2-0 win at half time

So the much anticipated match vs Zurich ended in a 2-0 win.  Asking me beforehand, would I take this result?  I would probably bite the hand of whoever would offer it to me, a clean sheet and 2 goal cushion is great.  Yet after the game while still happy at the result, still sad considering the circumstances.  I know it's early, but the defense looks unrecognizable.  By saying that, it's a good thing, a great thing actually considering it has been embarrassing for years now.  3 clean sheets in 4 matches is great progress, and it's not just about the clean sheets.  It's also that Bayern hardly gives the opposing team any chance to score during the game.  Braunschweig had 0 chances during the game, Monchegladbach bar the silly error only had a long range shot saved by Neuer, Wolfsburg came somewhat close a few times but handled ultimately and now Zurich only had one chance all match during a set piece which in itself was dreadfully defended as a whole.  In other words, the defense looks like a huge upgrade.  Every single player looks better.  Neuer is a huge improvement in just about every aspect, Boateng looks like the best defender we've had in ages, and Rafinha so far suprisingly looks very solid in defense.  Not to mention both Badstuber and Lahm both look better than previous seasons, Badstuber because he has a capable partner next to him along with playing deeper and not being exposed to his lack of pace and Lahm because he's always been a world class LB playing on the right.  From last season, every single position from the back 5 looks improved and it shows.  We will see if it continues though, we need to know how they cope vs strong, attacking teams.

Schweini scoring an early goal, with a header!

The match itself started in high spirits, Bayern attacking from the get go.  In general in the match they should have scored at least 4, 5 goals but poor finishing and good goalkeeping let them down.  Either way the first goal came very quickly, something Bayern isn't used to at all actually.. I believe the first since Podolski was here did Bayern score a goal so quickly during the match in the first few minutes of the match, Schweinsteiger being the culprit with a great, accurate header.  The ball came from a corner which fell to a Zurich player, Gustavo stealing the ball and passing quickly to Robben on the left side for a cross, which deflected off a Zurich defender and then it was all for Schweini to head it home.  And he did so in the 8th minute of the match!  For the first 20 minutes of the game, Bayern tried to attack and score that 2nd goal but couldn't, the best chance came with Lahm playing a 1-2 with Gomez and getting a 1v1 with the keeper which he missed.  Gomez also had 2 good chances in the half but it didn't seem his night, as neither went in.  The rest of the half was Bayern in control not necessarily trying to score but simply control the tempo and hold on the ball, which they did with ease.

With Buyten on the bench, Ribery may have found a new boyfriend

2nd half started with Bayern attacking at will, as they spend most of the half just trying to score a goal.  Many, many chances came Bayern's way but they decided to miss them all to make the match more interesting and tense! (I kid..)  Gomez getting another chance and surprise, him missing yet another chance, as Ribery had a good move to give Gomez a clear chance but he shot a bit too far off the net instead of going for a placement shot.. he went for power when he was so close to the net!  Ribery himself hit the post from a free kick, and then had a chance himself which he shot right at the keeper.  Lahm also had a rebound shot saved by the keeper, which he really should have scored.  There were also late penalty claims from Muller who was introduced 55th minute & Gomez later on in the final minutes, neither given unfortunately.  It seemed Gomez rounding the keeper and shooting, he was finally going to score late in the match.. but a defender ran and saved off the line!  It simply wasn't his night.  I understand why Jupp did not bring in Olic at all during the game, even though that's precisely what most Bayern fans are wondering about.  Gomez still tried, and still got into positions, he didn't want to kill his confidence.  I believe it was the right decision, because sooner or later when you get those chances you are bound to start scoring them.  A good start would be vs Hamburg this weekend.

Robben.. the man who always scores brilliant goals

In other words Bayern played, much better offensively than all previous matches even though finishing let them down.  Robben apparently played at 70%, so maybe once he reaches 100%, we can see more of him because bar his assist & goal, he didn't do too much during the game.  The encouraging thing is that the last 2 matches vs Wolves & Zurich, Bayern started to create more chances.  Hope they keep improving in this regard, and then the goals will likely start to flow.. one by one..  The next game is at home vs Hamburg who if you believe Bild, are coming to play an ultra defensive formation, so scoring more than just a goal here would show that Jupp's offensive tactics are starting to bear fruit.  Even if they do not, he must have more time as they say Rome itself wasn't built in a day.  However due to Hamburg's likely formation and tactics, it could end up as a very slow and dull match where a goal may decide the tie.  Ahh what the hell, at this point give me the 3 points and we can worry about good fussball in a month or two.

Live match discussion: http://www.soccer24-7.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190956