Winning the Champions League, as Bayern Munich did last season, is difficult enough in itself, but retaining the title in back-to-back years is nigh-on impossible. In fact, until Zinedine Zidane won the competition three years running with Real Madrid from 2016 to 2018, no team had ever successfully defended their title in the Champions League era.
To do so, a club needs a squad steely enough to rise to the occasion when it matters and deep enough to compete on all fronts. They also need a manager capable of instilling confidence and inspiration in his players, as well as the kind of luck that all comers to Casino Me (カジノミー) pray will accompany their efforts.
The good news for Bayern Munich fans is that their team could well have all of those components already in place. Having already qualified from their group with two games to spare, they’re in an excellent position to go the distance once more. Of course, it’s a long road ahead – but here are three reasons why they have the tools to complete it.
Can Bayern Munich Defend Their Champions League Title?
Sensible Transfer Strategy
Perhaps one of the hardest challenges in maintaining a winning formula is getting the transfer strategy right. It’s inadvisable to upset the squad with too many signings or departures, but at the same time, a lack of transfer activity can lead to stagnation among the players and a drop-off in their drive to succeed. Bayern look to have got their tactics just right in this window.
With Ivan Perišić’s and Phillippe Coutinho’s loans both coming to an end, Bayern could have lacked creativity in their midfield. However, the big-money signing of Leroy Sané and the loan of Douglas Costa look to have plugged those gaps, while there were further sensible acquisitions in the free transfers of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Tanguy Nianzou. The departure of Thiago Alcântara could be cause for concern – especially since no like-for-like replacement was incoming – but his long-term injury at Liverpool and the team’s impressive form without him means his absence surely isn’t missed too much.
Bayern are Scoring for Fun
Bayern certainly know where the back of the net is. In their four Champions League games so far, they have scored an impressive 15 goals – more than any other side at this stage of the competition. Nine of those goals have come against Group A whipping boys Red Bull Salzburg, but it should be noted that Bayern still managed to knock four past an Atlético Madrid team that is famed for its stingy defence.
Predictably, Robert Lewandowski has been leading the charge with three goals, but wide players Kingsley Coman and Sané have chipped in three and two more, respectively. In all, eight players have contributed to that impressive tally, highlighting that Bayern have goal-scoring options all over the pitch. With that kind of firepower behind them, the Germans will be confident of outgunning any opponent they come up against.
Solid League Form
It’s not just in Europe where Bayern have shone this season, either. They set out an intimidating stall by thrashing Schalke 8-0 on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga, before falling to a shock 4-1 defeat at Hoffenheim the next week. Since then, however, they have picked up an impressive 16 points out of 18 and lead Germany’s top division, having scored the most goals (28) along the way.
While domestic and continental form can sometimes contradict one another, there’s no denying that racking up the points in the league helps to breed confidence among the squad and instil a winning mentality in the players. There’s no sign that Bayern plan to let up on either front thus far and, as rare as it may be, it might be unwise to bet against them retaining their trophy come May next year.
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