FC Bayern II: Reserves 16 game winning streak ends with a loss

After stringing together a 16 game winning streak stretching back to April of last season, the Bayern Munich reserve squad lost its first match of the 2013/2014 Regionalliga Bayern season this past Saturday, falling 2-1 to Eintracht Bamberg.

In front of 3,650 at the Fuchs Park Stadion in Bamberg, it was a night where the reserve squad dominated play and put together numerous aggressive chances on goal, yet lacked that elusive equalizer. Coach Erik ten Hag referred to it as a “miracle” that the reserves were unable to score.

In the 3’ of play, a poor pass and the ensuing midfield giveaway put Bamberg in a deadly position. It was one which left Bamberg striker Nicolas Görtler with the option to pound the ball past the diving Lukas Raeder for the early lead. Bayern equalized shortly before halftime when Mitchell Weiser broke free down the left and his cross found Tobias Schweinstiger for the finish; but this was not the result which held as 14 minutes into the second half, Görtler was played  1-on-1 with the Bayern goalkeeper. This attack ended as Raeder upended the striker for a deserved penalty call (astoundingly, Raeder did not receive a card for this). Midfielder Daniel Schaffler slotted the penalty to the right of the diving keeper for what would be the deciding goal. The reserves had several great chances on goal only to be denied each time before the final whistle blew and Bamberg walked out with the three points.

Bayern Munich II remain at the top of the Regionalliga table, 4 points ahead of Greuther Furth II who drew over the weekend. This upcoming week sees them face off against 11^th place Bayern Hof at the Grünwalder Stadion this Saturday while they travel to face 14^th placed Schweinfurt 05 at the Willy-Sachs Stadion in Schweinfurt next Tuesday. In all likelihood, this week should see the Bayern reserves garner an additional six points as they continue to charge for 3.Liga promotion.