Bayern Munich needs to improve defensively to retain Champions League
Bayern Munich faced yet another uphill task on Saturday as they gave Borussia Dortmund a head start by conceding two goals in the first ten minutes of the game. There was the brilliance of Erling Braut Haaland in both goals, but Die Roten made it easy for Dortmund by having lapses in concentration at the back.
The German Champions made a sensational recovery to win the game in the final two minutes of the game. After conceding two goals, they kept on piling pressure on Dortmund, and eventually, they got the reward through 4-2 win against their arch-rivals.
After conceding two goals on Sunday, this is the worst defensive record for Die Roten at this stage in the Bundesliga since 1992. However, the brilliance of Robert Lewandowski and other forwards bails out the team on almost every occasion. They remain top of the Bundesliga with a lead of three points over RB Leipzig.
However, Flick and the team need to get over these defensive woes as soon as possible. These errors have been punished consistently in the Bundesliga, but they remain favourites to retain the title. Things may get nasty in the Champions League if they don’t become more defensively solid.
Bayern have already conceded 34 goals after 24 matchdays, their worst defensive record at this point in 29 years [Sky]
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) March 6, 2021
Going 2-0 down inside ten minutes against a strong European side could be fatal even if they go on to win that game. Away goals are crucial in the Champions League, so Die Roten needs to tighten the defense. Conceding early goals to a team like Manchester City will be curtains since the English club rarely gives opposition to come back in the game.
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They have been already knocked out of DFB Pokal on penalties after conceding a poor equalizer to Holstein Kiel. Similar defensive problems can undo all the good work done by the team in the Champions League this season.
Flick has been good at addressing issues in the team with clever tactics or changing personnel. He found himself in a similar situation in December 2019 when Die Roten was finding it difficult to create chances in the Bundesliga. After the winter break, Rekordmeister blew away teams by playing high-intensity football. Similar problem-solving approach needs to be implemented again at the other end of the pitch.
The German manager will have more time to work on the training ground this month since there are few games. Die Roten has only three more games this month after the win against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Flick will have to come up with plans to arrest this defensive slump to go all the way in the European competitions.
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Barring a disaster in the return leg, Die Roten is likely to play in the quarter-final of CL after clinching 4-1 win away at Lazio in the round of 16. However, tougher opposition awaits in the next rounds, so instant improvement in defense is needed.