Bayern Munich: Takeaways from thrilling draw against Arminia Bielefeld
Defensive lapses need to be cut ahead of CL clash against Lazio
Bayern Munich has not been at their best defensively this season. They have conceded 29 goals in the Bundesliga this season, which is a fairly high number after 21 matchdays for a team that is sitting at the top of the table.
Die Roten has been conceding goals consistently due to individual and collective errors. On Monday, all three goals could have been avoided. As good as Bielefeld was on Monday, all three goals were caused due to lapses in concentration at the back for Die Roten.
The first goal was caused due to miscommunication between Niklas Sule and Bouna Sarr. They both failed to close down Michel Vlap quickly. For the second goal, the defensive organisation on the set-piece allowed Amos Pieper a free run at the header. The whole backline switched off, including Manuel Neuer, for the third goal just when Bayern was turning on the pressure on visitors.
Die Roten’s approach of maintaining a high line of defense can help the team to play on the front foot and dominate the opposition, but they are suspect to counter-attacks with a simple ball over the top. The German Champions need to buckle up and reduce the number of chances for the opposition to have a chance of doing well in the Champions League. The first knockout test in their bid to retain the European title will be against Lazio next week.