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What now for Pep and Bayern Munich?

Listen to the full interview above via the podcast  Yesterday's 4 - 0 home defeat for Bayer...



What now for Pep and Bayern Mu...
Soccer

What now for Pep and Bayern Munich?

Listen to the full interview above via the podcast 

Yesterday's 4 - 0 home defeat for Bayern Munich at the hands of Real Madrid has been contextualized as the death knell of tiki taka.

Pep Guardiola is the high priest of that particular possession-centric approach but there were always question marks over the efficacy of transplanting it from Barcelona to Bavaria.

But how have German pundits and the press reacted to last night's result?

ESPN writer Uli Hesse joined us on the line and painted a picture of a team becoming an increasingly blunt weapon as the season has worn on.

"The main problem with Bayern's approach in the first leg and yesterday - and also, it must be said, in the last weeks including the Manchester United games - has been that they very rarely threatened the opposition goal. They created very few chances. For all the possession they had in Madrid, there were no real goalscoring opportunities," said Hesse, who believes Bayern's problems have their roots in March.

Hesse discussed whether winning the Bundesliga title with so much time to spare spoiled Bayern's rhythm and reduced their intensity levels when they were needed most.

But will Guardiola change his philosophy - and more importantly be given the requisite time by Bayern to get it right?

"Oh yes of course. There's no point whatsoever in changing the approach. It's the approach for which they signed him. This goes back to Van Gaal. He was the first Bayern coach who really preached this possession football game. So the squad is geared towards that approach and it's stood them in good stead for a long time," said Hesse, who feels the problem for Bayern was penetration.

He discussed the summer plans for the squad and aside from the arrival of centre-forward Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund, changes are likely to be minimal. But the defence could be reinforced after some glaring errors.

Bayern have one more trophy to play for but they will have to beat Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final, but how will this season be viewed even if they do win?

Listen to the podcast for the full interview. 

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