Bayern Munich travels to Union Berlin…are you ready?
If you read between the lines, Bayern Munich has big plans for this summer…but what?
There are potentially some savings measures being put in place at Säbener Straße, so let’s dive in. First, Sport Bild journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (via @iMiaSanMia) are reporting that Bayern Munich has hit the pause button a training ground renovation, which will — at least — delay an expense of at least €150 million:
As part of their money saving strategy, Bayern have decided to postpone their training ground renovation and the brand-new first-team performance center project for the time being. Although it was approved in principle at the last supervisory board meeting, the start of construction has been postponed indefinitely. Construction was originally scheduled to begin on June 1. Internally, they estimate the costs at €150 million at least.
The ‘ostensible explanation’ by the club for this move was that the construction noise should not jeopardize the team’s sporting goals. But the financial aspect played a decisive role in the decision to delay the project.
With something that seems necessary, why the delay? Well, Sport Bild (via @iMiaSanMia) is reporting that Uli Hoeneß was heard telling people that the club is not exactly “flush” at the moment:
During Bayern’s anniversary party at the end of last month, Uli Hoeneß spoke to the guests telling them that the club’s fixed deposit account, which was ‘generous’ a couple of years ago, has since shrunk significantly.
Hmmm.
A pause in a big construction project, plus a club legend saying that cash might be a problem. That is interesting, but there is more.
Falk and Altschäffl (via @iMiaSanMia) also reported that Bayern Munich’s supervisory board are still hammering board member for sport, Max Eberl, to make cuts to the salary budget — something that could be incredibly hard to do:
Max Eberl has been reminded by the supervisory board members once again last Thursday that the wage bill must urgently be reduced. Hainer, Hoeneß and Rummenigge told Eberl that players must be sold this summer and funds must be generated because the squad costs are the highest they’ve ever been
The club’s bosses mainly blame that on the former management with Kahn and Salihamidžić, but the recent contract extensions of Musiala, Davies and Kimmich have increased the wage bill even more. Therefore, the supervisory board expects a plan from Eberl and Freund in the coming weeks on how to reduce it.
Several players have already been mentioned as potential sales candidates, including Leon Goretzka, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Sacha Boey, João Palhinha, and Raphaël Guerreiro. In addition, the club could also decide to let go of free-agent-to-be Leroy Sané.
If Eberl managed to sell all of those players and also either let Sané walk or bring him back at a reduced rate, it could alleviate the pressure on him. That scenario, however, seems very unlikely at this point. Moreover, not everyone is onboard with the plan to sell come of those players, including head coach Vincent Kompany, who wants to keep Goretzka per Bild (via @iMiaSanMia).
Is Bayern Munich really hurting for cash or did Hoeneß throw out a red herring to take some attention off of the club as it prepares for the biggest move in its history — an acquisition of Bayer Leverkusen mega-star Florian Wirtz?
Expected to cost between €100 million and €150 million (a massive range, we know), getting Wirtz would require drastic measures — you know, like pausing a massive construction project and selling off a big chunk of the squad.
There could be a lifeline for Bayern Munich, though, in the form of the Club World Cup per Altschäffl (via @iMiaSanMia):
For the summer’s Club World Cup, the clubs are divided into categories in the earnings. Bayern, as a top 3 ranked European team, will receive €30m just for participating in the tournament. In case of a title win, the estimated earnings would rise to €100-120m, a sum that would restore Bayern’s fixed deposit account to its previous level.
Hmmm.
Is it Tin Foil Hat Theory time? Does a possible Hoeneß red herring + a construction halt + an effort to sell (somewhat) valuable players, while reducing payroll + a cash influx from the Club World Cup = a transfer for Wirtz?
Maybe….maybe not…but I’ll be damned — the background of Wirtz’s Instagram profile picture looks familiar.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 34
Bayern Munich has one more game before it will hit an international break — and there is much to talk about, so let’s not waste any time.
This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- As a heads up, I was kidnapped for this episode or thrown down a well — my mic actually bit the dust right before recording, so a back-up was used (no fear, a new mic is on the way!).
- Rejoice! Joshua Kimmich as re-upped.
- What we are doing with talkSport.
- How are we feeling about Bayern Munich as the squad takes a break?
- Leon Goretzka just keeps going — and Vincent Kompany wants to keep him. Will the coach’s endorsement be enough?
- Leroy Sané has a very tough decision to make.
- A brief Entertainment Rundown where we focus on the first two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again.
