By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of their last Champions League group game priorities have changed for Bayern Munich. Crossing swords with Tottenham and their unorthodox star-coach Jose Mourinho is no longer the main issue left for 2019.
While a defeat this Wednesday evening could increase the turmoil around the Bavarian side, the heads of the club's leaders already turn to the Bundesliga duels against Werder Bremen, SC Freiburg, and VfL Wolfsburg waiting before the winter break.
Considering that the Bavarians have already qualified for the round-of-16 in the Champions League (like Tottenham), the side's poor performance in the national league moves into focus.
Currently placed seven points behind leaders Moenchengladbach in seventh in the table, Bayern is not only in danger to lose the 2019/2020 title-race at an early stage but to miss qualification for next season's Champions League campaign.
The clash with Mourinho is far from a warm-up session as a negative outcome is said to possibly influence the mood of the team of coach Hansi Flick.
Tottenham intends to make up for the devastating 7-2 defeat in the first leg on home soil. The situation seems perfect for an unpleasant surprise a la Mourinho after the side achieved four victories in their new coach's first five games.
Mourinho has announced a B-team giving stars like Harry Kane a recovery break to save energy for the title race in the Premier League but is counting on growing ambitions of his back-benchers.
The fact is, there is more to lose for Bayern.
Tottenham's coach might keep an eye on Bayern's apparent problems.
THE SPEED PROBLEM
Having to replace cornerstones such as Niklas Suele and Lucas Hernandez in the back-row discovers the speed problem of Javi Martinez and Jerome Boateng next to Thiago in midfield.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Bayern lost its last two games facing sides of superior quality such as Bayer Leverkusen (2-1) and Borussia Moenchengladbach (2-1). Flick's team seemed to run out of fuel after half time, gambling away dozens of chances.
To keep his entire squad (including the second-row performers) in a good mood, Flick is forced to change his line-up. But not all of his players meet the highest international standards anymore. New arrivals such as Coutinho turned out to be a disappointment.
LACK OF GOAL-EFFICIENCY
For months, Bayern's success entirely depended on Robert Lewandowski. Now the Polish spearhead slipped into a goal-crisis as the 32-year-old missed to score in his side's last games. Former German international Thomas Mueller failed to score for several weeks, aside from a goal against Leverkusen after 1346 minutes. Serge Gnabry, having scored four goals in Tottenham, seems to have reached his borders calling for a break.
MENTAL ISSUE
Former German international Lothar Matthaeus said, "opponents are no longer afraid of Bayern as they are aware Bayern can't dominate a game over 90 minutes."
Joshua Kimmich expressed a warning his side might not be strong enough to win the national title and the Champions League. The midfielder indicated not all teammates are entirely focused.
Mueller demanded to beat Tottenham and win 9 points in the remaining league games; otherwise, "we get into trouble." Enditem
