Being a fan of the Bundesliga often comes with stark contradictions, especially when transitioning from a domestic weekend to a European midweek.
If you don’t support Bayern Munich, there’s a good chance you frequently lament the success of Germany’s Rekordmeister while referencing terms like Bayern-Dusel (Bayern luck) and the presumed Bayern-Bonus (alleged favoritism from referees). Additionally, there’s often a wave of schadenfreude when Bayern falters on the pitch.
However, during European matches, those same fans who wished Bayern ill just days earlier often find themselves unexpectedly defending the club. It’s hard to ignore their plight when international analysts question the strength of the Bundesliga, especially from those who should know better.
How are Bayern supposed to stay sharp for the UEFA Champions League when they’re competing against teams like Freiburg?
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Let it be noted that Freiburg is a capable team and, like Bayern, they are auf drei Hochzeiten tanzen (literally “dancing at three weddings”), meaning they are still competing in three different competitions: the UEFA Europa League, the league, and the DFB-Pokal.
Just last Saturday, Freiburg put Bayern to the test. They skillfully pressed their Bavarian opponents and were 2-0 ahead with just nine minutes remaining. However, Bayern managed to claw back into the match, with two stunning goals from the young talent Tom Bischof, leveling the match by the time stoppage time began.
I posed the question during live commentary: could Bayern actually win this match now?
With 99 minutes gone, Bayern executed a beautiful play. It originated from a delicate diagonal pass by Joshua Kimmich to substitute Alphonso Davies on the left. He then set up 18-year-old Lennart Karl for a close-range finish.
The away section erupted with excitement. This was not merely Bayern’s most dramatic winning goal in an exhilarating season; it marked the club’s 100th goal in the Bundesliga this campaign, a milestone achieved only twice before by any team in the Oberhaus.
On Saturday at Millerntor in Hamburg against St. Pauli, Bayern is likely to set a new record for most goals in a single Bundesliga season. Just two more goals will surpass the legendary 1971-72 squad that included football icons such as Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Sepp Maier, and Uli Hoeneß.
For those of us who immerse ourselves in German football weekly, it’s clear that we’re witnessing something special from Bayern this season. The numbers alone indicate that they are achieving what no other German club has before.
Moreover, their playing style is captivating, arguably among the best many of us have had the pleasure of watching. Kudos to Vincent Kompany and the Bayern management for backing a Belgian coach when others considered him a mere “backup option” after his relegation with Burnley.
It seems that only success in the Champions League will satisfy critics who casually dismiss the Bundesliga. On Tuesday, Bayern appeared newfound to viewers who typically ignore the German domestic league, preferring the Premier League. This may even reflect the quality of football being served up in England, although it’s not my place to critique from that vantage point.
Ultimately, this season’s Bayern may simply be exceptional. They still have challenges ahead against Real Madrid, but who could argue they aren’t positioning themselves well to be crowned European champions in style?
Interestingly, many loyal Bayern fans would identify the player recently praised on Tuesday, 40-year-old Manuel Neuer, as the weakest link. His brilliance is undeniable, and he will undoubtedly be remembered as a transformative goalkeeper, yet errors have begun to surface in his recent matches.
As for the outfield players, I see no weak spots. Colleagues who rarely watch the team often highlight Dayot Upamecano’s mistakes, and the events leading to the Real Madrid goal likely provide them with ammunition. However, I can’t recall any significant wobble from the Frenchman this season.
We could analyze every player — from Jonathan Tah in defense, to Konrad Laimer’s versatility, or Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry, and Jamal Musiala’s attacking prowess.
Regardless of Kompany’s lineup decisions on match days, Bayern remains a formidable presence both domestically and in European competitions.