There was a slight setback ahead of the international break. After a brilliant start to the season, FC Bayern suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt on the last matchday. For coach Julian Nagelsmann it was the first defeat as the Bayern coach following a run of nine wins in succession and a draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the start. "I didn't think the game was massively different from the matches in recent weeks," said Nagelsmann after the Frankfurt game where his team were frustrated by the outstanding Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp. "Only the result was different." A result that means the serial champions are joined at the top of the Bundesliga – by Bayer 04 were now level on points with FC Bayern. Overall it has been an outstanding start Nagelsmann and his men from Munich. In the Champions League, his team put Barcelona in their place with a 3-0 victory and then produced a goal fest in a 5-0 win against Dynamo Kiev. And the record champions also secured a 12-0 win against Bremer SV in the first round of the DFB Cup.
FC Bayern not had serious injury worries to date but there is a slight question mark over the right-back position. The usual first choice Benjamin Pavard is suspended for the Werkself match after a red card at Fürth. Nagelsmann played central defender Niklas Süle in that position against Frankfurt. It is possible that Josip Stanisic could be preferred at Leverkusen. The home-grown player has appeared in every Bundesliga match with three starts the date and very good reviews.
Apart from Pavard, only reserve keeper Sven Ulreich is definitely ruled out with torn knee ligaments. The two Frenchmen Corentin Tolisso (calf problems) and Kingsley Coman (heart operation) have both been sidelined but Nagelsmann has expressed the hope that both players might be available at Leverkusen. That appears realistic with Coman as the speedy offensive player has been back in full training since the end of last week. Coman would be an option for either of the two attacking positions on the flanks. Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry have both been on top form on the flanks recently so it is possible that Coman will start on the bench.
The whole squad from front to back is full of world-class players. It is difficult to single out a particularly strong part of the team – and equally to point to a weak spot. Every team obviously has to keep an eye out for the world's best player at the moment. Robert Lewandowski is almost scoring at will this season with 13 goals in 10 games to date and the Pole leads the strongest attack in the Bundesliga. FCB have created the most clear-cut chances, have the most shots on goal and – no surprise – have also scored the most goals.
Everything was running like clockwork at FC Bayern up to the Frankfurt match – and there are two slight problems in the current season appeared that ended up leading to a defeat. The best attack in the league could score more goals if they were more effective. A host of really good chances was not enough at Frankfurt to score more than one goal. "If we take our chances then it could have been 3-1 or 4-1," said Thomas Müller. And the current percentage conversion rate of clear-cut chances of 63% is only middling in the Bundesliga. In defence, Bayern are susceptible in the air. The equaliser at 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt came from Martin Hinteregger and it was the third headed goal conceded in seven games – too many for the standards of FC Bayern.
As in the past, the road to the league title only leads by FC Bayern. The club have found an outstanding coach in Julian Nagelsmann who can seamlessly carry on the success story of Hansi Flick. The squad meets the highest standards – and if the team remains free of too many injuries then FC Bayern have a great chance of registering their tenth Bundesliga title in succession. And the top German team are again amongst the favourites in the Champions League. Here it will depend on Bayern being able to maintain their top form into the spring.
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