FC Copenhagen 1-2 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

There is really only one takeaway from this game. Bayern Munich have too much quality to lose, but are not good enough to win anything. Thomas Tuchel will not bring any glory with his brand of football. It’s insipid, uninspired, and literally causes every single player to regress before our eyes. His system can’t even let Harry Kane, a player who cost over a hundred million euros, get more than two touches a game.

Jamal Musiala and Thomas Müller saved their coach today, but will they ever play together? What was Konrad Laimer’s role in the midfield? How is Kingsley Coman being mishandled like this? Will Joshua Kimmich ever get back to his best?

Yet the wins keep coming, so Tuchel keeps coaching. Sometimes it feels like no team short of Manchester City or Real Madrid will actually be able to beat this Bayern team based on the players Tuchel has. Only, it’s not good enough to actually win anything, especially not the Champions League.

At this point, you can just listen to our breakdown of the draw versus Leipzig and decide if they sound unjustified. This team is not going anywhere.

Bayern Munich fans should be grateful that Manchester United are a total banter side otherwise qualification to the Ro16 would actually be in doubt.

Full time: Bayern Munich somehow won 2-1.

82’ — GOOOOOOOOOOAL! The subs have done it! Tel makes it 2-1 via Thomas Muller!

76’ — Subs: Thomas Muller, Leon Goretzka, and Mathys Tel are on! But Sane, Laimer, and Musiala are off.

67’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Jamal Musiala slots home a wonderful solo effort! 1-1.

55’ — Goal. Copenhagen have made it 1-0.

45’ — The second half is underway!

Halftime: FC Copenhagen 0-0 Bayern Munich.

40’ — Uhhhh did anyone tell them they can score?

Kickoff: We’re underway in Copenhagen!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Thomas Tuchel has opted to bench Leon Goretzka with Joshua Kimmich and Konrad Laimer pairing up in midfield, and Noussair Mazraoui starting at right-back. Otherwise, it’s exactly who we thought would start in the lineup for Bayern Munich — no Muller, Tel, or Peretz.

The last time Bayern Munich lost a Champions League group stage game, Carlo Ancelotti was still the coach, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery were still starters, and Borussia Dortmund fans could still remember what it was like to win a league title.

Since then, the world has changed drastically, but Bayern’s group stage record has not. Not all the games were wins, but there were zero losses.

Thomas Tuchel, therefore, has a chance to do something legendary. Since this is the last edition of the UCL with the current group stage format, he can allow Bayern Munich to sign off the group stage totally unbeaten in six years. To do that, all he needs to do is beat FC Copenhagen. With stars like Harry Kane, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala and co. to call upon, it feels like a win should be a foregone conclusion. Except it's never quite that simple in the Champions League — Tuchel will have to be wary.

It’s Bayern time.

Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 9:30 pm local time, 3:00 pm EST

TV/streaming: Paramount+, Find Your Country

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