Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin; Timo Werner back to RB Leipzig?; Another rumor linking Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk to Bayern; Kingsley Coman to Tottenham Hotspur?; and MORE!

Well, that didn’t go as planned for Bayern Munich…

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Union (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich was on total control and even dominant statistically against Union Berlin, but it would not matter. The Bavarians hacked up the match for a 1-1 draw that left many fans frustrated.

In the grand scheme of things, the result might not matter too much, but it was deflating to fans on a number of levels:

Indeed, that draw did feel like a loss in a lot of ways. Let’s dive into how it played out — here are some quick hitters on the match:

• As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:

• There were not really any surprises in the lineup. One mild shock was that Kingsley Coman did not travel with the team and was replaced by Serge Gnabry. Aside of that, Josip Stanišić over Konrad Laimer was somewhat surprising. Otherwise, it was pretty much what everyone expected.
• Gnabry and Harry Kane were both ineffective. For Gnabry, it was latest in a string of tough performances, while Kane took a step back from the standard he has set for himself.
• From the outset, Bayern Munich was in control, but did appear to be missing that sharpness that it had in recent in weeks. Surely, the trap game situation was in play. A relatively weak opponent + the last game before an international break had the makings for trouble (at least from a result standpoint).
• Union Berlin did a good job of making things uncomfortable.
• Michael Olise put in a strong performance and was probably Bayern Munich’s best offensive weapon in the match.
• The midfield duo of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka was not overly impressive or as active as we would all like to see. In many ways, the play of the central midfield dictated the urgency of the squad, which was lacking. It was not necessarily bad or awful per se, but it was not good enough.
• Musiala really should have scored in the 63rd minute after a beautiful pass from Olise, but it was just one of those games.
• It was actually remarkable that Bayern Munich had not scored a goal to this point in the match.
• After asserting itself for so long, Bayern Munich finally broke through in the 75th on a goal from Leroy Sané. For the winger, it was a really nice goal and one that — no doubt — felt good during a season where he has not always been at his best.
• The cutback cross from Stanišić to Sané was delectable and Sané’s hunger in to beat Woo-yeong Jeong to the spot was exactly what fans want to see from him.
• It had been a really strong run for Jonas Urbig, but the 83rd minute gaffe, which led to Benedict Hollerbach’s game-tying goal was his first taste of failure and disappointment. Urbig hit out a Josip Juranović cross right into the path of former Bayern academy player Benedict Hollerbach, who knotted the match. Surely, he will learn from that moment.
• Urbig had a couple of shaky moments, but there is no reason to panic on his potential for the future just yet.
• The back line of Eric Dier, Dayot Upamecano, Stanišić, and Alphonso Davies was really good.
• Overall, it just was not good enough from Bayern Munich. Being dominant in possession and other statistics is great, but the scoreboard holds the ultimate judgement on the match. In the end, this kind of game will happen over the course of the season (just like last week’s VfL Bochum collapse). In some sense, it really did just come down to Union Berlin not wanting to give up and Bayern Munich being unable to put them away. Frustrating? Yes. Confounding? Sure. It is not the end of the world, though. Bayern Munich needs to get things together and be ready for St. Pauli and Inter Milan. Things will not be easy against two desperate clubs (for different reasons), but Bayern Munich is good enough, deep enough, and organized enough to get things back in order.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @IredahlMarcus, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.

Werner back to Leipzig…probably (@Plettigoal)

Timo Werner’s series of bad decisions looks like it will continue:

⚪️ Tottenham will not trigger the €12m option to buy for Timo #Werner. As a result, he is set to return to RB Leipzig after the season, according to the current plan.

Much will depend on who succeeds Marco Rose if the coach leaves RB in the summer.

At the moment, Werner is not inclined to move within the Bundesliga. There are still concrete inquiries from the Premier League and the MLS. His current salary at Leipzig is around €10m gross/year.

Werner should really consider a move to a Bundesliga side not named RB Leipzig or Borussia Dortmund. The Premier League is an abyss for him and MLS just does not seem right…at least not yet.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 34 (Bavarian Football Works)

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.

More Van Dijk links to Bayern (The Kop Times)

Here we go again — another rumor linking Bayern Munich to Liverpool FC defender Virgil van Dijk:

Virgil van Dijk’s time at Liverpool could be coming to an end, with reports suggesting that the Dutch defender is unlikely to sign a new contract. Bayern Munich have made a lucrative offer to lure the Reds’ captain to Germany, and sources close to the player indicate that he is seriously considering the move.

For Bayern, securing Van Dijk would be a statement signing, reinforcing their defense with a proven winner. If Liverpool want to keep him, they must act fast to convince him that Anfield is still the best place for him to compete at the highest level. If not, they must prepare for life after their captain, a transition that will define their ambitions in the years to come.

Eh, it still does not feel like a move Bayern Munich would make right now, but who knows?

Sargent back to the BuLi? (@Plettigoal)

Josh Sargent made his bones at Werder Bremen and could be headed back to Germany based on his solid season for Norwich:

Josh #Sargent’s strong performances have attracted interest from several Bundesliga and Premier League clubs. The 25-y/o striker has scored 12 goals and provided 5 assists in the current Championship season for Norwich.

His price for a summer transfer is set at €15-20m. Sargent is planning his next step, with his contract running until 2028 without a release clause.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Special Edition: Breaking down the German national team’s call-up list (Bavarian Football Works)

Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann selected his German national team squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League quarterfinals tie with Italy.

With so many injuries and illnesses to deal with, Nagelsmann probably had to operate a bit outside his comfort zone with some of his selections, but — in the end — came up with the concoction that he thinks will best position the German national team for success against a very solid side from Italy.

This is what we have on tap for this Special Edition episode of Bavarian Podcast Works:

• A reaction to the Bayern Munich selections on the squad.
• Commentary on each position group.
• Some final takeaways on the selections and what to expect.

Coman to Spurs in Tel-related deal? (GiveMeSport)

When Bayern Munich engages in discussions with Tottenham Hotspur over the future of Mathys Tel during the summer, the Bavarians are expected to bring up the subject of Kingsley Coman:

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is on course to be handed the opportunity to complete the signing of Kingsley Coman at the same time as tying up a permanent deal for Mathys Tel when discussions are held with Bayern Munich in the summer, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Tottenham are set to be offered the chance to land Coman when they hold end-of-season talks with Bayern Munich over the permanent acquisition of Tel, according to GMS sources, as the German heavyweights are keen to allow him to embark on a fresh challenge ahead of next term.

What does this mean? Probably not much, but it is worth a shot.

English clubs lining up for Gittens (Sky Sport via ESPN)

Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens is transfer target for Bayern Munich, but he is getting heavy interest from Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur:

Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham all interested in signing Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, 20.

It definitely feels like Gittens is headed back to England. Bayern Munich could have to shift its focus elsewhere.