Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

Two big tests, two failures. First Leverkusen and now Aston Villa — Vincent Kompany has disappointed everyone who thought he had turned Bayern Munich around. It’s too early to call for a change, but you have to admit that Unai Emery outcoached him today. Very concerning signs.

It’s crazy how Thomas Müller, one of the most productive offensive players on the team this season, didn’t even warm up while guys like Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sané were allowed to play a game like this. It makes you question the coach’s subs and his selection criteria — in any case, it’s too late now.

Manuel Neuer’s huge blunder is another in a list of high-profile errors he’s made lately. It’s not exactly uncommon to see him off his line, but he’s hurting Bayern badly with these unforced mistakes.

Did Harry Kane even have a shot? Did he touch the ball? Where was his service? He might as well have sat this one out, for all the good it did.

João Palhinha came on and gave a good account of himself in the dying minutes of the game, but will it matter? What sort of performances matter to the coach, and how does he pick who starts and who sits on the bench? These are questions that need to be asked in the coming days, before major games like Stuttgart and Barcelona come into the fray.

Full time: Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich.

79’ — Goal. Duran makes it 1-0, against Manuel Neuer who was off his line.

75’ — No difference so far, Bayern Munich have come no closer to scoring.

45’ — The second half is underway! Jamal Musiala has been subbed on for Kingsley Coman.

Halftime observations and analysis

That wasn’t great. Bayern Munich look toothless against a well-drilled Villa side, and service to Harry Kane has been practically non-existent. Vincent Kompany needs to think of some halftime subs, because as it stands, Bayern are committing everyone forward and leaving the defense extremely vulnerable for minimal offensive benefit.

This is the second game in a row that a team has used a 5-3-2 against Bayern Munich. Is that going to be the anti-Bayern tech going forward?

Ollie Watkins has been dueling Dayot Upamecano all night and it has already lead to a few scary moments for the defense. Palhinha could be an option in games like these to give the defenders more cover.

Halftime: Aston Villa 0-0 Bayern Munich.

23’ — OFFSIDE! Pau Torres makes it 1-0 but VAR rules it out.

Kickoff: We’re underway at Villa Park!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Looks like Vincent Kompany has benched Jamal Musiala today in favor of Kingsley Coman, while Harry Kane manages to keep his spot in the starting XI. Meanwhile, Konrad Laimer seems to be back at right-back. Seems like the coach wanted to rotate today.

The last time Vincent Kompany coached a competitive game in England, his Burnley side succumbed to a 2-1 loss away to Nottingham Forest. At the time, it’s doubtful that anyone expected his next official game in the country would be a Champions League match as coach of FC Bayern Munich.

After Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen, Kompany needs to prove his footballing philosophy can work at the top level. In Unai Emery, Bayern Munich face a coach who knows how to shut down a free-flowing offense, having done so back when he was still coach of Villarreal, to knock Julian Nagelsmann’s team out of the Champions League.

Supposing that Harry Kane is fit, Kompany has all the tools at his disposal to break down whatever kind of bus Emery decides to concoct. Heck, even without Kane, he still has the likes of Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, and Michael Olise — all of whom have been lighting the turf on fire this season. Fans, therefore, expect big things from this game,

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Villa Park, Birmingham, England

Time: 9:00 pm local time, 3:00 pm EST

TV/streaming: Paramount+, Find Your Country

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