Die Folgen: Bayern’s 5-1 win over Pafos FC (Bavarian Football Works) Bayern Munich took care of business in Cyprus as it took down Pafos FC 5-1. The Bavarians were dominant with their attack and used an exceptional first half to power the effort. The second half of the match was not as sharp, but it […]
Die Folgen: Bayern’s 5-1 win over Pafos FC (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich took care of business in Cyprus as it took down Pafos FC 5-1.
The Bavarians were dominant with their attack and used an exceptional first half to power the effort. The second half of the match was not as sharp, but it did not really matter and it was not anything to fret over.
Bayern Munich came, it saw, and it kicked ass. That was enough on the day. Here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- Vincent Kompany had some changes to lineup. Nicolas Jackson stepped in for Serge Gnabry, while Raphaël Guerreiro pushed Sacha Boey back to the bench. In addition, Kim Min-jae stepped in for Jonathan Tah at center-back. As expected, Aleksandar Pavlović played alongside Joshua Kimmich in the central midfield.
- Bayern Munich was dominant from the outset, but it was not as if Pafos FC was going to just roll over. In fact, Pafos FC defender Derrick Luckassen seemed intent on being as physical as possible with Luis Díaz.
- Bayern Munich star Harry Kane (who else?) would get the scoring started in the 15th minute after a nice feed from Michael Olise.
- Five minutes later, Guerreiro (!?) scored after a nice bit of work with Nicolas Jackson.
- Playing Guerreiro at left-back was not going to hurt Bayern Munich in this match and while that position might not be the best fit for the Portuguese veteran on a long-term basis, it did show (once again) that he has something left to offer the club.
- Olise would come up big once again and set up Jackson for his first goal in the 31st minute after a series of stepovers. From there, it was all Jackson, who likely felt like he had about 5,000 kilos off his shoulders. It was not the most smooth start to Jackson’s career.
- Jackson planted himself in some nice open space near the net and Olise fed him a great pass. With better finishing, Jackson could have had a hat trick.
- Kane would add a second goal in the 34th minute. What else can you say about the Englishman, he is just fantastic.
- Pafos lost every bit of energy after the fourth goal and maybe even before that, but it did dig down deep and battle back to be competitive.
- Olise seemed really intent on scoring a goal (Spoiler Alert: He eventually got one).
- In what could only be described as a feel good moment for Pafos FC (not for Bayern), Mislav Oršić put the home side on the board with a goal right before halftime. The goal came at the expense of Kim, who had a brutal turnover to set up Oršić for the score.
- Pafos FC came out heightened intensity in the second half and made life tough for the Bavarians, but Olise broke through in the 69th minute for a 5-1 lead.
- It was not the most inspired second half for Bayern Munich, but it was enough to leave Cyprus with three points.
- Overall, Bayern Munich did exactly what it needed to do — get three points and have a little fun in the process. Pafos FC was proud and feisty — and after getting knocked around to fall behind 4-0, the squad showed a lot of fight and a lot of desire. Still, Bayern Munich was just too good and its attack was too overwhelming. That was good enough…
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
City views Pavlo as Rodri’s successor (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Manchester City really might be contemplating a strong pursuit of Aleksandar Pavlović next summer:
It’s true: Manchester City are looking at Aleksandar Pavlović as a long-term Rodri successor because he’s doing very well at Bayern Munich. There’s always a good and a bad side to this. The good side is that he’s playing so well he’s interesting for the Premier League. The bad side is that the Premier League can pay a lot more. And yes, his salary at Bayern Munich could be up to €8m [£6.9m] (gross), we heard. But in England, of course, they can pay more. And, ultimately, the system Man City play now isn’t so different to the one when City first made a deal for Rodri.
Bayern Munich were also the table for him, but when City are knocking, it can get really difficult for Bayern. Now, you see, if City are searching a successor, they can identify the same profile again in Pavlović. That’s why it’s really really hard for Bayern, as he’s a player from Munich, a product of the club. He’s doing very well, but he’s not already at this level where he can be considered a crucial cog for club and country. So Bayern Munich have to be aware that they need to give him a new contract in order to save him for the Bundesliga.
For as strong as he started at Bayern Munich, Pavlović is still — largely — an unknown commodity on a global scale. The fact that Manchester City might be interested, could mean that Pavlović‘s anonymity is changing.
The Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl: Matchday 5 (Bavarian Football Works)
Matchday 5 gives us a much clearer sense of who’s in the title race this season.
Hence, in today’s Bundesliga Rundown, Marcus breaks down the top six clubs, including:
- Vincent Kompany’s knack for improving individual players – with Konrad Laimer as a prime example.
