Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Four takeaways as Bayern Munich drop points against RB Leipzig

By Joshua Bishop

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 09: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Dayot Upamecanoof RB Leipzig, Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen and Lukas Klostermann of RB Leipzig controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 9, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 09: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Dayot Upamecanoof RB Leipzig, Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen and Lukas Klostermann of RB Leipzig controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 9, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 09: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Jerome Boateng of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 9, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 09: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Jerome Boateng of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 9, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Figuring out our defensive line

The defensive line in this match for Bayern also played very admirably. Jerome Boateng made several key interceptions when Leipzig were attacking and was not beaten on the several counter-attacks made by Leipzig. David Alaba played his usual consistent self, offering a lot going forward and using his pace to keep up with the fast attackers.

Once again, Alphonso Davies showed his blistering pace as he was able to beat Leipzig attacker Timo Werner to a ball, after being several yards behind him when the attack was launched. Benjamin Pavard also performed well again on the right, getting forward to provide the width and tracking back to stop attacks.

One thing of note here is a more troubling note on Alphonso Davies. We all know by now that he has incredible speed, and he uses that to his advantage while playing as a left-back, but this game showed that he still has a lot to learn. Leipzig attacked down his side frequently due to him being out of position, a lot.

Every Bayern fan loves his ability to track back and beat opponents with his speed, but one should be concerned with why he’s even in these positions in the first place. Davies is still a wide forward who is playing in a defending role, so he wants to get forward as much as possible. Against a team such as RB Leipzig that has lethal attacking prowess, that becomes problematic.

Since Hernandez has made his return to the first team as a substitute and will get an entire week to train and prepare for the next match, one has to believe that he will be put into the starting lineup. Will he replace Davies, forcing Alaba back to left-back, or replace Boateng, keeping Davies on the field? It’s an interesting question to think about, especially with Champions League matches on the horizon. What is Hansi Flick’s go-to defensive line? It’s something he will need to figure out quickly if Bayern are to have continuity at the back.