Four observations from FC Bayern II’s win over 1860 München in the Munich Derby

I really miss the Munich Derby. While the first teams from both clubs haven’t played each other in a competitive match since 2008, we got a double dose down in the 3.Liga this season when Bayern Munich and their amateur side took on the first team of 1860 Munich. It was a tight affair the whole game, but Bayern’s youngsters showed they were more than capable and looked like they improved from the reverse fixture, a 1-1 draw.

This team is going to miss Kwasi “Otschi” Wreidt

Just 15 seconds after the kickoff, Wreidt had a clear chance on goal. It’s clear that there’s a lot the 25-year-old has to offer, and it’s unfortunate that he hasn’t had many chances with the first team.

The first Bayern goal of the game came from an amazing run from Woo-yeong Jeong just at the stroke of halftime. The winger fought off a defender to get to a gorgeous through-ball. Wreidt came rushing into the box and put away an easy chance in front of a keeper-less goal to tie the game.

After this season, the Ghanaian striker is off to the Eredivise to play for Willem II. Honestly, you can’t blame him and his decision making. He’s scored more than 20 goals per season for FC Bayern II. In any other system, he’d probably be the team’s main striker by now. But, given the dominance of Robert Lewandowski, that obviously isn’t the case at Bayern. At 25, Wreidt is just about to enter his prime and needs to start on a first team to prove he can tear a league up. This is a perfect opportunity for him to show the what he’s all about.

There were times this team looked like pros...

When it came to attacking chances, this Bayern team really seemed to understand each other and played some very good chances into the box. Skilled play from Jeong and Wreidt, as well as wingers Nicolas Kühn and Leon Dajaku, sometimes overwhelmed and smothered the 1860 defense.

Bayern II’s buildup play was astounding, and the long passes from midfield were accurate and beautifully placed. Oftentimes, a long ball to Jeong would result in a break down the left-hand side where from there a low cross was played in. The Korean seems to have the pace necessary to keep up in this league, and it served as a breath of fresh air and adrenaline for this Bayern team when they needed it.

A perfect example came from Bayern’s second goal. A three-headed attacking force of Jeong, Wreidt and substitute Malik Tillman broke down the wing bearing down on three 1860 defenders. Wreidt’s layoff for Jeong was perfect, and the cross from the Korean to Tillman was world-class. All Tillman had to do was put his forehead on the ball and it went cleanly into the net.

...and they REALLY looked like an amateur side

Lapses along the back line in the first half really killed this team. The center-back pairing of Chris Richards and captain Nicolas Feldhahn seemed sluggish at times, and right-back Mert Yilmaz didn’t see much action along his side of the pitch.

The first and fortunately only goal for Die Löwen came from some poor passing and dribbling through the Bayern midfield. An easy interception led to an attack by Sascha Mölders, who outpaced Richards and slipped a shot past Ron-Thorben Hoffmann’s left side.

A more striking example came before halftime in the early stages of the 45th minute. Hoffman saved a shot off a 1860 player who beat Bayern left-back Derrick Köhn. Köhn, still amazed that he got beaten, looked at the sky with his hands in the air as Hoffman rolled the ball out to him. The keeper didn’t shout to him in time, Köhn didn’t see the ball, and 1860 intercepted it to put a shot on target — which Hoffmann thankfully saved.

I mentioned how the long balls from midfield looked accurate and wonderful. The same can’t be said for Bayern II’s short passing game. A bevy of missed passes, poor touches, and lack-luster possession defense resulted in 1860 breakaways that caught the back line off-guard.

Ron-Thorben Hoffmann kept Bayern in this game

You can’t blame him for the goal he allowed when you realize Mölders really only had pressure from Richards. Outside of that slip-up, Hoffmann had an amazing game cleaning up in front of goal.

1860 had many good attacking chances and yet, throughout the second half, Hoffmann showed his quality time and again. He was confident coming off his line to wrangle errant touches. His work deflecting and catching corners was superb and, in particular, one chance off a corner left an 1860 player with a wide-open chance on net that Hoffmann easily caught.

I don’t see him getting called up to the first team any time soon, especially given the log jam of goalkeepers the Bayern reserve side is about to get. But, that being said, Hoffmann’s performance tonight solidifies his place in the net for the final few games of the season. Hopefully, he’ll be able to back this up with more phenomenal work to earn his starting spot in net with the side next season.