Still firecrackers or already a crisis summit? The ailing FC Bayern practiced a lot of self-criticism before the Champions League duel at Paris St. Germain. Especially coach Julian Nagelsmann finds surprisingly clear words. However, nothing is going on with the opponent at the moment.
When Julian Nagelsmann left the arena, visibly pissed off, FC Bayern had long been on the red alert. Despite a successful dress rehearsal before the eagerly awaited round of 16 summit in the Champions League at Paris St. Germain, the irritated coach and his ailing stars were in crisis mode.
“We don’t have a great flow. If we play like this on Tuesday, it won’t be enough to progress,” said Nagelsmann after the tough 3-0 (1-0) win over relegation candidate VfL Bochum with a grim expression. Leon Goretzka was also very worried about world champion Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe (who is back in training after his injury) and Neymar on Tuesday (9 p.m. Prime Video and in the ntv.de live ticker): “The way how we played is not enough. We absolutely have to step it up a notch.”
The people of Munich weren’t interested in the fact that PSG before the cracker – or is it more of a crisis summit? – has its own problems. Can Messi and/or Mbappe play in the first leg? Goretzka emphasized that “we don’t concern ourselves with that”. The German record champions have enough to do with their own shortcomings. “We don’t get the energy on the pitch,” complained Goretzka. Nagelsmann complained about “too little movement and straightforwardness”. The annoyed coach added cheekily: “I hope that the excitement of the competition will bring freshness to your head.”
Bayern have, added veteran Thomas Müller, “somewhere in us but more claim. It could be more refreshing.” That he had replaced the storm legend Gerd Müller with his 428th game as Bayern’s record outfield player? minor matter! Müller demanded a lot more Mia san mia before the duel in the Prinzenpark: “We have to be there, that’s what matters.”
It’s going to be difficult for Bayern this year: at the start there was a crisis in earnings, then the fuss about “Gucci-Gnabry” – and finally the theater around Captain Manuel Neuer and his anger interview. On Saturday, a frustrated departure from Leroy Sané also caused astonishment. According to the “Bild” newspaper, the behavior of the national player, who disappeared into the catacombs immediately after being substituted and did not even high-five with the coach, was not well received by the bosses.
Nagelsmann’s wish was fulfilled with the reorganization of his supervisory staff with the commitment of goalkeeping coach Michaelrechner as the successor to new intimate Toni Tapalovic. The bosses now really want to see success. “There are coaches who bring eight or nine people to a club. That also makes sense. The bigger the club, the more sharks swim around you. And it’s not bad if you’re in the middle of the swarm and there are still a few puffer fish on the outside,” Nagelsmann said before the Bochum match. In the event of a crashing round of 16 defeat against France’s series champions, he is guaranteed to be threatened with shark alarm. The fact that the lead at the top of the table over Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund is now extremely small also does nothing to calm the situation.
Sports director Hasan Salihamidži? therefore refrained from commenting on Saturday – but his expression spoke volumes. Nagelsmann seems increasingly irritated. He can hardly afford another early end in the premier class – especially not missing out on the championship. He was correspondingly angry about the weak performance against Bochum. His half-time speech lasted only “intense” 90 seconds. He didn’t have the feeling “that it makes sense to show scenes. We discussed a few other things,” he said on Sky. But he thinks “that one or the other player has spoken up. Hopefully”.
Müller gave Bayern the lead after a Bochum blackout (41st), Kingsley Coman (64th) and Serge Gnabry with a penalty kick (74th) provided clarity, at least in terms of results. And otherwise? Little to nothing. You can no longer manage “that we get from 0 to 100 in important games,” emphasized Goretzka. But that, he added despite all the “anticipation and desire”, “will be necessary in Paris, absolutely”.
