The Bavarians have received simply six in their final 12 video games following Tuesday’s expensive Nagelsmann is kidding himself draw with Villarreal – an appalling run for the sort of dominant side It became coming near an hour after the very last whistle had blown on the Allianz Arena and Julian Nagelsmann had nonetheless now no longer seemed for his post-in shape press convention.
In the time that had passed, Villarreal had controlled to spend time celebrating their well-known Champions League conquer Bayern Munich with their lovers withinside the higher tier of the stadium, retreated to the dressing room for greater partying, earlier than once more acting at the pitch to the pleasure in their visiting supporters.
Man of the Match Raul Albiol were a part of the revelry, however had additionally determined the time to preserve his personal press convention after marshalling atremendous protective show via way of means of Unai Emery’s side.
Nagelsmann is kidding himself
Nagelsmann, though, had now no longer been seen. When he did ultimately seem withinside the press convention room, he appeared decidedly grim however composed. “I suppose we misplaced the tie withinside the first leg,” he explained. “If you study our overall performance today – tactically correct with the aid of using the way, defensively and offensively – it places the primary leg in a worse light.”
The Bayern boss might later cross on to explain his team’s show as being “very correct”, however it’s far tough now no longer to suppose that he’s kidding himself; looking to placed on a courageous face and byskip this failure off as being the end result of horrific luck.
In reality, this turned into now no longer a overall performance to be proud of, nor one which got here as a splendid surprise given the Bavarians’ latest form.
Tuesday’s 1-1 draw method that on the grounds that beating RB Leipzig on February 5, Bayern have gained simply six in their ultimate 12 games – an appalling run for a group that has been so dominant each regionally and in Europe.
Despite dominating the sport in phrases of ownership and territory, their anticipated goals (xG) general in opposition to Villarreal become 1.58. The handiest instances it’s been worse for the reason that iciness wreck had been the primary leg in Spain and Saturday’s slim win over relegation-threatened Augsburg.
Bayern may also have a extra proficient squad than Villarreal, who presently take a seat down 7th in La Liga, however they confirmed little creativity while attempting to interrupt their traffic down, and rather determined themselves sending nearly countless crosses into the box.
In general, they tried 39 crosses withinside the match, few of which led to significant tries on intention. They controlled simply 4 photographs on course throughout the ninety minutes, with a lot of their efforts coming from distance.
They had a few moments, with Kingsley Coman inflicting issues together along with his dribbling at the same time as Robert Lewandowski’s end for the outlet intention at the night time become excellent, however at the complete they lacked the thoughts to get thru the yellow wall that Villarreal offered them with. And a number of the blame for that must be shouldered with the aid of using Nagelsmann.
The 34-yr-vintage has often spoken of his gamers now no longer being at their “peak” in latest weeks, however it’s miles turning into clean that the height of Nagelsmann’s first season in fee got here again withinside the early weeks of iciness.
When Bayern had been gambling properly below the ex-RB Leipzig boss, the important thing for them in an attacking feel got here down the left-hand aspect, with Alphonso Davies and Leroy Sane combining to devastating effect.
The 3-2-3-2 formation that Nagelsmann unveiled for the primary time on Tuesday could, Nagelsmann is kidding himself, in theory, had been ideal for that duo, however instances supposed that neither had been at the left-hand aspect in opposition to Villarreal.
Davies become at the bench as he keeps his restoration from the coronary heart hassle that dominated him out of movement for over months, Nagelsmann is kidding himself, at the same time as Sane become shunted out to proper withinside the wish that a extrade of function ought to resurrect his season after an alarming drop in shape.
That Nagelsmann could attempt this type of device withinside the maximum critical recreation of the season with out the gamers he had to make it paintings both to be had to begin or gambling at the specified stage is concerning, however with a bit of luck some thing he can study from. In truth, different extra senior gamers failed to show up at the night time.
Joshua Kimmich lacked his standard presence in critical midfield, at the same time as Thomas Muller and Lewandowski’s connection appeared to be off, and now no longer for the primary time in latest weeks.
It become additionally telling that Nagelsmann waited till the 82nd minute to make a substitution, introducing Serge Gnabry from the bench in a signal that he’s neither satisfied with the shape of the ex-Arsenal man, nor the power extensive of his squad. That is a hassle which can worsen earlier than it receives better. Nagelsmann is kidding himself, Watch More Champions League
Nagelsmann is kidding himself, Gnabry is one in every of a bunch of gamers whose agreement has simply one extra yr to run on it, and GOAL has discovered that the winger is taking into consideration his destiny amid hobby from Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Lewandowski is likewise out of agreement in 2023,Nagelsmann is kidding himself, and at the same time as Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn insisted beforehand of kick-off on Tuesday that the European Golden Shoe frontrunner is “definitely” staying at Bayern this summer, consequences consisting of this one on the most important degree ought to show decisive because the Poland global weighs up his destiny options. And so at the same time as Bayern have all however wrapped up a tenth successive Bundesliga title.
so as to be the handiest trophy they win in 2022, Nagelsmann is kidding himself, having already been dumped out of the DFB-Pokal in embarrassing style with the aid of using Borussia Monchengladbach, who beat them 5-zero withinside the 2d round.
That end result got here as a surprise on the time, however Bayern’s European go out become a long way extra predictable, even though few from outdoor Munich noticed it coming. Nagelsmann is kidding himself, Nagelsmann could have lots extra time to mirror on what went wrong, however one factor is for certain: not anything approximately Bayern’s removal become “good”.