Bayern Munich (A) | Post Match Thread

[Vic]

I didn't think BT were negative towards us either, I'm sure some people just sit there listening sometimes waiting to be offended by something.

It's best not to listen to the wittering. I think it's because it's easier for them not to keep having to tell us who the player is with the ball.

 

[Dribble]

100% Spot On!

Bayern rake in €380m per season through German commercial sponsorships which is perfectly fine.

City receive less through commercial deals with Abu Dhabi linked companies, but yet we're accused of sports washing, fraud & causing unsustainable inflation in the game! :-/

 

[MCFC-Carl-88]

I think City went through quite simply because we are a better, and certainly a more complete, side than Bayern. Last night we would have had to have messed up massively not to have gone through to the semis. Bayern's problem had been not having a centre forward, or anyone who seemed capable of putting the ball in the net, and they had central defenders who were shaky in the extreme and quite incapable of coping with our forwards, especially in pressing mode. Last night was the same. Their pace out wide caused us problems for sure but the final ball was either not good enough or it was dealt with by our defence. Bayern have had trouble scoring goals recently and we saw why: lots of possession, a number of shots, few real chances ... and no goals. In 180 + 10 mins of football no goals from open play and one only from a very dodgy penalty. I won't say it was easy or even comfortable but we were never going to lose and it was no surprise when we took the lead. Bayern did not lose because of a Bayern-must-not-be-allowed-to-lose-in-Munich penalty.

They was basically us for the last 2 years. Fantastic on the ball, create chances but in the really tight games with the best in the world get punished by a more clinical and ruthless team.

 

[Dribble]

You are Right, Ake was our best defender the whole season, but yesterday he was very poor. Hopefully he will be fit soon.

To be fair, I wouldn't say Aké was poor, it was more Coman being unbelievable, with Bayern lacking a Lewandowski style striker to bury their chances.

 

[FantasyIreland]

To be fair, I wouldn't say Aké was poor, it was more Coman being unbelievable, with Bayern lacking a Lewandowski style striker to bury their chances.

Few will have the pace of Coman,and that is what Ake couldnt deal with.....especially as Stones was still spending much of his time in midfield and creating the space on the left to exploit.
As soon as we adopted a flatter 4,Ake and our defence began containing him better.

 

[Dribble]

Few will have the pace of Coman,and that is what Ake couldnt deal with.....especially as Stones was still spending much of his time in midfield and creating the space on the left to exploit.
As soon as we adopted a flatter 4,Ake and our defence began containing him better.

Yup, our plans went out the window around the 30 minute mark, which is a testament to our adaptability & versatility.

However, as someone pointed out yesterday, if we had the type of LB Pep wants like Alphonso Davies, that wouldn't have happened.

It's small margins like this which have tripped us up in the past, but hopefully it will be addressed in the summer as Pep alluded to a few weeks back...

 

[supercity88]

To be fair, I wouldn't say Aké was poor, it was more Coman being unbelievable, with Bayern lacking a Lewandowski style striker to bury their chances.

That's the critical point for me and why we have a better chance of winning it. The top scorer doesn't always win it, but it certainly helps having someone who will take their chances. You look back to the first leg against Real, with Haaland we take one of those chances Mahrez and Foden have and it's 3-0 and then we sit and play keep ball and counter.

His goal against Bayern was special. Again, imagine the team from last season. Stones' ball doesn't stick. It comes straight back at us again. If it does, then realistically it would be two of Mahrez/Foden/Bernardo/De Bruyne up there. They might look to run in behind but it's very unlikely they score when you look at what Haaland had to do.

And then, in Alvarez we have someone who is a bulldozer. Gabby was very good in the CL it must be said, but Alvarez has similar qualities and we now have Haaland as the main man. We're in great shape to go and win it. The team should be confident. I doubt it's going to be quite as comfortable as Bayern was still though.

 

[Dribble]

That's the critical point for me and why we have a better chance of winning it. The top scorer doesn't always win it, but it certainly helps having someone who will take their chances. You look back to the first leg against Real, with Haaland we take one of those chances Mahrez and Foden have and it's 3-0 and then we sit and play keep ball and counter.

His goal against Bayern was special. Again, imagine the team from last season. Stones' ball doesn't stick. It comes straight back at us again. If it does, then realistically it would be two of Mahrez/Foden/Bernardo/De Bruyne up there. They might look to run in behind but it's very unlikely they score when you look at what Haaland had to do.

