Bayern Strikes
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Bayern Munich: Takeaways from first half of the season

By Kiran Thakare

MUENCHEN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 21: Players of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrate after scoring a goal at the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on December 21, 2019 in Muenchen, Germany. (Photo by Franz Kirchmayr/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
MUENCHEN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 21: Players of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrate after scoring a goal at the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on December 21, 2019 in Muenchen, Germany. (Photo by Franz Kirchmayr/SEPA.Media /Getty Images) /
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30 November 2019, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich – Bayer Leverkusen, 13th matchday in the Allianz Arena. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (l-r), Alphonso Davies, Benjamin Pavard, mascot Berni and Thomas Müller from FC Bayern Munich face the fans after their defeat. Photo: Matthias Balk/DPA – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images)
30 November 2019, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich – Bayer Leverkusen, 13th matchday in the Allianz Arena. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (l-r), Alphonso Davies, Benjamin Pavard, mascot Berni and Thomas Müller from FC Bayern Munich face the fans after their defeat. Photo: Matthias Balk/DPA – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

Defensive frailties continue to persist

Bayern struggled in their box throughout the past five seasons. They decided to invest big money in defense after a poor season from their back four last season. However, this investment is yet to bring an improvement in their performances.

The opponents no longer fear Bayern’s defense as they are vulnerable to counterattacks. Due to this weakness, Bayern has dropped points at the Allianz Arena three times this season. Two defeats at home before the winter break is poor by Die Roten’s high standards. More than the personnel, the defensive structure is to be blamed for these poor results.

After Kovac’s departure, Rekordmeister looked to have improved defensively for a brief period, collecting four clean sheets in a row. However, the problems started to appear soon under Flick as they conceded cheap goals against Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen.

In terms of chances conceded per game, Bayern is doing fine. However, there is always at least one certain error in the defense that leads to a goal every game. Flick should try to make them a stronger defensive unit if they want to go deep in the Champions League. Moreover, he needs to give with the same defenders an extended run in the starting lineup to form some sort of chemistry and coordination at the back.