Julian Nagelsmann gets away with a black eye after his verbal freak out. The Bayern coach is on the sidelines against Union. Kahn appeals to his players before the top duel.
Munich (dpa / lby) – FC Bayern Munich can tackle the much-noticed top Bundesliga game against Union Berlin with coach Julian Nagelsmann. The football teacher avoided a suspension after his verbal outburst of anger following the defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The DFB sports court only fined the 35-year-old 50,000 euros. As the German Football Association announced on Wednesday, FC Bayern has already approved the verdict.
Nagelsmann made unsportsmanlike comments to the referee team around Tobias Welz in the dressing room after the game on Saturday (2:3). “Since he had not yet appeared before the sports court, apologized that same evening and also showed insight in the statement to the control committee, the committee refrained from applying for an indoor ban,” the message said.
For Bayern, the verdict means at least one less noise – even if the noise level on the Isar before the top game against the Berliners on Sunday should remain high. After all, the championship fight has become a champion three-way battle with Union and Dortmund. A defeat against the capital cities with the same number of points and the lead in the table is definitely gone. Even a draw may not be enough if Dortmund wins in Hoffenheim.
So far, the new calendar year has been anything but Bayern-like: Manuel Neuer’s Attack interview, goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic’s sacking and the crisis in the Bundesliga, which is small at least by Bayern standards. Only two wins from six games is far from what those responsible on the Isar imagine.
Board boss Oliver Kahn therefore made his protégés responsible before the summit. “Now the players have to show that they are Bayern Munich. And a game like that against Union Berlin, a duel for the top of the table, is the perfect stage to prove to everyone: Nobody knows better than FC Bayern what’s going on in a game like that situation to do,” said the former national goalkeeper of “Sport Bild” (Wednesday).
Kahn does not want to know anything about criticism of Nagelsmann. “It’s our job to keep an eye on the overall structure,” said the 53-year-old. In the Champions League, the team delivered against Paris Saint-Germain (1-0) and lost in Gladbach after a difficult game. “We can classify that very well,” said Kahn and stood behind his coach: “Julian is a guy who takes on any challenge – and who is also able to master them”. The Bundesliga challenge on Sunday (5.30 p.m.) could hardly be greater at the moment.
