Bayern Munich vs. Eintracht Braunschweig: 6 Things We Learned

It was business as usual at the Allianz Arena on this Saturday afternoon as Bayern Munich kept their spot atop of the Bundesliga table with a 2-0 win over Eintracht Braunschweig. 

In contrast to Bayern's record-breaking form, Braunschweig had only managed one victory in their last five games leading up today's match. 

As such, it took no more than 111 seconds for the Bavarian super-club to take the lead through the current in-form superstar of the month, Arjen Robben, as he knocked the ball into Daniel Davari's net with thanks from a wonderful Mario Gotze pass.

Then 30 minutes later, as if by magic, Bayern had doubled their lead—again through the brilliance of Arjen Robben as he managed to cut inside, dribble past a few defenders and then rifle a shot in to the back of Braunschweig's net once again. It's a move we've seen countless times from the forward, but one that never seems to lose its magic. 

Bayern were coasting to yet another win. 

Then the second half began and with it, a turn in the tide for both sides. Bayern reverted to defensive, counter-attacking football that was ultimately put in place to strangle any life from the game. Yet what it actually offered was time and an opportunity for the visiting side to compose themselves and ultimately attack Manuel Neuer's goal with a number of opportunities. 

On another day, or perhaps against a better side, Bayern would have conceded a couple of goals today,, yet that wasn't to be, and as we rapidly approach the winter break Pep Guardiola will walk away from this game with a smile on his face. His side are first in the Bundesliga and everything is going according to plan. 

Here are six things we learned from today's game. 

Arjen Robben Is Back to His Best

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With two excellent goals and the threat of more, man of the match winner Arjen Robben welcomed Eintracht Braunschweig to the Allianz Arena and then subsequently acted upon ripping them apart. 

Within the first 30 minutes, the Dutch international had scored two excellent goals and set Bayern on course for another vital three points. 

At 29 years old, Robben is most definitely entering the peak of his career, and with nine goals and five assists in just 13 games so far this season, there are few at Bayern Munich in much of a rush to get in his way. 

Bayern Don't Miss Ribery, Schweinsteiger or Lahm

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In what was an incredibly basic exercise against one of the league's easier oppositions, Bayern continued their quest for the league championship with another performance from their deep squad. 

Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez stepped in for Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, while Arjen Robben continued his impressive form on the left hand side of attack in Franck Ribery's usual spot. All three players performed well and got the job done as well as any. Bayern continue winning with a whole host of options. 

Bayern Turned Complacent in Second Half

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Like an ill-kept, inverted mullet, Bayern Munich's performance today was business at the front and complacent partying at the back.

Their performance in the opening 45 minutes was mesmerising at points as the flamboyant quartet of Gotze, Robben, Muller and Kroos twisted and twirled to the beat of their own drum, yet when the second half kicked off, Pep Guardiola's side looked tired, flat and quite simply like a side who knew they had already won the game. 

A minor point in the grand scheme of things, but something Guardiola will undoubtedly have taken not of. 

Bayern Match Old Record

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Bayern have now equalled their domestic record of 28 matches won in a single calendar year, as the Bavarian champions continue their domination over the Bundesliga fixture list. 

This season alone, Pep Guardiola's side have won 12 of their 14 matches, drawing the remaining two and are yet to lose a solitary goal. Championship form, some might say. 

Gotze Continued Striker Role

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Guardiola continued his usual form of misrepresenting key players in his side by playing Mario Gotze in the solitary role up front instead of traditional striker Mario Mandzukic. 

Such a ploy has often backfired for the new coach this season, yet Gotze performed rather well today and was at the heart of Robben's opening goal as well as a number of moves. 

Although Pep's critics will continue to question such a move for the time being, Gotze will argue that he went a long way to justify such a ploy. 

Braunschweig Looked Bright

Image courtesy of braunschweiger-zeitung.de

Although such a result was only ever going to end in a comprehensive win for Bayern, the minnow visitors from the depths of the Bundesliga did eventually grow in to the game. 

It was Ermin Bicakcic's quaint attempt on the 55th minute that could, and possibly should, have really turned the game on it's head followed by a late attempt off of Manuel Neuer's crossbar. A point may be stretching things, but a goal was easily within the realms of possibility for Braunschweig today.