FC Bayern Munich

The defense is far from anything close to stability. Yes, this is also due to the fact that key defenders are missing but I don't think we have improved much in this regard. Our midfield is absolutely terrible. Kimmich makes mistakes left and right and is almost always alone. Laimer is a liability wherever he is played. And our attack is very dependant on sparks of individual brilliance. I think our attack was far better organized under Nagelsmann. So far, Tuchel has shown no considerable improvement. Yes, we have a lot of points and won most games but we were always shaky. I don't understand how you can win a game 8:0 and I'm left with question marks if we even played well because we were partly dominated by darmstadt (a team that is destined for relegation). For the most part, we were dominated by galatasaray, Leipzig, Kopenhagen, Leverkusen, struggled against Gladbach and conceded three against ManU. While the results are there and we're winning games, we shouldn't gloss over how bad and uninspired we are for large stretches of games.

I think the mentality of the team has massively improved. We don’t shit the bed the second we concede a goal. However, I don’t think we are able to control games like we used to, I struggle to see what the plan is on the pitch, and games against mid-range opponents are made more difficult than they have been for a long time. The defence is a little less secure and attack a little less creative. But we are getting results. I really dislike Tuchels team selections and it is my opinion that we will get beaten in the CL as soon as we come up against a top team. His transfer targets are baffling to me as well. Him and I have polar opposite footballing values. I’ve seen enough to say I don’t think it will be a successful time in our history with him at the helm and I would rather we made a change as soon as possible to salvage some of the season. But I accept that won’t happen and will get on supporting the team and hoping that I am wrong.

It's hard to say definitively. Outside of the Supercup, Bayern are one of two undefeated teams in Europe (Leverkusen being the other) so something is clearly working. But outside of a couple of moments, I don't see the team (as a whole) looking close to a finished article. There are a few caveats here:

• Other teams are on a great run of form like Leverkusen and without the same pressure on them as Bayern, they can only do well.

• The squad is paper thin and getting thinner with each day. If Tuchel's plan to navigate the first half of the season has been to keep everything simple so as to not overly exert the players then I get it. If this was Flick, I would hate to imagine where the team would be. I said it the other day about Gravenberch but the way we conducted our transfer business was really quite poor and this happened in spite of the manager saying what he needs (and indeed what every other manager has needed). I also believe that Neuer being on the pitch, even if he isn't involved, has a huge impact so being without him for a while would have been an issue.

The positives: Kane had the same impact as De Ligt, it's like he's been here for years already. Sané is at his absolute best and is the player we all want him to be.

The negatives: this is the worst that Kimmich has looked since he joined and remains the main channel that all play goes through despite the bad performances. Players can have a bad run of form but after a while you need to point at the manager. If I was manager and had the opportunity to make one change, I would prohibit Kimmich from receiving the short ball direct from the keeper. This was done time and time again over the last three years (not just under Tuchel) and each time I have no faith that it will come off.

In addition to this, many of the games just haven't felt convincing. Or if they have, they weren't convincing over the full 90 minutes. It's maybe ridiculous to say that coming off of an 8-0 win but even then the first half didn't exactly look perfect. I can't even use being a man down after 3 minutes as a way to rationalise it because they lost a guy shortly afterwards. The second half had the tenacity and progression that I want to see more of but the first half performances have been all too common.

I think therein is my main gripe: I haven't watched 90 minutes and felt that the team was great from start to finish. For stretches, yes very dominant, very quick and a lot of goals but from the start to the end I always feel that Bayern will let the opponent back into the game. The United game is a good example of this I feel. An otherwise very good performance but thrown away at times, somehow resulted in conceding 3 goals.

Generally, I think things are fine but there is still work to be done.

Considering the circumstances I can’t complain much.

Tuchel has a thinner and less balanced squad compared to when he took the job in March. Right now we don’t play particularly well but we’re getting results and that’s what matters the most.

I’d like us to have more control in our games, especially in midfield, but that’s a hard task with the player material that we currently have. Tuchels fate will be decided by the transfer period in January. If we get a good holding midfielder and at least one defender, I’m optimistic that we can reach the semis in the UCL and win a domestic double. If we don’t get a good holding 6 however, I don’t see us making it far in the CL knockout stage and I wouldn’t expect winning the DFB Pokal either. That would probably be the end of Tuchel.

