Bayern Munich vs. Schalke: Winners and Losers from Bundesliga
Following a largely dull first half—where both Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 seemed cautious—the defending German champions found their groove in the final 45 minutes.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring after 54 minutes, and Bayern became untouchable. The Polish centre-forward added another goal to his impressive tally in the 65th minute, against a desperate Schalke side, aiming for UEFA Champions League football next season.
Arturo Vidal added to the visitors' misery seven minutes later, scoring Munich's third goal, securing victory and extending his club's lead from seven points to 10 points over Borussia Dortmund (who play Hamburg SV on Sunday) in the Bundesliga standings.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
In a tense, then not-so-tense match, there were mostly losers to start, but winners emerged after 90 minutes.
Winner: Robert Lewandowski
If there is another out-and-out centre-forward in Europe better at finding space than Lewandowski, please state his name.
Often having to play against "parked buses," the Polish talisman's amity to pinpoint areas of weakness in his opponent's penalty area is magnificent.
That, however, would be a wasted talent were it not for his supreme clinical nature. His first goal was preceded by a deft chest control and an equal turn. Scoring 11 minutes later from a Rafinha cross, Lewandowski's 27th Bundesliga goal—and 38th in all comps—put the game out of reach for Schalke.
There are a few decent choices for Germany's Footballer of the Year award, but if Bayern's first-choice striker does not receive it, there should be an inquest of some distinction.
Winner: Arturo Vidal
Assisting Lewandowski's first goal, Vidal scored his own in the 72nd minute. The 3-0 scoreline made certain of his team-mate's previous work and extended the Chilean's impressive run of form. Scoring five goals in his last six fixtures for club and country, Vidal is coming into his own.
Moving from Juventus in the summer, it has taken the 28-year-old time to settle and find his role in Munich's system, but his quality is unquestioned—especially when fit.
Following a nostalgic Franck Ribery run into the box, Vidal's economic run was made better by a smart finish, beating Schalke's mostly helpless goalkeeper, Ralf Fahrmann.
If the central midfielder can continue his man-of-the-match-worthy performances, Bayern's hopes for silverware, across the board, rise infinitely.
Loser: Andre Breitenreiter
For every winner a loser, but to avoid depression, we will name just one. Taking the brunt of his team's performance was Schalke 04 manager Andre Breitenreiter.
His big-game tactics have not changed much. When playing smaller teams, Breitenreiter uses a back four. When playing Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, for example, the 42-year-old uses a back five. This is great when your opponent does not have the quality to find passing angles, but Bayern Munich could be the best passing team in European football.
Furthermore, most teams who use a back five (or back three, depending) use the "extra man" as a striker, playing with two centre-forwards. Breitenreiter used his extra man in midfield, playing a 5-4-1.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a wonderful striker and penalty-box terror, but he lacks the pace necessary to extend defences. Only managing 34 percent possession and unable to either counter or hold up play, Schalke were sailing into a hurricane. It's a testament they held on for 54 minutes.
Winner: Pep Guardiola
Losing to Schalke could have made the Bundesliga title race even tighter. Dortmund's game in hand might have closed the gap atop the Bundesliga to four points, but Pep Guardiola's men made sure no such storyline was possible.
In fact, should results go their way, Munich could secure their fourth consecutive German title next weekend.
That will not be Guardiola's only ambition, though. Resting players like Thomas Muller and Thiago Alcantara, Bayern's manager has a treble on his mind. Three results away from Champions League glory and two victories away from winning the DFB–Pokal, benching top players—to save them for crucial cup matches—is invaluable.
In his last campaign as Bayern Munich head coach, Guardiola's German legacy is on the line in the season's final month—beating Schalke, 3-0, in such a manner should aid that mission's success.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
