Fortuna Dusseldorf 0-4 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial observations and reactions

• Lewandowski is human. Robert Lewandowski fails to score for the first time this Bundesliga season, only the second time in all competitions. Although he didn’t score, Lewy was dangerous in the attack. He played unselfishly, often looking to pass first rather than trying to score himself.
• Today’s three points were massive. With ‘Gladbach losing in Berlin, Bayern has pulled within a point of the league leaders with today’s win. After some early setbacks this season, Bayern could get back to the top of the table within the next couple weeks.
• Hansi Flick is doing something right. Actually, he is doing a lot right! In three games (on Champions League, one Klassiker, and one away game) Bayern has not allowed a goal. In fact, today is the first time that they even allowed a shot on goal. Bayern are looking to be in top form. Hansi is making it hard for Bayern’s top brass to bring in a different coach

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90’— Final whistle! Dusseldorf 0-4 Bayern

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87’— Dusseldorf substitution. Zimmer on for Thommy

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82’ — Hennings gets behind Bayerns line and into the box, but fires a shot over the bar.

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79’— Dusseldorf substitution. Sobottka on for Kownacki

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77’— Bayern substitution. Goretzka in for Kimmich.

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76’ — The ball hits the back of the net after a mixup along Bayern’s backline, but the offsides flag goes up and cancels the Dusseldorf goal.

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71’— Bayern substitution. Tolisso out for Thiago.

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70’— GOAL!! Philippe Coutinho assisted by Lewandowski on a counter attack.

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66’ — Dusseldorf substitution. Fink off for Suttner

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65’ — Lewandowski gets two chances, both with his head. Perisic whipped in a ball for Lewy which Steffen saved out of bounds. Then on the ensuing corner, he put the ball well over the ball.

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63’ — Bayern substitution. Gnabry off for Perisic

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58’ — Dusseldorf’s Ahyan is down after colliding with Courtnho. After a brief delay, we are again underway.

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55’ — Foul given against Tolisso. Dusseldorf was upset that the ref didn’t allow for the play to continue for advantage. After a brief delay for protests, the play is resumed.

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49’ — Bayern wins a free kick and a corner kick in quick succession. Steffen gathers the ball and Dusseldorf gets a shot on goal. The ball comes back to Bayerns end and then breaks the other way. End to end play to begin the first half.

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46’ — Second half is underway

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Halftime reactions and observations

• Bayern has dominated both sides of the ball. Bayern has dominated possession. Their attack has been deadly the whole time and their defense has done the job. Everyone is involved all over the field.
• Mistakes have cost Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf has given the ball away poorly and Bayern have pounced on those mistakes. The second goal is the biggest example. Steffan passed the ball directly to Bayern and they scored after 2 passes.
• Full backs are shining — Pavard has been heavily involved with most chances that Bayern have had. He got credit for the first goal, although the jury is still out on whether he touched in on its way in. Davies has been quiet, because Beyern is keeping everything on the right side. But on defense Davies has been cool, calm, and collected.

Halftime — Fortuna Dusseldorf 0-3 Bayern Munich

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45’— 1 minute of stoppage time announced

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40’ — Bayern wins a freekick in the attack half after Muller is fouled. Ensuing kick is dangerous, but Bayern is called offsides

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36’ — Yellow Card. Dusseldorf’s Hennings for a bad foul on Alaba.

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33’ — GOAL!! Serge Gnabry assisted by Muller. Stands up after VAR check.

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31’ — Lewandowski dribbles and turns to get away from three defenders and passes the ball Gnabry at the backpost, who smashes it off the post.

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26’ — GOAL!! Corentin Tolisso assisted by Gnabry!

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24’ — Coutinho just barely misses a flick, after a laser of a cross comes in from Pavard.

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22’ Yellow Card — Javi Martinez for a bad foul

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19’ — Muller puts Lewandowski into the box with a great pass. Lewy get in on goal, but pushes the ball wide.

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17’ — Granbry gets to the byline and whips a ball back to Lewandowski at the penalty spot, but Lewy is surrounded again and can’t get a good shot off.

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11’ GOAL — Benjamin Pavard assisted by Kimmich after a short corner!

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5’ — Ball is played into Bayern’s box after some methodical buildup. Lewandowski gets the ball and puts it on his left foot, but the shot is blocked.

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Kickoff — We are underway in Dusseldorf!

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One hour until kickoff: Lineups are out! Leon Goretzka is rested, while Philippe Coutinho starts on the wing. Corentin Tolisso starts next to Joshua Kimmich in midfield. This is a good time to rest Kingsley Coman given that he suffered a muscle injury while playing for France.

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The international break is finally over! Bayern Munich return to action in the Bundesliga against Fortuna Dusseldorf, who will be hoping to take a few points from the Bavarians like they did in the Hinrunde of last year.

Hansi Flick has an almost-full squad for the game. Lucas Hernandez, Niklas Sule, and Jann-Fiete Arp are injured, while Jerome Boateng is suspended for his red card against Eintracht Frankfurt. That leaves the team dangerously thin in defense, but Flick has Alphonso Davies and David Alaba to fill in where needed.

In attack, recent reports suggest that Philippe Coutinho will return to the lineup at the expense of Thomas Muller, and that Thiago Alcantara might bench Leon Goretzka for the game. This may be the manager’s attempt at keeping his players happy, given how Niko Kovac was criticized for his lack of rotation. With Robert Lewandowski in the form that he’s in, and the opponents being Dusseldorf, it’s not a bad time to experiment.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Esprit Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany

Time: 3:30 pm local time, 9:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: Fubo.tv, Find Your Country

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