Bundesliga – Bayern Munich mid-season review

Bundesliga – Bayern Munich mid-season review

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Our series of mid-season reviews continues with a look at the Bavarian powerhouse.

Story so far

If there is one word to describe Bayern’s season so far, it would be this: dominant. Bayern opened their Bundesliga campaign with a 5-o win over Hamburg and followed that up with a nine-game winning streak that only ended when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Werder Bremen. Since then, the pattern continued, though with a few draws mixed in. A 3-1 loss on 5 December against Borrussia Monchengladbach brought that unbeaten run to a close.

In the Champions League, it has been the same story. Bayern began their campaign with a 3-0 away win at Olympiacos, backing that up with a 5-0 home win against Dinamo Zagreb. A shock defeat away to Arsenal ensued but it did not dampen their spirits. It was a different story when they met again, this time at the Allianz Stadium, where Bayern thrashed the Gunners 5-0.

They finished on top of their group as expected with 15 points and set up a mouthwatering round of 16 duel with last season’s finalists, Juventus.

The manager

Pep Guardiola made headlines by opting not to sign a contract extension with Bayern, sparking speculation about where he was heading. He appears set for a move to the Premier League with Bayern already naming Guardiola’s successor, Carlo Ancelotti.

Nevertheless, his focus remains on a star-studded Bayern until the end of the season that boasts high-profile names including Douglas Costa, Kingsley Coeman, Arturo Vidal, Joshua Kimmich and Sven Ulreich.


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As far as the January window is concerned, there is little need for the Bavarians to splash out. Bayern have coped when hit by injury and have the resources to cover any first team losses.

Die Roten are in the knockout phase of the Champions League and are in the last eight of the DFB Pokal. The aim for Bayern and Guardiola is to end the season with the league title and even the Pokal before he says adios to Germany.

Standout player

Bayern, unlike any other team, have so many choices for standout player thus far. Bayern have plenty of star power and with that play collectively as a team. However, three players shine above the rest. Douglas Costa is the first. He has scored five goals, including one on debut, and has been registered nine assists over all competitions. The second is no stranger to the limelight and that is Robert Lewandowski. He made headlines when he scored five goals in nine minutes after coming off the bench against VfL Wolfsburg.

The last is Manuel Neuer. Both Costa and Neuer recently won awards in the Kicker player poll. Neuer took out the league’s best goalkeeper gong while Costa took out the best outfielder.

If there was one standout player however, it would have to be Costa. The Brazilian had to adapt to the Bundesliga style after moving from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk but has done an exceptional job.

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Second-half prediction

If the first half of the season is anything to go by, Bayern will be champions come season’s end. They are already sitting pretty atop the league table with 46 points; the next best is Borrusia Dortmund on 38.

The same goal applies to the DFB Pokal; the aim is to try and win it. Bayern have had quite a soft run in this tournament and that has held them in good stead.

As for the Champions League, their goal should again be to be the last men standing. However, all is not lost if they fall to Juventus.

There could be one word to describe Bayern come the end of the season: champions.

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