Werder Bremen 1-3 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations:

• The Bayern Munich defense had a solid game with Frenchmen Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard impressing with their tidy work at the back. The defense did well to cover up some of the lapses by the midfield, especially in the first half.
• Werder Bremen failed to trouble Bayern until the 85th minute when they scored their lone goal on the counter to deny Manuel Neuer his cleansheet.
• Lewandowski was very unfortunate today as he hit the woodwork 4(!) times. It could have easily been 5 goals to his name if not was for his bad luck and Bremen’s best player, the goalpost.
• Kingsley Coman had a great game terrorizing the opposition defense and making silky runs through the flanks of Werder.
• Serge Gnabry showed flashes of his genuine brilliance as he looks to be on his way back to form.

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FT — Bayern seal another away win with the scoreline at 1-3.

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86’ — Goal for Werder. Bayern had a lapse in concentration that the homeside managed to capitalise on and score their first goal of the night.

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79’ — Substitutions. Lewandowski, Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman are brought off for Jamal Musiala, Choupo-Moting, Marc Roca and Leroy Sane.

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67’ — GOAL! Lewandowski finally gets his goal that has been evading him all night. Bayern go 3 goals up.

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46’ — The second half kicks off!

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Halftime Observations:

• Bayern dominated Werder for most of the first half after a fairly even first 10 minutes.
• Kimmich and the midfield uncharacteristically gave the ball away too easily a number of times.
• The French defensive duo of Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard had a solid first half syncing superbly with Boateng and Davies despite having little playtime lately.
• Hitman Lewandowski’s half was one of frustration as he was the target of constant physical pressure and was on the receiving end of a few knocks. Having said that, Bremen still didn’t manage to keep him out of the game as Lewy contributed with a few dangerous balls into the box that should have been put away.

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45’ — Halftime!

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35’ — GOAL! Serge Gnabry scores the second goal finishing a superb pass from Muller.

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22’ — GOAL! Bayern open the scoring with Goretzka’s header off of a Kimmich cross.

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1’ — Lewandowski goes down after a knock from Toprak, he does look fine and play continues.

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KICKOFF! The game is underway in Bremen!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard start after a looooong hiatus, while Serge Gnabry starts on the wing. Leroy Sane and Niklas Sule are rested. David Alaba is out of the game with muscular problems.

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Can Bayern Munich keep winning games? That’s the question on everyone’s mind at the moment. With only two points separating 1st and 2nd place, every game has now become a must-win. Especially this one against Werder Bremen.

Hansi Flick has to deal with the possible absence of David Alaba, which means that Lucas Hernandez might get his first chance to start in weeks. The Frenchman will want to make the most of this opportunity, hopefully dispelling notions of a summer exit from everyone’s minds. Meanwhile, Bayern failed to score more than one goal against Bremen in the Hinrunde, and Robert Lewandowski will want to rectify that mistake. Scoring goals is one thing this side does incredibly well, but having an off day against Bremen isn’t gonna cut it.

With RB Leipzig dropping a disasterclass against Liverpool and getting knocked out of the UCL, Nagelsmann’s men have nothing to distract them from making a title push. Bayern have to be impeccable for the next run of games, or risk missing out on the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2013.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Weser Stadium, Bremen, Germany

Time: 3:30 pm local time, 9:30 am EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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