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Bayern make a statement

You couldn't help but notice the sign camped out behind one of the goals: "Gegen den Modernen Fussball," or "Against Modern Football."

In a match like this, between joint Bundesliga table-toppers Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, it provided several apt subtexts. The obvious reference, of course, is to the loose movement that's bubbled all around Europe for the past decade and which, among other things, has tried to fight back against the perceived ills of the modern game: over-commercialization, sanitised match day "experiences," rank-and-file fans priced out, profit-driven owners and a general made-for-TV plastic sameness.

You'll see that banner at virtually every Bayern game but on Wednesday night, it felt specifically directed at the visitors.