Three & Easy

So Bayern played their first match of the season in the DFB Cup vs Braunschweig, newly promoted Bundesliga II team.  Ribery and Robben were out due to injury as much as it may surprise everyone.. but the team still showed a boring yet professional performance.  It looked like Bayern wasn't really bothered to go all out or anywhere near that, and it showed as there were hardly any chances.  They basically created two chances all match, scoring one & also gaining two penalties thanks to MOTM Thomas Muller as Braunschweig's silly & unnecessary mistakes.  Gomez & birthday boy Schweini both converted their penalties in the first half, easing entirely into 2nd half.

It's far too early into the season to make too many judgement calls, especially vs an opponent such as Braunschweig, but some observations were there.  For one, Bayern was too static and just passed the ball around, but like I said it was more for conserving energy that we were shown a yawn-inducing match.  For one, Bayern kept a clean sheet!  Boateng first half especially looked like a one man defense.  Some good clearances here and there, he keeps impressing.  Still waiting for him to show more offensively though, I'd really like him to break out of his shell and start building up some good attacks from the back.  So far it's more of safe passes.  He still made a few mistakes, same with Rafinha, but both ran back and made up for it.  Neuer was basically a spectator other than a few passes here and there, but his distribution is really class and he showed on several occasions.

Which youngster will have a break-out season?

Alaba looked solid, but he looks a bit out of his depth at LW, mostly because he is a central midfielder and is being played out of position.  Still he impresses and you notice his talent on the pitch.  Offensively there wasn't much to talk about, since Bayern didn't really make many chances.  Muller earned two penalties & scored a brilliant 3rd goal which was a lob over the keeper at a tight angle.  One thing that I wish Muller would do a bit more this season is attack the goal, shoot from distance, get the ball and go attack right away.  It could go a long way in making him a goalscoring machine.  Really would like for him to be more ruthless and after last season, he needs to show that he can grow and not stagnate in being the same player as he was 2 years ago.  Especially if he does, he could loose his place to Toni Kroos who has been probably the best Bayern player during pre-season.  Still with Heynckes in charge, there are already a few new young players that are impressing in Alaba, Kroos, Usami & Boateng.  Boateng looks to get the hang of it already, but I am interested if any of the other three can have a breakout season.