Saarbrücken 2-1 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

This is what happens when everything comes to a head. Thomas Tuchel is going to be blamed for Bayern Munich losing to one of the worst 3.Liga sides in the DFB Pokal, but it also comes down on the board for the midfield situation and certain moments in the game that are down to the players. It’s hard to recognize this team right now — everything is just a complete mess.

One thing becomes certain, though. You can win as many 8-0 games as you like, but these matches — the ones that matter — they’re the ones that will always sink a team that’s unprepared for it.

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If you’re not done wallowing in the misery of this loss, you can check out our postgame review/rant about Thomas Tuchel and the state of Bayern Munich at the moment. Listen to it below or on Spotify.

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Full time: Saarbrücken 2-1 Bayern Munich.

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90’ — Goal. Saarbrücken have won it at the death. 2-1.

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85’ — No goals in this half, Bayern Munich look desperate.

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59’ — Subs: Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala come on for Bouna Sarr, Frans Krätzig and Leroy Sané.

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45’ — The second half is underway.

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Halftime: Saarbrücken 1-1 Bayern Munich.

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45’ — Goal. Saarbrücken have just made it 1-0. What a disaster for Bayern Munich.

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24’ — Sub: De Ligt is off for Laimer, Kimmich moves to CB.

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19’ — De Ligt is down and holding his knee. He’s come off and Bayern are down to ten now.

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16’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Thomas Müller makes it 1-0!

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: The game is going ahead and we have lineups! For whatever reason, Thomas Tuchel doesn’t want Leroy Sané to get any rest at all, but otherwise it’s a heavily rotated lineup from Bayern Munich. You have Bouna Sarr in the backline and Mathys Tel and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting up top, with Thomas Müller joining them. Interesting XI.

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At the risk of being washed out, Bayern Munich travel to face 3.Liga side 1. FC Saarbrücken in the DFB Pokal. The 2nd round of the Pokal is much like the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in that it’s deceptively hard to get past. Yes you can’t get a Manchester City in this round, but the single-game knockout style of the German cup means that strange things happen from time to time.

Thomas Tuchel has to balance his two major goals — winning the game and rotation for key players. Harry Kane and Leroy Sané could use some rest, while guys like Mathys Tel and Thomas Müller are long overdue some minutes. If the game goes ahead, who will he choose?

It’s Bayern time.

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

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Match Info

Location: Ludwigsparkstadion, Saarbrücken, Germany

Time: 8:45 pm local time, 3:45 pm EST

TV/streaming: DFBPlay, Find Your Country

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