How can Kovač help Bayern overcome their recent European struggles?
Despite finishing 21 points ahead of their nearest challengers, Bayern Munich are all set for another season under a new manager. Nothing less than another, now routine, Bundesliga title victory is expected. However, success at the Bavarian club is no longer measured just by winning the league title.
Bayern have already got to rebuilding and adding to their squad with the arrival of Leon Goretzka on a free transfer from the past season’s nearest rivals, Schalke. The contracts of legendary wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have also been renewed, while former Arsenal youngster Serge Gnabry will return to the club after a successful loan stint at Hoffenheim – where he managed 10 goals and 7 assists in the league.
After being eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid two seasons in a row, here are five issues Bayern will look to address as they aim to reach their first final in six years.
5. Formation
Although he played a 4-3-3 in the DFB Pokal final win over his new club, Kovač generally favours and had employed a back-three for the majority of the past season with Frankfurt. Bayern, on the other hand, have generally played with a back four, mixing it up in midfield with Lewandowski up front on his own in recent years. It’s a formula that has served them well. However, with a new coach come new methods and Niko Kovač is expected to implement his own footballing philosophy.
Niko Kovac going to be turning up for his first day at Bayern like… pic.twitter.com/z75V1ciGDG
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 19, 2018
Bayern have three first-team centre-backs: Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Nicolas Sule, while Javi Martinez can also play there if needed. For consistently operating with a back three, they would require a minimum of four fit first-team centre-backs so expect Bayern to go looking for at least one more option. French duo Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart) or Clement Lenglet (Sevilla) could be tailor-made for Bayern with the former even getting called up to the French World Cup squad after a great first season in Germany. Lenglet also impressed when he came up against Manchester United and Bayern in the Champions League.
4. Wingers
Despite Rob-bery (I’m not sorry) signing new one-year contract extensions, it is hard to see the duo playing anything more than bit-part roles in the upcoming season. Robben is 34, Ribery 35, and with Douglas Costa making his loan move to Juventus permanent, Kingsley Coman is the only remaining recognised winger with his prime ahead of him. Bayern will be in the market for a new winger this summer.
The likely candidates, however, will not come cheap. 20 year-old Jamaican winger Leon Bailey enjoyed a great season at Leverkusen, grabbing 12 goals and 6 assists. However, Premier League clubs are also likely to be in the market for Bailey, who is valued at €40million, resulting in Bayern possibly getting priced out of a move. Former boss Pep Guardiola is also unlikely to do them any favours by allowing Leroy Sane a return back to Germany so soon after paying €50million for him in 2016.
However, another former Schalke player who could be open to a return to Germany is Julian Draxler. The World Cup winner hasn’t had the best of times at PSG this past season, making just two starts in the Champions League and completing the full 90 minutes in the league on only six occasions. The attacking midfielder can also play on either wing and a move to Bayern could help rejuvenate his career.
3. Replacing Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is reportedly looking for a new challenge with PSG, Chelsea, or Real Madrid his likely destinations. If the prolific Pole is to leave, Bayern will need a similar calibre replacement because a combination of Sandro Wagner and Thomas Muller will simply not be enough to challenge in Europe.
Robert Lewandowski has now scored 40+ goals across all competitions in each of the last three seasons:
2015/16: 42 ⚽️
2016/17: 43 ⚽️
2017/18: 40 ⚽️🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/imsi2MIP56
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 5, 2018
The ideal signing would be Timo Werner from RB Leipzig. Bayern have a reputation of weakening their domestic rivals every summer and, after Goretzka, Werner could add to that list. The Leipzig star has cemented his name as one of the most clinical finishers in world football at the moment and a move to Bayern, either this summer or the next, could be the next step in his progression up the footballing ladder.
New Croatian manager Niko Kovač could always raid his old club too, however, and bring in players already familiar with his system. Compatriot Ante Rebic and Serbian youngster Luka Jovic could be cheaper and viable options should Bayern consider them, with the latter averaging a goal every 116 minutes in the Bundesliga and convincing many that he’s even better than Timo Werner.
2. The Thomas Muller question
Thomas Muller is a divisive player in world football. Bayern fans love him while some other clubs’ supporters can’t stand the sight of him. There have been rumours of him leaving in the past but German football’s biggest enigma since Stefan Effenberg is still in Bayern colours and will no doubt be a part of Niko Kovač’s plans next season. However, one of the biggest problems every new Bayern manager has faced after taking over is getting the best out of Thomas Muller.
What is his best position? Is it as a secondary striker, just behind the number 9, or is it alongside the number 9 in a front two? What is the best way to utilise him? Should he play with his back to goal or as a goal poacher in-and-around the 6-yard box?
Bayern’s success, or lack thereof, hinges on Thomas Muller’s form. If he performs, the team clicks as a whole.
1. Going soft
Bayern Munich sides of the past are known to be ruthless, merciless, and clinical. However, one look at the two legs against Real Madrid this season and the cracks in the Bayern system are apparent. Defensive errors and inefficiency upfront cost Bayern a tie which they had largely dominated. It could easily have been them against Liverpool in the final in Kyiv.
Kovač will take charge of a Bayern side comfortably on top of German football. However, comfort is not always a good thing as Carlo Ancelotti learned. For a squad so experienced, Bayern displayed a naivety not associated with the club towards the end of the season – a far cry from the side that demolished Barcelona 7-0 over two legs en route to becoming European champions in 2013.
The Croatian needs to make Bayern as feared as they once were in order to regenerate their fading aura. For now, they look to have lost their way when it comes to the big games, and an inefficient approach will just not suffice.