Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen and MORE!

Die Folgen: Bayern vs. Werder Bremen (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich was able to hold off a pesky Werder Bremen side for a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Here are some quick hitters from the match:

• I liked the chances created by the front line players. Serge Gnabry’s brace obviously stole the offensive show, but Thomas Muller turned in another fantastic effort with his link up play, runs off the ball, and creativity in finding space. It was not a vintage Robert Lewandowski effort by any means, but how many times in the past would Bayern have folded if the Polish Hitman was off his game? It was good to see other players step up when Lewandowski was not clicking.
• David Alaba looks like he is close to hitting his top form once again.
• Before he got injured Franck Ribery was a putting in a solid effort as he tracked back defensively better in this match than he had all season. It is very unfortunate that he’s hurt now, after a couple of very solid performances.
• I really feel like the team’s goalkeepers and defenders need to go on a retreat over the winter break. Clearly, there are a lot of issues with positioning, communication, and decision making between Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels, etc. These issues aren’t getting worked out in regular training, so maybe the club takes some alternative measures to try and fix things.

• The Joshua Kimmich-Leon Goretzka double pivot is the new rage and rightfully so. The tandem has looked surprisingly good with each player complimenting the other very efficiently. There is a clearly a good partnership there and this could be a good foundation for Niko Kovač settling on a more streamlined look for his squad.
• I’m not going to lie, that lead photo is a tribute to my undying love of the Three Stooges....N’yuck, N’yuck, N’yuck!

If you missed our Match Awards or Observations, please give them a look.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge gets a lift amd other fan club visit shots (@Sky_Torben)

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has remarkable balance. There is zero shot that I would trust a bunch of smiling guys in lederhosen to hold me up like that...

Rummenigge wasn’t the only Bayern personality who got a warm welcome...

Manuel Neuer has other people toot his horn...

Sandro Wagner showed his group who the best German Foosball striker is...

Renato Sanches enjoys tussling a young fella’s hair...

Thomas Muller and Joachim Low had initial reactions to Germany’s Euro Qualifier draw (@esmuellert_)