Traditional fashion dictates that Bayern Munich will fight tooth-to-tooth for the Bundesliga trophy. With Jupp Heynckes’ successor, Pep Guardiola, as manager, Bayern stand tall and proud in much the same way they always have. Except, now the team consisting largely of Germans owns a proportion of players still tingling with excitement following their World Cup win in Brazil, which could explain their concerning start to the league.
Bayern’s Goal Dearth: Has it Really Been That Bad?
With such a top team beginning their campaign in rather meagre form, it was fast approaching a state of goal dearth compared to their usual theatrics. 6-0 wins casually off the cuff ring bells of their prior seasons’ performances, so starting with tight margins of victory this term was not so desirable.
Among the Bayern squad, it would be true to state that there is a good degree of (healthy?) complacency; the sneers of Bastian Schweinsteiger, rage of Thomas Müller and cold stares emanating from Arjen Robben. But behind every single player in the team, albeit new or old, lies inner strength in their sheer calibre, tenacity and flawless skill. These attributes combine to make a complete side, ready and raring to be triumphant.
What worryingly resembled something of a goal dearth or drought from the Bavarians has actually morphed into zero losses, two draws and five wins in the entirety of the seven-week spell. Allow me to briefly recapitulate the events of the Bundesliga thus far.
2-1 against Wolfsburg
Bayern opened their Bundesliga bid with a victory against VfL Wolfsburg; what fans seem to forget is that they won this fixture, despite their opponents sneaking in a successful shot. One of their less familiar signings of the summer, Sebastian Rode, made an appearance towards the latter end of the game, but it was the goal scorers, Thomas Müller and Arjen Robben, that made the most impact. It was Ivica Olić that entered into the fisticuffs resulting in Bayern’s slightly untidy, unfulfilling win, and the one goal for Wolfsburg.
1-1 against Schalke
It was likely the unfortunate draw between Bayern and Schalke that caused supporters to feel even more disillusioned by Guardiola’s men and their start to the season. 2-1 against Wolfsburg was a tight scrape, but Robert Lewandowski tried to remedy that with his goal in the first ten minutes. However, many yellow cards for Schalke later, the team’s mighty German, Benedikt Höwedes, managed to knock in the equaliser, placing Bayern therefore at a dodgy place on the league table.
2-0 against Stuttgart
Two goals in the third week of intense Bundesliga action saw Bayern reach a position of more faith for fans. Mario Götze, the man to swing in the World Cup-winning ball, plonked in the first for Guardiola’s chaps, and it was his departure to the bench at 68 minutes that brought them their second; hands clapped for Franck Ribéry as he helped Bayern’s goal difference heighten slightly. Stuttgart were not arranged in the best of formations, though.
4-0 against Hamburger
The second and final disappointing draw earned by Bayern so far came in the shape of Hamburger (and no, I’m not talking about a greasy patty-in-bun). Yellow cards awash, yet again, but nothing to show for kicking the ball senseless for 90 minutes. Any highlights were no doubt considered lowlights, and I think this was the moment that I began to fear the most for Bayern’s future aims in the Bundesliga. Fortune often comes and goes season-by-season, but the Bavarian side are usually tip-top; this sort of game was in fact the contrary.
4-0 against Paderborn
That was more like it; goals to the tune of four. Not quite Germany vs. Brazil-style humiliation, but definitely nearer to their typical antics. Again, it was a bit of a Götze show, but I certainly don’t begrudge him that, nor would his eager teammates. For so long, the youngster has had speed and skill in abundance, and clearly relished holding his place in the squad. Within eight minutes, the 22-year-old had landed one into Paderborn’s net, and then snatched his second 70 minutes later. In that time, utter Polish sensation, Robert Lewandowski, had granted Guardiola’s giants another. The fixture was secure and going Bayern’s way, and young Spaniard, Juan Bernat, was awarded more minutes on the pitch. But just five away from full-time and stern but sublime Mr. Müller stole a fourth. This sort of playmaking was just what the coaches, fans and even the somewhat ambivalent public were looking for; normal practice had been restored.
2-0 against Köln
By such time, the league was looking less frightening for Bayern and any talk of a potential goal drought would not have even hissed against the lips of supporters. Apart from doffing my hat over and over for young Mario, there’s not much more I can do when he whips in a goal; the first of the occasion went to Mr. Götze, in just 19 minutes. With Mehdi Benatia, Dante and Xherdan Shaqiri as top substitutes to enter the pitch, it was clear that Bayern constantly emerge as strong regardless of who starts and who warms the bench for a little while. Daniel Halfar for Köln would undeniably have been cursing his particular stance during the 66th minute, as an own goal bequeathed Bayern their second and final. Another day, another win, and it was back to form again.
4-0 against Hannover
Bayern’s most recent victory was packaged up neatly by Hannover, a team way down the league table and thus, not really troublemakers in the eyes of Guardiola and co. A glorious goal-concertina from Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben and then in a loop once more was the exact derivation of the Bavarian fortune at present. The Pole and the Dutchman certainly set the Allianz alight, in such a mesmerising way, with Claudio Pizarro and newbie, Rode, enjoying some pitch time also. These sort of games, where goals are a flowing, are the norm for Bayern Munich, and relieve us twitchy supporters of the nerves and niggles pertained to fears of some sort of ‘goal famine’.
I do hope Bayern maintain this pleasing structure and continue to revel in the exclusivity of the top spot. They deserve it; they always do.
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