Bayern win and develop playing style

Posted: 3:03 am, August 25, 2013 by Carsten Arndt

Ribery and co got it done but it took some time. Photo: DPA

FC Bayern Munich 2-0 1. FC Nürnberg
Goals: 1-0 Ribéry (69′) , 2-0 Robben (78′)

What a perfect start for FC Bayern Munich and manager Guardiola it has been in the 51st Bundesliga season. The defending champions won yet another three points and could close the gap on Borussia Dortmund who have also won their first three games. In front of 71,000 fans Franck Ribéry put Bayern ahead in the second half, before Robben decided the game with a goal after a solo run. In the second half, the home side showed their creativity and displayed a real joy for playing the game, something that has been missing so far this season.

Before kickoff, Guardiola caused a surprise in Bayern´s starting lineup. Mario Goetze, the new signing from the big rival Borussia Dortmund, started for the first time in the season. Thiago and Robben also came in as Bayern looked for their third win a row.

But just as they did in their games against Gladbach and Frankfurt, Guardiola´s side had problems creating scoring chances in the early stages. The only real danger for Nürnberg´s goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer was when Ribéry chipped the ball in the area, but Mandzukic was one step too late. As expected Nürnberg sat very deep but they almost scored the opening goal after fifteen minutes, but Manuel Neuer pushed a shot from Ginczek onto the crossbar.

Apart from that, Hecking´s side defended their goal well and even after thirty minutes, Bayern coulnd’t crack FCN’s defensive wall. After a coming together between Robben and Nilsson in the area, the home team suddenly had the chance to gain the lead after referee Dingert surprisingly decided to award a penalty, but Schaefer saved the penalty from Alaba. Jerome Boateng had the last action in the first half, but again Schaefer was there to parry his strong shot from 25 meters out.

Even after Raphael Schaefer saved a penalty from David Alaba, FCN fell to a 2-0 defeat away to FCB.

After the break, the fans recognised a step up in the home team’s performance, as Bayern played with lots of pressure and pace right from the beginning. In addition the visitors weren´t as compact as in the first half and so Bayern created chances with each passing minute. At first Schaefer saved an effort from Mandzukic, before Goetze, who had a relatively ordinary competitive debut, and Mueller also tried their luck after 69 minutes. Bayern didn’t have to wait long though. After a nice cross from Lahm, Ribery headed the ball in for the lead. The French international was once again one of the most impressive players on pitch. But also his teammate on the other wing - Arjen Robben - showed lots of involvement and some nice dribbles, and exactly that kind of dribble set-up the Dutchman for the second goal. Pinola, Balitsch and Plattenhardt were left trailing in his wake before he put the ball in the long corner.

Bayern had chances to score two or three more goals but substitute Xherdan Shaqiri hit the post about ten minutes before the final whistle. The match ended in a deserved 2-0 victory for an outstanding home team, one that showed an impressive and satisfying performance, especially in the second half.

FC Bayern Munich: Neuer – Boateng , Dante , Alaba – Lahm, Schweinsteiger – Robben , Goetze (68′ Kroos) , Thiago (62′ Mueller) , Ribéry (80′ Shaqiri) - Mandzukic

1. FC Nürnberg: Schaefer – Chandler , Nilsson (35′ Dabanli) , Pogatetz , Pinola – Balitsch , Stark – Feulner (72′ Frantz) , Drmic , Plattenhardt (75′ Kiyotake) – Ginczek

Yellow cards: Lahm , Ribéry , Mandzukic - Ginczek
Attendance: 71,000
Referee: Christian Dingert