Eintracht Frankfurt 3-3 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

Well, that’s it then. Some weeks you score 20 goals, some weeks you go winless. Bayern Munich controlled that entire game, dominated Eintracht Frankfurt, and come away with a point. Vincent Kompany has to be sweating right now, because the questions will be numerous.

Was it the defense or was it the system? What allowed Marmoush and Ekitike to slice through the Bayern midfield and defense with such ease? It’s going to require a lot of introspection in the coming weeks.

Harry Kane got an assist, but this was another game where he barely had any shots. This is becoming a pattern for him, under the second coach in a row. Is there nothing Bayern can do to get Kane more involved?

90’+4’ — Goal. Marmoush counters again. 3-3.

71’ — Sub: Harry Kane comes off for Mathys Tel. Might be a precaution.

52’ — GOOOOOOOOOOAL! Michael Olise makes it 3-2!

45’ — The second half is underway!

Halftime: The game is level at 2-2.

37’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Upamecano makes it 2-2!

35’ — Goal. Ekitike makes it 2-1!

22’— Goal. Marmoush makes it 1-1!

14’ — GOOOOOOOOOOAL! Kim Min-jae makes it 1-0, Thomas Müller with the assist.

Kickoff: We’re underway!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Looks like Vincent Kompany couldn’t avoid the obvious and decided to start Thomas Müller in place of Jamal Musiala tonight. This will be his first start since the game against SSV Ulm almost two months ago, but he’s probably ready (right?). The rest of the lineup is as-expected, with Guerreiro coming in for Laimer at right-back.

With Bayern Munich reeling from two winless games in a row, Vincent Kompany is about to experience what pressure really means. Yes, he got relegated at Burnley, but that didn’t cost him his job. A bad stretch at Bayern? That’s a different story.

Of course, it never gets any easier. This will be the second matchday in a row where Kompany is asked to face the team that is just beneath Bayern in the table, and this time he needs to do it with Jamal Musiala out injured. If he can’t win, then the media will have a field day during the winter break.

So, what are his options? Well, he could give Thomas Müller a shot, but it’s hard to say whether the 35-year-old is ready given his last start was against SSV Ulm all the way back in August. Another option would be to put Michael Olise behind Harry Kane at the attacking midfield spot, but that setup struggled against Aston Villa in midweek. That’s without even approaching the topic of the midfield and the question of João Palhinha.

The outcome of the game could hinge on these decisions. This is where coaches show what they’re really capable of.

It’s Bayern time.

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify:

Match Info

Location: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany

Time: 5:30 pm local time, 11:30 am EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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