Ruthless Bayern chews up Bremen 7:0 (video highlights)

0:7

It didn’t matter that our defence didn’t have its best day. FC Bayern still chewed up Werder Bremen 7:0 at Weser Stadion, making the Xaver storm look a little weak. Man of the match: Franck Ribéry.

Bayern goes 40 consecutive games without defeat, extending their record. They are guaranteed to be on top of the league before the winter break. Also, they establish a record with 90 points in a calendar year.

First half: typical Germans

To be honest, we owe the 3:0 lead after 45 minutes to Bremen’s weaknesses and a high level of efficiency.

Mario Götze started the game on fire, walking around everyone for a good chance, but Wolf grabbed it before he could shoot (5'). So was Franck Ribéry, who was impossible to control for the greens. Thomas Müller had a good half, displaying good instinct to pick his runs and provide passes to his mates.

Werder didn’t play very well in the midfield. They gave the ball away cheaply and seemed happy to give our boys all the space they needed to build up plays. We did, but there was too much pace on the last pass when going forward, especially in the middle, in the last third. This limited our scoring chances to five in the half.

Very few chances? No problem. Bayern was highly efficient, not missing when the chances were right in front of them. Five shots, three goals.

This doesn’t mean the team achieved perfection. Our own play in the midfield was lacklustre, deprived of defensive pressure. Thiago took Javi’s DM spot, pulling back between central defenders. It wasn’t as effective because his defensive vision is not comparable to his passing vision. We also lost most defensive air duels again.

Bremen was able to build up its own chances but last-moment clearances by Boateng’s shoulder (18'), van Buyten (35') and Neuer (the last 10 minutes) saved the day.

I especially didn’t like how Rafinha was undressed (or forced to strip without getting a tip) by Petersen on the DvB clearance. He should have least been able to cancel him out.

Second half: flood gates opened

This period was a bit sleepier. Die Bayern had more control, not conceding as many chances. But Franck Ribéry kept playing very well, providing quality balls for the attack.

Mario Mandzukic didn’t seem sharp in the 55th minute when he was served a perfect pass, missing a unique scoring chance alone in the area. Götze had missed his own chance a moment earlier. Götze still found a way to leave his mark on the score sheet, assisting Müller on the fifth goal and finishing the destruction derby in the last minute.

Finally, FCB saw Claudio Pizarro coming back when he replaced Thiago. He didn’t waste time providing a pass to Alaba, who fed Ribéry for the sixth goal.

The spin

Franck Ribéry was by far the best man on the pitch. He made Bremen’s heads spin. Let’s also give credit Müller for having one of his best games in a while. When he steps it up, it turns this team into a monster.

Goals

1:0 Ribéry goes on the left wing and sends a cross towards the net, deflected by Lukimya (21')

2:0 Kroos takes a free kick from the right, perfectly placed for van Buyten who rises to send the header past Wolf on the left (26')

3:0 Ribéry finds himself alone in front of an almost empty net, scoring after a perfect low cross by Müller (38')

4:0 Ribéry crosses to Mandzukic from the right, the big Croat almost loses balance going forward but he stretches back and sends the ball in (60')

5:0 Müller receives a cross from Götze from the right. He one-times it in (69')

6:0 On the left, Pizarro feeds a back heel to Abala, who cuts it back to Ribéry who fills the empty net (82')

7:0 Götze goes down the right wing and sends a laser past Wolf (90')

Key reactions

Pep Talk: “I must say big thanks to my players, they have had a very, very good game. Today it was an honour to be their coach. But I know that Bremen actually can play much better.”

Uli Hoeneß: “Our team is full of self-confidence. [...] Our team has an incredible run. [...] One can enjoy the games as Bayern fan and president.”

Franck Ribéry: “We are all happy. We must continue to do the same. This team has a great mentality, it’s fun. ”

Lineups