vu threatens.
It’s not yet boiling at FC Bayern, but it’s simmering. The tone has sharpened significantly after the two disappointing results against RB Leipzig (1-1) and Cologne (1-1). The soup, to stay with the metaphor, is oversalted.
In Munich – also in view of the remaining point cushion of three points in the league – one does not want to speak of a crisis. However, if there is no win again in the top game on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.) against pursuers Eintracht Frankfurt, new mischief is likely to be wreaked.
Mighty trouble for Gnabry, Bayern attack pale
Hasan Salihamidzic had already given a foretaste of what that could look like.
After the last-minute draw against Cologne, the visibly pissed-off sports director boiled and rumbled against attacker Serge Gnabry, who preferred to spend his free time before the game in Paris at a fashion gala and then – which ultimately ended in his fate – against the Domstädter had remained well below his potential.
With a view to FC Bayern’s otherwise outstanding offensive performance so far this season, this also applies to their attacking comrades-in-arms. Whether winger Leroy Sané, clipper Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting or substitutes Kingsley Coman and Thomas Müller – they all remained pale.
Nagelsmann knows the reasons for Musiala’s low form
Particularly striking: exceptional talent Jamal Musiala seems to be in a first small form slump.
After the first half of the Bundesliga season, the DFB hopeful is actually Bayern’s best attacker with nine goals and six assists. In the past two games, the 19-year-old hasn’t seen much.
On the contrary: Musiala looked like a total loss against Cologne, receiving a grade of 5.0 from sport.de for the first time this season. He had previously presented himself only slightly better (grade 4.5) against Leipzig.
Musiala’s attacking efforts against the Saxons mostly fizzled out in the beginning. Until he was substituted, he managed neither a shot on goal nor a shot on goal. His great strength, the one-on-one, didn’t come into play at all. He also seemed to want to put his head through the wall against Effzeh, but ultimately ended up with a blocked attempt at a shot.
It is now up to Julian Nagelsmann to get the young attacker back on track – or to prescribe a well-meant break for him. At the matchday press conference on Friday, he said meaningfully: “One can opener, and then it slips again. I know the reasons too, but they’re not for the public.”
How long does Thomas Müller keep his feet still?
Should Musiala move to the bench against the SGE for the time being, this would also be the chance for Thomas Müller to prove himself again.
The Bayern veteran had experienced turbulent weeks and months, with more downs than ups. After an injury in the fall and a disappointing World Cup, as is well known, Müller was only considered a challenger in the Bayern squad after the winter training camp.
The veteran actually had to sit on the bench twice recently, but remained calm on the outside. Also because Nagelsmann had emphasized in Doha that the 33-year-old was still “firm in his thoughts”. “We need him and we’re glad he’s back.”
The question is: How long will Thomas Müller keep his feet still if he is still not considered for the starting XI despite Jamal Musiala’s poor performance? Here, too, Nagelsmann is in demand as a communicator.
FC Bayern: Nagelsmann explains the lack of rhythm in the attack
At the same time, the head coach has to find answers for the overall struggling attacking game of his Munich team. Despite the great superiority at times, only seven shots on goal jumped out against RB. Afterwards he complained about the behavior in the “red zone”, in which his players “always made wrong decisions”.
Although Bayern shot a whopping 22 times against Cologne, the quality of the shots and effectiveness were now lacking. Striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who otherwise only needs three shots on average for a league goal and scored the opening goal against Leipzig, could not be relied on this time either.
Nagelsmann found the first reason for the problem in attack in the lack of rhythm. Another is probably the still insufficient “attitude” of his players, as the head coach explained on Friday when asked about the “mentality debate” that had arisen at FC Bayern.
In order to avoid a new crisis, no bad déjà vu, the 35-year-old “developed a good match plan” with his team after the analysis. The players also want to do their part. You would have independently addressed and criticized the lack of “attitude”.
The brilliant first leg, when the newly crowned Europa League winner was swept off the field 6-1, may also provide additional courage. By the way, the outstanding players back then: Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala and Thomas Müller.
Gerrit Kleiböhmer