Werder Bremen 0-4 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Harry Kane with a hard-won MotM performance on his first start for Bayern Munich — he looks like he’s justifying the fee, but the team has a long way to go if it wants to make full use of his talents.
• Thomas Muller leveled up Bayern’s attack as soon as he came on. The last 10 minutes of gameplay were more fluid and lethal than the preceeding 80, and it was all down to the Raumdeuter being on the pitch. Now just get him and Kane on the pitch at the same time, and Bayern will cook.
• Fans owe Mathys Tel an apology. Kane showed just how hard it is to get service in a system as stunted as Tuchel’s, and he proved he can pounce on unlikely chances in the final 15. Hopefully he keeps getting chances.
• Sven Ulreich had a solid performance in goal. Woo hoo!
• Leon Goretzka had “road to redemption” type of performance today. He’s not quote redeemed yet, but this was a good game from him that he can build on if he gets more chances.

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Want more discussion of the game? Then check out our post-game podcast! Catch it below or on Spotify:

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Full time: Bayern Munich win 4-0.

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90’+5’ — GOOOOOOOOOAL! Tel makes it 4-0 with an excellent shot.

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90’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Leroy Sane makes it 3-0, but it was a tap-in orchestrated by Thomas Muller.

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83’ — Subs: Muller, Choupo, and Tel on for Kane, Musiala, and Coman.

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74’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Harry Kane has opened his account in the Bundesliga!

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67’ — Sub: Kim Min-Jae off for Matthijs de Ligt.

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60’ — Kane finally gets some space and shoots, only to be denied by Pavlenka.

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58’ — Kingsley Coman hits the post! So close!

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45’ — The second half is underway!

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Halftime observations and analysis

• It was a strong start but Bayern Munich are exhibiting all the bad habits yet again. Sloppy passing, a lack of ideas in attack, and horrendous set pieces conclude the highlights from the first half.
• WHY. ARE. THEY. NOT. PASSING. TO. HARRY. KANE. Seriously, the guy is begging for a single crumb of service in this system. How can you buy a hundred million euro striker then forget to give him chances? WHAT IS GOING ON.
• Joshua Kimmich’s corners have gotten so bad even Derek Rae is making fun of them on international commentary.
• The longer it stays 1-0 the more precarious it gets. Bayern are making the mistake Germany always makes — not capitalizing on a good start.
• Kim Min-Jae has had an underrated half — his passing has been especially sharp and deserves mentioning.

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Halftime: Bayern Munich lead 1-0.

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45’+3’ — WHY ARE THEY NOT PASSING TO KANE. WHAT IS GOING ON.

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3’ — GOOOOOOOOAL! What a pass by Kane to unleash Sane! And it’s 1-0!

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Not only does Harry Kane make his first start for Bayern Munich, as does Kim Min-Jae. Meanwhile Konrad Laimer drops to the bench in place of Leon Goretzka, and Noussair Mazraoui starts in place of Benjamin Pavard at right-back. Thomas Muller finally returns to the matchday squad, making an appearance on the substitutes list.

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It’s matchday again and Bayern Munich kick off a new Bundesliga season with a clash against Werder Bremen! These two teams have more top flight seasons under their belt than anyone, which is a statement that probably brings tears to a HSV fan’s eye (but this ain’t about them).

Bayern won the league last season, but only just. It was the club’s worst title win of the last decade, and needed to be secured on the final matchday thanks to a late goal by Jamal Musiala and an epic choke job by Borussia Dortmund. Coach Thomas Tuchel is tasked with making sure the Bundesliga is won in a much less dramatic manner this time around, and he’s been given the tools to do it. Chief among them is Harry Kane, one of the best strikers in the world, whisked away from the English Premier League to feature in Bayern’s lineup.

No room for excuses now. Preseason is over.

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 on Spotify!

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Match Info

Location: Weserstadion, Bremen, Germany

Time: 8:30 pm local time, 2:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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