#I agree with many of Badstu's points.

[thommi-tomate]

Holger Badstuber column

Hello football friends !

"Oh come on, we're playing football!". - I have known Thomas Müller for too long and any on-field "contact" with opponents too well not to have been able to understand him when he uttered this phrase in frustration in Friday's TV interview.

I definitely wouldn't have given that penalty in the 94th minute after the duel between Alphonso Davies and Jonas Hofmann. It was a gift to Leverkusen.

But I also have to say: Bayer Leverkusen really deserved FC Bayern's 2:2, the result was totally fair. Overall, it was an open, lively, entertaining match, with many chances, saves by the goalkeepers, simply a great night for German football.

Leverkusen can shake up Bayern

It was proof that Bayer are capable of upsetting this season's serial champions FCB. Of course, Xabi Alonso's team is currently living off the momentum, the euphoria of the beginning of the season. However, the strong evolution of the team is evident.

Especially in the subtleties of how to control a game, i.e. through changes of pace, nerves of steel, discipline and class. Granit Xhaka is a major factor in the center, with the exceptional Florian Wirtz, the veteran Jonas Hofmann and the creative Victor Boniface swirling in front of him. Alejandro Grimaldo's free kick was world class, Exequiel Palacios' coolness on the penalty against a whistle was remarkable.

I still know Xabi Alonso as a teammate at FC Bayern, the qualities he had as a player he now transmits to his team. He is meticulous, very approachable, emotional. He has a good connection with his players and brings a natural authority through his resume and his way of being. Xabi Alonso is on the road to success and will not be leaving it any time soon with Leverkusen.

Leverkusen is fresh, looks homogeneous and sticks to their game idea in the hot phases. It's fun to watch this team. I also have respect for the way Leverkusen managed to strengthen the squad in the summer according to the coach's ideas.

FC Bayern lacks a true right-back.

That is also the big difference with FC Bayern. I have to be honest and say that the right-back position is still very much a work in progress. Laimer can play in it, but he has the nature of a midfielder. There is no real right back in the squad. It is a serious problem.

Especially against teams that combine as brilliantly through the middle as Leverkusen, it is equally obvious that a static six is still urgently needed. In my previous column, I already pointed out the importance of a player who provides the balance between defense and attack.

Against Leipzig in the Supercup and now against Leverkusen, there were a total of five goals conceded; that's not really good defending. The squad is not only too thin in quantity, but also in quality. An improvement in winter is absolutely necessary.

FC Bayern are not in a position to put their stamp on a good opponent, to dominate them. I do not deny anyone's will to win, but the team is not rounded, the self-confidence, the defensive solidity and, above all, the connection on the pitch are not there. At least we can rely on the goalscorer Harry Kane.

In short, FCB still has a lot of work to do and a lot of clarification to do within the team to get back to its true strength. The Champions League kicks off on Wednesday against Manchester United.

I am curious.

Your Holger Badstuber

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