Back to Reality for Bayern

Article by e-Bundesliga Correspondent Chris Schmitt

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Bayern Munich lost 5-0 on aggregate to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. The Bavarians displayed two lackluster performances that were not on par with their own high standards.

But where has it all gone wrong?

There has been much talk about Guardiola’s inability to change tactics when it wasn’t working. What can be said for certain is that his team misses the presence of Thiago, out with an injury until next season. Mario Götze made an immediate impact when substituted but couldn’t prevent his teams staggering defeat.

Franck Ribéry has been a shadow of his former self after losing out on the Ballon d’Or, making it easier for Madrid to take him out of the game. Two or three defenders also effectively silenced Arjen Robben every time he got the ball.

Bayern have won the 2013-14 Bundesliga on the 27th match day, beating their own record set the season before. Might it be that Bayern won the championship too soon?

In Spain, there are three teams still fighting for the championship: Atlético Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. None of these teams have the luxury of a slip-up. They have to give their all every match.

Bayern sat on first spot since match day 8. They had to fight at the beginning of the season, but the end was pretty much the same as friendly matches for them.

There are many explanations; some make more sense than others but it’s probably a mix of all of the above that impacted the outcome of the Champions League semi-finals.

Whatever conclusion you might come too, Bayern are still one of the strongest teams in the world and will probably be out for vengeance next year.

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