Pep Guardiola and Bayern Munich Have Work Cut out After Telekom Cup

Bayern Munich experienced a false start to their preseason on Sunday, as they finished last-placed out of four teams in the Telekom Cup.The defending Bundesliga champions fell 2-1 to Augsburg in the first of their two 45-minute games, before losing to hosts Borussia Monchengladbach in penalties in the third-place match.

It was an early sign that Pep Guardiola and company have a lot to do if they are to win a fourth consecutive domestic championship and contend for the Champions League title.

Things started very well for the Bavarians, as it took just seven minutes for Thiago Alcantara to put them ahead in their opener. But Bayern soon took their foot off the pedal, and their opponents failed to capitalize on a one-on-one opportunity before drawing level through Alexander Esswein.

Six minutes after the equalizer, Jeong-Ho Hong scored from a corner kick, and Markus Weinzierl's side held on to edge their neighbors.

The third-place match was altogether different, with Bayern featuring a lineup consisting primarily of first-team substitutes and reserves in a lackluster match.

Gladbach's Andre Hahn had the best scoring opportunity of the game but couldn't finish when through on goal. There was little else to say of the game in regular time. In penalties, Christofer Heimeroth saved from Pierre Hojbjerg and Fabian Benko, with Gladbach converting all three of their spot-kicks to claim the trophy.

Despite Bayern's last-place finish, Sunday's action wasn't all doom and gloom for them. There were some positives in the first game, particularly from Thiago and Douglas Costa. The new signing was full of energy and appeared eager to take the initiative. 

The manner in which he took on his marker with a quick sprint to the byline before crossing for Thiago's opener in the semifinal was reminiscent of Franck Ribery. The Spaniard, meanwhile, not only scored but was unlucky not to restore Bayern's advantage later on after a lovely turn, his finish striking the outside of the post.

On the other hand, Bayern's defending left plenty to be desired, perhaps expected from a lineup that didn't include even one natural center-back. Dominik Kohr, a defensive player and never a technical wizard, beat several Bayern players before setting up Esswein's equalizer.

Hong's winner came after Weinzierl's side had won four consecutive corners, with the Korean being denied from the first only due to a great save by Sven Ulreich. And although Gladbach had only one chance to speak of, it was a familiar sight to see that it came as Bayern's high offside trap was beaten.

The good news for Bayern is they still have just under three weeks before their first competitive match of the 2015/16 campaign, the DFL-Superpokal against Wolfsburg and just over a month before they take on Hamburg in their Bundesliga opener.

Sunday wasn't a good start to the preseason, but it's important to keep in perspective that it indeed was only the beginning of the preseason. There will soon be more players available to Guardiola and at higher sharpness and fitness. As there will be for their opponents.

For now, though, the Telekom Cup should serve as a stiff reminder to Bayern not to be complacent, lest they fall behind. They have the squad and the potential but will have to work harder and progress in the coming weeks in order to be ready for the games that truly matter.

@Mr_Bundesliga