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When Bayern Munich went down 1-0 against Mainz last week, it was the 8th game in a row in which the record champions had conceded the first goal. Bayern’s defense dropped off since Joshua Kimmich’s injury and never returned to its previous level despite the midfielder coming back to the team. Per a report by TZ, Bayern coach Hansi Flick wants to use the winter transfer window to bolster his defense. The club bosses however, don’t have any plans to loosen the purse strings this January.
Flick moving Joshua Kimmich to right back at half time against Mainz was crucial to stabilize the defense and set the team up for the 5-2 comeback. It once again exposed the current hole in this Bayern team — the right-back position.
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With current RBs Benjamin Pavard and Bouna Sarr not doing the job for Flick, the coach wants some fresh blood brought in this transfer window. The report however indicates that a transfer is unlikely as the club bosses have no plans to spend in this window coupled with the fact that there is no player currently available who would be better than the ones in the squad already.
While the club must be feeling the sting of missing out on Sergino Dest to Barcelona, they need to solve the right back problem if they are to defend the treble. The Bayern board most probably will come out on top of this stalemate with the coach — like they always do. Therefore, Flick will have to come up with a solution in the current squad.
Benjamin Pavard was one of the most consistent defenders last season for Bayern. This season however, the Frenchman has been a figure of inconsistency and frustration both in defense and the build up. If no signings are made, Hansi will have to work a lot of his magic on Pavard and return him to form.
Kimmich cannot be played as the primary right back as his presence in midfield is vital to Bayern, especially with Thiago Alcantara gone to Liverpool. Whether the club giving in to Flick’s wishes or mending the existing players, this will continue to be an interesting and tense theme for Bayern fans as the business end of the season waits on the other side of this transfer window.