FC Bayern swears by a secret evening for the top game against Union Berlin and there is finally news again in the chaotic days: Captain Manuel Neuer is apparently making significant progress after his serious injury – and appears without walking aids.
FC Bayern committed to the important game against Union Berlin on Sunday (5:30 p.m. / DAZN and in the live ticker on ntv.de) early on Friday evening in Munich’s noble suburb of Grünwald. The stars gathered around coach Julian Nagelsmann in the Forsthaus Wörnbrunn to eat together and to prepare for the game against the third-placed team with the same number of points.
Also present was the longtime regular keeper and captain Manuel Neuer, who has been seen without crutches for the first time since his much-discussed skiing accident in mid-December. According to a report in the “Bild” newspaper, Neuer is said to have been the first to arrive at the restaurant. When asked by the tabloid how he was doing, the 36-year-old said: “Very well.”
Although Neuer – unlike in his last public appearances – was completely without walking aids, according to the report the goalkeeper was not really running. No wonder: His operation after a double lower leg fracture was just eleven weeks ago. In addition to Neuer, his deputies in the captain’s position – Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Müller – arrived at the Forsthaus Wörnbrunn early on.
The other stars didn’t arrive until half an hour later – at the official start at around 6:30 p.m. Penultimate was Leroy Sané, who was recently scolded for being unpunctual and was only topped by Kingsley Coman. What exactly was discussed at the secret team evening is not known. However, Nagelsmann already explained at the matchday press conference at noon what the goal is for the game at the weekend. “The formula at Bayern is as simple as it is complex: If you win, there is no peace. If you don’t win, there is no peace. So we should win against Union Berlin,” said the head coach.
Nagelsmann answered the fact that his Bavarians were last fickle after ten championship titles in a row in the league with a comparison: “When you ride a roller coaster in the amusement park for the first time, it’s very spectacular. The ninth time it’s still fun, but it isn’t as spectacular as it was the first time.” And yet the Munich pros have always managed to do it in the past.
