After two draws (1-1) against Cologne and Leipzig, Bayern again dropped two points this Saturday at home. It was his third official meeting of the year. In the end, the scoreline against Eintracht Frankfurt (1-1) reflects the content of two different periods. It also penalizes the somewhat involuntary management of the Munich advantage in the second half after an almost one-sided first (69% possession).
Kevin Trapp’s team has indeed suffered a lot during the first forty-five minutes. Leroy Sané had opened the scoring (1-0, 34th), a specialty of Bayern expert in efficiency during the last quarter of an hour of the first period. And the just reward for a Bavarian team who insisted a lot on the right side (52% of attacks) where Thomas Müller offered his fourth assist thanks to a center back perfectly balanced for his partner in the area.
But the Munich residents, in search of benchmarks, even a second wind, reduced the intensity of their pressing after the hour mark. Preferred to Gnabry, Coman, rather interesting until then, also slowed down before his replacement by Gravenberch (71st). Choupo-Moting, replaced by the ex-Rennais Mathys Tel (77th), received fewer balls with his back to the but where he occupies a rather useful strategic position. Finally, long shots did not save Nagelsmann’s players this time.
Still leaders of the Bundesliga with a point ahead of Union Berlin at the top of a tight classification, they lacked too much creativity in the opposing camp and accuracy in the last thirty meters to register this second but hoped for.
15
It’s been fifteen years since Bayern Munich won at least one game in their first three meetings in a calendar year.
Lonely at the forefront in Oliver Glasner’s 5-4-1, Kolo Muani remained his team’s main weapon until his replacement in added time (90th + 4). His courses in depth, his speed and his presence in the surface, especially on the stopped phase, highlighted his great form. But also the poor placement of Matthijs De Ligt (24th), the relative slowness of Stanisic preferred to Pavard as a right side, the coach playing competition in the position.
The French international remained a constant threat. He managed to equalize after a counter well led by him and Kamada, Frankfurt having gained confidence. Before hitting (1-1, 69th), his seventh achievement of the season, the center-forward even allowed himself to erase with a well-felt dribble his partner in Blue Dayot Upamecano who had left his right side open and constantly recoiled throughout the action.
Future opponent of Bayern on February 14 in the knockout stages of the Champions League, PSG can be reassured that it is of course not the only one to experience a difficult aftermath of the World Cup.