And then, in Alvarez we have someone who is a bulldozer. Gabby was very good in the CL it must be said, but Alvarez has similar qualities and we now have Haaland as the main man. We're in great shape to go and win it. The team should be confident. I doubt it's going to be quite as comfortable as Bayern was still though.

Real have been my CL favourites from the draw was made. They've the history & experience & I think they look more solid this season, whilst still posing a dangerous rapier-like attack.

However, City have improved too & with Haaland we have that Striking Superstar we've lacked since Aguero's last effective season for us.

Ultimately it's 11 vs 11, & we have the second leg at home. I said in February whoever wins the CL will have to beat Real. Nothing I've seen has changed my mind.

I'd rather have met them in the final, but it is what it is. Real have as much to fret about over facing City, as City have worries over Real. It's a monster clash, the type we could only dream of a few years ago!

 

[East Level 2]

No, it wasn‘t, Upamecano put both hands behind and put it in front after the shot, sorry, but that‘s silly.

The main silliness is a defender having to run with his arms behind his back in the first place.

 

[salfordbluetrue]

I take it everyone got home safe without getting booked:)

 

[supercity88]

Real have been my CL favourites from the draw was made. They've the history & experience & I think they look more solid this season, whilst still posing a dangerous rapier-like attack.

However, City have improved too & with Haaland we have that Striking Superstar we've lacked since Aguero's last effective season for us.

Ultimately it's 11 vs 11, & we have the second leg at home. I said in February whoever wins the CL will have to beat Real. Nothing I've seen has changed my mind.

I'd rather have met them in the final, but it is what it is. Real have as much to fret about over facing City, as City have worries over Real. It's a monster clash, the type we could only dream of a few years ago!

I agree. They're still underrated in my opinion. People still talk about luck with last year's run. But they beat PSG, Chelsea, City and Liverpool. Pretty impressive. When you look at the route others have had to the final before that's pretty damn tough and the fact they were losing in every tie at some stage (other than the final) shows the character. They're an excellent team, with a lot of young energy and talent off the bench too. Everyone just thinks they've got an ageing midfield and tends to dismiss them. They've got a great blend of old heads who remain at the top of their game, and youthful energy which has been enough to see them win the CL last season and dominate it in the last decade.

I differ from you in that I'd rather have them over two legs as a result. In a one off game anyone can beat anyone, but their know how gives them the edge over us. It was fine margins last season but I'd say they're slightly worse this season and we're a lot better in terms of overall balance to the side. We will need a lot more from someone like Gundogan if we are to win it though. He wasn't that involved in either game against Bayern particularly. If Foden is back I'd be thinking about getting Bernie in the middle and playing Phil wide right.

It is mad to see the semi final list. I know the Milan teams aren't what they were but Real v City and Inter v Milan... pinch yourself!

 

[Sir peace frog]

one thing i would say,that pitch made me very nervous,players were slipping all over the place, very poor for an elite match.

 

[The perfect fumble]

The foody blue....

 

[Dribble]

I agree. They're still underrated in my opinion. People still talk about luck with last year's run. But they beat PSG, Chelsea, City and Liverpool. Pretty impressive. When you look at the route others have had to the final before that's pretty damn tough and the fact they were losing in every tie at some stage (other than the final) shows the character. They're an excellent team, with a lot of young energy and talent off the bench too. Everyone just thinks they've got an ageing midfield and tends to dismiss them. They've got a great blend of old heads who remain at the top of their game, and youthful energy which has been enough to see them win the CL last season and dominate it in the last decade.

I differ from you in that I'd rather have them over two legs as a result. In a one off game anyone can beat anyone, but their know how gives them the edge over us. It was fine margins last season but I'd say they're slightly worse this season and we're a lot better in terms of overall balance to the side. We will need a lot more from someone like Gundogan if we are to win it though. He wasn't that involved in either game against Bayern particularly. If Foden is back I'd be thinking about getting Bernie in the middle and playing Phil wide right.

It is mad to see the semi final list. I know the Milan teams aren't what they were but Real v City and Inter v Milan... pinch yourself!

Agreed, a two leg match against Real is better for us, but my "Real in the Final" thoughts are more to do with the ultimate Elite Establishment Club vs the despised outsiders.

