FC Bayern remains undefeated, but recent results are causing growing dissatisfaction. Following the 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg, the Munich team could not manage more than a 3-3 tie against Viking Stavanger in the Champions League. Despite clearly dominating the game, the German record champions once again made costly mistakes. After the match, Joshua Kimmich spoke with remarkable candor and admitted that he was already on high alert within the team.
Yet the Munich side had staged an impressive comeback in Norway. After falling behind 0–2, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz turned the game around to make it 3–2, before Michael Olise’s red card and the hosts’ late equalizer brought a sense of disillusionment.
In particular, the fact that Bayern once again cost themselves a potential victory due to their own carelessness is causing unease within the team.
After the final whistle, Kimmich told the journalists present that he had felt since the start of the season that the team was not yet fully capable of reaching its true potential. “I said relatively early in the season that I felt we weren’t at our top level yet,” he emphasized.
Even after their most recent performances, this assessment has not changed. “I still feel that way right now. That’s why, deep down, I’m on high alert,” explained the Bayern star.
However, he did not want to speak of a fundamental crisis. He said his confidence in the team’s quality remains intact. “I’m very confident that we can turn this around quickly, but we have to start turning it around.”
With that, the pro made it clear that, in his view, the Munich team can no longer rely on winning their games based solely on their individual talent.
“We’re giving our opponents too many opportunities to capitalize on our mistakes.”
The Bayern star attributes the recent loss of points primarily to the team’s defensive play. He sees little cause for criticism regarding the team’s overall game plan. The team is creating enough scoring chances and remains capable of beating any opponent.
“If we give our all on the field, then definitely. I’m absolutely certain we can beat anyone,” he explained.
The problem, however, is that Bayern is currently making unnecessary mistakes too often, thereby inviting their opponents to create scoring chances. “We’re giving our opponents too many mistakes, and they’re taking full advantage of that right now,” the pro criticized.
Nor did he want to accuse his teammates of a lack of commitment. “I haven’t seen anyone who hasn’t fought hard,” he clarified.
The difficulties, therefore, are less a matter of attitude and more a matter of concentration and consistency in crucial game situations.
Bayern Feels the Pressure in the Bundesliga and Champions League
In addition to the on-field problems, the Bayern star also spoke about the impact of the recent loss of points on the rest of the season.
In the Bundesliga, Munich is currently trailing Borussia Dortmund. In the Champions League as well, the record champions dropped important points with the draw in Stavanger.
“Of course, we’re a bit behind now, even in the Bundesliga,” the player explained.
This situation differs from last season, when Bayern were able to keep their rivals under pressure for long stretches.
The player rejected the notion that the recent difficulties were due to the extended international break. The national team players are used to such breaks and know exactly what they need to do on the field, he said.
He also refused to use the artificial turf in Stavanger as an excuse. On the contrary: The surface was in good playing condition and allowed for quick passing.
Following the disappointing Champions League match, attention now turns to the upcoming Bundesliga game against RB Leipzig.
For Munich, this presents the next opportunity to bounce back from their recent setbacks.
In any case, the message from the Bayern locker room is clear: the potential for a successful season is there. To make the most of it, however, the team must correct its mistakes as quickly as possible.