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Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-0 smashing of Die Königsblauen (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich overpowered Schalke 04 4-0 on Sunday in a very impressive effort for the league leaders. There were a lot of positives to take from the performance, so here are some quick hitters on the match:
- Schalke 04’s awful pitch lived up to its billing. There were numerous slips, slides, and losses of footing throughout the game.
- Thomas Müller continues to show why — outside of Bavaria — he is one of the world’s most underrated and under appreciated players. Sure, his goals were fantastic, but his overall work rate and presence on the pitch makes so much of a difference for Bayern Munich.
- I think I’m ready to anoint Joshua Kimmich as the world’s best midfielder. The man can do it all. With three assists yesterday and a rock solid two-way effort, Kimmich continues to show why he has the chops to be considered in that truly elite class of player.
- Robert Lewandowski simply cannot be denied when he sets his mind to scoring. His balance, quick ball control, and lightning-fast release on his shot were just out of this world as he scored Bayern Munich’s second goal.
- Niklas Süle was really impressive at right-back again. Süle was a dynamic presence pushing into the offensive end.
- Manuel Neuer was very, very good once again. It’s nice to have Neuer as the last line of defense and it was a well-deserved second consecutive clean sheet.
- Leroy Sane was not great, but at least he was pretty relaxed after being subbed off:
Sane after his substitution.. pic.twitter.com/sienVlqYto
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia2) January 24, 2021
- Sane is, in many ways, both amazing and frustrating and that has nothing to do with the picture above.
- David Alaba’s shot was fantastic, but man, Ralf Fährmann was dealt a bad hand by his teammates on that. Not only did no one step to challenge Alaba, but his own teammates essentially screened him and prevented him from having any good line of sight on the shot.
- Jerome Boateng was very solid on the day.
- It is sacrilege to say here, but Alphonso Davies has not been great this season — but his issues aren’t major. He needs more seasoning and refinement of his skills. Right now, the young Canadian is overly reliant on his incredible pace to recover and snuff out his mistakes. Just imagine what Davies will look like when he improves his ball skills, ability to read aerial balls, and decision-making.
- Overall, a terrific and convincing win for Bayern Munich. The Bavarians went into Gelsenkirchen and took care of business in an impressive fashion, which is all you can ask.
If you missed out Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
That tunnel view never gets old (@JohnFinom)
The pitch might have been awful at the Veltins-Arena, but the tunnel will always be so cool:
@s04_us has one of the best tunnel entrances in sports. pic.twitter.com/WhN1lII1Fh
— John Finlayson (@JohnFinom) January 24, 2021
Rummenigge as Bane? (@ManuelVeth)
Bayern Munich CEO Karl Heinz Rummenigge walked into Gelsenkirchen, tossed on this mask, and declared, “We come here not as conquerors but as liberators, to return control of this city to the people.”
What!? pic.twitter.com/1u1flVgeVj
— Dr. Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) January 24, 2021
As much as I would love to believe this was Rummenigge “breaking bad”, the mask was really used to help the CEO avoid having his glasses fog up while wearing a conventional mask (per Bild).
Tolisso to PSG? (PSG Talk)
With the rumors of Corentin Tolisso being available for sale this summer, it was only a matter of time before Paris Saint-Germain was linked to the midfielder:
The German media outlet reports that the Bavarian club wants to avoid a David Alaba situation where they allow a player to leave on a free transfer. Bayern Munich has reportedly made a list of clubs that could be interested in the France international, which includes PSG.
PSG sporting director Leonardo has made it known that he’d like to add more French talent, and potentially adding Tolisso can solve two issues with one player. Tolisso has one-year left on his contract, and the report doesn’t state the asking price from the German club, but Transfermarkt has the 26-year-old’s transfer value at €25.5-million.
Many Bayern Munich fans are still tantalized by Tolisso’s potential — and rightfully so. The 26-year-old is a viable player in a tough position behind the likes of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. Tolisso also has shown that explosive element to his game since experiencing a major knee injury.
In the end, it is probably best for his career if Tolisso can find a home that would allow him to be a regular starter.
Lewy still leads by A LOT (@Bundesliga_EN)
Robert Lewandowski is scoring at an insane rate in the Bundesliga, but he has some talented players chasing him:
Death, taxes and Robert Lewandowski scoring #BLMatchday pic.twitter.com/FCJ561D8xZ
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 24, 2021