I feel that the team is showing improvement mentality-wise. We can get back to the games even if we are down 0-2. I agree with the previous comments, we cannot be that dominant anymore but I just partially blame the coach for that. The squad needs reinforcements in certain positions and I believe this is one of the reasons why we fell short mostly.

We need a starter caliber DM and RB (Mazraui is a good player but because of Davis the RB should be able to play more defensively which is not Maz’s strongest point). I think these additions can make the team more stable after the winter break.

I also appreciate Tuchel’s ability to make adjustments in the halftime. We have seen it frequently this year and I understand if you don’t like it when the game starts underwhelmingly but at least he can do something.

To say some improvement points too: I get it that every coach needs his starting 11 because it is important. However I would appreciate some flexibility in between games like: Musiala and Muller together on the pitch or start Muller for once or Tel. In my head Kane and Sane are the only players upfront who should start when they are healthy, all the others are interchangeable.

All in all, I think Tuchel is somewhere around 10/7 currently: we lead the CL group, we are winning games in the BL consistently. None wins any trophies in October/November so result-wise we are fine, I counted on a difficult autumn since the last day of the transfer market. If the necessary reinforcements come in January, I will be a bit more critical if we see the same problems all over again. Until that lets just win games, go through the group stage in the CL.

+ The players don't give up
+ Good second halfs (tactical improvements)
+ Some players did improve
+ Talents gets some minutes
+ You often see a gameplan (- Gameplan is not properly implied)
+ We did no lose a game
+ Every game we have good attacking chances
+ i have the feeling that Tuchel knows the deficits of the squad and calls it out

- There is no midfield
- The game is often static
- We often win games on individual quality
- I personally don't like the playstyle
- I have the feeling that he will get a lot of yellows, reds which would be bad for in game chances
- We often can't kill a game when we lead. (As in Leverkusen, Mainz, United) We did still win 2 of these games but they still came close and with some bad luck we could have lose points

The team is massively improving in the second half in most games and our defense (even though it's far from perfect) is not crumbling if we concede first. Tuchel is making very few subs - (rightfully) favoring Tel to get playing time. Even though this sub (myself included) are constantly shitting on him for not playing muller, there is a reason for it. Kane is dropping into the midfield to lob the ball to the wings and cam when they make runs behind opposing defenses. For this reason, Musiala may be preferred over Muller; but I still think that the fluidity of the team's offense is massively improved with muller on the pitch. Tuchel's style definitely isn't the most fun to watch but so far the results have been in our favour. Maybe when we face tougher opposition it'd be easier to judge him

I think while still a good bit away from the dizzy heights a couple of years ago things are stabilising.

In a strange way I actually feel better compared to those years where the form was incredible in the autumn. You dont win competitions in October. You want to look unbeatable from February, March onwards.

I dont agree with the squad being paper thin. It's maybe not what City have but its decent.

It may not be enough in the end because you have to be fantastic and also have a bit of luck to win the Champions League, but I think there'll be a much better chance with the additions - especially Kane - and Neuer back. I have high hopes that if Bayern have to face City again come spring it will look very different from last season and Bayern will have a genuine chance to challenge.

On the Neuer thing: With Ullreich playing as he did/does this isn't much of an issue anymore. But Sommer was definitely a weak link at the level required.

Kimmich is great but he's got too much load on him for too long. It's gone a bit stale. His set pieces create no threat and his build-up play is predictable. Its not his fault but a bit of a shake-up in buildup play would do no harm.

It’s the worst Bayern I’ve seen ever. Worse than Kovac. But we’re winning, so let’s hope Sane and Kane stay fit and play well. I can’t see us going far in the CL with that „football“ though.

I think this job is Tuchel last chance to be considered as a top coach (with Klopp and co).

He is getting better with is management - more mature - but you can see his limitations when it comes to media relations.

Tactically, he seems more flexible than in his previous jobs. This is the most exciting part for me.

