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Bayern Munich
Strengths
What is there to say about the Bavarians that hasn’t been said over the last few years? Arguably the most consistent team in Europe over the last five years, there are so many good things about Bayern Munich, that knowing where to begin is hard.
At the back, Manuel Neuer is currently the goalkeeping equivalent of Superman. All he needs is a cape. Is there anything he can’t do? Like he himself said, it isn’t too far fetched to envisage a career outside the box for the 28-year-old. It would be nothing more than an extension of what he already does on a regular basis. And it is his massive presence at the back that allows Boateng and co to defend in the opposition half. Simply put, the best goalkeeper in the world today.
The sale of Toni Kroos was widely criticised by all quarters in pre-season, with Bayern letting go of one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the world today, and that too for a relatively low price. The acquisition of Xabi Alonso was questioned and termed myopic. But what a masterstroke his signing has been.
Alonso’s performances for Bayern have had class written all over them, with his experience helping him play as part of the back four and in the centre of the park. He is probably the most vital cog in Bayern’s midfield right now. And he has world class players all around him in Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sebastian Rode, Philip Lahm and the currently injured Thiago Alcantara.
While Bayern have kept clean sheets in a number of matches, the spotlight has been on the other side of the pitch, and deservedly so. They possess the most unpredictable and dynamic attack in the world today, with most of their players being adept at multiple roles.
Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze are perfect examples of this, wreaking havoc in the opposition half, with the defenders not knowing whom to mark. And, in Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, they have two of the best inverted wingers in the world. And then, there’s Robert Lewandowski up front. Formidable.
Weaknesses
Finding an Achille’s heel in the Bavarians requires more than just microscopic attention. No team, except for perhaps Dortmund, has even come close to stopping the Red juggernaut from rolling. The susceptibility at the back that was seen during the big games last season is no longer there. The shrewd acquisitions of Mehdi Benatia and Juan Bernat has added further steel to a rock-solid backline.
But because of the way they play and the high line they adopt, one always gets that ominous feeling that it might all come crashing down when things don’t go their way. Guardiola’s innumerable permutations and combinations of 3-3-4 and 2-5-3 seem to focus least on the backline. And this might come back to haunt them, like what happened at the Allianz Arena against Real Madrid last season.
Opportunities
One major factor that makes things easier for Bayern is the curious case of Dortmund’s Bundesliga form. With Die Schwarzgelben languishing at the foot of the table, and no other team particularly standing up to Bayern like Jurgen Klopp’s team valiantly did over the last few years, it is only a question of how soon the Bavarians lift the league title.
And no other team, neither Schalke nor Bayer Leverkusen and not even Monchengladbach looks like standing in the way of Bayern and an unbeaten season. They may never get a better shot at invincibility, with all of their rivals miles behind them. Bayern’s time is now.
Threats
Bayern Munich’s biggest threat is out of their hands, unfortunately. One worrying trend all through the season for them has been an alarming number of injuries. The number of players who have gone under the knife has reached Arsenal-esque proportions with some unfortunate players being the victims of multiple injuries.
They lost Javi Martinez to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury. David Alaba is out with a knee injury until the New Year. Thiago Alcantara has been struck down by yet another setback. The saddest case of all is that of Holger Badstuber, whose very career is in danger, with injuries plaguing him repeatedly.
Even their reserve goalkeeper Pepe Reina is out of action for the time being. And Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger look like they may break down any moment, with the excessive loads of previous seasons taking its toll on their tired bodies.
Verdict
This may be a bold statement, but on their current form, it seems like Bayern going through the entire season unbeaten is a given. Them drawing, let alone losing to any team in the Bundesliga, is hard to imagine and isn’t going to happen unless Lady Miracle pokes her nose in. They are definite contenders to emulate Arsenal, Juventus, AC Milan et al, and go the entire season unbeaten.
The question of whether they can carry forward their perfect season to Europe is a bit more hard to answer. Bayern can probably beat Barcelona and PSG at their own game, out-passing and outscoring them. But how they fare against teams that hit on the break like Real Madrid and Chelsea is up for debate. But I can’t see them not reaching the Champions League final. They are that good and a possible treble awaits.
