The 2023/24 season ended with a defeat for FC Bayern. The German record champions went down 4-2 at TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday afternoon, despite racing into a 2-0 lead after just six minutes through Mathys Tel and Alphonso Davies. Now it's a case of not just putting this unnecessary defeat at the end season behind them but the whole campaign, and looking forward. After a trophy-less season, Bayern will be reckoned with again in 2024/25.
Familiar story
Before the focus switches to the upcoming European Championship in Germany and then the upcoming season, it's worth a quick review of events in Sinsheim. Coach Thomas Tuchel, who is leaving Munich at the end of the season, Thomas Müller and Matthijs de Ligt were all in agreement after the final whistle that there was a familiar pattern to the defeat in the Kraichgau and the goals conceded from Maximilian Beier (8') and Andrej Kramarić (65', 85', 87'), which was observed in previous games and needs to be cut out for the next campaign.
"It's happened far too often," bemoaned Tuchel. "We threw away the game in Stuttgart, Heidenheim and again today." According to Müller, it wasn't the first time "we've lacked aggression". Defender de Ligt concurred with the Bayern veteran: "It's been like that all season. We play well and then not well again." Sometimes the full commitment was missing – you always have to give 100 per cent.
Congratulations to Leverkusen
Müller also congratualted champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who finished the season unbeaten and with 90 points. VfB Stuttgart (73 points) overtook FCB (72 points) on the final day to finish second thanks to a 4-0 win at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach, leaving Manuel Neuer and Co with third place after 34 matchdays. "It's clear it can't go on like this," said the captain. "Everyone has a duty."
With the season over, it is now time to recharge the batteries, because – as Neuer rightly pointed out – they were "running on empty" in Sinsheim and also in recent weeks. The international players will then prepare with their respective teams for the EURO in Germany, which runs until 14 July.
„A fresh start is needed, also from our side, the team. We need to show a different side in order to be able to really go for it again.”
Manuel Neuer
Big targets ahead
FCB will also begin their preparations for the new season in July, looking to turn a new leaf. At the end of the 2024/25 campaign, the Champions League final will be held at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Although this long-term goal is currently a long way in the future, Bayern are determined to reach it while also bringing the Bundesliga trophy back to Munich. The foundations for these big tasks will be laid in the summer.
"A fresh start is needed, also from our side, the team," Neuer reflected. "We need to show a different side in order to be able to really go for it again." Müller added: "We now want to get out of the season and start again in the summer. We now look to the future." While Bayern fans might be hurting right now, the past has shown that the club is capable of lifting itself out of troughs and finding new strength. To put it in facts: 1999 was followed by 2001 with the double of Bundesliga and Champions League, 2007 was followed by 2008 with the league and cup double, and 2012 was followed by 2013 with the first treble in the club's history. Everyone should be excited to see what happens in 2024/25.
The reaction to the Hoffenheim match:
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