- Borussia Dortmund’s lapses in concentration and impressive four-win streak.
- RB Leipzig’s quiet resurrection– have they quietly become Bayern Munich’s main challenger?
- Crazy Eintracht Frankfurt: thrilling in attack (with Can Uzun), but extremely vulnerable in defence.
- VfB Stuttgart’s shaky back line, but a stronger squad depth than before.
- Bayer Leverkusen’s chaotic rebuild, and the art of building a new team from scratch.
- Plus plenty more!
Gunners eyeing Yildiz (Radio Radio)
Arsenal FC could be planning to make a move for Juventus winger and Bayern Munich academy product Kenan Yildiz:
At this stage of the season, much of Juventus ‘ attack depends on the intuition and skill of Kenan Yildiz. Not that the Bianconeri are dependent on the Turkish talent, but the number 10, at just twenty years old, has already become a regular starter, a player who guides most of the winning offensive moves.
Obviously, major European clubs have long since noticed Kenan Yildiz ‘s talent . For this reason, Juventus knows to expect concrete offers in the coming weeks. The club that, according to some recent rumors, has seriously eyed the Turk is Arsenal,
The Gunners , despite having a respectable forward roster, are keen to snatch one of Europe’s top talents from Juventus . Initial exploratory contacts have been initiated by the English club, who are also said to have made an offer ready to tempt Tudor’s team.
Arsenal are ready to put a significant sum on the table, around € 60 million , by adding Leandro Trossard . The Belgian winger has proven himself a valuable attacking asset for Arteta’s side in recent seasons.
The Trossard deal could undoubtedly be very useful to Juventus, but it seems unlikely the Bianconeri would sacrifice Yildiz so easily. Furthermore, a potential swap would mean Juventus would have to sell a 20-year-old with his entire career ahead of him and secure a player who is almost 31. Not exactly a bargain in that sense…
Not good for Gladbach (Bild via Get German Football News)
Tim Kleindienst recently spoke to Bild about his future and it sounds a bit ominous for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
“If I want to continue playing for the national team, the 2.Bundesliga would probably be the wrong path,” Kleindienst said.
Yikes.
With the striker situation still a bit unsettled, Kleindienst still has as good a chance as anyone to start for Germany once he gets fully healthy.
Bavarian Podcast Works— Flagship Show: Season 8, Episode 12 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich is cruising and heading into another Champions League, so let’s take a look at the factors that have powered the team so far.
Harry Kane has been a beast, the squad is driven, and — by and large — personnel decisions have worked out well. Let’s get into all of that and more on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show. This is what we have on tap:
- Why has Harry Kane been better than ever? (Less need for him to work in build-up, better complimentary players around him — losing Sane and Coman was massive, more aggressive attacking game plan and sometime more direct, truly the focal point).
- Is it possible that Harry Kane will stay at Bayern Munich? He is not dismissing the possibility.
- Yes! We avoided a #BayernKaren situation. We are rejoicing this in Philadelphia.
- Tying up some loose ends — let’s check in on Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, João Palhinha, Paul Wanner, Mathys Tel, and Adam Aznou.
Kovač wouldn’t mind Schlotterbeck extension (Sky Germany’s Patrick Berger)
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač would be a fan of the club extending the contract of center-back Nico Schlotterbeck:
“That’s a question for Sebastian Kehl. I don’t know how far the discussions have progressed. As a coach, though, I would be very pleased if he extends. They should step on the gas. I’m assuming it will work out,” said Kovač.
Mourinho to bring in Benzema? (ESPN)
The Special One could be looking to bring in an old friend — Karim Benzema:
New Benfica manager Jose Mourinho is keen to be reunited with his former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to Marca. The Al Ittihad player is pondering a return to Europe in January, with Benfica among those interested in acquiring his services. Benzema, 37, has been in Saudi Arabia since July 2023, having joined Al Ittihad on a free transfer from Real Madrid. As per Marca, the SPL club’s slow start to the new season has opened the door to a potential exit.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: Bayern Munich 4-0 Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)
Bayern Munich was the home side in the Bundesliga on Friday when Werder Bremen came to town.
The Bavarians decimated the visitors 4-0 in a game that was never really close. Bayern Munich was relentless and dominant in every aspect of the match. It is not as if Werder Bremen did not try, but the players just could not match up with the machine that was Bayern Munich.
Let’s get into all of the details — here is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show:
- A look at the starting XI — Tom Bischof and Leon Goretzka got the nod in the central midfield because Joshua Kimmich was sick.
- A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
- Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.
Category: General Sports
