Bayern Munich‘s defense is under the spotlight after a strong start to the season.
Their defensive problems have seen an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga shrink to just six points in a week.
While there’s no immediate cause for alarm, upcoming matches against third-place TSG Hoffenheim and second-place Borussia Dortmund suggest that the team must remain vigilant.
Bayern Munich’s Defensive Issues: Is This Defensive Crisis A Key Reason For Their Bad Run Of Form?
Since the start of the season, Bayern has been conceding more goals, which is a significant factor in their recent struggles.
In the seven games since the winter break, they managed only one clean sheet—a match against Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise.
In Bundesliga games, they have conceded two goals in each of their last two matches, resulting in their first league loss of the season to FC Augsburg and a 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Hamburger SV.
One reason for these issues is the frequent rotation in defensive positions.
Initially, coach Vincent Kompany’s rotation was praised, but with recent poor results, it is now facing scrutiny.
This aspect is part of the job for any Bayern coach, requiring resilience amid criticism.
The club hopes young goalkeeper Jonas Urbig will eventually succeed Manuel Neuer, necessitating time on the field for him to learn and make mistakes.
Kompany has handled this situation well so far. After a costly mistake in the loss to Augsburg, Urbig bounced back with a standout performance against PSV in the UEFA Champions League.
However, frequent changes in the lineup impact consistency, making Bayern’s defensive struggles less surprising.