No Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, and Franck Ribery, no problem.
Bayern Munich booked its 15th consecutive Champions League knockout stage spot Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Celtic in Glasgow despite missing a slew of celebrated regulars, and it was those on the fringes of Jupp Heynckes’ first-team who cemented the Bavarian behemoth’s progression.
It was hardly a trademark Bayern performance, but an emboldening one, and after a rocky start to the campaign under Carlo Ancelotti resulted in the Italian gaffer’s sacking, the five-time Bundesliga champ hasn’t lost, pairing five victories with a draw in all competitions while outscoring opponents 14-2 over that stretch.
The last manager to guide Bayern to continental glory, Heynckes’ return to the Allianz Arena has sparked a side that appeared mired in an uncharacteristic placidity, and, perhaps more importantly, inspired the efforts of those whose roles were uncertain under his predecessor.
With Tuesday’s visit to Celtic Park barely 20 minutes old, Rafinha considered turning Bhoys prodigy Kieran Tierney toward the touchline before opting instead to play the ball back to Sven Ulreich. As the ball travelled towards Neuer’s shot-stopping deputy, it was hard not to revisit the various gaffes the 29-year-old has made this season. His error in September against Wolfsburg saw Bayern concede a two-goal lead and squander an opportunity to go top of the Bundesliga standings, and, like Ancelotti, Ulreich became a symbol of Bayern’s putative decline. Neuer’s boots were never going to be easy to fill.
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In this instance, Ulreich booted a laser of a long-ball that eluded a lethargic Dedryck Boyata, falling to the feet of Kingsley Coman. It was far from a simple task for the 21-year-old French attacker, who shuffled and sidestepped before firing a left-footed effort into an unoccupied net.
Rafinha to Ulreich to Coman and goal. Not quite the trio of players synonymous with the exploits of a continental heavyweight, but members of a squad that benefits from depth.
Heynckes could have started Joshua Kimmich at right-back instead of Rafinha, but with appearances in all 10 of Bayern’s league matches, the German international was spared before coming on in the 83rd minute to preserve the lead. The 72-year-old gaffer also could have started Lewandowski up top instead of false No. 9 James Rodriguez, especially after Poland’s all-time leading scorer was omitted from the squad for precautionary reasons. Earlier Tuesday, Lewandowski said Bayern needs to find alternatives when he’s injured.
Instead, Heynckes put his faith in two players – Rodriguez and Coman – that have become emblematic of the mercurial nature of form and fortune. Same with Rafinha, who at 32 years old has become a mainstay without ever staying in the first-team, making more than 30 appearances in all competitions just once in his seven-year Bavarian tenure.
Even Javi Martinez – whose match-winning header resulted in a stream of Bayern kit-matching blood cascading down the Spaniard’s jowls – is a motif for Munich’s depth. On Tuesday at Celtic Park, Martinez played in a central midfield role bookended by Arturo Vidal and Corentin Tolisso. On Saturday at rival Borussia Dortmund, he may very well line-up as centre-half.
In football, versatility and depth are bedfellows, and under Heynckes, Bayern is again approaching its best because the manager is putting faith in all his players that reportedly was absent during his predecessor’s tenure. So far, it’s paying dividends.
