Bayern Strikes
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Five reasons behind Bayern Munich’s upturn in form

By Kiran Thakare

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 05: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team`s third goal with teammates during the DFB Cup round of sixteen match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on February 5, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 05: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team`s third goal with teammates during the DFB Cup round of sixteen match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on February 5, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Bayern Munich’s Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantaracelebrate their third goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Hertha Berlin v Bayern Munich in Berlin, on January 19, 2020. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Bayern Munich’s Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantaracelebrate their third goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Hertha Berlin v Bayern Munich in Berlin, on January 19, 2020. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images) /

Thiago returning to form

Since becoming the first team manager, Flick has improved every player to some extent. However, Thiago Alcantara struggled under the German manager during Hinrunde, and eventually, lost his place in the starting XI. This led to further speculation regarding his future at the club.

It looks like Thiago took his demotion as a motivation to return strongly, as he has made a strong start to 2020. The Spanish midfielder has been in sublime form over the past three weeks. He is playing as a number eight in the team, while Joshua Kimmich is playing a deeper role in the three-man midfield.

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The clarity about his role has brought the best out of Thiago. He is dictating the tempo of the game and swiftly progressing the ball from midfield to attack. The former Barcelona midfielder is getting past the opposition for fun and feeding the attacking players with precise through balls.

Apart from being a creative and dynamic midfield presence, Thiago is also in a good goalscoring form. He has scored three goals in every league game apart from the one against RB Leipzig. As a number eight, he is arriving late in the box, providing another outlet for Die Roten in the final third.

When Thiago is on song, he is Bayern’s best central midfielder. Flick will be hoping that the Spanish midfielder maintains this form throughout the second half of the season. His creativity and dynamic play will be of great help in the Champions League games.