Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. SC Freiburg; Real Madrid eyeing Kingsley Coman; Bayern Munich planning Thibaut Courtois to succeed Manuel Neuer?; Eden Hazard offered to Bayern?; and MORE!

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 2-1 win over Freiburg (Bavarian Football Works)

It was definitely not easy, but Bayern Munich rolled into the international break with a 2-1 victory over a very pesky SC Freiburg team that looks legit. Here are some quick hitters on the match:

• Julian Nagelsmann, again, switched only a couple of things up. Niklas Süle started on defense in place of Benjamin Pavard in what looked like that hybrid back (offense)/four-back (defense) formation.
• In this set-up, Alphonso Davies often functions more like a winger and Leroy Sane pushes in centrally. It has worked successfully for the most part, but also — sometimes — seems to create hole where Davies would normally be in a back-four defensively if he is not back quick enough to defend.
• The other downfall to this set-up reared its head against SC Freiburg: The spacing on offense was finally crowded enough to where Bayern Munich could not function optimally. Simply put, Sane’s presence in a more central spot, created a lot of congestion and the Bavarians could not figure out how to stay out of their own way at times. Spacing is so crucial and it seemed like today was the first time Bayern Munich had trouble navigating that.
• To me, it seems like Nagelsmann will push to a back-three next season if the club extends the contract of Süle. This alignment is all just preparation for that.
• Davies was buzzing early as he had two attempts in the first six minutes of the game.
• Predictably, SC Freiburg caused issues for Bayern Munich early on. Freiburg is no joke.
• Christian Streich might not always get results, but he always has his team ready to play and always comes up with a plan to at least (temporarily) fluster the opposition.
• Bayern Munich did not play a smart game early on. The Bavarians got sloppy with positioning and made some poor decisions.
• Sane had a great chance in the 21st minute, but needs a bit better of a right foot. Sane did not get a good piece of the ball on his shot.
• SC Freiburg clearly wanted the game more early. They were playing with passion, energy, and a lot of fight.
• Bayern Munich just did not look sharp at various points during the match. It was easy to see why SC Freiburg has been so successful this season. They played an attacking, relentless, and cohesive style.
• SC Freiburg’s press definitely have Bayern Munich some trouble. That will be something to keep an eye on moving forward.
• Even with that Leon Goretzka capitalized on some sustained possession in the 30th minute when Thomas Müller (who else) sent the midfielder a perfect ball after a determined run forward by Goretzka. The Germany international deposited his shot home easily for a 1-0 lead.
• The thing I like most about SC Freiburg this season is that it truly is a team that is more about its sum than its parts. Sure, they have good individual quality, but the way they play together is what makes them so quality.
• Robert Lewandowski did what he does, he scored in the second half to put Bayern Munich up 2-0. It was not his most clean game, but it is becoming incredibly hard to keep the Polish Hitman off of the scoresheet for an entire match these days.
• Lewandowski’s impact on games always goes further than the scoresheet these days. His ability to be a part of the build-up and his recognition of when to get wide to help beat the press in this match was fantastic.
• Here is to hoping Nagelsmann rotates more after this break.
• Overall, it was easy and it was not always pretty, but great teams find ways to win these types of games. Bayern Munich didn’t just that.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Madrid eyeing Coman? (Defensa Central)

It appears that Real Madrid will join FC Barcelona, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea as clubs that will pursue Kingsley Coman this summer:

Madrid have set their sights on Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman. The ‘Gallic’ player finishes his contract in 2023 and could be a market opportunity for the future. The German club could put him up for sale to avoid an ‘Alaba case’.

From the white team, they want to follow the plan established with Alaba and Coman could be the next player to come from Bayern Munich. The French winger is liked in the capital and his signing could be an option for the club. Coman finishes his contract in 2023 and everything points to the player not renewing with the German club.

Therefore, Munich do not want the same thing to happen as with Alaba and may put him up for sale this summer, despite being an important player for Julian Nagelsmann. Bayern want to cash in on one of their best players, although for the moment they are confident that Coman will be able to renew his contract and continue in Germany for a few more years.

ICYMI: The Weekend Warm-up Podcast — Season 1, Episode 24 (Bavarian Football Works)

Here we are...here the bleep we are! It’s the Weekend Warm-up Podcast coming off the heels of a big week for Bayern Munich. After a couple of big wins and just ahead of yet another international break, the Bavarians look like they are back to normal. Here is what we have on tap:

• A quick look at the successes over the past week in downing Union Berlin and Benfica.
• A little frustration about the lack of rotation in some key spots from Julian Nagelsmann.
• Why Marcel Sabitzer should be playing more, even if he hasn’t been great.
• Ditto for Jamal Musiala, who should also be getting more playing time.
• The latest on Niklas Süle’s contract situation and the rumored interest from Newcastle United.

Courtois as Neuer’s successor? (El Nacional)

Bayern Munich is allegedly interested in Thibaut Courtois as an eventual successor to Manuel Neuer (LOL — Neuer is playing until he’s 50!). Getting Courtois would be complicated, though:

Bayern Munich have not only looked at several Barça players, but have also shown a serious interest in some of Real Madrid’s stars. The team led by Julian Nagelsmann, which is one of the most fearsome in Europe, wants to strengthen the squad, and there are some positions that need to be improved. However, if there is one that is of particular concern, it is the goalkeeping, due to the advanced age of Manuel Neuer.

They have several candidates on the agenda, but, of all of them, one of the most liked by the board is Thibaut Courtois. Bayern will try to tempt Courtois, but it seems quite complicated that they will manage to get him from the Spanish capital, where he feels very integrated. And Madrid doesn’t seem to have the slightest interest in selling him either. Moreover, he renewed his contract in August, and it will be valid until 2026.

By the time Neuer retires, Courtois will probably be old himself.

Tolisso to push Winks out at Tottenham (Spurs Web)

There is at least some anticipation in London that Corentin Tolisso could be heading to Tottenham Hotspur:

Noel Whelan believes Winks could be the casualty if Tottenham strengthen their midfield ranks in January.

When asked about the Lilywhites’ approach for Tolisso, the former Leeds striker told Football Insider: “Would that mean an exit for Harry Winks? A way out of the club? Possibly. If another midfielder comes in then January is going to be busy in that midfield area for Tottenham with Dele Alli, Harry Winks and a new one coming in. Winks is still a great footballer, still a good edge and with the best football in front of him. Things have taken a bit of a turn for Harry. It’s probably not the direction that he thought he was going to be going in when he first burst onto the same.”

Bayern among teams passing on on Hazard (Daily Mail)

Bayern Munich was offered the chance to bring in Eden Hazard, but opted against it.

Hazard has not been right since transferring to Real Madrid from Chelsea FC. Whether it was his fitness, form, or whatever, there just always seems to be something up with Hazard.

It’s a shame because when he is on his game, Hazard is a lot of fun to watch:

Manchester United are reportedly one of four clubs to have rejected the chance to sign Eden Hazard as his struggles at Real Madrid continue.

Hazard, 30, has struggled to reach the heights that convinced the Spanish giants to splash out an initial fee of £89million two years ago, with performance-based incentives taking that figure to £150m. However, injuries have derailed the former Chelsea star’s progress in Madrid, where he has scored just five goals across 53 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos.

And now, with Hazard no longer in Ancelotti’s plans and club president Florentino Perez losing patience in him, it appears as if Real are looking to offload him sooner rather than later – but are struggling to do so, according to Catalan news site El Nacional.

The report claims that United have become the latest club to snub a move for the winger, with Bayern Munich, PSG and even Newcastle deciding against taking a gamble on the former Chelsea star.