Bayern: the law of the strongest

Despite being pushed hard by Real Madrid (2-1, 4-3), Bayern Munich still comfortably secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals. The Bavarian machine remains finely tuned ahead of their clash with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Whilst Bayern Munich may occasionally show defensive frailties, their attacking talent never lets them down.

Although they could have been let down by a struggling Manuel Neuer against Real Madrid (4-3, 2-1 in the first leg) on Wednesday in the Champions League quarter-final second leg, the Rekordmeister found a way through thanks to their attack, which continues to impress.

Staggering attacking statistics

One figure sums up Bayern’s incredible standards: 157. That is the number of goals Vincent Kompany’s side have scored this season, in just 46 matches across all competitions. Best attack in the Champions League (38 goals), best attack in the Bundesliga (105, already a historic record in the competition, with five matchdays remaining), and simply the best attack in Europe, Bayern always end up leaving their opponents reeling. There is a not-so-far-fetched scenario in which the Munich side could finish the season with a +100 goal difference in the league (currently +78) and score 200 goals in total. Unbelievable.

It’s almost unbelievable, just like the Bavarians’ individual statistics – and even more so for the attacking players. Against Real Madrid, Harry Kane reached the 50-goal mark (in addition to his six assists) in his 42nd match of the season. The current buzz surrounding Michael Olise almost makes one forget that the English centre-forward has been his team’s most consistent player since the start of the season, whilst his goal tally, impressive as it is, accounts for not even a third of Bayern’s total. That’s how well-synchronised his teammates are. Starting with Olise, of course.

All four first-choice forwards have recorded a double-double

The second most decisive Munich player this season, with 43 direct contributions, the French international has already racked up 18 goals and 25 assists. Luis Diaz, the left winger, also boasts colossal figures: 24 goals and 15 assists, making a total of 39 contributions. But Kane, Olise and Diaz account for less than 60% of their team’s goals and cannot, on their own, sum up Bayern’s attacking power, which has seen 18 different goalscorers this season.

A fourth player has already recorded a double-double: Serge Gnabry, who mainly plays in the number 10 position and has been decisive on 22 occasions (10 goals, 12 assists). Then the substitutes and defensive players remain key figures: Lennart Karl has been involved in 15 goals (9 goals, 6 assists), compared to 12 for Konrad Laimer (3 goals, 9 assists), 11 for Joshua Kimmich (2 goals, 9 assists) and Nicolas Jackson (8 goals, 3 assists), and 8 for Jamal Musiala (4 goals, 4 assists), whose season only began in January. Paris Saint-Germain have been warned: the danger will come from all sides.