Bayern are out of the Champions League. The German record champions didn’t stand a chance in either of the quarter-finals against a high-class Manchester City, which is currently in top form. Once 0:3 and a 1:1 are the results. Even though coach Thomas Tuchel criticized the referee and the lawn a lot after the second leg in the Allianz Arena – neither the slippery surface nor the French referee Clement Turpin are to blame for the end in the premier class and thus for missing the noble goals of the season again. The reasons for the creeping crisis, which has worsened in recent weeks, are numerous. Here is a brief overview of the most important problems and mistakes that have plagued Bayern over the past two years.
Since Robert Lewandowski left Bayern for FC Barcelona last summer, there has been a debate about Bayern Munich’s poor goal tally. It’s also one of the main reasons why it’s sporting rumbles. Has sports director Hasan Salihamidzic underestimated the departure of the brilliant goalscorer? It almost looks like this. CEO Oliver Kahn just admitted that Erling Haaland was an issue as Lewandowski’s successor. The transfer failed because Bayern could not afford the super scorer. Sadio Mané, who has proved a flop so far, has been signed and former substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting cannot score all the goals alone. However, the problems with the exploitation of chances began in Lewandowski’s time. That means: It’s a problem of the entire offensive, the game system and the composition of the squad.
Bayern have had regular problems with weak defenses for years. That was also the case under Hansi Flick as coach, but due to the mercilessly offensive orientation, more goals were scored at the front than were conceded at the back. Now that Bayern are no longer so accurate, the wobbly defense becomes a cardinal problem, especially when it is reinforced by blatant form crises like defender Dayot Upamecano.
Not only the 22-year-old Upamecano is currently overwhelmed, but numerous other Bayern professionals are chasing their form. Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Alphonso Davies, Sadio Mané – just to name a few. Thomas Tuchel pointed out this simple fact after the first-leg defeat against Manchester City.
Players don’t like to hear that criticism, but in Bayern’s case it’s obvious. Many players often do not show enough effort. In games like the last one against TSG Hoffenheim, it becomes very clear: Bayern take a 1-0 lead, then play carelessly and concede the 1-1. If Borussia Dortmund weren’t so inconsistent themselves, Bayern would have lost their lead in the table long ago.
The fact that Mané slapped teammate Sané in the dressing room after the defeat in Manchester speaks volumes. The frustration among the players in view of the lack of stakes or form and the criticism from outside is obviously enormous and is discharged in such lack of discipline. Mané apologized, was kicked out of the squad for one game and received a hefty fine.
The serious fracture of the lower leg that the goalkeeper suffered in December after the World Cup in Qatar was a portent. An important leading player fell away and a replacement had to be found, which was quickly found in Yann Sommer. The ex-Gladbacher is a good goalkeeper, but shows some insecurities. He didn’t make Bayern any stronger. In addition, Bayern Neuer’s goalkeeping coach and confidante fired Toni Tapalovic while the goalkeeper was still in the hospital. That was not so well received by Neuer, who sharply criticized the club management for it. Never before have there been such strong atmospheric disturbances in the club, especially between Nagelsmann and parts of the team. Lewandowski is also said to have criticized Nagelsmann and his game system before he left.
The crisis appears homemade. That’s why the management duo Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic are under a lot of pressure. The allegations are numerous. Kahn is accused of a certain coldness in dealing with the players. It is said that the alleged warmth of the heart that Uli Hoeneß once exuded was lost in Bavaria. Kahn apparently no longer receives players in his office where they can speak out. At least that is the view of many fans and media. Similar allegations are directed against Salihamidzic.
The dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann at the end of March is considered rough even by Bayern standards. With a view to the immediate goals, it has proven to be a blatant wrong decision. The team became even more insecure and the targeted three titles were lost, except for the championship. In general, the view of the Nagelsmann era should be critical, which is expensive for Bayern financially and sportingly. Overall, the management duo Kahn / Salihamidzic gives an unhappy impression. This is especially true against the background that both Kahn and Salihamidzic set the highest standards, but do not meet them themselves.
