Bayern Munich travelled to the Netherlands for a Champions League and was able to put out a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a very tough and determined PSV Eindhoven squad that was playing with a real sense of desperation.
When Bayern Munich needed to dig deep and find a way to win, the Bavarians were able to do just that. There is a lot to cover from the match, so let’s get into it. Here are some quick hitters on the match:
As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
This was an interesting lineup for Kompany. Tom Bischof at right-back was incredibly surprising, as was Harry Kane and Michael Olise starting on the bench. Lennart Karl started for Olise, while Nicolas Jackson took Kane’s position. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović started in the central midfield…and Jamal Musiala got his first start of the season as well as the team’s No. 10. Oh, and Jonas Urbig — shockingly — got his second straight start, which was very odd.
In addition, former Bayern players Paul Wanner and Ivan Perišić started for PSV Eindhoven.
PSV Eindhoven was definitely the aggressor early on and tested Urbig early.
Bischof had a great look at a free kick, but it went just high and nicked the top of the crossbar.
Sergiño Dest also had a nice shot at Urbig, who confidently made the save.
Urbig would get tested again less than a minute later when a deflected shot floated high and started to dip toward the opposite post. That caused him to have to dive all the way across the goal for an acrobatic save. What a start for the young goalkeeper!
PSV Eindhoven played like a team that needed a win to ensure its Champions League season stayed alive.
In the 26th minute, Bischof threaded a perfect pass to Jackson, who rifled his attempt right at PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Matěj Kovář.
Karl had a rough start to the first half. In his first 23 touches, he lost possession 10 times.
Karl did, however, send a pass over to Pavlović, who whistled a hard shot that Kovář was able to save. Great look from Karl (he needed that and would build on it).
Urbig made another massive save in the 44th minute. He was all over the place in a game where they needed him to be. Urbig finished the half with six saves and at least half were spectacular.
Perišić put a shot just wide right before halftime. Yikes!
Jackson is…not great. Of course, he is ill-fitting for this attack, but he just is not a great striker.
Finally, in the 58th minute Bayern Munich would break through. Bischof intercepted a pass in his own end and quickly got the ball up to Karl, who drove, and worked a combination with Musiala, who eventually put the ball into the net after exchanging it with Karl twice. The play was some excellent work by the three youngsters.
Karl almost had a goal of his own in the 61st minute, but Kovář made the save.
In the 62nd minute, Kompany went heavy to his bench and brought in Harry Kane, Alphonso Davies, Michael Olise, and Serge Gnabry for Nicolas Jackson, Dayot Upamecano, Lennart Karl, and Jamal Musiala. Upamecano looked less-then-thrilled about his exit, but he was sitting on a yellow card.
In the 70th minute, Luis Díaz had a good look, but promptly airmailed a shot 15 yards wide of the net and about 15 yards too high as well. That was one of his few missteps as he had a very good game otherwise.
PSV Eindhoven was not going to go away easy. After a sloppy throw-in from Davies was won by the home side and a complete lack of urgency by everyone on the pitch to defend, Ismael Saibari worked a combination with Guus Til before ripping off an absolute beauty of shot into the upper corner of the far post to knot the game at 1-1.
The play by Saibari was just unreal — I had to watch it three times to truly appreciate it.
In the 84th minute, a long ball from Urbig up to Díaz sprung Bayern Munich up the field and the Colombian would make PSV Eindhoven pay for even giving him a step of space as he slid a pass to Kane, who rocketed a one-touch shot past Kovář for the game-winner.
Sacha Boey subbed in after the goal to make his first appearance in quite some time.
Overall, Bayern Munich did what it needed to do to win and looked good at times — even with a heavy rotation. This was a solid effort and a well-deserved win. Now, it is time to think about the weekend match-up against Hamburger SV, which should be a very winnable game.
Raheem Sterling and Chelsea FC reached an agreement to part ways, effective immediately:
So…Bayern Munich has had interest in Sterling in the past. Should the Bavarians think about a six-month contract for Sterling to be a depth piece for the rest of this season?
Atlético de Madrid might have some competition from Tottenham Hotspur in chasing Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka:
AC Milan will reportedly compete with Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona in the race to sign 30-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka in a Bosman move this year. According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, Leon Goretzka is the subject of interest of AC Milan. The Serie A giants are scouring the market for a versatile midfielder and have set their sights on the Bayern Munich star. However, they will face stiff competition from Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur for the German international’s signature, although Igli Tare has launched the move.
Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Leon Goretzka makes sense. The Lilywhites are keen on reinforcing their midfield unit this year, as it is unclear if Joao Palhinha will complete a permanent move to the North London club. Additionally, Yves Bissouma has no future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. So, Goretzka is an option worth considering.
As for Barcelona, Goretzka has been on the Catalan club’s wishlist for a long time. The continued interest is surprising, as Hansi Flick has a stacked midfield unit. While Marc Casado and Marc Bernal face an uncertain future at Camp Nou, it is unclear if Goretzka can become a first-choice starter for Barcelona.
Apart from AC Milan, Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid will also attempt to seal a Bosman deal for the 30-year-old German international. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Bayern Munich midfielder.
Goretzka clearly has options, but it does not feel like Vincent Kompany would okay a deal to let him go during this transfer window.
Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega could be leaving the club in the final hours of this transfer window:
🚨🆕 Stefan #Ortega could leave Manchester City before Deadline Day.
Concrete talks are ongoing with clubs from England, Spain and Italy. #MCFC
He was also recently a candidate at Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
@SkySportDE
Former Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush has reportedly been unhappy with his playing time at Manchester City and has been looking for an exit. Unfortunately for the 26-year-old, it does not appear as if Pep Guardiola’s club is likely to let that happen:
Manchester City are set to block any potential exit for striker Omar Marmoush this month, according to Football Insider. Tottenham and Aston Villa are reportedly interested in the 26-year-old, but City are keen to keep hold of him to ensure there is strong cover for key starter Erling Haaland. Marmoush scored in the 2-0 Premier League win over Wolves on Saturday, in what was his third league start for Pep Guardiola’s side this season.
Eintracht Frankfurt might have its next coach within its crosshairs — NK Celje Albert Riera:
🚨⏳ At the moment, there is NO agreement between Eintracht Frankfurt and NK Celje regarding Albert #Riera. Negotiations are ongoing. Riera is also not en route yet.
Eintracht are working at full speed. However, as negotiations could still take time, it remains unclear whether Riera will already be on the bench on Saturday against Leverkusen. #SGE
Riera/SGE are already in agreement. @SkySportDE
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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