August 20, 2020
2 mins read

‘Can’t see any weakness in Bayern Munich now’

Former Spanish player Jofre Mateu.

(SP)GERMANY-MOENCHENGLADBACH-SOCCER-BUNDESLIGA-BAYERN MUNICH by .

Bayern Munich are currently showing the way to other clubs on how to stay at the top and not let factors such as personnel changes affect the level at which they can compete, according to former Spanish player Jofre Mateu.

Bayern are set to face Olympique Lyonnais in the semi-final of the Champions League after decimating Barcelona 8-2 in the quarter-final. They currently look favourites to win the title and seem to have replaced the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery with relative ease.

“You can’t see any weakness in Bayern Munich right now,” Jofre, who came through the ranks in Barcelona before playing at a number of clubs around Spain, said.

“Lyon have some very fast players like (Karl) Toko Ekambi and Memphis (Depay). But with (David) Alaba and (Alphonso) Davies there, they almost stand no chance. I think it is going to be more on the small details as it was with (Manchester) City. If (Raheem) Sterling had made it 2-2, probably we would be in a different situation.”

Lyon have been the surprise package of the season thus far. They managed to finish seventh in the league but in the Champions League, they defeated Juventus in the Round of 16 before beating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 3-1 in the quarter-final. Both Juventus and City were expected to beat Lyon with relative ease.

“I think Lyon are approaching the matches very cleverly in terms of attacking movement. They are very careful of course because they have some weaknesses in defence. They are accommodating a lot of people in the back and then advancing but I don’t see that working against Bayern because they cross a lot,” said Jofre.

“If you put your team very deep then Bayern have a lot of players with good crossing abilities and also players with good ability to attack the crosses. For me Bayern is the clear favourite but it is a knockout match, so you never know what can happen. One action can change everything.”

Bayern stand in stark contrast to Jofre’s former club. Like the German champions, Barcelona have had to deal with ageing club legends departing in the recent past but this has only been followed by erratic transfers and financial mismanagement. This coupled with the degradation in the club’s famous youth system has made Barca a shadow of what they were for much of the previous decade.

“(Bayern) are showing the way,” said Jofre while explaining that the Bavarian giants seem to be more decisive with players that they need in their squad which has helped them go through the transitional phase with relative ease.

“As a player you have your rights, at the same time your debts too. In the big clubs there are a lot of players who are all competitors. They are good players but in any company you have a vision. That if you are not able to get a certain level in let’s say five years, we need to move. I don’t know why professional football clubs do not take those kinds of decisions. Probably Bayern has started with that,” he said.

Also Read: Real, Barca most valuable Football Clubs

Srinagar: Army personnel conduct a cordon and search operation after two terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Ranbirgarh Panzinara on the outskirts of Srinagar on July 25, 2020. (Photo: IANS) by .
Previous Story

Centre To Pull Out Troops From J&K

by .
Next Story

Free Jaggi March in London Turns Out To Be A Damp Squib

Latest from Sport

Liverpool Eyes Carabao Comeback 

Tiredness will be a factor for Liverpool, who lost full-back Trent Alexander Arnold with a knee injury on Tuesday and have his logical replacement, Conor Bradley also injured,  This weekend’s Carabao Cup

Redemption for India 

India’s triumph marks their first ICC ODI title in 12 years, serving as a soothing balm for the team and its passionate fans after the heartbreak of missing out on the 2023

Kiwis Soar to Final, India Awaits 

Ravindra, Williamson power NZ to record total as Miller’s blazing ton goes in vain.  Former winner New Zealand set up a meeting with India in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy

England Knocked Out 

Azmatullah Omarzai shined, proving his ICC ODI Player of the Year status with a match-winning 41 off 31 and a stunning five-wicket haul to dismantle England.  Afghanistan scripted history with a stunning

India Mauls England 3-0 

Gill has been in red-hot form throughout the series, earning the Player of the Series award with 259 runs in three innings at an impressive average of 86.33…reports Asian Lite News  Opener
Go toTop