We're playing at home vs a Union Berlin side that got their first taste of continental football after losing 3-1 vs Slavia Praha in the Conference League, which given the added burden to an already thin squad and the fact that we've had an extra day of rest means anything less than a win is unacceptable, however this usually the sort of match where we take ourselves out of the title race by dropping points. Brandt picked up a muscle injury on Wednesday so he's unavailable. Win this game and please, I beg you to keep a clean sheet.
Due to the personnel problems in midfield, U23 player Tobias Raschl could slide into the squad. The 21-year-old at least took part in the final training session.🗞 @RNBVB #BVB pic.twitter.com/MVw6fDnUx9— BVB Newsblog (@bvbnewsblog) September 18, 2021
Haaland 2:0. Frankly, that's the kind of dominance we should expect to see against most teams in the league.
Malen needs to get "off the schneid" and score his first to get the pressure off. He's forcing it too much and keeps losing the ball needlessly.
I'm sorry we just can't allow him to leave. That's just bloody blasphemy. Just make it happen, I don't care how much it cost!!
We won, but I'm not happy about the goals conceded and how we nearly allowed Union to get back into the game. We need to correct those mistakes. Now let's focus on BMG, and for fvck's sake improve the fvcking defence.
Another win. This season I am just going to enjoy it. We don't have the squad to realistically expect anything major, but we should finish 2nd and make the CL last 16. It's really annoying that BT have lost the rights and SKY have the rights in the UK, but don't show the matches.
Still see very few signs of the defence improving, but going forward it looks good. Haaland and Reus have to stay fit, rest them whenever possible. Every game is going to be harder then necessary with this lack of composure once in front, Bayern can cruise through matches without panicking in defence. No such thing is possible with this team, even when 3-0 up. Should be entertaining if nothing else.
Sadly, it won't be up to how much we could pay. He'll join another team next season and make them a top CL contender right away. It's not only the ton of goals he scores, it's his winning mentality and 90 minutes of 100% effort that separates him from most of the other players. For the game, we lead 3:0 and suddenly we can't keep possession of the ball. Sounds too familiar. No one here would have been surprised about a draw. Like Hummels said after the game, it's a problem that needs to change but it's also something they are aware of since he came back. He further pointed out that this switching off or not being at 100% anymore is one of those things that separates them from Bayern.
This is not just a mentality thing. It's also a quality thing. We have gaps in quality in our team and when things are going tough it shows.
Meunier is getting better in offense.. we need him to get better in defense too. we need Brandt back!
I did not have "Meunier turns into assist machine" on my 2021-22 BVB bingo card, but here we are. I would welcome more such surprises!