FC Bayern makes a big statement in the Bundesliga and beats VfB Stuttgart 4-0. But the evening in the Munich Arena brings more than just cause for joy. National player Aleksandar Pavlović is seriously injured.
FC Bayern also needs a bit of luck, even on a Bundesliga evening that ends 4-0. If Stuttgart’s Josha Vagnoman had used his top chance to present new national player Jamie Leweling (54th), there would probably be bigger debates in Munich. About result crises, about game ideas and maybe also about Harry Kane. But the VfB right-back hit the ball just over Manuel Neuer’s goal. It was the last greeting from the Swabians that evening. The last attempt to plunge FC Bayern into an actual crisis. Before this game, Munich had gone three times without a win.
There had been slight doubts about Vincent Kompany’s game idea. Is the young coach letting his team storm too euphorically? Proof of this theory was the goals conceded recently, most of which came after counterattacks. At the end of that Saturday evening, no one was talking about this topic anymore. There were too many others. A few pleasant ones for FC Bayern, a few less pleasant ones. The good news: In addition to dominance, the team has also regained its effectiveness. This time the Munich team didn’t play quite as powerfully as last time, perhaps as a result of their short winless streak, but they were ice-cold.
Especially Harry Kane. There was also a small debate about the English star striker, initiated by the great Bayern complainer Dietmar Hamann. He criticized Kane for not scoring against the big opponents. Max Eberl barked back that the expert had a constant recurring “tinnitus”. Kane couldn’t care less, and if he did care, he responded impressively. He scored three goals, one with a frustrated shot from distance, two more in the classic center forward position. “Respect,” said VfB striker Deniz Undav, “he let it all out on us, a world-class striker, you can only take your hat off.” The Englishman scored Bayern’s first flawless hat-trick since Robert Lewandowski in his surreal five-goal gala in eight minutes and 59 seconds against VfL Wolfsburg in 2015.
“Always said that we need a deep squad”
Kane has shown that he is a “killer,” said sports director Eberl on Sky. A greeting to Hamann, who is an expert at the TV station. Kane pocketed the “killer” ball and will give it to his son on Sunday morning. Kane was in great spirits and dispelled any self-doubt. “I’ve always believed in myself and my abilities, even a few goalless games won’t change that,” said Kane. The reason for the important and powerful victory? “In the second half we were on a different level.” His coach saw it that way too. “Stay patient, don’t get counterattacks,” is what he told his team at half-time, said Kompany. There was special praise for Kane: “Three goals, but very importantly, he helped us keep the zero.”
In the successful second half, Aleksandar Pavlović was no longer on the pitch. Already in the fifth minute, FC Bayern’s great hope and the national player was hit on the shoulder from a great height. He could no longer continue and was brought off the pitch, supported by Thomas Müller, among others. The people of Munich quickly became very worried and feared, long before the diagnosis, that they would receive bad news. This was confirmed late in the evening. The 20-year-old broke his collarbone. This results in a long pause. He probably won’t be on the pitch again this year. “It’s really, really dramatic for Aleks,” said Eberl. “But we have always said that we need a deep squad.” This is actually what we need right now.
A little praise for Palhinha
“The loss is bitter. Pavlovic was one of our best players at the moment,” said Kompany. “Now unfortunately we have to do it without Pavlovic.” The game against Stuttgart showed how this can work. Joao Palhinha, who hasn’t really arrived in Munich yet, came into the game and had some good moments. Especially in counter-pressing. These skills made him the “Holding Six” that ex-coach Thomas Tuchel wanted. But it wasn’t until Tuchel was gone, with Uli Hoeneß throwing a lot of anger at him, that the Portuguese came to Munich. But Kompany didn’t see him (regularly) in the first team. That might change now. There is another candidate, Leon Goretzka, but he is further down the hierarchy. And Konrad Laimer, also an option, seems more likely to be on the right side of defense.
Kompany had immediate praise for Palhina. “We changed and stayed strong or even got stronger.” The next stress test for Bayern’s new strength will be on Wednesday. Then the Munich team will face ex-coach Hansi Flick in the Champions League against FC Barcelona.
