Bayern Munich 3-0 VfL Bochum: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• You could tell that Bayern Munich were conserving energy because that was a solid, but unspectacular performance. Goals from Thomas Muller, Kingsley Coman, and Serge Gnabry got the job done, but Bochum were too far from a threat to make this game competitive. Key players got rested before the PSG game, so all in all a successful 90 minutes.
• Arijon Ibrahimovic played really well after coming on. He and Mathys Tel really should’ve gotten a couple of goals.
• Leon Goretzka actually excelled in his new DM role. Maybe a template moving forward?
• Joao Cancelo should stay on the right hand side, he’s much more effective there.
• What does this game mean for PSG? Stay tuned for our postgame analysis to find out.

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Full time: Bayern Munich 3-0 VfL Bochum.

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73’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Serge Gnabry converts from the spot.

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72’ — PENALTY! Gnabry brought down in the box.

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63’ — GOOOOOOOOOOAL! Kingsley Coman makes it 2-0 after coming on!

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59’ — Sub: Joao Cancelo subbed for Kingsley Coman.

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45’ — The second half kicks off! Alphonso Davies comes on at HT for Thomas Muller.

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Halftime observations and analysis

• The demise of Thomas Muller has been greatly exaggerated. He’s still got it.
• Aside from the goal which was a Bochum mistake, Bayern Munich have been mostly flat in attack. Joao Cancelo needs to go back to the right.
• This game is another example of why Joshua Kimmich takes corners.

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Halftime: Bayern lead 1-0.

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41’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Thomas Muller makes it 1-0! Error at the back for Bochum.

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25’ — We’re almost half an hour in, and no goals or even big chances yet. Bochum kinda look like PSG with their kits.

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Julian Nagelsmann opts to field a whole bunch of attackers, with Bayern Munich seemingly lining up in a 3-1-4-2 shape with Leon Goretzka as the lone pivot. Joao Cancelo starts for the third time in a row, while Thomas Muller is the captain. Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala are the pseudo-midfielders today.

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There’s not much time left until the Champions League is back, but Bayern Munich still have business in the Bundesliga. Three consecutive draws to start the year leaves the club in a rather precarious spot, unable to afford even the slightest slip up for fear of losing their spot in the table.

While VfL Bochum aren’t having the best season, they face Bayern at a relatively good time. Joshua Kimmich is suspended, Ryan Gravenberch is injured, and Marcel Sabitzer was loaned to United, leaving the club without the essential pieces of a functioning midfield. Former Bochum man Leon Goretzka is therefore going to have to play as a lone pivot, which is a scary prospect when you consider that he’s not been in the best form since the winter break. Let’s hope it all works out, and the PSG game isn’t distracting anyone too much.

It’s Bayern time.

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While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify.

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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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