There is monotony in greatness, a statement Bayern Munich is all too familiar with. Another win against Freiburg on Saturday was another step closer to yet another Meisterschale. The reign of dominance by the Bavarians has spanned decades and has been the subject of pride for many, and angst for others. With a lead of nine points over Borussia Dortmund and six games to play, the seemingly academic outcome is on the horizon.
The assessments drawn from a seemingly emphatic result, however, paint a clearer picture of Bayern’s European campaign – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Occasionally slow off the lines, Die Roten found themselves lulled into Freiburg’s rhythm, one of a little incision. Chances were few and far in between with little to separate the two sides.
The plan works. The Bavarian motor works eventually but is happy to lay in wait for the rude awakening. The first half was a story of isolated stars and defensive lapses, the result of a well-orchestrated ploy by Freiburg. The second half, however, showcased the biggest bargaining chip the Bavarians have.
There is an uncanny strength to the variety in Die Roten’s lineups. The ability to translate a similar skill set through different players speaks to the progression of Julian Nagelsmann and his philosophy seeping into the side. It highlights the swiss-army knife approach Bayern can possess on the offensive end. The inclusion of Serge Gnabry proved to have an instant effect as his showing was instrumental in Bayern’s victory. Jamal Musiala, Niklas Sule, and Marcel Sabitzer brought a unique difference in the ability to a side, exacerbating the problems for Freiburg.
It’s not just the case of ‘strength in identity’, more so ‘strength in identity’. The Achilles Heel for the Bavarians is undeniably exposed, yet the certain belief that the team’s contributions on the other end will do just the trick has been nothing short of remarkable.
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The monotony revolving around Bayern’s legacy has little to do with the truth and much to do with its image and the final score. The beauty in Bayern’s dominance isn’t in the very nature of winning. The splendor of seeing philosophies accepted with the thorns accentuates the core idea of the Rekordmeister. Winning is the by-product of the legacy accepted and embraced in its ever-evolving form.
The win against Freiburg will hopefully spur the side on to prepare for the Quarterfinal tie against Villarreal. There is the comfort of knowing, however, that conditions may play against the Bavarian juggernaut, as they have numerous times. Bayern has always found a way, that’s… monotonous.