Match Awards from Bayern Munich’s bittersweet 6-1 win over Atalanta

Bayern Munich swept apart Atalanta within the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16, however it got here at a price. Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Jonas Urbig all needed to stroll off the pitch with accidents, and a final minute conceded purpose offers the evening a bittersweet style for the German giants.

This was maybe one of the best FC Bayern efficiency we’ve seen in 2026. Disgrace it got here with so many sacrifices.

Atalanta had been totally abject, unable to match the Bavarians in any space on the pitch. Not one of the gamers stood out, not even their goalkeeper — and keepers are likely to have a subject day towards FC Bayern. Their 4-4-2 formation was the seemingly offender, because it allowed Vincent Kompany’s males to ascertain midfield supremacy early within the recreation and dominate the proceedings.

At finest, you would give shout outs to midfielder Kamaldeen Sulemana and right-back Davide Zappacosta, who did trigger Konrad Laimer some hassle on the left hand facet. Mario Pašalić did rating, however was in any other case nameless. Aside from that, it was an evening to neglect for the Italians.

The Kaiser: Dayot Upamecano

Jonathan Tah was wonderful, however Dayot Upamecano was on one other stage. The Frenchman performed an entire recreation, aggressively coming off of his line to shut down Atalanta forwards every time they bought the ball, whereas additionally charging throughout the pitch to affix the assault when he had the ball.

He ended the evening with an help to Michael Olise and one crossbar hit that basically ought to have been a purpose, since he was broad open. On his day, Dayot Upamecano is unplayable, one of the best defender on the earth. That is the kind of efficiency that exhibits why Bayern Munich went up to now to increase his contract.

Soccer god: Serge Gnabry

An attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder are each midfielders, proper? Properly, Serge Gnabry performed each positions, and his position was key to the carnage we noticed on the evening. It was principally the Harry Kane position — Gnabry would drop deep to obtain the ball from the protection, then go it or carry it up the pitch till it reached the hazard males, Luis Díaz and Olise.

His presence as an additional man enabled Vincent Kompany to outnumber Palldino’s two-man midfield, permitting Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović free reign to trigger havoc within the space in entrance of the Atalanta field. Dominating the midfield was the catalyst to victory, and Serge Gnabry is the man who made it occur. His two-way efficiency would put even profession midfielders to disgrace.

That’s not to say he uncared for his duties in assault. Gnabry was an lively risk in his place, timing his runs completely to intercept passes initiated by Olise or Díaz. He was within the field when he wanted to be, and earned a purpose and an help for his hassle (whereas additionally hitting the crossbar). The most effective all-round midfield performances we have now seen this season, and it didn’t even come from a profession midfielder.

Der Bomber: Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson stays a irritating determine for the fanbase, and this efficiency will do little to dispel doubts. On the one hand, Bayern Munich crushed Atalanta right into a tremendous powder with out even needing Harry Kane. Then again, Jackson did reveal his limitations as a ahead within the present system.

Jackson is not any Harry Kane. He edges the Englishman in athleticism, however lags behind all over the place else. His holdup play, linkup play, and taking pictures are all beneath the extent Bayern followers are used to. Regardless of this, his purpose felt like an inevitability. Within the system Kompany has created, a participant like Jackson can nonetheless are available for Harry Kane and handle a purpose and an help.

Jackson is not any Kane, however he doesn’t have to be. In fact, everybody would like it if he had been a bit extra scientific, a bit extra concerned within the assault; however in the long run, his job is to be an understudy for Kane, and he’s getting it performed. That’s all of the coach can ask for.

Meister of the Match: Michael Olise

There may be nothing that may be mentioned about Michael Olise that hasn’t already been mentioned. So as a substitute of speaking about Michael Olise, let’s discuss Arjen Robben.

When Arjen Robben performed for Bayern Munich, there was a way of inevitability about him. When he bought the ball, groups knew that he would reduce inside. Groups knew that he would shoot along with his left foot. Did it matter? Not one bit. Robben scored repeatedly and once more. He made opposition defenses look helpless, turned all fastidiously laid plans to mud. Nobody might cease Robben despite the fact that they knew precisely what he’d do. That takes superlative expertise. An otherworldly stage of talent.

Once you watch Michael Olise, you get the identical creeping feeling of inevitability. The sense that, it doesn’t matter what the opponent does, he’ll discover a strategy to rating/help. Bayern Munich followers will endlessly keep in mind Arjen Robben fondly, however — for the primary time in years — they’ll say they don’t miss him.

As a result of Michael Olise has stuffed that hole. He’s the Arjen Robben successor.

In case you are on the lookout for extra Bayern Munich and German nationwide staff protection, take a look at the most recent episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you may get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any main podcast distributor…

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