Bayern Munich traveled to the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg looking to bounce back from their first Bundesliga defeat of the season\u2014Die Rothosen were having none of it.<\/p>\n
North versus South, chaos versus control, top of the table dominance versus relegation scrap, the Nord-S\u00fcd Klassiker provided yet another legendary spectacle\u2014the likes of which won\u2019t be quickly forgotten by Bayern and Hamburg fans alike.<\/p>\n
Teams are finally figuring Bayern out<\/p>\n
Bayern Munich sent shockwaves around the footballing world in the first half of the season. After a record-breaking start in Europe and the Bundesliga, Bayern raised a question that seemingly couldn\u2019t be answered: How does one beat the mighty Bayern Munich? Well, last week it was Augsburg who finally came up with the correct answer, and it looks like they\u2019re sharing their crib notes\u2014bad news.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, it turns out the answer to the question isn\u2019t necessarily hard work. After all, Bayern are not only the best team in the Bundesliga, but also the hardest working, covering more distance than any other team. In contrast, Hamburg cover the least amount of distance\u2014a clear indication of how the North German side intended to approach the game. Sit back, defend with discipline, counter-attack, and make damn sure you don\u2019t squander your chances\u2014something Hamburg did extremely well. Hamburg\u2019s answer didn\u2019t turn out to be an A+ like Augsburg, but it was close\u2014certainly close enough for a passing grade.<\/p>\n
This doesn\u2019t mean Bayern have become an easy team to beat \u2014 emphasis on their nine-point lead in the Bundesliga. But other teams in the league, and even Europe for that matter, will be paying close attention to Augsburg, and now Hamburg\u2019s, successes against Die Rekormeister. And thus represents Vincent Kompany\u2019s biggest challenge of the season: Adapt, or stay the same?<\/p>\n
An embarrassing night for officiating in the Bundesliga<\/p>\n
Referees make mistakes, after all, they are just human. Harm Osmers \u2014 the referee in Bayern Munich\u2019s 2-2 draw with Hamburger SV \u2014 is no exception. The 41-year-old made a series of questionable calls throughout the match, but the crown-jewel was the penalty awarded to Hamburg for Kimmich\u2019s \u201cfoul\u201d on Nicolai \u201cRambo\u201d Remberg. There was barely any contact in the challenge\u2014definitely not enough for a penalty. Nonetheless, Osmers pointed to the spot.<\/p>\n
Again, one can forgive a ref for making a bad call in the heat of the moment\u2014 just like Osmers awarding Hamburg what clearly wasn\u2019t a penalty. For that very reason, VAR was introduced. To reduce the clear and obvious error in a split-second judgment. However, even VAR allowed the clear and obvious error.<\/p>\n
Harm Osmos had an embarrassing night, but it was a truly shocking showing for VAR \u2014 a technology that proved to enable the very thing it promised to eradicate.<\/p>\n
Serge Gnabry is not a winger<\/p>\n
Serge Gnabry\u2019s impressive start to the season coinciding with deputizing at CAM is, in fact, no coincidence at all. Despite spending the majority of his Bayern Munich career on the wings, this season the German international has enjoyed all his best moments from the middle of the park. Gnabry\u2019s performance against Hamburger SV proved it once again.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old was most dangerous drifting into the central spaces, linking play and firing off shots. Gnabry played a pivotal role in Bayern\u2019s goal early in the second half. Shifting to CAM after Lennart Karl was replaced by Luis D\u00edaz, Gnabry combined with Michael Olise in the center of the pitch. The Frenchman ultimately threading a perfectly weighted pass through to D\u00edaz, who provided the finish. A perfect example of where he operates at his best.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t get me wrong, Gnabry, can still operate on the wing, but he is a placeholder at best. The former Hoffenheim man lacks the pace, dribbling ability, and razzle dazzle required to beat his man, essential components of wing play. However, what he does have is the intelligence and agility to operate in attacking midfield.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a shame the attacking midfield position is so backlogged with talent \u2014 a pleasant problem to have for sure. But since Jamal Musiala, Karl and Gnabry all play their best football in CAM, it\u2019s unlikely \u2018Gnabs\u2019 pips the former, more crucial future first-team players for minutes, thus pushing him back to cover the wing.<\/p>\n
If Bayern do extend Gnabry, it would be a shame to see a player in the twilight of his career waste his final years in a position that no longer suits him.<\/p>\n
Put (some) respect on Manuel Neuer\u2019s name<\/p>\n
On Wednesday Jonas Urbig who was grabbing headlines after his man of the match performance against PSV in the UEFA Champions League. There is even a growing movement amongst Bayern fans for the young German to start in goal over Manuel Neuer. However, despite conceding two goals, Neuer showcased what he can still offer Vincent Kompany\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Neuer pulled off a crucial one-on-one save along with an incredible reflex save from a close range shot\u2014which was eventually ruled offside. The 39-year-old goalkeeper was also close to saving F\u00e1bio Vieira\u2019s penalty, guessing the right direction but coming up inches short in the end. Despite on sketchy moment in which Alphonso Davies bailed him out, Neuer\u2019s distribution and positioning were also excellent.<\/p>\n
Jonas Urbig has a strong claim to start, but Neuer, at the very least, still has something to offer.<\/p>\n
Michael Olise picked up yet another assist. That takes his tally to 15 in the Bundesliga. To anyone hoping Olise won\u2019t break Thomas M\u00fcller\u2019s record of 21, now is the time to start worrying.Bayern still don\u2019t inspire confidence in defensive set-pieces. It often provides a goal-scoring opportunity for the opposition.Luka Vu\u0161kovi\u0107 was an absolute menace tonight. The 18-year-old was everywhere, including striker where he headed home an incredible goal. If reports are to be believed, it\u2019s no surprise Bayern have an eye on him.Alphonso Davies\u2019s goal-line clearance was a stark reminder of how crucial his pace can be when defending counter-attacks. I\u2019d love to live in a world where Kompany doesn\u2019t have to lean so heavily on his players\u2019 physicality to patch up holes in the defense but man is it good to have the Canadian\u2019s pace back!After Saturday\u2019s slip-up, Borussia Dortmund have a chance to cut Bayern\u2019s lead to six points when they take on 18th place Heidenheim tomorrow.<\/p>\n
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast<\/a>, Spotify<\/a>, Apple<\/a>, or any leading podcast distributor\u2026 <\/p>\n