I think Tuchel has to improve soon. The Squad is still far away from the level it had under JN, especially before the WC, but also after. With the best 9 in the world instead of chupo/Gnabry as 9.

What's funny is that stat wise this team is on pace to better than the 2019-20 team, especially defensively. Obviously, it's a small sample size and remains to be seen where they stand at the end of the season but I think it shows how trophies change perceptions.

The 19-20 was great offensively but overall, that team wasn't as dominant as some may think. They were a bit lucky to not concede more and regression eventually hit them the following season.

I think we have generally started matches poorly under Tuchel, but the way we are able to make adjustments in the second half and have consistently made the right subs late in games is really good to see. This should help us later in the Champions League. Under Nagelsmann you could tell 10 minutes into a match if we were going to be competitive that night or not.

I still don't think we can properly judge him without getting him a midfielder of his choosing though. If you watch his PSG side in 2020 or Chelsea in 2021 you saw spectacular buildup play from 2 sides that were completely press-resistant. There is a reason he beat Pep 3x in about 6 weeks in 2021 in the league, FA Cup and Champions League.

If we can find him that midfielder like he had in Marquinhos / Veratti / Kante / Jorginho then we will look like a brand new side come February.

I do not see an attractive change of Playstyle. I'd even argue it got worse under Tuchel compared to Nagelsmann.

Sure they win and don't crumble as much, but the playstyle is far from attractive if you take the results aside. I think the change from Nagelsmann to Tuchel didn't really work (IMO).

I think with a dedicated striker like Kane, Bayern under Nagelsmann would've been alot better than what we see under Tuchel right now!

I don't care if we play "beautiful football" or not as long as he gets results. Leverkusen are playing amazing football currently and I'm sure that they'll be completely gassed in the second half of the season with players dropping like flies because this is what has happened to us in the last three years. I think Tuchel has done a great job so far.

He has to make the first half of the game working.

The possible answer for that is a holding 6.

His motivation towards players are GREAT. Look at Sané, Tel, Ulreich, all of the defenders etc. Everyone plays better under Tuchel.

The board has fail to renew the midfield, you look at how the players have changed in defense/attack and you can realize that the change is positive. Now, you look at the latest signings in our midfield with players like Sabitzer, Laimer, Gravenberch, Cuisance and you realize the horrible job of the board.

The midfield is key to success

It is hard to say, we drew with the two strongest teams we have played so far, Leverkusen and Leipzig (not counting the super cup), and did not look super convincing there. At this point I am still not confident going into the CL knock out games.

in my opinion his ass is getting saved every other week. the only reason we are winning close games not because of our tactics, chemistry or anything like that. i feel its hands down becuase of the level of our players. if our team wasnt consisted of kane sane musiala kimmich (yes ik u guys hate him now, but he is still clas) de ligt etc we would have lost against galatasayar, man u and other clsoe games we had in the league.

we are still winning but we are one game away from playing against a team with better players or even slightly worse playes, like lepzig real madrid city etc

defense line just trying to get rid of the ball as fast as possible. the midfield is lost they dontknow where to play the ball they dont the places of the opps or teammates either. the attack is bascailly just sane running, kane waiting, musiala dribbling.

honestly if you showed me our teams tactic board i wouldnt be able to tell its bayerns. we are still winning becuase of the level of our players

We can't win big games, our play style sucks and is boring, and he gets constantly bailed out by our players.

So how do you reckon we're doing? I think although several First halfs were rather bad, we're stabilising.

Well, Tuchel's match plan is pretty much to let the other side run to tire them out and then hit them, tThe issue is that the plan depends on the team's ability to withstand the pressure, which isn't really happening right now.

Sure, we depend a lot on individual performance, but that's part of the plan, to get in a position where we can do that, that's not a flaw.

We can argue about the usefulness of it, but considering squad issues, there isn't really much the coach could do differently.

I think individually he’s brought out a lot of confidence in the players, some are playing their best football we’ve seen in a long time, which is making a massive difference on the pitch. But I think we all see there is still some structural weaknesses in the backfield, but hopefully come to the later part of the season when the stakes are high I’m confident that these problems will be addressed hopefully through strong team chemistry and high winning performance mentality. I see that as tuchels strengths and contribution