At FC Bayern, success and frustration are currently surprisingly close together. The Munich team has yet to lose a competitive match this season and remains one of the strongest teams in Europe. Nevertheless, the recent 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund leaves a bitter aftertaste. That’s because the record champions are not only struggling with a growing list of injuries but also, increasingly, with their own inability to convert chances.
Bayern really should have won this Bundesliga classic. The team, led by interim coach Aaron Danks, created numerous chances and was the more dangerous side for long stretches of the game. But Harry Kane missed a penalty, and other big chances went unused. In the end, Dortmund punished Bayern’s lack of clinical finishing with a late equalizer.
Particularly problematic: The Munich team is currently paying a high price for their matches. Ismael Saibari will be out for months with a torn syndesmotic ligament, and Serge Gnabry must sit out due to a muscle injury. Michael Olise is also injured. This significantly worsens the team’s personnel situation, of all times, right before the Champions League away match against Atlético Madrid.
Bayern’s dominance isn’t reflected in the results
The match against Dortmund is emblematic of a trend that has been evident for several weeks now.
Bayern controls many matches, creates clear advantages, and yet regularly drops points. Against Augsburg and Stavanger, the Munich team squandered leads, just as they did most recently against Arsenal and Dortmund.
Particularly striking is the discrepancy between chances created and actual goals scored. Against BVB, the record champions generated an expected goals (xG) value of 4.18. Dortmund managed only 0.63. Nevertheless, both teams split the points.
Munich’s problem, therefore, lies less in creating scoring chances than in consistently converting them.
The fact that the team remains undefeated despite these weaknesses, however, also underscores its quality. Even on less successful nights, they’ve so far managed to secure at least one point.
Atlético will be a real litmus test
The on-field difficulties, however, are only part of the current challenges.
Head coach Vincent Kompany is absent due to illness. Jamal Musiala continues to work toward his return, while Joshua Kimmich recently had to cope with a serious personal tragedy. Added to this are the numerous injuries in the squad.
Given these circumstances, the team’s record so far certainly deserves recognition. Bayern has not let these setbacks throw them off course.
However, the team’s resilience is likely to be put to the test more and more. As early as Tuesday, they face Atlético Madrid, an opponent known for its uncompromising style of play and high intensity.
For Aaron Danks, the main challenge will be to field a competitive offense despite the many absences. At the same time, the Munich team must capitalize on their chances more consistently. Against an opponent like Atlético, missed opportunities could prove particularly costly.
The situation is therefore unusual: Bayern remains undefeated but is nonetheless facing a crucial test. The upcoming games will show whether the record champions can continue their impressive streak despite their growing problems.