Three observations from Bayern Munich’s scrappy 2:1 win over Wolfsburg

Bayern Munich was like a fidget spinner

Get it? Because of all the rotation. I’m sorry I made you read that with your own two eyes.

With a Champions League clash against Besiktas looming over the horizon, Jupp Heynckes opted for a totally changed lineup from the one Bayern Munich is used to playing. The midfield consisted of Corentin Tolisso, Sebastian Rudy, and the recently returned Thiago Alcatara. They were tasked with shielding the completely changed defensive pairing of Javi Martinez and Niklas Sule. In attack, Sandro Wagner started up front, flanked on either side by Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. Even the fullbacks were rested.

The commentator during the game said it best:

If you’re sending scouts from Besiktas to watch this game then you’re wasting your time.

While Bayern Munich were lucky to get away with a win (more on that later) it was a squad management masterclass from Jupp Heynckes. With this, Don Jupp will have all his best players fully rested and raring to go in midweek. Managing minutes will be key if Bayern want to mount a challenge on all three fronts this year, and Jupp Heynckes continues to prove that he is up to the task. Take that, Carlo Anti-rotate-celotti.

Sebastian Rudy was not the midfielder that we didn’t pay for

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Sebastian Rudy had a horrendous display on the day. Sloppy passing, poor positioning, and a general lack of quality dogged the former Hoffenheim man’s performance. It’s not as if his partners had a great time of it, but Thiago Alcantara and Corentin Tolisso were both much more influential and overall sharper in their quality of play.

These kinds of performances happen for every player. However, in Rudy’s case they’re happening far too frequently. A midfielder of Bayern’s quality cannot be putting in such performances day-in and day-out. If Rudy does not shape up soon, he could find his Bayern tenure cut disappointingly short - just like a certain other Sebastian.

Sandro Wagner reminds us of his quality

Isn’t it great to have a backup striker who can score goals when you need him to? A lot of people were skeptical when Bayern Munich signed Sandro Wagner. It was considered a largely unnecessary investment by some, considering the fact that he had no chance of starting ahead of Robert Lewandowski.

Now, with two goals in just 170 minutes of play, Wagner is showing his worth. His presence means that Lewandowski can chill on the bench ahead of big games (as was the case today) and his goalscoring chops means that Bayern aren’t left destitute when playing without their star striker. These are the types of players big clubs like Bayern Munich need, if they are to challenge for trebles.