Bayern Strikes
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Four Takeaways as Bayern Munich grind out win against Augsburg

By Joshua Bishop

MUENCHEN, GERMANY - MARCH 8: Players of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrate after scoring a goal at the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2020 in Muenchen, Germany. (Photo by Franz Kirchmayr/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
MUENCHEN, GERMANY - MARCH 8: Players of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrate after scoring a goal at the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2020 in Muenchen, Germany. (Photo by Franz Kirchmayr/SEPA.Media /Getty Images) /
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MUENCHEN, GERMANY – MARCH 8: Florian Niederlechner of FC Augsburg and Jerome Agyenim Boateng of Bayern Muenchen during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2020, in Muenchen, Germany. (Photo by Franz Kirchmayr/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
MUENCHEN, GERMANY – MARCH 8: Florian Niederlechner of FC Augsburg and Jerome Agyenim Boateng of Bayern Muenchen during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2020, in Muenchen, Germany. (Photo by Franz Kirchmayr/SEPA.Media /Getty Images) /

Defensive Stability

The defensive performances of recent weeks should not go without notice. Outside of some yellow card suspensions, Bayern have used the same lineup every match, and it is paying off right now. Benjamin Pavard at right-back, Jerome Boateng and David Alaba as the two center backs, and Alphonso Davies as the left-back. Opponents right now can’t score on Bayern, and that is a huge confidence boost for all of the players and the fans. Along with the defensive performance, it was Jerome Boateng’s aerial pass to Thomas Muller that finally put Bayern on the score sheet.

Another part of the defense that is probably most important is the goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer. Neuer made a couple of absolutely brilliant saves at the end of the match to keep the clean sheet. There were a couple of other times where Neuer ran off his line into the field to clear the ball in true sweeper-keeper fashion. It is amazing to see Neuer back to his best. It also begs the question of where Alex Nubel will fit in next season because right now, Neuer is playing like the best keeper in the world.

After the defensive frailty of the Niko Kovac era, where every defensive player other than Niklas Sule was poor, it is great to see this level of play from the group. The attackers know they can take risks because the defense is solid, and that is what title-winning teams are made of. This whole team looks lethal, and that comes from having great defensive stability.