After enjoying a good start to the season in the Bundesliga, things have gone wrong for Bayern Munich in the past couple of weeks. They have dropped points in the last three league games, which has ultimately undone the good work done in the first three games. Courtesy of three consecutive draws, Bayern has managed the lowest points tally after six gameweeks in 12 years.
Bayern was very close to sealing all three points against Stuttgart. The defending Bundesliga champions conceded a penalty in added time to give Stuttgart a precious point at Allianz Arena. Conceding poor goals has been the trend followed in the last three league games for Bayern.
The result against Stuttgart has led to criticism of players and Julian Nagelsmann for not managing the game properly at Allianz Arena. The three poor results in the league have seen Die Roten slip to the third position in the points table, two points behind league leaders Union Berlin.
Thomas Muller has been very critical of the team’s performance against Stuttgart. While talking to the media after the game against Stuttgart (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern forward admitted that they couldn’t maintain proper intensity until the end of the game to seal the victory.
"“Today, I’m angry for the first time this season – angry at ourselves. If we want to win every game, and that’s our aim, then we have to go until the end. It doesn’t matter if we have a big game midweek. With our current situation, you have to give it your all to the end.”"
Bayern was scoring goals for fun at the start of the season. They were blowing teams away in the first half by showing great efficiency in the final third. The fluid attack created all sorts of problems for the opposition. After getting a considerable lead in the first half, Nagelsmann’s team was seeing out the game in the second half.
In the last three league games, goals have dried for Die Roten. Moreover, the team has struggled to defend together as a unit. They have conceded some big chances in the last three league games, while some individual errors have led to goals for the opposition.
Nagelsmann had faced similar problems in the second half of last season. The German coach needs to find a way to make the team defensively solid. If Die Roten starts defending well collectively, things will eventually fall in place for them in the final third due to the quality of attacking players in the squad.
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Muller and Bayern have the chance to bounce back strongly from last weekend’s disappointment when Barcelona visits Allianz Arena on Tuesday. The Spanish club has been in fine form this season, so it will be a very good test for Bayern in the Champions League. A good performance against Barcelona will help in lifting the confidence of the team.