Champions League: Mediocrity in Europe: Bayern before extra round

After the bitter realization that they are currently not among the top players in Europe, the Bayern professionals wanted to get to their hotel rooms quickly. The Munich team around the once again unsuccessful goalscorer Harry Kane and the high-class footballer Jamal Musiala, who is still looking for his form, followed Jan-Christian Dreesen’s banquet speech with petrified expressions.

After the sobering 3-0 loss at Feyenoord Rotterdam, the CEO had already resigned himself to the unpleasant and delicate extra round in the Champions League. “We will accept these playoffs,” said Dreesen in the Dutch port city. Bayern wanted to avoid the two games in mid-February at all costs given the already high pressure.

Bayern is currently not a top team

This requires eighth place – but Munich is currently far from being one of the best eight teams in Europe. “If you make so many mistakes and lose so many games, then of course you’re not a top team,” analyzed national player Joshua Kimmich ruthlessly.

“We weren’t mature enough and ripped off enough today. And accordingly we are now in a very, very bad situation,” said Kimmich. “We’ve lost three games after seven games. Anyone who thinks we’re a top team can’t read the table.”

In the table, the star ensemble from the Isar is now 15th, even behind the struggling Borussia from Dortmund. “Reaching the top eight will be difficult or impossible. It would be a miracle,” said Dreesen.

A lot of support needed

Due to the deserved defeat against Rotterdam, who had not won before this year, the Munich team no longer have it in their own hands to reach the round of 16 directly. Direct entry into the round of 16 is only possible with a win next week against the still winless team from Slovan Bratislava and a lot of optimal results in the parallel games. The playoffs are more likely. The teams in places 9 to 24 will play the other eight round of 16 participants in the home and away games.

“We have to hope for a lot of support. If not, we have brought the playoffs upon ourselves,” said sports director Max Eberl. “We got a big hit on the nose today.”

This repeated a pattern that had already occurred more often this season. Defensively, coach Vincent Kompany’s team acted too carelessly in crucial situations, while offensively they lacked composure in front of the goal. Best example: In the first half, Kane had an equalizer in his 50th Champions League game, but was denied from close range by the outstanding Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow.

Kane’s last goal from the game dates back to November. After that he was only successful with a penalty. It is also true that the Briton was injured for a few weeks at the end of last year. But Kane currently lacks the lightness – and Bayern lacks the goalscorer’s accuracy.

“Of course we need his goals,” said captain Manuel Neuer. But the 2014 world champion goalkeeper isn’t worried. “As a striker, you always have a lull. Even at FC Bayern, some strikers have had lulls. We don’t need to open the barrel.”

However, Neuer and Co. will have to concern themselves with the question of how solid Kompany Bayern really are. After the three wins at the start of the new year in the Bundesliga, Bayern felt they were on track. But then came the bitter setback in Rotterdam. “We thought we were on the right track – that was suddenly destroyed today,” said Eberl.

A reaction from the Bundesliga table leaders is required as early as Saturday in the away game at SC Freiburg. Kompany has no concerns that this might not happen in Breisgau. He also expects a lot from his team in the Champions League. “We’re not afraid of the Champions League playoffs. If we have to get in there, then we have to get in. You have to earn the top eight,” said the Belgian. Bayern currently don’t have it.