Four reasons why Bayern Munich won’t win the Champions League (Part 1)
The Bavarian giants are perennial contenders for the UEFA Champions League. AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani proudly declared last year that Champions League is in the Rossoneri DNA, same can be said about Bayern Munich.
The great German team won the prestigious trophy three times in a row from 1974 to 1976. Led by the legendary Franz Beckenbauer, The Reds became the hallmark of success and established themselves as one of the truly great European
sides. Die Roten have won the trophy only once ever since – in 2001 against Valencia CF – but frequently make their presence felt deep into the competition.
Last year, under the guidance of Louis Van Gaal, Bayern Munich made it to the final at Santiago Bernabeau only to be denied by a Diego Milito inspired Inter Milan. The match was Bayern’s eighth Champions League final appearance
and it got them their fourth runner-ups medal.
The side made it to the final mainly due to the heroics of Arjen Robben as the squad was given stern resistance by the likes of ACF Fiorentina and Bayern Munich. Robben scored wonder goals against both the oppositions – his volley
against Manchester United being one for the purists.
This season, Bayern Munich have started the campaign in an emphatic passion. With two rounds of group stages yet to be played, the Bavarian giants have sealed their presence in the next round with a perfect record.
Even though the team has fared impressively, certain key elements are missing from the team’s play that will hurt them in the later stages of the competition.
Weak Centre back pairing
Daniel Van Buyten and Martin Demichelis lined up for Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season and it won’t be any different this time around. For all their physicality and brutal strength, the two players are severely lacking
in intelligence. Against weaker oppositions, the two might over power and out muscle the attackers but when they line up against tactically astute managers and intelligent strikers, their shortcoming are brutally exposed; case at hand being a certain Diego
Milito who schooled the duo in last year’s Champions League final.
With the likes of Inzaghi, Drogba, Higuain and Berbatov featuring in the Champions League, it’s arguable whether the Bavarian centre backs can handle strikers of such intelligence. Although Louis Van Gaal has the option of featuring
Holger Badstuber in the centre of defence; where he actually belongs, the youngster, despite his undoubted talent, is too inexperienced at the highest level and seasoned European strikers would lead him a merry dance.
Van Gaal failed to reinforce the defence with quality in the summer. The same position brought their downfall in the Champions League final last year and the lightening will striker twice for the Bavarian giants.
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