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Teams that currently top their national league and make serene progress in the Champions League just a few months after winning the treble are generally not in crisis.
But Bayern Munich are not the majority of clubs. After the indignity of (shock, horror) a second loss in a row, many in Germany are beginning to wonder if everything is really okay at the Allianz Arena.
It was certainly a surprise to everyone to see them sent off DFB Pokal on penalties by second-division Holstein Kiel, their first cup outing against lower-league opponents in 17 years.
The fact that it happened just days after they blew a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Borussia Monchengladbach in the league only added to the feeling that circumstances are catching up with them.
The Bayern players certainly looked devastated as they trudged through a snowstorm at the Holstein-Stadion and overtime was the last thing they needed in a relentless schedule that is only going to get worse.
But they were only to blame for the unexpected defeat. A strong team with four World Cup champions was minutes away from progress when Hauke Wahl scored with his shoulder in the fifth minute of stoppage time to equal Kiel for the second time.
Bayern squandered countless opportunities too: they had 23 shots, of which nine were on target, and Thomas Muller was guilty of an unusual miss from just a few yards.
However, all of that points to the main issues here. At their best, Bayern would have finished the game in half an hour. But they did not, and their worrisome defensive vulnerabilities were easily exposed again.
Bayern have the worst defensive record of the top six in the Bundesliga today and you have to go back to 1981-82 because it is the last time they have had so many leaks at this stage of the season.
The simple long ball that passed Niklas Sule and Bouna Sarr for Kiel’s first draw should have been easily handled and none of Bayern’s defenders have covered themselves in glory this season.
David Alaba, with his future up in the air as his contract runs out, has been well below his best, while the premature injuries of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, who generally protect the defense so effectively, have added vulnerability.
With Kingsley Coman injured and Serge Gnabry scoreless, there are problems ahead as well. Muller, loved by coach Flick, has gone seven games without scoring.
The jury is also still out on Leroy Sane’s £ 40 million summer arrival, although he did shoot a lovely free kick early in the second half.
Critics say the former Manchester City winger keeps the ball for too long and doesn’t make the simple pass, while often neglecting his defensive duties when Bayern are out of possession.
The result is absolute confidence in the goals of Robert Lewandowski, who was probably expecting a night off in Kiel, but was called up from the bench with 16 minutes to go when Bayern chased down a decisive third match.
Lewandowski hasn’t missed a beat last season and already has 23 goals this season, but he can’t do it all himself.
There must be more from Muller, Sane, Gnabry and others, but also improvements at the rear with too many easy goals conceded.
Before the game against Gladbach last Friday, Bayern had lagged behind in eight consecutive Bundesliga games, but each time they had managed to counterattack to win at least one point.
In fact, when they took a 2-0 lead at Borussia-Park, it was a surprise. But this time, they couldn’t hold out.
But the biggest problem is the inevitable effects of virtually no preseason, a shorter winter break and a relentless match roster.
Bayern players look exhausted and the campaign is not halfway.
From winning the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain on August 23 to their first Bundesliga game of the season against Schalke on September 18, Bayern had only a 26-day turnaround.
After giving his players a well-deserved vacation, he barely left them time to brainstorm ideas on the training ground, much less to regain match fitness by playing friendly matches.
The Covid-19 pandemic has squeezed the calendar to an unprecedented degree and was always going to catch up with Bayern at some point.
They may have the best squad in German football and greater depth than most rivals, but is it any wonder their sharpness was lost?
Flick may have said ‘now there are no more excuses’ after the defeat in Kiel, but his players are only human.
Worse, playing every three or four days means zero time in training camp to fix glaring team problems. Any improvements will have to be made to the hull.
While his exit from the cup was embarrassing, at least it frees up some space on the schedule for Bayern players to get some rest.
And things are not going to be easier. They are due to play four more league games before the end of January and then they will be in Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup early next month.
Being crowned world champion might look good on the club’s social media, but imagine that Flick and his squad could really do without the excursion, especially during a pandemic.
Once back, a Champions League knockout tie with Lazio looms and Bayern will not want to give up their European crown lightly.
Of course, they are far from alone. Many of Europe’s best clubs are pushed to the limit by a packed roster, injuries and Covid concerns.
But such is the great weight of the expectation of winning all the covers, Bayern feel it more than most. They are not in crisis yet, but you feel that it is not too far away.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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