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Over the past 5 years, Bayern Munich have struggled in the Champions League. Whilst their competitors Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona have reached the finals on multiple occasions, Bayern have failed to impress, often falling in the quarter-final stage.
They have been knocked out twice in the last 2 years by Real Madrid. If Bayern are to change their luck and win the treble or the Champions league which they last won in 2013, they must make the following changes.
#5 Appoint a good captain
Back in 2013, Bayern Munich had a captain like no other, Philipp Lahm. Described by Pep Guardiola as the most intelligent player he has ever coached, Lahm was instrumental in helping Bayern win the Champions League not just through his footballing skills that revolutionised the game but also through his leadership skills that were crucial in bringing the team together.
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After his unexpected retirement, Bayern have failed to find a true leader. Whilst it can be agreed that current Bayern captain Manuel Neuer was out for almost the entire campaign of 2017-18 and his effectiveness as a captain wasn't fully tested, it is important that Bayern identify someone who can try and fill in the shoes of Lahm.
The importance of a good captain can be seen through the role that Sergio Ramos has played for 3-time consecutive winners of the Champions League, Real Madrid.
#4 Focus should shift from the domestic cup to the Champions League
In the recent past, a common problem that has existed with both Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona is not focusing enough on the Champions League. They have been more concerned about winning their domestic cups and the Bundesliga and La Liga respectively.
Carles Puyol, former Barcelona captain, has stated this as a major problem. "I think the solution comes from getting our priorities straight. We're losing an opportunity and I'm furious about that as a Barca fan. Winning the treble is extremely hard as statistics shows, so I think the most sensible thing would be to relegate the King's Cup".
Similarly, Bayern Munich also need to prioritise the Champions League and give their fringe players a chance for the DFB Pokal.
#3 Target proven players from other leagues and not just the Bundesliga
Let’s be honest, Bayern Munich haven’t been very good with their transfers recently. After the retirement and departure of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xabi Alonso, Bayern Munich have been unable to get players who are at the same level. Moreover, many of their signings have turned out to be inconsistent and have failed to perform in big matches.
Whilst teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus have been big spenders and have made significant changes to their squad in order to give it a new, fresher look, Bayern have failed to do so. If Bayern are to win the Champions League, they must make changes to their squad and be smarter in the transfer window.
Another problem is that whilst, in the past few years, the Bundesliga may have grown, but it is no longer the competitive league it used to be. The Bundesliga is now a one-horse race, with Bayern winning it easily every time due to lack of competition.
Bayern, however, have only themselves to blame. They have been constantly buying good players from other teams within the Bundesliga and reducing competition. For instance, most of their major signing in the past 5 years like Robert Lewandowski, Sven Ulreich, Joshua Kimmich and Mats Hummels have all come from within the Bundesliga.
#2 Have a good backup squad in place
In recent times, injuries before crucial matches have been a major problem for the Bavarians. For instance, during the 2017-18 Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich were missing key players like Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben, David Alaba, Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, all of whom were otherwise regularly a part of the playing XI.
A similar problem occurred to them in the 2016-17 Champions League campaign. Since Bayern did not have a good backup squad, either their players were inexperienced or too old, they failed to win these important games.
The Bavarians must strengthen their bench strength and bring it to the same level as that of Juventus or Real Madrid if they are to have any solid chance of winning the Champions League soon.
#1 Let go of the older players
Bayern have some world class players like Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels. Yet, if one were to look at their performances in big games like the one against Real Madrid, all of them have been a disappointment. Maybe the time has come to make a decision on these big players and maybe letting them go and bringing in new legs would do them a world of good.
Just when we think that Robben and Ribery are done, we find reports how the two have signed a new one-year contract with Bayern. Robben and Ribery are no doubt, one of the best wingers to have played the game but they are past their prime. They no longer possess the same speed and skills that could have an impact in the Champions League.
