Bayern Munich 4-2 Heidenheim: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Despite a collapse right after making subs in the 2nd half, Bayern Munich scored two goals and closed out this game against Heidenheim with a little bit more effort than was probably necessary. Thomas Tuchel will be criticized for disbalancing the team because with his subs, but the goals were down to some bad individual errors.
• Harry Kane didn’t manage to get a hat trick, and this game was arguably a disappointment for him. No assists either, bleh. He’s still chasing down that Lewandowski record, though. getting closer every game.
• Extremely poor finishing today by Leroy Sane. Despite his assists, he had some may chances set up for him by Kane and Thomas Müller that he failed to finish. It feels like fatigue is catching up to him — hopefully Nagelsmann gives him a slight bit of rest during the international break.
• Aleksandr Pavlović acquitted himself brilliantly in the #6 role. Looks like he’s going to be a serious option in the midfield going forward.
• Bouna Sarr did rather well at left-back. Him joining the rotation improves the squad depth significantly.

Full time: Bayern Munich 4-2 Heidenheim.

85’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Choupo-Moting makes it 4-2!

72’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Guerreiro makes it 3-2!

69’ — Goal. What just happened. 2-2.

67’ — Goal. Heidenheim make it 2-1, damn.

60’ — Subs: Muller, Upamecano, and Gnabry off for Guerreiro, Tel, and Choupo-Moting.

45’ — The second half is underway!

Halftime: Bayern Munich 2-0 Heidenheim.

43’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Harry Kane makes it 2-0!

13’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Harry Kane makes it 1-0!

Kickoff: We’re underway!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Thomas Tuchel has opted for some serious rotation today with Aleksander Pavlović, Thomas Müller, Serge Gnabry, and Bouna Sarr all starting for Bayern Munich. Kingsley Coman and Alphonso Davies drop to the bench, and Leon Goretzka is apparently out with muscular issues.

That’s ... a lot of changes. Heidenheim will see an opportunity there, if they can take it.

With Bayer Leverkusen still unbeaten and sitting rock solid at the top of the league table, Bayern Munich need to keep picking up wins. In normal years, facing a newly promoted team on their first visit to the Allianz Arena would be a formality for the record champions, but Thomas Tuchel has a lot on his plate right now.

Joshua Kimmich is suspended. Jamal Musiala and Matthijs de Ligt are injured. Half of his squad is either tired or half-fit. While Harry Kane might be scoring like no one’s business, the team will have to pull together to get a positive result out of this one.

It’s Bayern time.

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out the newest edition of our Weekend Warm-up podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify.

Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 3:30 pm local time, 9:30 am EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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