Song of the Week: “Blue on Black” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Back in 1997, there was a 20-year-old kid, who sounded like a 40-year-old guy, who hit the scene in the era where gunge was winding down with a traditional rock sound.
At that point I was around the same age, so to hear Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the radio — getting heavy airplay — was really something cool. Shepherd is still around and has put together a nice career for himself, but his peak in popularity really came when he was at an age where he really could not appreciate it. To be clear, that is not a knock, that is meant to show how incredible it was for him to do what he did at that time.
Now, Shepherd is mostly known for his work as a guitarist, but he definitely burst on to the scene in a big way with a unique voice back in ‘97:
Enjoy:
In 2018, the band Five Finger Death Punch did a cover of the song as well:
Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show: Union Berlin vs. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is riding high coming off of a massive Champions League tie victory over Bayer Leverkusen, but the Bavarians have to maintain focus if they want to avoid what looks like an obvious trap game on the schedule.
With the international break looming, Vincent Kompany will have to ensure his team keeps its eye on an underachieving, but capable Union Berlin squad. We will dive deep into that and more during the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show. Here is what we have in tap:
- A look into where each team falls in the Bundesliga table and some discussion on the recent form of each side.
- A look back at the first game between the teams earlier this season.
- A look at the injury/suspension situations for both teams.
- A guess at Bayern Munich’s starting XI.
- A prediction on the match.
Entertainment Rundown
Invincible — Season Three
The third season of the Amazon Prime series had some ups and some downs. I will try to get this spoiler-free (as much as possible):
- A lot of the season was spent dealing with Mark not being able to lead a normal life, how to be a hero without the formality of working for Cecil, how to monetize his brand, and how to help raise his new brother, Oliver. These are the kinds of moral and ethical dilemmas we expect to see in this type of series with a character like Mark.
- As always with Invincible, there was a lot of conflict, a lot of drama, and a lot of destruction — this season, maybe, more than most.
- We also saw Mark’s relationship with Eve evolved into something serious.
- The re-emergence of Angstrom Levy played a key role in the season as well.
- Eve’s powers are explained further and we learn a little more about her full capabilities over the course of the season.
- One of the coolest things we got to see this season, was the back story on Cecil and also with Donald as well. A good backstory is always awesome to help tie together why the characters are the way they are.
- Unfortunately, we really did not get enough of Nolan (Omni-Man) in this season.
- The season finale was the best episode and probably helped boost my rating at bit. Mark’s battle vs. Conquest, who is maybe the biggest, baddest Viltrumite. If you were a fan of The Walking Dead, you finally got the rematch between Steven Yeun (TWD — Glenn) and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (TWD — Negan). In The Walking Dead, Negan famously bashed Glenn’s head in with his barbwire baseball bat Lucille. The battle between Mark and Conquest was epic to say the least and set the tone for Mark to change his mindset and his style in a way that might not be able to be undone.
- Given all of the storylines that seem to be converging for next season (some of them have been playing the long game in terms of storytelling), it could get wild.
- Overall, this was a very solid season of Invincible, but it was littered with some storylines that ultimately were just fillers. The show has not lost its touch or momentum, but sometimes it does meander, which often separates the good shows from the great shows. In the end it was worth my time — if you watched, let me know what you thought.
Season Rating: 7.75/10.00
Predictions
Bundesliga
Last week’s result against VfL Bochum aside, Bayern Munich is red hot, but also looking to play things smartly. Bayern Munich is a bit banged up heading into this international break, which means there will — at least — be some rotation.
We know Kim Min-jae will rest, but it will be interesting to see how many more regulars take a seat (if any). Regardless, Bayern Munich should be able to put away Union Berlin on the road. The home side has not been great this season. There have been far more valleys than peaks for Union Berlin and we would expect that trend to continue again.
Prediction: Union Berlin 0-3 Bayern Munich
Other Bundesliga Predictions:
- St. Pauli 1-2 Hoffenheim
- Mainz 05 1-1 SC Freiburg
- FC Augsburg 1-2 Wolfsburg
- Werder Bremen 1-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
- RB Leipzig 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
- VfL Bochum 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
- Heidenheim 1-0 Holstein Kiel
- VfB Stuttgart 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen
Prediction Records
- Last Week Bundesliga: 0-9 (Through Matchday 25 — WTF….first time I’ve ever had a full oh-fer)
- Overall Bundesliga: 105-120
- UEFA Nations League: 81-66
- Champions League: 96-80 (Through Matchday 12)
- DFB-Pokal: 43-17 (Through part 1 of quarterfinals)
- Total: 317-283
- Perfect Picks: 51 (when the score and winner is predicted exactly)
