Bayern Munich faced another challenging weekend, adding to what has been a lackluster season for the perennial Bundesliga winners.
In the upcoming match, Borussia Dortmund has the opportunity to take the lead in the race for the German league title by defeating Augsburg on the road. A victory would give Jürgen Klopp's former team a two-point advantage heading into the final matchday, where they would need to secure a win against Mainz at home to clinch the championship.
Over the weekend, Thomas Tuchel's tenure as Bayern Munich coach continued to face difficulties, especially compared to the team's accustomed success. The team suffered a costly defeat to RB Leipzig, further highlighting the challenges Tuchel has encountered since taking over from Julian Nagelsmann in March.
Additionally, Bayern's hopes for European glory were dashed as they were eliminated from the Champions League by Manchester City, losing 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium and drawing 1-1 in Munich during the quarter-final stage.
The disappointment continued domestically, as Bayern suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Freiburg in the German domestic cup, resulting in their elimination. This season, Bayern's chances of ending the campaign without a trophy are becoming a reality.
Changes are on the horizon for Bayern Munich, as reports from Sky Germany suggest that Sadio Mané, along with João Cancelo, who is on loan from Manchester City, is likely to be among the players departing the club. Mané was brought in as a marquee signing to replace Robert Lewandowski but has struggled for playing time, featuring in only four full matches in the Bundesliga so far.
However, it should not come as a surprise as Liverpool had already determined that it was the right time for Mané to move on. Contrary to the perception that Bayern had acquired a game-changer from Liverpool, it was evident that Mané had not been performing at his peak in recent seasons, except for his final six months at Anfield during the quadruple push.
While Bayern viewed the signing of Mané as a statement of their ability to compete with Premier League clubs, it became apparent that his contributions fell short of the high expectations set for him. The disappointment was palpable when Mané played only five minutes in the defeat against Leipzig, coming off the bench late in the game after witnessing the team's collapse from a 1-0 lead to a 1-3 loss.
Bayern's acquisition of Mané may have been considered a coup from Liverpool's perspective, but perceptions have changed significantly in the past year. Unfortunately for Bayern, it took a potentially trophyless season for the club to realize the reality of the situation. As the season nears its end, Bayern Munich will reflect on their underwhelming campaign and prepare for the changes that lie ahead.