Bayern Munich overcame a haplass Bochum side 7-0 to return to the top of the Bundesliga table. With Bayern failing to impress at the start of the season, Bochum came to the Allianz Arena with hope of upsetting Die Rekordmeister, but their task would quite quickly be proved unsuccessful.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting would open the scoring after finishing off a well worked Bayern move, before Harry Kane and Matthijs de Ligt added to the visitor’s misery by the half hour mark. Leroy Sané would add a fourth prior to half time with the game heading towards a potential cricket score.
A double from Kane in the second half was sandwiched by a well taken goal from Mathys Tel to put the icing on the cake. A destructive and cohesive performance from Bayern, who looked back to their best. As for Bochum, they will have to learn their lessons and learn them quickly.
Bayern Munich remain calm
There is no easy game in the Bundesliga, unless you are a Bayern Munich fan. In which case, games at home to a side like Bochum are considered to be must wins. However, after a shaky start to the season, prior to kickoff there was a sense that this would not be as routine as Bayern would have hoped.
Nevertheless, Die Rekordmeister bounced back from their fortunate point at home to Leverkusen to ensure that all three were delivered with ease against Bochum. Thomas Tuchel’s side would fly out of the traps and hit their guests with four goals within the first-half to all but seal the tie off.
In complete control of the game from the first whistle, it looked like the most complete performance seen from a Bayern side in a long time. While it is a display that will have to be replicated against sides other than Bochum, it has proven that the pressure is not being felt on the pitch and that the German champions can turn the style on.
Bochum have to learn from their mistakes
Last season saw Bochum narrowly avoid relegation from the Bundesliga after conceding an astounding 72 goals in the league. As well as their inability to defend, their attacking presence was few and far between with only four sides registering fewer shots on goal than Die Blauen.
Nevertheless, despite a mishap on matchday one, Bochum have looked like a far more stable and, in some instances, dominant side. Thomas Letsch’s team have shown far more bravery this season, however, against Bayern their bravery would quickly portray naivety.
By pushing players up the pitch, Bochum left themselves far too exposed at the back with Bayern exploiting the space left with ease. Attempting to take the game to their opposition has worked at times this season – as seen against Augsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt – but Bochum have to understand when and where to apply pressure if they are to avoid a relegation battle come May.
Thomas Tuchel finds his best XI
With Noussair Mazraoui failing to embed himself into the Bayern starting XI, Konrad Laimer has often filled in for the Moroccan at right-back since his arrival from Leipzig. However, this has left Bayern’s midfield often looking lost at sea at times this season, begging the question, why have those in charge of the transfer committee been unable to sign a quality right-back this summer?
As well as this, with Matthijs de Ligt sitting on the bench, the Bayern faithful have had to endure the unreliable Dayot Upamecano partnering the more than competent Kim Min-jae. However, the Bayern starting XI at kickoff painted a far more complete picture of what a Bayern side should look like.
While Choupo-Moting would be included – seeing Harry Kane play slightly deeper than the Cameroonian international – the use of de Ligt, Laimer and Mazraoui made Die Rekordmeister a more balanced and composed unit. Whether Tuchel utilises this side more often is yet to be seen, but it did look as though the changes to the midfield and defence benefited Bayern immensely.
GGFN | Will Shopland
