Laimer, Dier and Co.

Winners and losers: The “new” Tuchel-Bayern

Bayern have recently regained their former strength.(Bild: APA/AFP/LUKAS BARTH)

Bayern have celebrated a small renaissance with victories against Lazio and Mainz. Coach Thomas Tuchel seems more liberated since the announcement of the summer separation. The 50-year-old has recently strictly carried out the announced tough squad decisions. As a result, there have been a number of winners as well as losers. 

The record champions seem to be gradually regaining their former strength. They are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and are ready to give their all for the title. Although the championship is hardly achievable anymore, the 8:1 victory against Mainz on Saturday sent a clear signal to the league.

A few days after the threat of a sporting disaster, there is now a spirit of optimism at the club. Tuchel now seems more relaxed and yet motivated. He is more rigorous in his squad decisions. Two central defenders in particular, Eric Dier and Matthijs de Ligt, have recently benefited from this.

Goretzka comes up trumps
The duo have played three of the last four competitive matches together. What Tuchel particularly appreciates about Dier is his clear communication on the pitch. His coordination with de Ligt is also good. The Dutchman has shown strong performances recently and is currently hard to replace in terms of the stability of the Bayern defense.

Leon Goretzka can also be seen as another winner. The midfielder has played freely in recent games and showed what potential he still has when he regains his confidence. The game against Mainz, in which he scored twice and contributed two assists, could have been hugely important.

Laimer and Guerreiro essential
Mathys Tel recently signed a new contract - an absolute vote of confidence. Raphaël Guerreiro also often flies under the radar. However, the Portuguese has now become a permanent fixture at Bayern. His versatility and fighting spirit make him irreplaceable for Tuchel. Qualities that are also making Konrad Laimer increasingly important.

Konrad Laimer is used regularly(Bild: GEPA)

But where there are winners, there are also losers. Dayot Upamecano in particular is on the decline. The 25-year-old was sent off in both the first leg against Lazio and the embarrassing defeat against Bochum. Since then, the Frenchman has only been a substitute. The doubts of those responsible at Bayern are set to grow.

The defense under scrutiny
But Upamecano himself doesn't want to know anything about it: "I have a contract until 2026, I feel comfortable at the club and with my team-mates. I want to stay here at FC Bayern and will continue to give it my all," said the Frenchman.

His defensive buddy Minjae Kim is also one of the losers at the moment. Since his return from the Asian Cup, he has lost his regular place in the Munich team. Tuchel attests to his good training performances - but he is currently "a nose behind" de Ligt and Dier, according to the coach.

Dayot Upamecano was sent off twice recently(Bild: APA/AFP/Alberto PIZZOLI)

In defense, Noussair Mazraoui and new signing Sacha Boey are also on the decline. Mazraoui is currently injured and Joshua Kimmich has taken his place at right-back. In addition, Josip Stanisic, arguably a key part of Leverkusen's championship-winning team, will return to Munich in the summer. Mazraoui could even have to leave Bayern in the summer.

New arrivals left out
Boey, on the other hand, is already being eyed critically after his slip-up in the championship duel against Leverkusen. The winter signing was recently injured and only returned to the squad against Mainz. However, there are doubts as to whether the Frenchman has the technical and tactical ability to play for the record champions.

Bryan Zaragoza is another new signing among the losers. Since his spontaneous winter transfer, he has only made brief appearances and is said to be struggling to adapt. For Tuchel, he is therefore unlikely to be an alternative for the starting line-up for the rest of the season.

Not yet playing a major role: new signing Sacha Boey(Bild: APA/AFP/LUKAS BARTH)

Neither has Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting. Although Tuchel gets on extremely well with the veteran, the 50-year-old is neither willing nor able to take this into consideration. The striker is only in demand as a last-minute joker. His contract in Munich will probably not be extended.