Three insights after Bergamo: Bayern have a Robben again | OneFootball

FC Bayern celebrated a resounding victory at Atalanta Bergamo in the first leg of the round of 16. FCBinside provides three insights into the match

Bayern demolished the Italians 6-1 and the game provided the following insights

1. Things are going well even without Kane

The big question before the game was whether the injured Harry Kane would be able to start again. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany decided against starting the top scorer and instead brought on Nicolas Jackson up front

Even without Kane, Atalanta were unable to stop Bayern’s attack – the Munich side ruthlessly dismantled the Italians

This was also due to the fact that Bergamo’s coach surprisingly opted for a tactical switch that backfired in the most brutal way possible. Instead of the usual back three, Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino had Bayern defend with a back four and man-to-man. However, the FCB stars completely confused the Italian defence with constant changes of position

Jackson often switched to the wing, Olise, Gnabry and Diaz – as well as the Bayern players behind them – constantly rotated in their positions, which tore deep holes in Bergamo’s rearguard

Kane deputy Jackson didn’t have too many touches of the ball at the start, but ended up with a goal and an assist. Kane warmed up in the second half, but his colleagues kept on scoring, so Kompany didn’t need to bring on his superstar and preferred to rest him

The way his team worked their magic without their superstar was impressive, not only because of the incredible footballing quality of the other attacking artists, but also because of Kompany’s excellent tactical approach

2. Bayern have a Robben again

„Bayern has a new king again“: with this slogan on a huge advertising poster in Munich, sporting goods manufacturer Nikewelcomed Bayern’snew superstar Franck Ribery in the summer of 2007

In fact, Ribery went on to shape an era at FC Bayern – together with his congenial partner Arjen Robben. Since the two retired from soccer, Munich had been searching for a new Ribery and a new Robben for years

After Michael Olise’s performance in Bergamo at the latest, it is clear that Bayern has a Robben again

It wasn’t just the Bayern fans in the visitors‘ curve who agreed. Olise scored two goals in the Dutchman’s exact style: pulling inside from the right at the penalty area line and then chasing the ball into the net with his left foot. The FCB supporters then sang the song dedicated to Robben after the final triumph and his winning goal in the 2013 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund: „I dreamed of you, of our Wembley night. We won the cup, climbed the throne, Arjen did it!“

Thanks in part to new signing Michael Olise, fans of the German record champions can now dream of the final in Budapest

What the French international showed in Bergamo was world-class: not just the two dream goals, but also an assist and the constant danger that Olise poses. Since his arrival in Munich in the summer of 2024, he has already lifted the team to a new level

It was the same 15 years earlier, when Arjen Robben moved from Real Madrid to FC Bayern. And in the years that followed, he performed so well that a song was even written for him. It seems only a matter of time before a song for Michael Olise will be played in the Bayern stands

3. Kimmich and Olise cleverly banned

Olise also picked up a yellow card for a timeout in the closing stages, which means he can serve his suspension in the second leg against Bergamo. He can then go into the quarter-finals unencumbered, which Bayern have already all but reached thanks to their clear first-leg victory

Joshua Kimmich was in the same situation as Olise and also picked up a caution for time-wasting

After the game, the Bayern leader also made sure that nobody could accuse him of deliberately picking up the card. Sergio Ramos was once suspended for an extra game for this. The former Real star had done something similar to Olise and Kimmich in the 2019 Champions League against Ajax Amsterdam, but admitted afterwards: „I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t provoked them.“

photo: IMAGO

On the contrary, Kimmich played the innocent role very, very credibly. With a completely serious face, he explained: „It was unnecessary in itself. I was looking for passing options, but you don’t want to play into the pressing.“ Kimmich’s conclusion: „Annoying, now I’m banned.“

The annoyance will soon be gone, however, as key players Olise and Kimmich have cleverly picked up their suspensions and will be back in action when Bayern face Real Madrid or Manchester City in the quarter-finals.