:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72955971/1491786604.0.jpg "Manchester United 0-1 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations")
That was a game of football for sure.
Initial reactions and observations
- If you’re going to catch highlights of the game, don’t bother. There were none. Bayern Munich were clearly the better side and despite an extremely laborious attacking system, eventually proved too much for Manchester United to handle. Not exactly a classic game for the ages.
- Thomas Müller came on and immediately combined with Harry Kane and Kingsley Coman to create the only goal of the night. His name doesn’t appear on the scoresheet, but analyze the goal and you see how much of a difference he makes with his positioning and linkup.
- Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano were like two rocks in the center of defense — great response from them after the Frankfurt game.
- Leroy Sané is giving off some worrying signals. Is he in a rut again? He wasted so many chances and repeatedly misplaced passes — it wasn’t up to the standards he has set this season so far. Maybe a swap back to the right wing could help him.
- Harry Kane may as well be the team’s DM at this point. He does not get any service and drops so deep you sometimes see him in line with the center-backs. Is this really how Thomas Tuchel wants him to play?
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Bayern Munich’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Champions League…PLUS, some takes on the massive story that broke before the game regarding a potential roster overhaul in the summer? Well, we’ve got you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show, which is available on Spotify and below:
Full time: Manchester United 0-1 Bayern Munich.
70’ — GOOOOOOOOOOAL! Kingsley Coman makes it 1-0!
66’ — Sub: Thomas Müller is on for Jamal Musiala.
45’ — The second half is underway! Konrad Laimer comes on for Noussair Mazraoui. An injury, or a tactical change?
Halftime: Manchester United 0-0 Bayern Munich. Nothing to analyze yet, Bayern have been better on the balance of things.
40’ — Sub: Looks like Harry Maguire is done for the night, Johnny Evans comes on.
35’ — We’re thirty five minutes in and aside from Sané whiffing a near tap-in, we are no closer to seeing a goal.
Kickoff: We’re underway!
One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Bayern Munich fields a mostly unchanged XI, with only Jamal Musiala coming in for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Otherwise everyone who started vs Eintracht Frankfurt keeps their spot, including Alphonso Davies and Noussair Mazraoui. Looks like Tuchel thinks this is his best possible starting XI. Is he right?
After losing 5-1, the only acceptable response is to fly to England and beat the snot out of Manchester United — or at least, that’s what the Bayern Munich fanbase wants to believe. In reality, this game is a clash of two coaches beset by problems.
Thomas Tuchel needs to rally his team. With the wealth of talent at his disposal, his Bayern should be more than a match for a beleaguered Man United at Old Trafford. He needs to get Harry Kane scoring again, he needs Leroy Sané to bring out his dazzling performances from earlier in the season. Moreover, he needs his team to work together in a cohesive unit — something that has been missing these last few weeks.
If he can manage to harness the potential of this Bayern Munich team, there’s nothing Erik ten Hag can realistically do to stop him. Now the question is, will he succeed?
It’s Bayern time.
While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our podcast? We talk in-depth about the problems facing (and caused by) Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich, plus a full preview of the game. Please do listen to it below or on Spotify.
Match Info
Location: Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England
Time: 9:00 pm local time, 3:00 pm EST
TV/streaming: Paramount+, Find Your Country
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
