A serious statement made
With Bayern Munich’s win over 1.FC Koln in the DFB Pokal in midweek, they became the first side in the history of the top five leagues to win their first 14 games of the season in all competitions.
Previously, AC Milan had held the record with 13 games during the 92/93 season. Some cynical fans had suggested the win over VfB Stuttgart in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup does not count, but that feels very harsh.
Well, there can be no debating their record now – as Vincent Kompany’s side comprehensively beat the 23/24 champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening.
This victory came despite several changes to the side – with none of Dayot Upamecano, Michael Olise, Luis Diaz or Harry Kane in the starting XI. It is clear that Kompany had one eye on the mouth watering Champions League tie with PSG in midweek.
The opening exchanges were quiet, with Bayern’s rotation and Leverkusen clearly wanting to just hold onto what they had. 17-year old wonderkid Lennart Karl had a couple of sighters from range, before Goretzka miscued a header following a throw in.
However, after 25 minutes, Bayern took the lead. With the visitors stepping up, Tom Bischof played a sublime through ball for Serge Gnabry – making a run from his own half – and the 30-year old had the composure to fire in a powerful effort on his 250th Bundesliga appearance.
An all-round really nice goal. Bischof was filling in at left-back for this one, and played the pass from an inverted position, showing that he can be a good fit there in this system.
There wouldn’t be a long wait for the second goal. From the right hand side, Konrad Laimer whipped in a superb cross, asking to be attacked. That it was, as Nicholas Jackson thundered a header past Mark Flekken in the Leverkusen goal.
Then, with just a couple of minutes before half time – Jackson played a sublime pass round the corner for Bischof in behind, who fired home a low cross that was directed into his own goal by Loic Bade to give Bayern a 3-0 lead, and putting the game beyond any doubt.
Five minutes after the restart, we nearly saw a replica of the second goal – but this time, Jackson headed off target from another fantastic delivery from Laimer off the right hand side. The Austrian international has been the unsung hero of this stupendous Bayern season to date.
After that, the tempo dropped, with the team looking ahead to midweek. Nevertheless, Kompany did bring on the cavalry, as Olise, Kane and Diaz all came on after an hour, keeping their sharpness up ahead of the big game.
Not only did Bayern score three goals and carve their visitors open on a few occasions, but they also limited Kasper Hjumland’s side to just 0.23xG, seven shots, and just one on target. All without Upamecano and Alphonso Davies in the defence either.
Just a completely dominant performance against a side that won five games and drawn the other in their first six league games under Hjumland. It was also the visitors first Bundesliga defeat away from home since May of 2023. A very impressive result and performance.
All of this was despite multiple changes to the starting XI. After midweek action in the DFB Pokal, and a tie with PSG in midweek, it was clear there was opportunity here for plenty of rotation.
It is a real testament to Kompany and the style he has built that so many players can just slot in and play well. 20-year old midfielder Bischof is able to fill in at left-back and play really well.
Although he has always been versatile, Laimer is a midfielder by trade. He plays there for the Austria national team, and played there at Bayern under Thomas Tuchel.
Yet, he has been brilliant at right-back under Kompany, and has been one of the most consistent players in the team. He has also filled in a number of times at left-back this season – again, a big testament to the manager – and player himself – that he is able to fill in there and play well.
Every side needs a player like Laimer: someone who can fill in multiple positions, produce consistent 7/10 performances, never complain, and just get on with the job. Signing on a free from RB Leipzig in 2023, the 28-year old is one of the smartest signings Bayern have made in recent years.
Having been left in the cold for periods of this season, Kim has taken his chance back in the starting XI very well. Against Borussia Monchengladbach he partnered Upamecano in the first half, and Leon Goretzka in the second half. On Saturday, he played with Jonathan Tah. No goals conceded with all three partnerships.
In fact, Bayern have allowed just eight shots in those two games. Gladbach had just one shot – a penalty – and, as mentioned above, just seven shots totalling 0.23 xG for Leverkusen.
This is a serious, well functioning side. The showdown with PSG promises to be a cracker of a game. Regardless of what happens, Bayern are a top, top side. Let’s hope there will be no reactionary and knee jerk reactions if they are to lose to the defending European champions.
