Bad air at Bayern because of obvious problems after the third league draw in a row. Sports director Hasan Salihamidži? warns that Thomas Müller is breaking the “tie”. The callousness of Torgarant Robert Lewandowski is missing – who can make the Munich crisis perfect on Tuesday.

No greed, no hunger, no efficiency: Returnee Robert Lewandowski will punish this FC Bayern mercilessly – after the worst start to the season in twelve years, Munich are sounding the alarm. “We have to shift up two gears, even three against Barcelona,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidži? and warned: “Barcelona have top players, play good football, Lewa is up front, he takes every opportunity. We’ve been warned.”

Before the explosive reunion with Lewandowski on Tuesday (9 p.m. / Prime Video) in the Champions League against FC Barcelona, ??there is a lot of tension among the Bavarian draw kings. In the sobering 2:2 (1:0) against the still winless VfB Stuttgart, the last bite was missing – and a goal guarantor like the world footballer.

After the third draw in a row in the league, the problems can no longer be explained away. “We didn’t have the keys,” said Matthijs de Ligt of the chaotic attacking game. However, it was the defender who, with his unfortunate foul on strong Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy, ??made it possible for VfB to equalize the penalty from the penalty spot (90.2).

Thomas Müller was also extremely upset. “I have a very nice tie and I’m mad at ourselves,” the native of Munich scolded several TV cameras, “I’m served.” “We have to understand that if we want to win every game, we have to go to the last ten minutes. We gave something away,” Müller rumbled, “everyone” has to question themselves. Captain Manuel Neuer and spokesman Joshua Kimmich refused any comment and trudged out of the arena, visibly pissed off.

The situation is explosive, CEO Oliver Kahn and Honorary President Uli Hoeneß looked sour in the stands. And Julian Nagelsmann? The coach reacted unusually tight-lipped after the “perceived defeat” – and criticized the offensive. “I would have liked more power,” he said, “there wasn’t enough forward greed.”

In the end, the quality was lacking – and “Lewa”? This question is catching up with Bayern more and more, especially since the Pole also scores and scores at Barca. In the 4-0 win in Cadiz, he scored his ninth goal in six games and set up two goals.

For Bayern, who changed to six positions, the exceptional talent Mathys Tel made his mark in Munich Bundesliga history at the age of 17 years and 136 days as the youngest starting XI debutant and goalscorer (36th). “That was a ray of hope,” said Salihamidži?. Jamal Musiala (60′) scored again after Chris Führich (57′) made it 1-1, which Guirassy countered late on. The record champions are even lucky that Guirassy’s first goal (51st) was taken back after Führich’s shirt pluck against Kimmich. VfB sports director Sven Mislintat spoke angrily of the “Bayern lobby”.

Nevertheless, Munich are missing six planned points – “at least four too many”, as Salihamidži? pointedly pointed out. Was it the rotation? No, he emphasized, “that was exactly the right thing”. It’s not the time for fundamental debates or worries anyway, “it’s still early in the season. The boys know themselves that that wasn’t enough.” Serge Gnabry, who should have made it 3-1 (62nd), underlined this. “We definitely have to step on the gas,” he admitted – preferably against Lewa and Barça: “It’s good that we’re playing again on Tuesday. You don’t have that much time to argue.”

(This article was first published on Sunday, September 11, 2022.)