The defence once again played to zero. The individual class of the Bayern pros made the difference in the end. That’s what they’re working on now. But there is also a need for clarification off the field – especially with regard to the future of Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski.
FC Bayern could live with the result on Saturday in Frankfurt, 1-0, just as they did last week in the 4-1 win over SpVgg Greuther Fürth. If the competition from Dortmund also drops points, as they did this Sunday, the world is absolutely fine for the Munich team – or so you would think. But coach Julian Nagelsmann and his players are still not completely satisfied. Because they expect more from themselves.
Eight points ahead in the league sounds great. And give a bit of time to breathe. To get back to where the FCB sees itself measured by its own aspirations: at top footballing level, which had been somewhat lacking in recent weeks. The two recent victories alone have not made things any louder in Munich. The next two games, on the other hand, will perhaps be the first two touchstones this season. Against counter-attacking Leverkusen and against Salzburg in the Champions League eighth-final second leg.
Nobody at the club has ever said that to Lewandowski like that
In Frankfurt, Bayern were once again without conceding a goal. They looked more stable than recently, more balanced and calmer on the ball. Although the focus will not only be on the defence, but also on the sometimes uncreative offensive, which currently lives more from its individualists Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman. Or, as was the case on Saturday, from wild card Leroy Sané.
So there is still a lot to do at Säbener Straße. And apart from the sporting and footballing aspects, this certainly includes squad planning. Especially when it comes to the three grandees of the team. Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski, whose contracts all expire in the summer of 2023. The FIFA World Player was somewhat surprised when sports director Hasan Salihamidzic said that Bayern would not be giving away their super striker under any circumstances. No one at the club had ever said that to Lewandowski before, he said after the 1-0 win. There is also nothing to announce about Müller and Neuer yet. However, those involved also know that the Bavarians don’t need any secondary construction sites right now.
