“Apart from Bayern.”As we moved into the winter break, it was almost possible to fantasise that Bayern are as susceptible to the tides as anyone else. It had all started with a Bayern counterattack, with Arturo Vidal’s excellent pass setting James Rodríguez away. Photograph: Alex Grimm/Getty ImagesPoor Akolo, who has had a very promising first half-season in the Bundesliga, was inconsolable. Coach Hannes Wolf and defender Holger Badstuber – who had been denied a goal against his old club by another Ulreich save – both made it clear with their post-match comments this wasn’t necessary. “We’re just a bit more consistent.” Beneath Bayern it is much of a muchness, with only two points separating places two to six.

Source: The Guardian December 18, 2017 12:00 UTC