The 3-0 defeat in the top of the table clash with league leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday evening was painful - but it in no way means the season is over, as there are still 13 Bundesliga games in which to make up five points. “We urgently need to improve and we will,” promised Thomas Müller, having already expressed his annoyance at the result. He was definitely not alone in this feeling.
Self-assured Leverkusen
Of course, the opponents deserve every ounce of respect for this performance. Leverkusen are now unbeaten in 31 competitive games this season, playing with confidence, assurance and courage. Coach Xabi Alonso has formed an exceptional unit that is difficult to break down. "You have to be strong defensively against Bayern, and we did that. The performance was superb," said the Spaniard, who wore the FCB shirt himself from 2014 to 2017. Josip Stanišić (18), Álex Grimaldo (50) and Jeremie Frimpong (90.+6) were the Leverkusen scorers.
The momentum shifted
What annoyed FCB coach Thomas Tuchel, however, was that the good start in the opening phase of the game came to an abrupt end when the first goal was conceded. “We dominated the early stages without being dangerous. We let the momentum and the energy slip by making our own mistakes. You really can’t go 1-0 down the way we did with a five-man defence,” he lamented.
Sporting director Christoph Freund identified another shortcoming: "We didn't create any great scoring chances, we didn’t do enough. There was a lot of anticipation coming into this game, but in the end we didn't manage to bring that out onto the pitch. It's not typical of this team, which has always been there in big games. But today we didn't manage that." FC Bayern had more possession (61%), won more tackles, played significantly more passes and crosses - but just lacked the punch.
"We wanted to defend aggressively from the front. Each and every one of us has to take a good look at themselves and reflect on their performance," said captain Manuel Neuer, holding himself and his colleagues accountable.
Of course, the potential to create more opportunities is there. But often, what comes naturally in training is hard to implement into games. Possession of the ball was gone too quickly and passes were often not accurate enough, meaning that Leverkusen could maintain a superior position in the game.
Straight-talking Müller
The important thing now is to analyse the mistakes and correct them quickly. The season is entering the decisive phase, Müller warned: "I expect us players to feel the pressure on the pitch, but it has to energise us. When things get tough, you have to get the ball into the opposition's half more often. None of us have the freedom to start 'gambling'."
The good thing about a two games in a week is that you quickly have the opportunity to make amends. The test against Lazio is fast approaching, on Wednesday our team will face Lazio away in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16
Keep looking ahead
As bitter as the setback in the title race might have been, a defiant spirit may have been awakened all the more. "We’ll do our utmost and not throw in the towel now. We have to keep going and get better," emphasised Tuchel, already looking ahead. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen echoed this sentiment: "Even if it's difficult, we won't give up, of course. We have to regroup. Against Lazio, we have the next opportunity to make up for the result."
It may be just a cliche, but it’s true: now it all comes down to what happens on the pitch.
Reaction to the away game in Leverkusen :
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