Bayern Munich: Hansi Flick is not afraid to rotate heavily this season
Hansi Flick has been clever with his team selections for Bayern Munich this season.
Bayern Munich made it eight wins in a row across all competitions on Saturday since the defeat against Hoffenheim last month. The German Champions clinched a 2-1 win against FC Koln to become the league leaders of the Bundesliga. It has been a good week for Die Roten in the Champions League too, as they showed resilience to grind a victory away at Lokomotiv Moscow.
Once Hansi Flick was handed over the reins of the first team a year ago, his first step was to find the best starting XI. He got that spot on immediately and decided to stick with it for the majority of the campaign since every game was important.
However, things have changed drastically this season. The pandemic halted at the end of last season for two months, while the new campaign is set to have a congested schedule. The German manager has decided to adapt to this situation by finding the balance between squad rotation and good results.
Robert Lewandowski and Leon Goretzka stayed in Munich, but the team that was fielded against FC Cologne was more than good enough to get a result. Die Roten were given few scares by Koln, but the two-goal lead taken in the first half was enough for the team over the line.
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Flick’s position at the club is also playing a big role in seeing consistent rotation this season. The German manager had to get results last season to stand a chance of getting the role permanently. His good work was rewarded by the club with a three-year deal. The German manager has to look at the bigger picture now, along with achieving short-term goals.
The handling of Robert Lewandowski sums up an impressive aspect of Flick’s rotation policy. The Polish striker has once again started the campaign on fire, scoring ten goals in five Bundesliga games. Despite his remarkable fitness, Lewandowski is 32 now. His workload needs management to get a consistent goal output throughout the season.
Getting Lewandowski off the pitch around the hour mark when the game is effectively won keeps him fresh for the next game. Leaving out in few games will also do him a favour in terms of managing his fatigue during the next seven months of intense football.
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Flick’s demands in the transfer window also outlined his impressive plans for the squad management this season. He has been brave enough to use players such as Jamal Musiala in the first team, highlighting his trust in the first team. Considering the club is looking to make history by winning all trophies this season, the approach to managing the workload of the squad is a clever move from the German manager.