DFB Pokal Defeat To Holstein Kiel Emphasizes tactical problems

Maybe it was the shirts? As part of the Human Race Initiative, Bayern Munich wore a special shirt that closely followed the 1991/92 design. A shirt designed for a good cause, but on the pitch, it would turn out to carry bad luck. In 1991, Bayern were eliminated in the second round of the DFB Pokal by second division FC Homburg. Thirty years later, Bayern were eliminated again with a second division side wearing the same shirt.

In 1991 Homburg needed extra time to beat Bayern 4-2. On Wednesday, Holstein Kiel dismissed the Rekordmeister after penalties. “It’s a surprise,” Bayern head coach Hansi Flick said after the game to the media. “We are extremely disappointed. Their first goal was the same pattern as the last few games.”

In the 14th minute, Serge Gnabry opened the scoring from a steep position. There was a realization that that goal would pave the way for an easy victory for the Rekordmeister. But in the 37th minute, 33-year-old Fin Bartels tops the Bayern backline to equalize.

Just after the restart, Leroy Sané took the lead for Bayern. But Kiel would not go away, and in the 95th minute, Hauke ​​Wahl equalized with the final header of the game. “We have to close gaps in the center, and we didn’t,” Flick said. “For their second goal, we didn’t have enough men inside the box and we didn’t defend one against one. . “

“They stand pretty high on the pitch,” former Bayern Munich player Bastian Schweinsteiger said after the game. “You get the feeling that the opponents have come out slowly. They constantly try to find a quick and straight pass. In my opinion, they don’t have to stand so high.”

Of course there is some fact that Bayern see him out against Germany. But there is a little more to the story as well. It’s only January 13, and the Rekordmeister already has 25 competitive games. That is without the FIFA Club World Cup to be held in February.

Bayern certainly look like a little-played side. Moreover, the club ‘s new signings have not provided the extra division that Flick needs to successfully lead his side through four tournaments this season.

One example is Bouna Sarr; Olympique Marseille’s signing has slammed Bayern’s Alphonso Davies’ victory over the other wing. Introduced instead of Sergiño Dest, it’s hard to see the Frenchman as a long-term solution.

Another example is Marc Roca. The Spaniard came off the bench on Wednesday and then missed the final penalty to secure Holstein Kiel from their DFB Pokal. Flick was quick to support Roca after the game. Nevertheless, it is becoming increasingly clear that Roca will not fill the gap left by Thiago.

That Thiago-sized hole is becoming increasingly apparent. While the backline has struggled, Bayern also need anti-media players to play their high offensive style. “We need to work on having better defensive tightness, putting more pressure on the ball keeper, and securing our backline,” Flick said. But the question is whether the style custom made possible by the available players.

“The bottom line is that we lost a subpage today, which took it all in,” said Müller. “It was a difficult cup.” Müller may have simplified the problem, however, the result was the second loss in a row.While Bayern’s victory has given German football a much-needed new story, there is also the fact that there are major weaknesses on the sidelines. is currently in use forever.

Manuel Veth is the editor-in-chief of the Futbolgrad Network and U.S. Area Manager at Transfermarkt. It was also published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other places. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth