Bayern Munich II drops disappointing 3-1 decision to FC Ingolstadt 04

Bayern Munich dropped a really disappointing 3-1 decision to FC Ingolstadt 04 in 3.Liga action earlier today. It was a sloppy and choppy effort for the Bavarians, who were just “off” for the game’s entirety. Here are some quick takes on the match:

• After Timo Kern opened up the scoring in the third minute, it was pretty much a slop fest with neither team able to really establish control in the first half. The beautiful game...it was not.
• Ingolstadt eventually won the battle for possession in the first half with a 56% to 44% edge over the young Bavarians, but it was far from pretty for both sides.

Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

• As the game got sloppier, it also got more physical. Bayern II was assessed three yellow card and Ingolstadt had one at the half. The end tally was five for Bayern Munich II and two for Ingolstadt.
• Just to show how sloppy the game was, Bayern Munich II had just a 78% pass completion rate in the first half. It appears that the lack of consistency and cohesion within the lineup is really having a detrimental effect, which has been one of my primary fears about the squad from the beginning of the season. I feel like they just need game time together, but this is a year where that might not happen.
• Bayern just could not get anything going up the field. They really struggled in transitioning the ball from the defensive end to the midfield especially. Tiago Dantas helped a bit with that in the second half, but he had trouble — like everyone else — in the first half.
• Ron-Thorben Hoffmann was solid in the first half, but completely frozen on a daft header from Caniggia Elva, a 24-year-old by way of Canada and St. Lucia. That effort knotted the game and Hoffmann had no chance on making a stop. Hoffmann later showed his mettle with a big save in the 63rd minute. Even in giving up three goals, Hoffmann put forth a very impressive effort.
• Bayern Munich II came out a little more motivated and was much more sharp in the second half, but it was not enough.
• Leon Dajaku has a lot of talent, but he’s also got a lot of maverick in him. He wants to take on everyone. If he can learn to reign it in, he could be a noteworthy prospect.
• Fiete Arp made a fantastic run and dribble through the Ingolstadt defense in the 67th minute to rip off a shot that was pushed out wide. Arp has shown he is dangerous with the ball on his foot, but the problem with yesterday was actually getting him the ball. His movement could have been better for sure. Overall, I would have liked to see Arp more active and checking-in. He tended to stay too high at times, especially when it was clear that the defenders and midfielders were having issues moving the ball up field.
• Unfortunately, Ingolstadt took a 2-1 lead when substitute Dennis Eckert made a unbelievable dive into the box to head home a cross in the 72nd minute. Despite Bayern Munich’s II’s improved play over the course of the game, Ingolstadt was just better when it mattered.
• Maximilian Biester’s extra-time goal added to the misery for Bayern Munich II and gave the game its final margin.
• Jamie Lawrence was a bright spot at times defensively for Bayern Munich II, but this was a poor showing overall defensively and in the midfield as a unit — particularly the first half.
• Bayern Munich eventually won the possession games (51%), but still lost anyway. In the end, Ingolstadt might have just wanted it more.

That’s a wrap. Hopefully Bayern Munich II can work through its current form in time to make a run at the league in the second half of the season.