Bab 220: Giving Manchester City a Small Taste of the Bundesliga
December 11th, Allianz Arena in Munich.
The match between Manchester City and Bayern had been underway for 12 minutes, and the score was 2-0. The home team led, and the visitors trailed.
The situation mirrored their last encounter, where Bayern used their strong offensive pressure to suppress Manchester City and score early. The difference this time was that Bayern had scored twice.
The goals were scored by Müller and Götze. Seeing the score, Bayern fans at the Allianz Arena erupted with excitement.
They had expected a win but never thought their team would gain such a large lead so quickly. Manchester City had not lost a match this season across all competitions, and in their last encounter, City had even managed a home comeback victory against Bayern.
This made Bayern fans subconsciously believe that this match would be very tough, that even if they could win, it would be hard-fought and costly. But to their surprise, they gained a substantial lead within just over ten minutes.
According to Champions League advancement rules, if two teams are tied on points and their head-to-head results are also tied, goal difference determines the ranking. Head-to-head goal difference comes first, followed by overall goal difference if necessary.
In the previous round, Bayern lost 2-3 to Manchester City, just by one goal. If they could win 2-0 this time, their head-to-head goal difference against City would surpass City's. Thus, Bayern would top Group D.
Seeing this score, the Bayern fans who had doubts about Guardiola started singing his praises. The attending journalists began drafting articles in their minds, thinking about how to laud Guardiola and his Bayern team.
With the league standings first and undefeated, and topping the Champions League group, their performance was even better than the previous season. Such results deserved praise!
In the Allianz Arena's box, Rummenigge applauded after Götze's goal. "Guardiola is doing a great job. The team's performance and stability have improved significantly compared to last season."
If they beat Manchester City and win the group, they'd have an advantageous position in the knockout stages, making it easier to reach the quarterfinals. "Guardiola's coaching style may differ from Heynckes', but his ability is unquestionable," Hoeness quickly added, seeing Rummenigge's satisfaction.
Sammer glanced at Hoeness, thinking that previously, Hoeness hadn't been so complimentary of Guardiola. "Yes, Müller has improved. He plays smarter now, right, Matthias?" Sammer nodded. "Müller and Kroos have made great progress, and Lahm has become more versatile. However..."
Guardiola's arrival brought fresh energy to Bayern. Under his guidance, Bayern's technical skills became more refined, and their teamwork improved. Their playing style was increasingly resembling a Spanish team, which delighted Sammer. However, some of Guardiola's changes posed challenges for the club. For instance, Guardiola didn't like using traditional center-forwards, which strained his relationship with Mandzukic. Mandzukic had pressured the club through his agent, threatening to leave if his starting position wasn't secured.
Having already let Gomez go, Mandzukic was Bayern's only reliable center-forward. If he left, Bayern would lack a strong center-forward. Although Guardiola wasn't fond of using center-forwards, Bayern, as a top club, couldn't do without one.
Fortunately, Bayern's transfer list included Dortmund's striker Lewandowski. Sammer remembered that his contract was expiring next summer, and Dortmund hadn't renewed it, indicating his intention to leave. So, he brought this up.
"Dortmund's number 9? He's a great center-forward. If we can sign him for free, it would be a good deal," Rummenigge said, remembering Lewandowski, who had once scored a hat-trick against Bayern, taking the championship trophy from them. Aside from Lin last season, Lewandowski was the second most impressive forward in the Bundesliga to him.
Bayern excelled at poaching top talent from other Bundesliga teams, saving transfer fees and weakening their rivals, strengthening their dominance in the league. "President, Schweinsteiger is unhappy about not starting. What do you think?" Hoeness took advantage of Rummenigge's good mood to bring this up. Götze and Thiago's arrivals intensified competition in Bayern's midfield, making Schweinsteiger's starting position less secure. His frequent injuries led Guardiola to consider dropping him, evident in this crucial match where Schweinsteiger wasn't even in the squad.
Schweinsteiger was a true Bayern product, joining the club at 14 and serving for over 15 years. Bayern couldn't harshly cut or discard such a veteran without backlash from fans and demoralization among players. So, Hoeness planned to talk to Guardiola. But seeing the team's great performance, he hesitated. "Yes, I understand," Rummenigge nodded, acknowledging but not committing to intervening.
