Bayern Munich 3-0 Werder Bremen: Initial Observations and Reactions

Fulltime Observations

In recent memory, Bayern has found a way to lose these types of “grind it out” games. Tons of possession, limited opportunities, and the opponent converts its single shot on goal. An unlucky deflection inside the box completely changed the course of the match. Bayern’s patience in possession was rewarded for once.

Vincent Kompany’s substitutions crushed it tonight. Konrad Laimer brought a sharper edge to the overlapping runs up the right flank. Leroy Sané played with creativity and found himself in the right place at the right time to score his goal. Leon Goretzka snuffed out a couple counterattacks with physicality or a foul.

When Bayern plays a weaker opponent with an important match looming a few days later, the attack is predictably rigid. There is very little creative movement outside the formation zones. Ironically, this is the boring style that Thomas Tuchel utilized to win a Champions League title at Chelsea, but the same strategy ultimately failed at Bayern. As long as Kompany unleashes the offense every now and then, this might be the boring, winning formula that Bayern fans will have to accept.

FT: Bayern wins!

90’+7: GOOOAAALLL! Bayern up 3-0. Jamal Musiala’s clever dribbling earns a late foul. Harry Kane buries the second penalty kick right before the final whistle.

90’: Substitution. Josip Stanišić replaces Raphaël Guerriero.

87’: Substitutions. Issa Kaboré and Oliver Burke replace Derrick Köhn and Marvin Ducksch.

83’: Yellow card. Leon Goretzka is booked for stepping on André Silva’s cleat.

82’: GOOOAAALLL! Bayern up 2-0. Leroy Sané shakes his defender and Konrad Laimer places a perfect pass.

81’: Substitutions. Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka replace Kingsley Coman and Aleksandar Pavlović.

73’: Substitution. Konrad Laimer replaces Sacha Boey.

62’: Yellow card. New Bremen loanee André Silva fouls Joshua Kimmich unnecessarily when Bremen were counterattacking. Silva receivedt the booking for the subsequent argument.

56’: GOOOAAALLL! Bayern up 1-0. Harry Kane buries the penalty kick. VAR confirmed the handball in the box.

54’: Yellow cards for Anthony Jung (handball) and Mitchell Weiser (argument).

52’: Substitution. André Silva replaces Justin Njinmah. Njinmah picked up a knock after being tackled by Kim Min-jae.

46’: No lineup changes.

Halftime Observations

Too much possession, not enough attacking. Bayern is expending a lot of energy moving the ball from the side to side on Bremen’s half of the pitch. Bremen hardly seems concerned as long as their defense keeps its shape.

Jamal Musiala keeps making quality runs behind the defense but the Bayern man on the ball reverses course and plays it backwards. Some of these balls need to be played through to reward these runs. In the few instances where the pass is made, there has been an immediate chance created for Bayern.

On the other hand, Harry Kane’s movement looks like a foosball player who is physically incapable of moving too far in one direction. If the opponent is going to clog the box, Vincent Kompany needs to experiment more with the central attack to create new ideas.

Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae have been fantastic. Both defenders are man-marking so well that every forward pass from Bremen looks like it’s going to Upamecano and Kim rather than the Bremen attacker.

HT: Tied 0-0.

43’: Substitution. Skelly Alvero replaces Jens Stage.

1’: LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Vincent Kompany is rolling with the guys that he trusts and performed well in the first half against Holstein Kiel. The only change from that starting lineup is Sacha Boey replacing Konrad Laimer. Luckily, Laimer is still available and will be one of the first substitutes.

Bonus note: After extending his contract earlier this month, 16-year old attacker Wisdom Mike (no relation to Prison Mike or Date Mike) is on the 18-man roster today. If the game is tight, it is unlikely that he is selected ahead of Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller, Konrad Laimer, Leon Goretzka, or even Gabriel Vidovic. But if Bayern can build an insurmountable lead, this might be the inaugural appearance of a bright, young player.

In the Hinrunde, Bayern Munich walloped Werder Bremen with a 5-0 victory at the Weserstadion. Bayern has only dropped points once this season at the Allianz Arena and this matchup should not be any different. Vincent Kompany will demand 60 solid minutes from his starters to take a commanding lead before resting them in advance of the midweek Champions League clash at Celtic. It feels unlikely that Bayern will repeat the inconceivable act of conceding three unanswered goals in the second half.

Odds: Bayern (-900), Draw (+900), Werder Bremen (+1600), Over/Under 3.5 goals

Prediction: Bayern wins 4-2. After the first 15 minutes of Bayern dominating possession, Marvin Ducksch heads in a corner to give Bremen a surprising lead. Five minutes later, Jamal Musiala goes rage mode and dribbles through five Bremen defenders to bring the game level. Right before halftime, Michael Olise bends light itself with a curling left footed shot from the top of the box. In the second half, Andre Silva ties the game again with a back post finish. In the 80th minute, Harry Kane scores a rebound on his 20th touch of the game. In stoppage time, Thomas Müller puts the game out of reach and celebrates like he has just won the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Date: Friday, February 7th, 2025

Time: 8:30pm local time, 2:30pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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