Passed the first big test .. well sort of. That first half really could have gone either way. It was shaky first 20 mins. We've had some recent games against Bayern like this where it broke their way and not ours. Today was the opposite. It's good to get some much needed revenge against them. But we did have to convert on almost every shot. Our xG was 1.5. So this was highly unusual. Ironically we scored when the game was chaotic for us and didn't score when we controlled the game later in the 2nd half. Irregardless, the Flick Wagen keeps rolling.
That was tough. Bayern are a worthy foe, and it took the best from Raphinha to carry the day. Rest up, and gear up for Saturday.
One other thing: Flick being composed on the touch line has been a big plus, IMO. I think Xavi being too emotional would have lead to Munchen rolling over Barça, were he still here and still emotional.
Neuer crawling so fast like Gerrard when Raphinha rounded him was beautiful sight. That was Messi like performance by Raph.
Fantastic result and overall play too. However we need to improve our possesion, need to control more. Raphinha's hattrick is not something that happens regularly.
One would think so, but we know it doesn't necessarily work that way. For starters they are sort of overlapping in their positions. And then we don't have the quality right now in other positions (midfield, fullbacks, striker). Can't build a team full of wingers. I am also somehow convinced CONMEBOL defenders / defenses make their lives tougher compared to European teams. Mainly they are typically not given that type of space. Nobody plays with these high lines. Could also be that they are allowed to hack more.
I dont want to bury Xavi. To be fair to him, it was a mistake to hire him to such a massive project, given his inexperience. And while he worked hard, and brought a Liga championship, he wasn't yet ready for such a job. For Flick, him having so much more experience, and him having won with Munchen and lost with Das Mannschaft has equipped him with the experience to do better. Even Ancelotti failed in the EPL before. So, I think we can be happy with Flick, and cheer for Xavi's next step at the same time.
Busy week at work. So just watching the match now. Know the score already, so was expecting a super-impressive performance. Only 40 minutes in, but it's been anything but. 2-1 up, but would be 2-1 down if not for lucky offside (by half an inch) and non-foul call on Fermin. Also look super vulnerable defending with the high line against slow dinosaurs like Mueller and Kane. A bit concerned when Vinny and Mbappe are the opponents. Pena looking shaky as usual. Granted this is pretty far from our best XI.
Feeling a bit better about the performance after 70 minutes. A couple of great assists, and nothing like having a forward that's on absolute fire! But will also predict that Bundesliga will be very interesting this season, because Bayern just isn't very good at all.
I notice that Kane beat our offside trap quite often. This weekend agaisnt Vinicius and Mbappe can be really tricky cause they can accelerate from deeper.