Munich (Germany) (AFP)
Lightning in the Champions League, farewell from a patriarch, a new fall crisis ... Bayern Munich wins its 30th title of German champion, the 8th consecutive, at the end of a new chaotic season, as often!
Seven highlights of a year made exceptional by the coronavirus crisis:
1 / Coutinho disappointing, the defense decimated
In October, the two titular central defenders were seriously injured: the international Niklas Süle (cruciate ligaments knee) and the new recruit Lucas Hernandez (cruciate ligaments ankle), the debauched French world champion of Atletico Madrid for 80 million euros, are unavailable for several months.
Coach Niko Kovac hesitates a long time to find a hinge, and it is ultimately Hansi Flick his successor who will install the duo David Alaba / Jérôme Boateng, extremely successful in 2020.
In addition, Philippe Coutinho, arrived from Barcelona and presented as THE star who will light up the Bundesliga, does not find his place in the team and remains overall far below expectations (8 goals, six assists).
2 / Tottenham's thunderclap
On October 1, Bayern will win 7-2 in London in the Champions League against Tottenham, the outgoing finalist. Serge Gnabry achieves a quadruple. The German and international press speak of a "signal sent to Europe" by the German club, which has not won the competition since 2013.
On its way, Bayern sweeps everything in Europe. He won his 8th finals first leg in Chelsea 3-0 in February, but the return match was postponed due to coronavirus. It is scheduled to take place in August in Munich.
3 / The fall of Kovac
Tottenham's feat is the tree that hides the forest. Only five victories for their first ten Bundesliga matches: the defending champions have never started a season so badly since 2010/2011.
The team plays stereotypical and boring football. The locker room leaders let go of the coach.
The coup de grace is given by Frankfurt, the former Kovac club, which strikes Bayern 5-1 on November 2.
The coach is thanked the next day and replaced by a stranger from the general public, his assistant Hansi Flick.
4 / "Tchüss" Uli
After four decades of rule, the legendary Uli Hoeness leaves the presidency of the club in November, at the age of 67 years. Under his rule, turnover jumped from 12 million deutschmarks (6 million euros) to 750 million euros (consolidated with subsidiaries)! Over the same period, the Bavarians won 58 titles, including 24 Bundesliga and two Champions Leagues (2001, 2013).
His successor is called Herbert Hainer: he is the former boss of the Adidas group.
5 / Flick's hatching
In a few weeks, Flick's results and human qualities cast this 54-year-old man in the shade in full light.
Since his arrival, the "Rekordmeister" has won 26 of its 29 matches (two defeats, one draw) in all competitions, with an average of more than three goals per game.
Modest but determined, rigorous but very attentive to the players, he was unanimous with the managers of the locker room, who also appreciated the freedom he left to everyone on the field.
6 / The coronavirus
While Bavaria imposes confinement in March, Bayern immediately sets up collective training sessions by video conference. On treadmills and indoor bikes, players "meet" online to sweat together and above all stay in touch.
"We have to do everything to react positively to the situation," says Flick.
Back on the pitch, the Bavarian ogres have lost nothing of their appetite or their form: eight matches, eight victories since the restart, including a Klassiker won 1-0 in Dortmund on May 26.
7 / A triple in the viewfinder
In Bayern, a champion title is the minimum expected. Lining with the cup would be the icing on the cake. The next highlight of the season will therefore be the final against Leverkusen on July 4 at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
Will remain in August to finish the course in the Champions League. The generation under 25, the Süle, Pavard, Davies, Goretzka, Kimmich, Gnabry or Coman has only that in mind: imitate their predecessors by raising the Cup with big ears in their turn.
© 2020 AFP