Among Bayern's 11 players, only Dante and Ribery were 30, and Lahm was close. The others were young. Goalkeeper Neuer, at 27, was entering his peak, with at least seven or eight more years, even ten, of service. Defenders Boateng and Alaba were 25 and 21, respectively, capable of a decade-long career at Bayern. Midfielders Thiago, Götze, and Kroos, all born in the '90s, had plenty of time ahead, with Kroos the oldest at 23 and Götze the youngest at 21. Forward Müller, born in '89, was only 24, with eight or nine more years to play. Mandzukic, same age as Neuer, was in his prime. If he left, replacing him with Lewandowski, born in '88, would further youthify the squad. Keeping these players would ensure Bayern's core strength for the next decade. They were not only young but also proven talents. Once Guardiola fully established Bayern's tactical system, even if he left, the team's performance wouldn't drop significantly.
Thus, it was hard for the club to interfere with Guardiola's reforms. Rummenigge might only comfort Schweinsteiger and talk to Guardiola for a compromise. But Rummenigge greatly appreciated Guardiola's use of young players, aligning with the club's vision. Using and developing young talents, giving them opportunities, were always part of Guardiola's accolades and why Bayern hired him—to secure a stable transition and lay the foundation for future success. Seeing Guardiola perfectly fulfilling this role, Rummenigge had no reason to strain relations with him. If Guardiola left, where would they find another coach like him?
On the sidelines, seeing his team take an early lead, Guardiola remained calm. To beat City, he had adjusted his tactics, including starting Mandzukic despite preferring not to use traditional center-forwards. This proved wise, as Mandzukic's playmaking had facilitated Bayern's attack. Müller's goal came from Mandzukic's assist, and Götze's goal also involved him.
With a lead, Guardiola considered substituting Mandzukic in the second half for a fast, breakthrough winger to counter City's likely offensive push. Although Robben was injured, leaving the "Robbery" duo incomplete, Shaqiri on the bench could suffice. But for now, it was too early to make changes. City wouldn't sit back after falling behind. Guardiola's gaze settled on the young player in the light blue number 10 jersey. Lin, your team is in a tight spot. What will you do?
On the field, City's players were stunned. Bayern's strength was overwhelming, unlike any opponent they had faced in the league. Last time at home, Bayern had suppressed them severely, and this time, it felt even more intense. After Pantilimon's poor league performance, Pellegrini lost faith in him, reverting to Joe Hart as the starting goalkeeper. However, Hart conceded two goals within the first 12 minutes, feeling embarrassed and anxious, fearing substitution.
Pellegrini didn't blame the keeper, focusing instead on City's defensive woes. From the start, he had been restructuring City's defense, trying various combinations with unsatisfactory results. Even against weaker league teams, they often conceded, so expecting a clean sheet against a powerful Bayern at home was unrealistic. But he didn't anticipate conceding so early and so many goals—trailing by two goals in just 12 minutes was too passive.
"Bayern seems to have figured out our defensive weaknesses, targeting them effectively!"
"Mandzukic is just a decoy today, acting as a pivot in Bayern's attacks. But with Müller playing as a second striker, Bayern's central threat remains," analyzed Pellegrini.
The first goal came from Mandzukic's return pass to an unmarked Müller for a shot. After adjusting defense, Müller started pulling wide, combining with wingers to attack City's flanks. Bayern's full-backs were strong in attack, and with Müller joining, City's wings were overwhelmed. Götze's second goal came from a flank attack. Now they didn't know what to do; strengthening any position seemed futile.
Pellegrini glanced uneasily at Bayern's bench, feeling that Guardiola had anticipated all his decisions. This déjà vu from their last encounter at the Etihad was even stronger at the Allianz. Feeling frustrated, Pellegrini wondered if he could ever defeat Guardiola.
With no adjustments from the bench, City's players took matters into their own hands. "We're already behind; let's go all out and attack!"
Down by two, defending in their half seemed pointless. To win the group, they needed to attack and score. "Yeah, I'm sick of defending. Let's take the fight to them!"
"Exactly, we beat them before, we can do it again!"
With morale boosted, City's players didn't show fear or despair, just anger and determination. They hadn't lost their fighting spirit; instead, they felt provoked.
"Lin, which side do
we attack?" As City's attacking core, the players looked to Lin for direction. Lin assessed the situation. Ribery was on Bayern's left, Götze on the right. Having faced both, Lin knew Götze was weaker, less experienced, and physically inferior to Ribery. Thus, attacking Götze's side was the better choice.
"David, we'll attack this side..." After discussing with a few teammates, they all turned their gaze to Götze.
Sensing unfriendly looks, Götze raised his head and met Lin's gaze, along with other City players. Seeing Lin's slight smile, Götze felt puzzled. You're down by two goals, and you're still smiling?
As the game resumed, Götze's smile faded. The core of City's attack, Lin, came straight at him with the ball.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone