Initial reactions and observations
- Performance-wise, that wasn’t good at all — but we’d be repeating ourselves. Thomas Tuchel isn’t going anywhere, so, a win is a win. Bayern Munich avoid going four games in a row without winning, thanks to an unlikely brace by Harry Kane.
- Is there anything in the way of positive takeaways from this game? Hard to say. It was a similar performance to the rest of the season really, with the difference between a win and a loss being the finish by Kane near the end (and a sublime touch by Choupo-Moting). Guess that’s how Bayern wins these days.
- It’s funny to think that Bayern’s first win against RB Leipzig under Tuchel comes after he has already announced his departure.
Full time: Bayern Munich 2-1 RB Leipzig.
90’+1’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Harry Kane has won it for Bayern!
70’ — Goal. Sesko makes it 1-1.
55’ — GOOOOOAL! Harry Kane makes it 1-0!
45’ — The second half kicks off.
Halftime observations and analysis
- Wow, who expected that? Bayern Munich look mediocre and demotivated. Aside from Guerreiro and maybe Thomas Müller it’s impossible to name a single player who’s having a good game so far. Will the board notice, or will they let this go on?
- Yes, Bayern are bad, but what are Leipzig doing? Marco Rose should reconsider his job if he can’t beat this edition of Bayern Munich, because the team is there for the taking.
- What can you say about Leroy Sané today that hasn’t been said a million times before? Given the context, this may be his worst ever game in a Bayern shirt.
- Fans see what’s happening on the pitch and they don’t like it. The stadium erupted in boos when the HT whistle blew.
Halftime: 0-0.
40’ — Nothing to report yet, both sides look so mediocre.
Kickoff: We’re underway!
One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Looks like Bayern Munich will not go with a 100% wacky XI and just stick to what they know. Thomas Tuchel has moved Joshua Kimmich to the right-back spot, and Kim Min-jae drops to the bench in place of Eric Dier. Otherwise, the lineup is pretty much what you’d expect from Bayern.
Bayern Munich have done the unthinkable and decided to keep Thomas Tuchel until the end of the season. Even after it became abundantly clear that the squad is no longer playing for their coach, the board thinks that there is still something to be salvaged from this coach’s tenure.
Does Tuchel have it in him to prove anyone wrong? Can he still motivate his players after this? What incentive do players like Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, or Matthijs de Ligt have to keep listening to him? Then again, given Tuchel’s record so far, maybe not listing to him might be the way forward.
Either way, it’s unlikely that this variant of Bayern Munich will beat RB Leipzig. The team’s confidence is shattered, camaraderie is absent, and Thomas Tuchel seems to have checked out.
It’s probably not Bayern time. Not while this coach is in charge.
While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify.
Match Info
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Time: 6:30 pm local time, 12:30 pm EST
TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country
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