Manuel Neuer
Conceded three goals in the last game against Bielefeld and that doesn’t happen that often, especially not against Bielefeld. But then it was snowing like in the Arctic Circle, this time the temperatures only approached this level. He held strong against Okugawa once (photo), but was also otherwise busy because the Armines rushed towards his goal again at high frequency. But this time unsuccessful.
Benjamin Pavard
Was part of a historic quintet, because for the first time ever, a Bundesliga team started with five French players. Pavard, Upamecano and Hernandez formed la défense – a blue-white-red row of three against the Teutonic Armines. With this tactic, Julian Nagelsmann released Pavard from the unloved wing runs, which compatriot Coman took over – on parle francais. At the last chance of the Arminen with a very courageous tackle, which prevented a surprising equalizer.
Dayot Upamecano
Grooves slowly as the center player of the three-man chain, but his passes do not yet have the timing and elegance like the player openings of a Mats Hummels or a Jérôme Boateng at their best. But well – it took a while for them.
Lucas Hernandez
Same phenomenon as with Pavard: feels more comfortable as a left central defender in a back three than as a classic full-back. So is that possibly an ulterior motive behind the creeping system changeover from flick mode to the Nagelsmann system? Oh well. Tactics is one thing, the form of the player the other and after a few unfortunate actions at 1: 2 in Augsburg, Hernandez did not give the safest impression against Bielefeld either.
Kingsley Coman
As a so-called “rail player”, he is now allowed to whiz down the entire right wing. This gives him even more start-up for his sprints and the paths for his opponents become even longer. Andres Andrade therefore had one of the most uncomfortable tasks in the Bundesliga. The Arminia did not manage to slow down Coman, but always put some part of the body in his cross passes and flanks (see photo).
Alphonso Davies
While the Alpine World Cup is starting again in the USA, Alphonso Davies managed the slalom run of the day in Munich. Wobbled through the whole Arminia defense and failed only with his shot at Stefan Ortega (see also Thomas Müller, Leroy Sané and Robert Lewandowski on the subject of “Ortega”).
Leon Goretzka
Suffers most from Joshua Kimmich’s absence because he lacks the well-rehearsed partner he needs for his famous offensive runs. Delegated the task of distributing the ball to Corentin Tolisso, moved a lot on the pitch, initiated some attacks, but looked a little lost in the Bielefeld thicket. Nagelsmann took him out early to give Musiala a new impetus. When the camera showed him on the bench, he didn’t look particularly happy.
Corentin Tolisso
Shortly lost his place as Joshua Kimmich’s first deputy to Marcel Sabitzer, but quickly regained it after his performance against Augsburg. Good game by the French, extremely active, few mistakes. Can feel like a small winner of the past few weeks after it was whispered towards the end of the transfer period that Bayern would like to sell him.
Thomas Müller
Dreams of Stefan Ortega that night. The Arminia goalkeeper knows the goals in the arena well because he played for three years of his life at 1860 Munich, which almost everyone has forgotten, Ortega maybe too. In any case, Müller was the rabbit, Ortega the hedgehog – he was always there and defused a scissor blow, a header and a volley shot by the national player in quick succession. But such work games are known to be Müller games. Worked the most and because the stadiums are emptying again, you can hear again how much Müller speaks during a game like this.
Leroy Sané
It was clear that it would take something untenable to overcome Ortega that day and Sané grabbed him in the 71st minute: Strong preparatory work by Musiala, good storage by Müller – and Sané chased the ball into the top left corner (photo ). Had failed in the beginning with a real pound from the second row against the opposing goalkeeper. Was the only player in the men’s team at the annual general meeting on Thursday and carried the bowl into the hall – but didn’t stay like coach Nagelsmann until after midnight.
Robert Lewandowski
On Monday in Paris the golden ball, the Ballon d’Or, the magazine France Football awarded. This is not the official world footballer’s choice, but it is the more traditional award and is said to be more respected among players than the FIFA counterpart. Either way: Robert Lewandowski absolutely wants the prize, which was not awarded last year due to the pandemic. Herbert Hainer, Oliver Kahn, Hasan Salihamidzic and Julian Nagelsmann will travel to the French capital with their striker.
The game against Bielefeld is no longer included in the vote. It was a rather poor performance for his standards. If he ever shot on goal, then – of course – Ortega stopped.
Substitute players
Jamal Musiala came to the field almost coldly after his contact person quarantine – and livened up the game. Even Serge Gnabry hammered a shot on the crossbar. Niklas Süle was just wasting time.