Bayern lack speed, creativity and depth – Three Talking Points from Bayern vs Freiburg

Manuel Veth –

Bayern vs SC Freiburg ended in a surprise 1-1 draw as the German champions Bayern München have dropped points at home in the fourth competitive match in a row.

Here are three thoughts from Bayern vs SC Freiburg:

Bayern vs SC Freiburg – Bayern lack speed and creativity

Bayern’s biggest problem in this match was the lack of speed and creativity in the attacking third. The Bavarians lack speed and creativity in the attacking third. The likes of Frank Ribéry and Arjen Robben struggle to beat their opponents in one-v-one situations.

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Ribéry came on in the second half (63′ minute) but even against tiered Freiburg legs; he was unable to get past his opponents. Of his three dribble attempts, only one was successful. Robben, in the meantime, made just one, unsuccessful, dribble attempt throughout the 63 minutes he was on the pitch.

Bayern vs SC Freiburg – Can Coman and Davies add an extra element?

Bayern will certainly hope that the currently injured Kingsley Coman and new signing Alphonso Davies can bring some much-needed speed as well as creativity to this Bayern side. Coman is expected to return to the lineup in November.

Bayern vs SC Freiburg -Serge Gnabry of Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Sport-Club Freiburg at Allianz Arena on November 3, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Davies, in the meantime just completed the Major League Soccer season with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 18-year-old, he turned 18 yesterday, will now spend some time with Canadian national team and then head to Munich to train with the first squad but will not be available until after the winter break.

Both Coman and Davies will add more variety to Bayern’s attack but whether the two on their own will be enough to end Bayern’s woes remains to be seen. Coman will need some time to recover from his injury, and Alphonso Davies will have to adapt to Munich, playing for a top club and life in the Bundesliga.

Hence, the Bavarian giants may have to look at additional options on the transfer market if they truly want to deal with their attacking problems.

Bayern vs SC Freiburg – Is Niko Kovac up to the task?

“It’s been weeks now that we’ve not been showing our best football, and when this happens, things don’t come as easily as usual,” captain Manuel Neuer said after the match. “We started well. Then we started looking to go through the centre because Freiburg were doubling up on the wings, but we struggled,” Niko Kovac added

Speaking of Kovac the head coach has been criticised on social media with many Bayern fans wondering whether the Berlin native is up for the task at Bayern. “We’re frustrated and disappointed. We were leading so we should be winning,” Kovac added at the post-game press conference.

Bayern vs SC Freiburg -Niko Kovac, head coach of Bayern Muenchen gives instructions to his players during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Sport-Club Freiburg at Allianz Arena on November 3, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Both statements sum up his time at Bayern. On the wings, Bayern’s opponents had an easy time shutting the champions down. Freiburg’s head coach Christian Streich rightfully had targeted Bayern’s slow wing play doubling down Arjen Robben and Serge Gnabry.

Gnabry eventually found a way through. Kovac, however, then reacted by bringing on Leon Goretzka, who still has not found a proper place in Bayern’s lineup, and Bayern came to a complete standstill allowing Freiburg back into the match.

Kovac cannot be faulted for the lack of depth and the ageing core of his side. But at the same time, his substitutions and his lack of ability to integrate a dynamic midfielder like Leon Goretzka does not speak well for the Bayern head coach.