Few have been anticipating Bayern Munich to not steamroll Union Saint-Gilloise. Because it occurred, although, the Belgian outfit did a Leipzig (relentless strain) and a Gladbach (sitting again and counter attacking) and made the Bavarians work for the win. A brace from Harry Kane, one from the spot, proved sufficient for the Rekordmeister to qualify for the final 16 of the Champions League. This ensured that they may bypass the dreaded play-offs. Regardless of the relative lack of motion in that match, it nonetheless spawned some speaking factors.
When the lineups got here out, most followers thought that it was Aleksandar Pavlović and Tom Bischof in midfield with Raphaël Guerreiro and Joshua Kimmich because the left and proper sided fullbacks. As an alternative, it was Guerreiro on the fitting, Bischof on the left, and Pavlović and Kimmich in midfield.
This was baffling to see. There aren’t many match senior gamers who can play right-back save for Guerreiro however even then he’s not that good a defender. Kimmich repeatedly insisting on taking part in in midfield says lots. Bischof isn’t a correct fullback and Guerreiro is a extra pure match on the left; the concessions that the coach and group should make simply to let Kimmich play in his most popular place is simply unbelievable.
If, and that’s a giant IF, Kimmich explicitly dominated himself taking part in at right-back, then disgrace on him. A couple of years in the past, he mentioned that he doesn’t thoughts taking part in anyplace however recently he has been hard-headed about taking part in in midfield. By no means thoughts him positively influencing the match, this means that he values his standing greater than the likes of an up-and-comer like Bischof. The compatibility of Pavlović and Bischof is a completely completely different dialog.
Vincent Kompany also needs to suppose the setup over on this match as a result of the way in which that Bayern was letting Union SG via that simply means one thing wasn’t proper.
Yup, that about sums up one of many observations for at present. Olise is solely an insane participant. The Frenchman assisted Harry Kane at present and threaded a cross to Kane that gained Bayern a penalty. This after his monster efficiency towards Leipzig, the place he got here off the bench and helped himself to a hat-trick of help and a purpose. Indispensable, to say the least.
Wingers are usually requested to defend when wanted, and Olise and Luis Díaz have exemplified that right here. Lucho is thought for monitoring again and getting again up the pitch as soon as his group regains possession, however Olise has now added that high quality to his already loaded repertoire.
The ref on this match was Horrible with a capital H
This can be a recurring theme for Bayern now: random referees who’re out of their depth. The one they received at present was no higher than the one towards Paris Saint-Germain: only a boatload of questionable calls and as soon as once more despatched a Bayern participant off once they shouldn’t have been despatched off. Win or lose and even when he signifies a penalty for Bayern, a referee’s efficiency have to be known as out when applicable.
