MADRID, 30 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Bayern Munich once again appears on Real Madrid’s path to the Champions League title, although this time Carlo Ancelotti’s men arrive at the European ‘classic’ with better dynamics than the Bavarians and with the title of favorites. Despite this, Thomas Tuchel’s team is a team full of stars, which has the top scorer of the season in European football, although with disconnections in defense. This is this Bayern line by line.
WITH NEUER IT IS ANOTHER THING
Bayern’s veteran goalkeeper has had an atypical season, in which he has been hampered by injuries. Despite this, it is in the highest continental competition in which Manuel Neuer has shown his best level, and this is reflected in the numbers, which are much more positive in collective terms when he is between the sticks.
So far in the Champions League, the German international has been able to play seven games, of which he managed to keep a clean sheet in four of them. In fact, in the four games that he has played in front of the public he has only conceded one goal, remaining undefeated in the rest. Furthermore, his save percentage in this Champions League is 81%, one of the best records in the competition. Thus, Bayern is much more solid with him between the sticks.
A DEFENSE IN A FRAME, BUT WITH A LOT OF DEPTH
The defensive line is, perhaps, the least good of the Bavarians. Throughout the season, Tuchel has used a multitude of centre-back pairs, but none of them have managed to give the team the desired consistency. Furthermore, added to this is the fact that De Ligt, who started the second leg against Lazio and in the two games against Arsenal, is a doubt for the match after being injured in the Bundesliga match against Eintracht. In those, Dier and Kim Min-jae aim to be the starting duo.
The Englishman, despite having a notable performance since his arrival in the winter market, has not managed to close the defensive hemorrhage of Tuchel’s team, who have not found the leader of the defense in Kim Min-jae either. Of course, both are true quarterbacks in the aerial game, where they manage to win two-thirds of the duels they play. It is in space where they suffer the most by not being excessively agile or fast, so Rodrygo and Vinícius could find the Munich hole there.
Where Bayern’s defensive line is world elite is on the wing. On the right, a converted Kimmich is a real pain in the ass for rivals with constant additions to the attack that, with a right leg on which he has a glove, end up in very dangerous centers for the rival defense. On the left, Alphonso Davies, wanted by Real Madrid, is one of the Bavarian offensive line, and his ability to gain a backline creates a lot of depth for Tuchel’s team. Furthermore, Guerreiro and Mazraoui are top-level replacements for both.
AN ENGINE ROOM WITH A LOT OF MUSCLE
If something has characterized Bayern and Thomas Tuchel’s teams in recent seasons, it has been the physical capacity of their midfielders. On this occasion, Goretzka and Laimer are the German coach’s favorite all-rounders this season. Both stand out for their physical display, second line arrival and great hitting from outside the area. It is the construction, despite their high percentages of effectiveness in passing, the aspect in which they suffer the most, although in the static attack the incorporation of Kimmich into the center gives clairvoyance.
Although this season Laimer has not made his debut as a scorer, both the Austrian and Goretzka have the ability to score goals as well as assist. In fact, the German international has managed to score five goals and distribute nine assists, compared to Laimer’s three assists and goal. In addition, Tuchel has a third sword from the bench: Pavlovic. The German international, despite being 19 years old, is standing out this season, in which he has enjoyed 11 starts (two goals and two assists).
A FEARFUL ATTACK
It is nothing new for the German giant to have one of the most fearsome attacks on the old continent, but this season, the arrival of Harry Kane and the emergence of Jamal Musiala has made it take on a new dimension. The Englishman is the top European scorer and leader in the fight for the time boot and in his first season in Munich he has scored 42 goals in 42 games, which makes him the biggest threat for Real Madrid in these semi-finals, so Rüdiger and company will have to stop it if they want to advance to Wembley.
But the best ‘killer’ of the season is accompanied in attack by one of the greatest young talents in world football, Musiala. The German attacker, Jude Bellingham’s teammate in England’s youth ranks, has emerged this season and has already scored 12 goals and seven assists, numbers to which are added the plasticity and elegance of his game, although it remains to be seen if he will be the game finally.
In addition, the two great offensive pillars of the season are joined by a competitive animal like the veteran Thomas Müller, another of the survivors of the duels of yesteryear and who, at 34, continues to be one of the weapons, especially when it comes to never lose team tension. Finally, and despite the lack of continuity in the season due to injuries, Leroy Sané, also doubtful for the clash, and Serge Gnabry are two ‘daggers’ with spaces, capable of dismantling any defense with their speed and imbalance .