VfL Bochum 4-2 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• That was diabolical. I don’t know what Nagelsmann was thinking by sending the team out with only a single midfielder, but it didn’t work. This wasn’t Bayern Munich’s worst game of the season, but it was close.
• Dayot Upamecano is becoming a problem. At this rate, it feels like not holding onto Sule and Alaba is going to have serious consequences for Bayern’s defense.
• Robert Lewandowski was a one man show today. Got two goals and hit the crossbar. He was the only one who played upto par. Everyone else was either mediocre or outright terrible.
• Does Gnabry even want a new contract?
• No words for this. We better have answers before going up against Salzburg, or else the Champions League dream will end early.

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Full time: Bochum 4-2 Bayern Munich.

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85’ — Lewandowski hasn’t given up yet! He hits the crossbar from a free kick (that he won himself).

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74’ — GOAL! Lewandowski scores! It’s 4-2 now, could a comeback happen?

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63’ — Sub: Yeah that’s it I suppose. Choupo-Moting comes on for Thomas Muller.

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45’ — Well we’re back, I don’t wanna watch this.

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Halftime: Bochum lead 4-1. No words to describe this.

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43’ — Goal. I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT’S HAPPENING.

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39’ — Goal. WHAT IS HAPPENING? Gamboa scores a screamer. WHAT IS THIS?

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37’ — Goal. Bochum convert their penalty. Bayern are down 2-1.

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36’ — Upamecano handball. Oh no, the ref blows for a penalty.

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13’ — Goal. Bochum get one back. Poor from Sule and Ulreich. Yikes.

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8’ — GOAL! Robert Lewandowski opens the scoring early!

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Kickoff: We’re underway in Bochum!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! It’s tough to figure out what kind of formation the team is going to use. Nagelsmann seems to have lined Bayern Munich up with a single midfielder in Kimmich and FOUR center backs and three wingers. Huh? Anyway, Lewandowski and Muller are there so it’s all good (for now).

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It’s been a week since Bayern Munich last took to the pitch, but the injury situation at the club hasn’t gotten any better. If anything, it’s somehow gotten worse. Julian Nagelsmann now has to deal with the loss of Manuel Neuer, on top of the prolonged absences of Leon Goretzka and Alphonso Davies. With a Champions League game against RB Salzburg coming up in midweek, this is an uncomfortable situation for the coach to be in.

VfL Bochum consider themselves friends to Bayern, but that friendship will probably be left on the sidelines when these two teams meet at the Ruhrstadion. While the fans may enjoy a great relationship, the players of both sides will be vying for all three points. While Bochum may look secure in 11th place, a quick glance at the points column shows them only three points away from a relegation playoff spot. Bayern, meanwhile, want to keep as much daylight between them and Borussia Dortmund as possible.

The last time these two sides met, it was a 7-0 victory for Bayern with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabry all getting on the scoresheet. With this far more depleted side manage to do anything similar?

It’s Bayern time.

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

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Match Info

Location: Ruhrstadion, Bochum, Germany

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

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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