Dyer's at it again! Hesitant 'backup defense'
It's a defense unbecoming of Germany's best.
I don't understand how the combative Kim Min-Jae has been able to compete.
This is in reference to defender Eric Dier, who has become a first-team regular since joining Munich on loan from Tottenham. Munich hosts Eintracht Frankfurt in the 31st round of the 2023-2024 German Bundesliga on Sunday (10:30 p.m. ET) at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Munich, who failed to win the title for the first time in 12 years this season, are in second place with 66 points. They are being chased by Stuttgart (63 points) and Leipzig (59 points). Frankfurt is sixth with 45 points.
But after Frankfurt thrashed Munich 5-1 at home last December, Tuchel kept both center backs in the starting lineup for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg at home against Real Madrid three days later, as the Bavarians had been on the back foot since then. Matthijs Durich and Dyer came in, while Kim Min-Jae was pushed back.
Tuchel opted for world-class goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in goal, with Nusa Mazurawi, Dier, Durich and Josua Kimmich in the back four. The two defensive midfielders are Konrad Reimer and Leon Goretzka. The back three are Thomas Muller, Japhael Geheiro, and Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting. Harry Kane started up top.
However, despite Harry Kane's opener, Munich conceded an equalizer through striker Hugo Ekiteke to make it 1-1 at the break.
Dier's sloppy defense, especially in the buildup to 토토사이트 Ekiteke's goal, was impressive. Ekiteke, on loan from PSG, cut into the middle from the left flank and fired a diagonal right-footed shot that caught Dyer with his back to goal.
Dyer's back was turned, opening the way for Ekiteke's shot to find the back of the net. Once again, Dyer's backward defense came back to haunt him.
Dyer also made headlines in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Arsenal when he stood back and stared at a shot from winger Xherdan Shaqiri. While it's understandable to stay back to avoid a handball foul, the Munich defender should also have the mentality to run forward and physically block the shot.
The 'black hole' of a back four that was so prominent during his time at Tottenham is here again.
Munich will likely drop the injury-prone Diricht in favor of Kim Min-Jae if they get off to an easy start against Frankfurt. Derrikht conceded an early goal in this match, which had Munich coach Thomas Tuchel's heart in his mouth.
However, they reverted to 'sweet potato soccer' after conceding the equalizer and will have their work cut out for them.
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