DAHOAM 2025 BABY!
Bayern Munich are in the quarter finals of the Champions League!
The Bavarians faced Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Bay Arena in what was slated to be an interesting game. Going into the fixture 3-0 up certainly put the Bavarians on a safer side but that didn’t stop them from still trying their best to widen the gap. There’s a lot to talk about the game so let’s dive right in.
The attack might it be it… emphasis on the might
The final score is not too reflective of what went down in the game.
The game started off with Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise on the left and right wings, Jamal Musiala at attacking midfield and Harry Kane as the centre-forward. The attack capitalized very well on the lacunae in Leverkusen’s defense. Every time Leverkusen missed the ball, one of the attackers was there to pick it up and build up the attack.
Barring the yellow card Kingsley Coman was shown for an untimely tackle, he had a very good game. Coman created his fair share of chances and plays, threatening the Leverkusen defense. His defending too was noteworthy. However, his stint was cut short by an injury at the 58th minute.
Olise was an absolute gem of a player this game — he was quick, effective in getting the ball back, evading the defense and creating chances. The Englishman held his own against the rough defending by Leverkusen and created some of the biggest chances Bayern had. His set piece work too was fantastic. This was a classic Olise performance and it was extremely satisfactory to watch.
Kane, too, had a fantastic game. A striker who is willing to fall back and involve himself in the play, Kane had a solid game with one goal and one assist. A noteworthy play from Kane was at the 36th minute when Konrad Laimer got a pass across to Kane who then unselfishly got it across to Olise. Though it did not result in a goal, it is in moments like these that we see Harry Kane’s quality.
The first goal by Kane himself at around the 50th minute was result of a well-placed and timed pass from Joshua Kimmich. Kimmich retrieved the ball from within the box by dint of a major defensive blunder and got a slick pass across to Kane who then got a very clean shot to the back of the net. Kane’s assist in the second goal at the 71st minute was the result of a beautiful play by Serge Gnabry. Gnabry made his way across despite having three defenders on his tail, and made a clever pass to Kane. The striker saw an open Alphonso Davies and unselfishly made a very good pass, resulting in the goal. He was then subbed off for Thomas Müller at the 85th minute after an exceptional performance.
Musiala had a fantastic outing too, if it weren’t for the fact that he hit the woodwork multiple times. He held his own against the two Leverkusen defenders on his tail at any given point in time. His otherwise clinical performance was marred by a series of awful missed chances. However, the fans must be glad primarily that he walked out of the game unscathed.
Speaking on the substitutes, Gnabry was an exceptional impact sub. Sporting his lucky afro, the German attacker had a very good game in stark contrast to his unsatisfactory performances of late. Müller was subbed on too late to have any real impact and in a position, striker, he doesn’t even really play. Hiroki Ito, who was subbed on for Olise, also had a good game.
Perhaps the only gripe with the attack was the number of times a singular player would make his way to the box surrounded by multiple Leverkusen defenders and turn around to see no one to pass too. Multiple chances from Musiala and Olise were wasted this way. The substitutions too, need to be more timely.
Leverkusen do not know how to defend, do they?
Watching the game, it was very obvious Leverkusen had one modus operandi, which was to be as rough as possible. Whenever they found themselves outclassed by a player, their immediate reaction would be to foul the player in the ugliest way possible. The Bavarians took multiple kicks to the face and foot — not to mention, the aggressive tugging and disgusting tackles. The fact that Bayern walked out with only one injury is shocking.
Frankly speaking, Die Werkself did not know how to defend nor attack. Their set pieces were taken awfully and they only looked keen on exiting the stadium at the earliest. The only player with any real threat was Jeremie Frimpong, who too, was subdued in time.
The referees were of no help, hardly calling out Leverkusen on their ugly plays but that is a tale as old as time itself.
Midfield mentions
Joshua Kimmich was on his finest today. His set piece work was decent and his work in the midfield was phenomenal. Retrieving the ball and creating good plays was child’s work for the third captain. All in all, he had a fine evening.
Leon Goretzka did not have a noteworthy performance but he kept things in the midfield neat and clean. He had a quiet game but put up a good fight.
João Palhinha, who was subbed on for Goretzka at around the 80th minute, did decently well, albeit only for around 15 minutes.
Delectable defending!
The defense probably had the best game in a while. The backline featuring Alphonso Davies and Konrad Laimer as left and right backs respectively and the centre-back pairing of Kim Min-Jae and Dayot Upamecano had a phenomenal night.
Upamecano’s man marking of Patrik Schick and aerial defending were out of this world. Schick could do absolutely nothing and was completely isolated, all because of Upa-machine! The Frenchman’s ability to win aerial duels is second to none and it was hugely significant in set pieces. Kim Min-Jae had a terrific game himself with solid defensive work. There were multiple instances when his performance put a smile on my face. The centre-back pairing did not set one foot in the wrong direction today.
Despite Konrad Laimer’s early yellow card, the Austrian had a good game. He created multiple good plays and despite being in a position that isn’t his own, he had a really good game. He found himself struggling against Frimpong a few times but otherwise, did very well. Josip Stanišić, who came on for Laimer in the second half, had a very good game as well in relief.
On the overall, even when there were lapses in defense, the aftermath was very well handled by either the defense, or the man of the match, Jonas Urbig.
The future is here: Jonas Kurt Urbig
Jonas Urbig might just be Manuel Neuer reincarnated. And I do not use my words very lightly when it comes to Manuel Neuer comparisons.
Urbig was the absolute best player on the pitch. His awareness of the game and keen involvement with the backline is sure to remind everyone of Neuer himself. Urbig’s flying, acrobatic saves with a single hand where most would have used both; the save he made using his fingertips; all prove one thing — he is the future. Any lacunae in defending, Urbig is willing to handle, and oh boy, does he handle them well. He had multiple exceptional saves and certainly, this is a game to remember for the 21-year-old.
This team might be it. To take Bayern Dahoam 2025. Let’s see what is in store.
What did you think about the match? Let us know in the comments below!
