Bayern Munich: Key takeaways from 2-0 win against Freiburg
On matchday two of the Bundesliga, in the first home game of the season, Bayern Munich hosted Freiburg in front of a jam-packed attendance at the Allianz Arena. It was a deserved 2-0 victory with some overall improvement compared to the season-opening 3-2 win at Wolfsburg a week earlier. However, it’s clear that new coach Vincent Kompany is still working towards finding his ideal starting XI.
It was far from a perfect performance from Bayern Munich, but two wins out of two is a perfect way to start life in Bavaria for Vincent Kompany. Let us look at the key takeaways from the win against Freiburg on Sunday.
Changes in the starting lineup and formation
Vincent Kompany made two changes to the team that started a week ago against Wolfsburg. Raphael Guerreiro replaced Alphonso Davies in the left-back position. Joshua Kimmich made the switch from midfield to right-back, so Sacha Boey had to be content with a place on the bench. After being a starter the previous weekend, Boey like Davies, was also an unused substitute against Freiburg. Mathys Tel was deployed on the left wing in his first Bundesliga start of the season.
The coach also changed the formation from a 4-2-3-1 to that of a 4-1-4-1. It was an attacking lineup in the first home game of the season. Interestingly enough, Aleksandar Pavlovic sat in front of the back four as the lone defensive midfielder. Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise played higher up the pitch, just behind striker Harry Kane, as a pair of number tens, flanked by Serge Gnabry on the right and the aforementioned Mathys Tel on the left. It should be noted that Olise, at times, played as one half of a double ten pairing under Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace. Time will tell if Kompany will continue with Olise and Musiala as two number tens in the starting XI.
With the help of the attacking formation, Die Roten dominated possession but the goals didn’t come easily as the visitors sat deep and countered well. Bayern fans had to wait until the 38th minute before Kane made it 1-0 from the penalty spot in the first half.