Manager Rating
Hansi Flick — 6/10
The German manager set the team perfectly against Werder Bremen. However, Bayern Munich did need changes in the lineup when things were getting tense in the second half. Flick made no changes in the second half till Alphonso Davies was sent off in the 80th minute. Lucas Hernandez came on late when Bremen were looking for an equalizer. Packing the midfield might have helped Die Roten to avoid nervy moments in the second half.
Player Ratings
GK, Manuel Neuer — 8/10
Neuer was at his best against Werder Bremen. The German goalkeeper is one of the reasons why Die Roten came back home with all three points. He read the game well and came off his line quickly whenever Bremen were trying to beat visitors on the counter. Neuer also made a tremendous save in the dying minutes of the game when a wicked deflection looked certain to go in the goal.
DEF, Benjamin Pavard — 7/10
Pavard had a fairly decent game. He coped with everything that was thrown at him in terms of one vs one duels. The French defender was also potent while going forward, complimenting Kingsley Coman by providing width whenever he was cutting inside. Pavard also had a couple of good chances to increase Die Roten’s lead from set-pieces.
DEF, Jerome Boateng — 9/10
Probably, the best performance of Boateng since enjoying a resurgence under Flick. The German defender was colossal at the back, putting his body on the line to keep Bremen away from Die Roten’s goal. He made several last-ditch blocks in the penalty boxes when Bremen were delivering dangerous crosses in the box. The delightful scooped pass for Robert Lewandowski’s goal was the icing on the cake.
DEF, David Alaba — 8/10
Boateng was a standout player in defense, but Alaba was also impressive at the back. The Austrian defender had more freedom on Tuesday to help midfield in facilitating attacking moves. Alaba also often went so far ahead that he was often found in the box when Die Roten were on the top. Despite galloping ahead on so many occasions, Alaba was astute defensively and hardly suffered while joining midfield and attack.
DEF, Alphonso Davies — 5/10
Bremen was probably the first poor performance for Alphonso Davies this season. The full-back still managed to have bright moments in the final third despite struggling defensively in the game. He was lucky to not receive a red card in the first half for reacting by kicking at Leonardo Bittencourt. Davies was eventually sent off in the 80th minute for a second yellow card offense. A rare poor game for the teenager.
Bayern Munich midfielders shine in versatile positions
MID, Joshua Kimmich — 7/10
Kimmich started in the midfield as number six, but his role was different against Bremen. The German midfielder was executing the press in the midfield, working tirelessly off the ball when Bremen were dominating the proceedings in the first half. Kimmich was joining the attack whenever possible, arriving late in the box. He was also majestic on the ball, finding the forwards with some delicious passes. As usual, his set-piece delivery was also pinpoint. Delivering consistent performances in midfield has become a new normal for Kimmich.
MID, Leon Goretzka — 7/10
While Kimmich went ahead, Goretzka stayed back. The former Schalke midfielder is not exactly the type of midfielder that will be dictating the tempo of the game. However, he keeps things simple and passes the ball quickly to players that can make things happen in the final third. Moreover, he is also a good ball carrier, helping Die Roten to break quickly whenever Bremen committed men forward. The German international was also filling in the central defense whenever Alaba was going ahead to support the attack. Another confident display under his belt. Moreover, he was a constant threat from setpieces for Die Roten throughout the game.
A mixed outing for Bayern Munich forwards
FWD, Kingsley Coman — 8/10
Kingsley Coman had a very good game, though he couldn’t come with a goal or assist. His general decision making in the final third was much better. The Frenchman combined well with Pavard on the right flank and often delivered dangerous crosses. He also made an impressive run from a central position, which eventually ended up with a good header just over the crossbar. The French winger also tested Pavlenka with a ferocious attempt from a tight position in the 81st minute.
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FWD, Thomas Muller — 7.5/10
Muller was unlucky to come away from this game without an assist. The German forward was as usual relentless in the final third, pressing Bremen’s defenders. He also linked up well with the other forwards in the final third. His crossing has been a potent weapon for Die Roten as he delivered two beautiful crosses for Comana and Lewandowski, which were not finished by both forwards.
FWD, Serge Gnabry — 6/10
Serge Gnabry is currently finding it difficult to score goals from the flank. Against Bremen, he struggled with other aspects of his game in the final third. The German winger struggled to have a notable impact on the game and struggled to test Pavlenka properly with shots on goal. His work rate was top class, but he was not potent going forward as he usually is.
Bayern Munich striker continues to come up in the clutch
ST, Robert Lewandowski — 8/10
After getting rest over the weekend due to suspension, Robert Lewandowski was back in the lineup on Tuesday. The Polish striker uncharacteristically missed chances against Werder Bremen. He managed to finish the most difficult chance when Boateng scooped the ball from midfield over Bremen’s defense. He brought the ball down with an exquisite touch and slotted it past Pavlenka. Lewandowski made some really good runs in the box, but couldn’t finish the chance presented on plate by Muller in the second half.
Substitutes
DEF, Lucas Hernandez — N/A
After Davies’ dismissal in the 80th minute, Hernandez came on to shore up the defense. The French defender slotted in the left-back position and kept things simple after getting the better of Bremen’s forwards.
Man of the match
Jerome Boateng
Boateng’s overall play in both phases of the game made sure that he was the key man for Die Roten in the narrow win over Werder Bremen. The German defender still faces an uncertain future in Bavaria, but he continues to churn out good performances under Flick. Against Bremen, he showed why he is one of the most effective ball-playing central defenders in the world.