Bayern Munich Pummel Olympiakos, but Holger Badstuber Needs a Loan

On Tuesday, for the umpteenth time this season, Bayern Munich proved they only needed a half of a football game at the very most to beat their opponents. Although tied on points in Champions League Group F heading into the game, the German giants proved to be a cut above and were 3-0 ahead over Olympiakos within 20 minutes thanks to goals from Douglas Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller. The rest of the match was more a scrimmage than anything else.

Player for player in almost every way, Bayern were a cut above their visitors, eventually winning 4-0. Their front line was clinical, their passing sharp. Despite starting with a five-man attack and just Arturo Vidal in midfield, they kept the ball authoritatively and were always quick to win it back.

That Bayern won yet another game so comfortably can be of little surprise and is hardly news. If there is a big takeaway from the result for Bayern fans, it's that Holger Badstuber desperately needs a loan. While his teammates were absolutely flying, the 26-year-old struggled. He was rarely tested by an Olympiakos attack that was starved of possession, but nonetheless looked behind the pace, lacking the fitness and power needed to compete at a high level.

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RED CARD Holger Badstuber | Bayern Münich - Olympiakos 24.11.2015 HD - https://t.co/wPd6prX2nB via @dailymotionind

— Earth Savi (@Earthsavi) November 24, 2015"

It was Badstuber's first start in seven months, and his match ended early as he was sent off following a foul on Brown Ideye. The striker beat his marker for pace with apparent ease, and the Bayern man pulled him back from behind. The contact was light and the entire incident came completely against the run of play, but it was certainly a foul, and it certainly prevented a goalscoring opportunity. A clear red card.

That incident highlighted how Badstuber, in his current state, simply can't play for Bayern. A few years ago, he was a wonderful player, a remarkably consistent defender with brilliant instincts as a defender and an uncommonly refined touch on the ball for a center-back.

Yet, following a pair of torn cruciate ligament tears and repeated damage in nearby structures, he's just not at the level of this Bayern team. Since his second ACL tear, he's twice come back for a few games before suffering another long-term injury: first a tendon tear, then a muscular rupture. Tuesday was his second game back in action, and this time it was his performance (albeit related to his fitness) that proved to be lacking. 

At this point, it's a pipe dream to think that Badstuber, a player who's been fit for barely a handful of games in the last three years, can return to the starting lineup and deliver in the Champions League. Even in ordinary Bundesliga games, he's an accident waiting to happen. Competing at a high level means higher physical demands that his body has continuously failed to handle.

For Bayern, it's no use persisting with Badstuber in the first team. It's like if they'd have put Gerd Muller in charge of the first team when he was suffering from alcoholism. That would have been too much responsibility, too much pressure. As it turned out, coaching the reserve team was a great way for Muller to help rehabilitate himself, and Bayern deserve a lot of credit for their loyalty in coming to the legendary striker's aid.

Now, as in Muller's case, Bayern need to be responsible. It was a bold and loyal move for them to offer Badstuber a contract extension after his injuries. However, at this point, it's best to let him go—at least temporarily—and rediscover the form and fitness that once made him such an outstanding player. A loan, possibly in the 2. Bundesliga, is the best bet.

For now, it must be painful for Badstuber to play alongside his teammates and know how little he has to offer at present. Bayern truly are a marvel of today's game, and after Tuesday's results, only Barcelona look to be anywhere near their league.

They have class all over the pitch and every chance of winning the Champions League, and even a treble. But it would be a mistake to string Badstuber along, to push him past his limits or to keep him from playing. He needs to rediscover his quality, and come back when he truly can bring something to the table. The defender has a great attitude and an incredible work ethic.

If loaned this winter, it's doubtful it will be the end of his Bayern career. Sticking around, however, might be.

@Mr_Bundesliga