A pattern can hardly be denied in FC Bayern’s current matches. In many games, the Munich team initially appears controlled, but not compelling, sometimes even inhibited. It is only after the break or from the final phase onwards that the record champions noticeably pick up the pace. A phenomenon that was also discussed intensively in the Sky podcast„Mia san vier“ – and which has more causes than it seems at first glance
Sky reporter Kerry Hau sees the reasons for the often tough opening phases not only in the players‘ heads, but above all in the external circumstances. The enormous strain caused by the tight schedule plays a central role in this. „You can’t expect Bayern to step on the gas for 90 minutes and score eight goals in every game,“ emphasizes Hau, referring to the large number of games in a three-day rhythm
Added to this is the quality of the opponents, who prepare particularly meticulously against FC Bayern. „This is not a counter team,“ says Hau with a view to the 2:0 work victory against Union Saint-Gilloise and emphasizes that many teams are excellently organized defensively and focus specifically on surviving the initial phase unscathed. Especially in the Champions League, it is no longer a matter of course to develop dominance early on
The rhythm of the game also plays a role, with new automatisms, changes in the distribution of roles and selective rotation often ensuring that processes only develop during the game. „Sometimes you have to play an opponent a little tired, first of all to regain ball security,“ explains Hau, referring explicitly to players such as Joshua Kimmich, who bring calm and structure to the game
Fitness is there – the difference comes later
While Hau emphasizes external factors and match circumstances, his Sky colleague Torben Hoffmann strongly disagrees with one argument in particular: physical condition. For the ex-professional, it is clear that Bayern do not lack fitness. „You can see that we can go one better from the 60th minute onwards,“ Hoffmann quotes midfield engine Joshua Kimmich, bringing a central point to the table
According to Hoffmann, it is precisely this ability to dominate games at the back that speaks more for than against the current state of the team. Bayern are able to control intensity in a targeted manner without taking risks early on. However, Hoffmann does qualify that this is not always advisable internationally. „When teams come at eye level, you should perhaps refrain from grooving into the game first,“ he warns with a view to the knockout phase of the Champions League
Nevertheless, the tenor remains calm. Neither Hau nor Hoffmann see any acute need for action. Instead, they see the weaker early phases as part of a larger overall picture. Opponents, pressure, tactical adjustments and individual class often only fully come together as the game progresses
In the end, one thing counts for FC Bayern above all else – the results. And they have been good so far. The ability to win games even when not everything works straight away could even prove to be a decisive advantage as the season progresses. After all, who knows when exactly the moment will come when the record champions shift up a gear again.