Bayern Munich overcame their own defensive barriers with an exceptional mindset.
After the exhilaration that swept over Bayern Munich's squad and officials following their 3:2 victory against Wolfsburg, they applauded the club's new attitude. However, the three points earned to kick off the Bundesliga campaign only served to intensify apprehensions regarding the team's defense in Munich.
On the banks of the Mittelland Canal, where the four brick smokestacks of the VW plant stand as the symbol of the old republic, the most enticing assignment in European football commenced this Sunday. The 38-year-old Belgian Vincent Kompany was poised to rejuvenate the German record champions, who had dipped to third in the Bundesliga under Thomas Tuchel.
The gaffer, affectionately referred to as the "petite cousin" of Bayer's mastermind Xabi Alonso by the "Süddeutsche Zeitung," made his debut on the Bundesliga stage with a 3:2 (1:0) success against VfL Wolfsburg. It was another triumph over the team from East Lower Saxony for Bayern, who have won an impressive 17 out of the last 19 league games against them, with only two draws.
Nevertheless, the initial success soon turned into chaos at the outset of the second half. As a result of defenders Sacha Boey and Minjae Kim's individual blunders, Bayern lost control of the game, only reestablishing possession with the introduction of Thomas Müller. With a stroke of fortune, it proved sufficient to secure victory on that particular August afternoon.
High Pressing Causes Early-Game Wobbles
It was three points against conflict, yet even sporting director Christoph Freund couldn't downplay it in the aftermath. Bayern's defense appeared volatile in the moments when Wolfsburg pressed them high and aggressively from the outset.
What had hinted at in the initial half had become evident on the scoreboard in the opening minutes of the second half, as Kim and Dayot Upamecano demonstrated great uncertainty in pressuring situations. The trio of Boey's poor tackle worthy of a penalty, his inadequate positioning as a right-back, Kim's reckless ball-loss before the 1:2, and even Upamecano's errant pass shortly afterward reached its peak. But to no avail.
"We have generally been quite satisfied with the squad, but of course, we have now lost two injured players, which we have noticed, and there isn't much room left for errors at the back," sporting director Freund admitted in the Wolfsburg catacombs about the defensive concerns. "The transfer window remains open for five more days."
Defensive Center Overcrowded
Meanwhile, Bayern, under sporting director Max Eberl, have already made significant moves this summer. Josip Stanisic joined from Leverkusen, while Hiroki Ito arrived from Stuttgart. Unfortunately, both defenders have been sidelined with injuries. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both moved to Manchester United, leaving the personnel situation thin. Additionally, Jonathan Tah has yet to transfer from Leverkusen to Bayern, further straining relations between the champions and record champions.
Since Joshua Kimmich cannot be deployed as a right-back, and Austrian Konrad Laimer is also earmarked for central midfield along with new signing Joao Palhinha, Leon Goretzka, and youngster Aleksandar Pavlović, Bayern possess an oversupply in the midfield and a scarcity in defense. The more attacking their strategy, the more prominent the errors. The defensive slip-ups in Wolfsburg only stoked more questions.
Seasonal Squad Challenges Prominent
Munich confronts formidable challenges this season. They aim to restore the status quo in German football and also play the Champions League final "Dahoam 2.0" at the end of May 2025 in the city, which is to serve as the location for the final.
The last remaining members of the squad, Müller and Neuer, are only under contract until the end of the season. Leroy Sané, Kimmich, and left-back Alphonso Davies also currently list this date as the end of their tenure in Munich. The future of these players remains uncertain. Jamal Musiala is also only signed up until 2026. This season likewise serves as a trial period for FC Bayern's new faces. Many familiar faces are bound to disappear soon, perhaps even world-class players Neuer and Müller will extend their contracts by a year. Perhaps not. "If we manage to complete the season with the new coaching team and with renewed vigor, that is enjoyable for me, and if enjoyment is present, then I will definitely continue," Neuer said in a Kicker interview released just before the opening game in Wolfsburg.
A Victory of Attitude
The essence of enjoyment. No one wants to lose it this season. They don't want Leverkusen to almost derisively carry away the championship trophy once again, nor do they want another eight defeats to befall them. The first of the season, narrowly averted upon arrival in Wolfsburg, they celebrated with resilience and triumph. "The mentality, the foundation that is most important, was outstanding at the end," Müller, the record player, cheered after his 709th appearance. Harry Kane said on ESPN: "Last year, there were games where we led, only to fall behind and never truly recover. We experienced that today."
Initially, Hasenhüttl's Wolfsburg didn't pose much of a challenge to the defending champions. They struggled to execute passes and even when they managed to, the balls usually missed their mark. After 40 minutes, they had completed 100 passes, only 66 of which were accurate. No trouble for the champions whatsoever. The spectators seemed uninterested as well. Post-match, Hasenhüttl voiced his displeasure over the apathetic crowd, unable to whip up any tension against Bayern.
Wolfsburg's attackers tried to push forward, only to be halted by Kimmich (on the right) and Pavlovic (on the left), the DFB's shining stars, in the midfield. Kimmich and Pavlovic controlled the game from deep, with Musiala often joining in from defense. By half-time, Wolfsburg's only saving grace was Bayern potentially self-destructing. And they did, giving Wolfsburg a brief glimmer of hope. However, this momentary weakness only heightened Bayern's concerns with the transfer deadline just around the corner.
The Pulse of the Bundesliga Endures
The encounter with the "canal cleaners" was close to being a disaster. Müller's unpredictable nature potentially saved the day. An influential turnaround could have been on the cards, as Kane pointed out on ESPN, a feat that might have been impossible last year under Tuchel. However, the 2023/2024 season should not set the bar high for Kompany's team. As strong as their offense currently appears, and as much impact as new signing Olise has already made, their defensive line's stability remains questionable.
Tough responsibilities await Kompany, who admired the positive aspects of the performance despite the late goal. "I'm pleased with the first half; there's room for improvement," he mentioned. "It's naive to assume that defeats wouldn't hurt after the opponent scores early in the second half. In the end, I'd like to emphasize the incredible team spirit." The spirit of German football lives on. Though it no longer pulses as energetically as Leverkusen's.
In light of the defensive issues that arose when Wolfsburg pressed high and aggressively in the second half, sporting director Freund acknowledged the need for caution, stating, "The transfer window remains open for five more days." With several key defenders injured or yet to join the team, Bayern Munich is currently facing an oversupply in midfield and a scarcity in defense, leading to an increased number of errors.
As Bayern moves forward in the Bundesliga campaign, the future of several key players, including Müller, Kimmich, and Sané, remains uncertain. With contracts expiring at the end of the season, the German champions are preparing for potential changes, which adds another layer of complexity to their ongoing seasonal challenges.
