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Bayern Munich wanted simply 24 minutes to indicate their tooth beneath Thomas Tuchel with a 4-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on Saturday. BVB led the Bundesliga champions coming into the Allianz Arena conflict however have been spectacularly blown away in 11 first-half minutes which has given prime spot straight again to the Bavarians.
Tuchel couldn’t have wished for a extra convincing begin from Bayern on his watch as Thomas Muller scored twice on prime of a Gregor Kobel personal aim earlier than the half-hour mark. However, it was not simply the long-serving German star who impressed on a day when the playing cards have been redealt after Julian Nagelsmann’s departure and the likes of Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane additionally profited.
There are nonetheless some lingering defensive questions as evidenced by Dortmund’s two late objectives to chop the deficit, however Bayern’s opening hour or so was fairly complete.
Here are early impressions from the Tuchel period at Bayern:
Tactical consistency
Intriguingly, Tuchel opted towards making main modifications to the choice and programs and went for simply two modifications with trusted Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Coman coming into largely the identical crew that went down 2-1 to Bayer Leverkusen earlier than the worldwide break. Much was made from the perceived breakdown in relationship between Nagelsmann and his locker room by the tip of his tenure and this was the damning proof but that one thing was certainly damaged. A focus in assault with Choupo-Moting definitely helped as did having the width supplied by Coman and Sane however Tuchel’s modifications for this one have been hardly rocket science and it nonetheless paid off handsomely.
Muller rises to event
Of course, it helped Tuchel massively that Muller was within the temper from the get-go and his six-minute double helped to compound the distress for Dortmund of Kobel’s rush of blood to the pinnacle for the opener. Ruthlessness in entrance of aim has all the time been one among Muller’s sturdy fits and few embodied that collective style for blood that the 33-year-old confirmed right here as he grabbed his first objectives since February. Tuchel realized how one can use Angel Di Maria to nice impact with Paris Saint-Germain and was capable of rely on Thiago Silva in each the French capital and later London with Chelsea. Muller may simply be the following seasoned head who proves essential to his ambitions.
Defensive worries stay
It was not all excellent for Tuchel on his maiden outing as Bayern boss. Late Emre Can and Donyell Malen objectives enabled Dortmund to get nearer to their hosts than many of the recreation had prompt. Questions stay over the likes of Benjamin Pavard and Matthijs De Ligt whereas Alphonso Davies is definitely at his greatest going ahead. It may have given Tuchel loads to think about and the truth that Joao Cancelo solely obtained the ultimate 11 minutes and that Jamal Musiala would usually begin hints that modifications can be coming within the first few video games beneath the German tactician.
Immediate title affect
The ramifications of the consequence can’t be understated as Bayern have hit again in Tuchel’s first recreation simply when their Bundesliga dominance appeared prefer it is likely to be about to fade. Nagelsmann’s facet didn’t strike concern into their opponents in the identical manner that Hansi Flick’s all-conquering Bayern did earlier than them however Tuchel’s first outing means that the Bavarians’ concern issue might be on its manner again. Suddenly, a one-point deficit has been was a two-point lead and DFB Pokal success in addition to the UEFA Champions League definitely stays on the playing cards.
Ominous for City
That UCL matchup between City and Bayern favored Pep Guardiola’s males up till Tuchel changed Nagelsmann however now it doesn’t appear so easy. With Erling Haaland battling harm and Julian Alvarez anticipated to choose up the slack, the German tactician has the possibility to doubtlessly engineer City’s European downfall as soon as extra — as he did with Chelsea within the 2021 last in Porto. There continues to be work to be accomplished earlier than the opening leg, notably a cup and league doubleheader towards SC Freiburg, however Tuchel’s Bayern can be a lot tougher to eliminate than Nagelsmann’s based mostly on this early proof.
