Bayern Strikes
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Four Takeaways as Bayern Munich defeat Mainz

By Joshua Bishop

01 February 2020, Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz: Football: Bundesliga, FSV Mainz 05 - Bayern Munich, 20th matchday. Bavaria's Thiago (M) cheers with his teammates after his goal for the 0:3. Photo: Torsten Silz/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Torsten Silz/picture alliance via Getty Images)
01 February 2020, Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz: Football: Bundesliga, FSV Mainz 05 - Bayern Munich, 20th matchday. Bavaria's Thiago (M) cheers with his teammates after his goal for the 0:3. Photo: Torsten Silz/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Torsten Silz/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Mainz’ Dutch defender Jeremiah St Juste and Bayern Munich’s German defender Jerome Boateng (2ndR) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Mainz 05 v FC Bayern Munich in Mainz on February 1, 2020. (Photo by Daniel ROLAND / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by DANIEL ROLAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Mainz’ Dutch defender Jeremiah St Juste and Bayern Munich’s German defender Jerome Boateng (2ndR) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Mainz 05 v FC Bayern Munich in Mainz on February 1, 2020. (Photo by Daniel ROLAND / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by DANIEL ROLAND/AFP via Getty Images) /

Defensive Consistency

Bayern’s defensive line has been riddled with injuries and inconsistency. After the winter break, they have been rock solid at the back, cutting off the individual errors. The home side’s goal was due to a deflection that had Manuel Neuer planted in his spot as the ball floated in the back of the net.

At the start of the second half, Mainz had increased their pressure on Flick’s men, but Bayern stood firm and dealt with every attack from Mainz. Even the attackers tracked back well to help out. When Alphonso Davies gets downfield into the attack, Ivan Perisic would track back, and play as a makeshift left-back, until Davies gets back to his position.

The individual performances deserve recognition from this match. Benjamin Pavard was his normal self on the right, getting forward when needed, but also staying back to allow center back David Alaba to get forward and initiate attacks. Jerome Boateng has been playing better recently. The German is effectively using his extensive passing range, while not being a liability at the back.

On the left side, Davies once again can’t go without mentioning. His pace and stamina provide the edge to Bayern at both ends of the pitch. Joshua Kimmich, Thiago, and Leon Goretzka helped in providing solidity to defense by providing proper shielding whenever one of them was dropping deep.

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Since the start of Ruckrunde, the defensive personnel has been the same, allowing for chemistry to build between the group. The attack and midfield have been great these past few weeks, but the work this backline has done has been commendable. As much as Jerome Boateng is past his prime and David Alaba is a natural left-back, one has to wonder where Lucas Hernandez fits in when he returns from injury. Who drops from the lineup for the French defender? Does Davies lose his spot so Alaba can move over to the left, or does Boateng lose his spot?

None of this acknowledges the fact that new right-back signing Alvaro Odriozola is yet to make his debut for Bayern. Flick will have some selection questions in the coming weeks, and it will be interesting to see what changes he makes in the starting XI.