Schalke 0-2 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• So Bayern Munich end 2022 with a disappointingly mute performance versus Schalke 04. The formation change from the beginning played a role, but we have to admit, Schalke were a lot better than expected. Only two goals today, with two assists from Jamal Musiala. Not a sensational game by any means, but these are the games that win you titles.
• Nagelsmann keeps subbing on young players way too late. Ryan Gravenberch and Paul Wanner should’ve come on sooner than they did, and Mathys Tel didn’t even play at all. Disappointing.
• Bundesliga refs continue to mystify with regard to added time. If a half sees five goals, you get only a minute of time if you’re lucky. If a half sees one goal, you get three added minutes for no reason. This is so dumb.
• Dayot Upamecano is such a complete defender. His turnaround from last season has been remarkable.
• Serge Gnabry picked a good moment to get into form. Let’s hope he keeps it going in the World Cup for Germany.

---

Interested in more analysis of the game? Why not check out our postgame podcast? We talk about Jamal Musiala’s impending stardom, how Thomas Muller STILL remains a key player on this Bayern side, and the overall quality of Nagelsball. Listen to it below or on Spotify.

As always, we appreciate all the support!

---

Full time: Bayern Munich win 2-0.

---

78’ — Subs: Paul Wanner and Ryan Gravenberch come on for Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman.

---

66’ — What an outrageous goal by Jamal Musiala. Too bad he was offside.

---

59’ — Sub: Matthijs de Ligt comes on for Leroy Sane.

---

52’ — GOOOOOOAL! Choupo-Moting makes it 2-0! Second assist for Musiala.

---

45’ — The second half is underway!

---

Halftime observations and analysis

• Bayern Munich do not look balanced in this setup. Having Stanisic on at right-back and moving Joshua Kimmich back to midfield would be the best play for Nagelsmann.
• Serge Gnabry seems to have found form right before the World Cup.
• Jamal Musiala is going to steal the show at the World Cup. What a player.

---

Halftime: Bayern Munich lead 1-0.

---

38’ — GOOOOOOOAL! Serge Gnabry makes it 1-0 from a Musiala backheel.

---

20’ — Bayern have 69% possession but cannot create chances.

---

Kickoff: We’re underway! Can Bayern Munich end 2022 with a win?

---

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! It’s far more offensive than we expected. Julian Nagelsmann fields a weird formation with FIVE attacking players — Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman. What’s the plan here? Get as many goals as possible? Well, we’ll see if this works out for Bayern Munich.

---

One last game before the World Cup.

Bayern Munich are top of the table and destined to remain their until the end of this year, but signing off on 2022 with a victory seems like an obligation rather than a bonus. Julian Nagelsmann will be sending his team off to the World Cup with a solid run of games behind them, and many of them — especially the German NT regulars like Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka, and Serge Gnabry — have had the benefit of basically trialing their international roles at club lever before the biggest tournament of their lives. They’ll have all the motivation they need to get things done here.

It’s Bayern time.

---

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify.

---

Match Info

Location: Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Time: 6:30 pm local time, 12:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

Tips for commenting:

1. If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself! We’re mostly very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.
2. If the comments section starts to slow down for you, just hit the refresh button and keep commenting. It’s not necessary to have the whole comments loaded at one time while you’re just casually following along.
3. Keep the sorting to “newest” to easily follow the conversation. It puts the newest comments at the top.
4. Here at BFW we celebrate every goal like they do in the stadium: with a chant. The goal chants are for everyone to participate in! Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on.
5. While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news, podcasts or something completely different, we have it all.