Bayern Munich News: The aftermath of FC Bayern’s 4-1 win over Atalanta in the Champions League
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Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-1 victory over Atalanta (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich — once again — took care of business against Atalanta.
After dispatching the Italian powerhouse 6-1 in the first leg, the Bavarians did not relent at home in the Allianz Arena. Bayern Munich dominated Atalanta from start to finish to wrap up a 4-1 victory and a 10-2 aggregate score over the two legs.
The prize for that performance is a quarterfinals date with Real Madrid. Before we can get there though, let’s talk about this victory. Here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- Kompany had some interesting selections. Last summer, if you would have said that Raphael Guerreiro would be playing as an attacking midfielder, while Tom Bischof would be playing left-back, you might have gotten laughed off the site. Now, though, that is reality. Otherwise, things went as planned with Harry Kane getting the nod being only a mild surprise. Jonas Urbig got the start in between the sticks, while nearly every other spot went as expected. It was a strong lineup, just not anywhere near Bayern Munich’s best lineup given the injuries, suspensions, and suspension mitigation measures. That is what makes the end result so scary.
- Bayern Munich took some time to feel the game out. The early ideas were solid, but execution was absent. Meanwhile, Atalanta was struggling to keep its head above water.
- Lennart Karl seemed like he was forcing things to adapt to the team’s style rather than just playing his game early in the match. Karl, though, would get better and better as the game went on.
- Kane is superb…it just needed to be said.
- Luis Díaz almost had a tremendous volley goal in the 9th minute, but he was too high with his close-range attempt. Díaz, of course, will sit out this weekend against Union Berlin due to a red card suspension.
- Guerreiro should have scored in the 12th minute. Prior to that, Aleksandar Pavlović could have scored as well. Bayern Munich has just an incredible attacking mindset.
- The hard work and pressure would payoff, as Bayern Munich was awarded a penalty kick when Giorgio Scalvini’s arm extended too much, which led to a handball call. Kane’s initial attempt was saved because the goalkeeper left his line too early. Kane would hammer the second attempt to make it 1-0 (7-1 on aggregate if you are keeping score at home) in the 26th minute.
- Kane is a machine. Aside of that asinine striker-less season, Bayern Munich fans have been spoiled by essentially going straight from Robert Lewandowski to Harry Kane. That is truly an embarrassment of riches.
- Bayern Munich’s first half effort was very good, not great — the key thing to remember is that it did not need to be overwhelming. The Bavarians just had to protect the massive lead that it had built up in the first leg.
- Kane’s second goal came in the 54th minute as he dazzled everyone who saw it. With some footwork, Kane freed himself up from tight quarters to unleash a phenomenal shot for one of his best goals of the season. What a strike! Josip Stanišić was credited with the assist.
- Deniz Ofli made his debut in the 56th minute when he checked in for Pavlović.
- Just two minutes later, Díaz found Karl, who did not miss his chance to get on the scoresheet. All of a sudden it was 3-0 (9-1 on aggregate) and the match was totally out of control.
- In the 70th minute, Díaz broke out on a long run and Karl hit him in-stride with a perfect long ball. As Marco Sportiello tried to close down on the Colombian, he unleashed a deft, little chip to put the ball into the net for a 4-0 (10-1 on aggregate) lead.
- Filip Pavić made his debut in the 72nd minute. Born in 2010….two-thousand-and-freakin’-ten.
- Atalanta would score in the 85th minute when Mario Pašalić beat Ofli on a header. Pašalić was able to flick the ball on toward Lazar Samardžić, who was in a perfect spot. Kim Min-jae was caught off guard and unable to get to the back post to prevent a header goal from the former Hertha Berlin youth player and RB Leipzig attacker.
- Even with that goal, Bayern Munich was just too good for Atalanta.
- Overall, Bayern Munich was dominant in every phase of the match. The attack was tremendous, even with the subs filling in, and without Joshua Kimmich pulling the strings in the midfield. Aside of Atalanta’s lone goal, Bayern Munich’s defense was also extremely good. Now, the challenge — and the fun — begins. A date with Real Madrid awaits in the Champions League quarterfinals. Are you ready?
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Juve wants Tonali if it qualifies for UCL (ESPN)
Juventus could make a run at Sandro Tonali if it can qualify for the Champions League:
Juventus could try to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali if they qualify for the Champions League, says Gazzetta dello Sport. Juve currently sit sixth in Serie A, four points behind fourth-placed Roma, and Tonali is their summer priority, with a fee of around €75 million likely to be required to bring in the 25-year-old. Nicolo Schira has reported that Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid are also interested in the Italy international.
Diomande off Bayern’s list (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk confirmed that RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is no longer on Bayern Munich’s wish list:
✅ It is TRUE: Yan Diomande is no longer a priority for Bayern’s decision-makers. He obviously has so much quality and is playing very well in the Bundesliga this term. So, he’s not off the list because he’s a poor player, but rather because he’s too good and too expensive! Bayern know how much RB Leipzig are looking for in a transfer fee (negotiations will start at €100m [£86.2m]) and it’s a lot! Certainly more than what Bayern are prepared to pay at the moment. And the fact of the matter is that they already have Luis Diaz, who is the main man on the left side. They can’t pay so much money for what would effectively be a backup signing. So, it’s hard for Bayern Munich, given they love the player, but they won’t be involved in the poker with Premier League clubs. He’s too expensive.
Eintracht to make play for Nebel? (Bild via ESPN)
Mainz 05 might be open to selling Paul Nebel this summer. Nebel’s contract runs through 2027, but the “Carnival Club” could put him on the market. If it does, Eintracht Frankfurt would be interested:
Mainz could opt to allow Germany under-21 international Paul Nebel leave the club this summer, with Eintracht Frankfurt among his suitors.
Whoa (U.S. Open Cup)
This is a little wild:
Marseille expected to take run at David (ESPN)
Olympique Marseille could look to bring in Canadian striker Jonathan David:
Marseille want to sign Jonathan David in the summer if they qualify for the Champions League but face competition from the Premier League, as reported by Tuttosport. While David would reject any offer from Olympique Lyonnais due to Paulo Fonseca being in charge of Les Gones, the 26-year-old has always been fascinated by the idea of playing in the Premier League. Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United all made attempts to sign him in January.
Juve, Milan eyeing Lewy (ESPN)
Juventus and AC Milan are both reportedly interested in former Bayern Munich star and current FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski:
Juventus and AC Milan have joined a number of MLS clubs in the race to sign Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, reports Calciomercato. The 37-year-old is set to become a free agent in the summer, with his contract entering the final few months, and has scored 115 goals and assisted 23 times for the Blaugrana in 181 appearances since joining from Bayern Munich. However, with no sign of a renewal in sight, teams are circling to land him as a free agent.
Serie A seems like a really good fit for Lewandowski at this stage of his career. MLS is…fine, but Lewandowski could continue his career in a very advantageous position with either of those two clubs.
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, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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