Search
Help
Members
Register
Login
Home
Winning 2-0 away to Atlético Madrid is impressive, but I'd argue Bayern Munich's clean sheet deserves even more attention than the result.
Bayern had conceded five goals across their previous two Champions League matches, both of which ended in draws. That raised some questions about their defensive reliability, particularly against opponents capable of punishing the smallest mistakes.
Then they went to Madrid and kept Atlético off the scoresheet.
That's no small achievement. Atlético had gone nine games without defeat, and playing against them on their own ground is rarely a comfortable experience. Bayern managed to leave with three points while also showing a level of defensive discipline that had been missing from their recent European performances.
For me, that's the most encouraging part of the victory.
Bayern have enough attacking quality to trouble almost anybody in Europe. The question has always been whether their defense can hold up when the pressure really starts building. In the knockout rounds, one careless defensive spell can undo an entire evening's work.
This performance gives their supporters something to be encouraged about, although consistency will matter far more than one impressive result.
Has Bayern Munich moved into your group of serious Champions League contenders, or do you still have doubts about their ability to maintain this defensive discipline against Europe's elite?
Bayern had conceded five goals across their previous two Champions League matches, both of which ended in draws. That raised some questions about their defensive reliability, particularly against opponents capable of punishing the smallest mistakes.
Then they went to Madrid and kept Atlético off the scoresheet.
That's no small achievement. Atlético had gone nine games without defeat, and playing against them on their own ground is rarely a comfortable experience. Bayern managed to leave with three points while also showing a level of defensive discipline that had been missing from their recent European performances.
For me, that's the most encouraging part of the victory.
Bayern have enough attacking quality to trouble almost anybody in Europe. The question has always been whether their defense can hold up when the pressure really starts building. In the knockout rounds, one careless defensive spell can undo an entire evening's work.
This performance gives their supporters something to be encouraged about, although consistency will matter far more than one impressive result.
Has Bayern Munich moved into your group of serious Champions League contenders, or do you still have doubts about their ability to maintain this defensive discipline against Europe's elite?