In terms of Gundog, a few months ago I'd have agreed with you, but since playing Stones as a double pivot with Rodri, this has released Ilkay to play further forward as a No 8, where his fading legs aren't so much of an issue.

For me, he's been a revelation since the defensive responsibility on him has lessened & as a result we have two creators supporting Haaland/Julian, as well as our wide players.

I was happy for Gundog to depart in the summer, but I wouldn't be averse to him signing a 2 year extension as we bed in his eventual successors.

 

[ZanteWeatherman]

Our penalty was a joke too, to be fair.

No mate, he started with his arm behind his back then out it popped and away from his body. Nailed on penalty.

On the other hand, if theirs was a pen, my dick's a kipper......

 

[supercity88]

Agreed, a two leg match against Real is better for us, but my "Real in the Final" thoughts are more to do with the ultimate Elite Establishment Club vs the despised outsiders.

In terms of Gundog, a few months ago I'd have agreed with you, but since playing Stones as a double pivot with Rodri, this has released Ilkay to play further forward as a No 8, where his fading legs aren't so much of an issue.

For me, he's been a revelation since the defensive responsibility on him has lessened & as a result we have two creators supporting Haaland/Julian, as well as our wide players.

I was happy for Gundog to depart in the summer, but I wouldn't be averse to him signing a 2 year extension as we bed in his eventual successors.

Yeah it would be nice to really stick it to UEFA that way. The stance seems to be softening, whether that's because we've finally sent some warnings, or if time has healed the wounds I'm not sure. We'll still have the new money vs old elite if we make the final and play either Milan team.

We can't lose Bernie and Gundo in the same summer unless Bellingham does come and hits the ground running. Hopefully we can keep both and rotate Gundo a bit to give Bellingham time to settle. Perrone has looked good from the short glimpses we've had but too early to know whether he'll cut it. Phillips needs to drastically improve if he's going to provide any sort of cover for Rodri.

 

[Impeccable One]

To be fair, I wouldn't say Aké was poor, it was more Coman being unbelievable, with Bayern lacking a Lewandowski style striker to bury their chances.

THIS

 

[Impeccable One]

Few will have the pace of Coman,and that is what Ake couldnt deal with.....especially as Stones was still spending much of his time in midfield and creating the space on the left to exploit.
As soon as we adopted a flatter 4,Ake and our defence began containing him better.

And Jack did some excellent covering for him on a couple of occassions

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

I agree. They're still underrated in my opinion. People still talk about luck with last year's run. But they beat PSG, Chelsea, City and Liverpool. Pretty impressive. When you look at the route others have had to the final before that's pretty damn tough and the fact they were losing in every tie at some stage (other than the final) shows the character. They're an excellent team, with a lot of young energy and talent off the bench too. Everyone just thinks they've got an ageing midfield and tends to dismiss them. They've got a great blend of old heads who remain at the top of their game, and youthful energy which has been enough to see them win the CL last season and dominate it in the last decade.

I differ from you in that I'd rather have them over two legs as a result. In a one off game anyone can beat anyone, but their know how gives them the edge over us. It was fine margins last season but I'd say they're slightly worse this season and we're a lot better in terms of overall balance to the side. We will need a lot more from someone like Gundogan if we are to win it though. He wasn't that involved in either game against Bayern particularly. If Foden is back I'd be thinking about getting Bernie in the middle and playing Phil wide right.

It is mad to see the semi final list. I know the Milan teams aren't what they were but Real v City and Inter v Milan... pinch yourself!

What? Gundogan had a fantastic game in the Bayern first leg.

 

[StillBluessinceHydeRoad]

Our penalty was a joke too, to be fair.

I don't think it should have been a penalty but we see them given regularly. It doesn't really matter though because we missed it! My point is that we haven't struggled to score goals this season or in the tie with Bayern: on the other hand Bayern struggled in both matches against us and couldn't score in open play, and they have struggled recently in the Bundesliga recently for goals against some fairly ordinary sides. I was fairly nervous before the second leg because they had brought back Choupo-Moting but he was hardly clinical and never really threatened. I was actually nervous because of Bayern's name and reputation. I won't go so far as to say they are a paper tiger but their ability to monopolise all the best German talent seems to have run up against the decline in the pool of German talent available and the best talent from elsewhere seems now to go to other countries rather than Germany/Munich. Might investment and the abandonment of 50+1 be the answer to staying/getting back to the top table in Europe?