The Bavarians upgraded their staff in the summer and thus also significantly increased the competition. When all the players are fit, Julian Nagelsmann has to keep his stars happy, even if they are on the substitutes’ bench. The 35-year-old has now made it clear that this is quite normal for top teams like the German record champions.
While Nagelsmann often had to fill up the professional squad with young players in the pre-season, especially due to the numerous Corona failures, it quickly became clear how thin the Bayern squad actually was. This season, the FCB coach is already spoiled for choice at the start of the season when it comes to choosing his starting team.
Matthijs de Ligt and Leroy Sane in particular have recently been the focus. Both have had to be satisfied with a reserve role so far. This is mainly due to the fact that other players are currently in top form.
Nagelsmann only looks at the performance
In the case of de Ligt in particular, fans, media and experts are asking when the Dutchman will finally be allowed to play from the start. The 23-year-old was hired as the new chief of defence, but so far he has to be patient when it comes to starting eleven.
However, Nagelsmann does not allow himself to be put under pressure in this respect: “I know that with newcomers it is quickly reduced to monetary terms, how expensive the player sitting on the bench is. Whether Upamecano or Ligt are sitting on the bench is very related from a monetary point of view. You can turn the number as you want,” he said on Friday.
In addition, the 35-year-old made it clear that it is quite normal for a top European club that players like de Ligt and Sane sometimes have to sit on the bench: “But in principle it should always be the goal at Bayern that too there are good players on the bench.”
After all: In today’s away game at VfL Bochum, the Dutchman has a good chance of playing from the start. Despite tearing a ligament in his hand, the central defender took part in the final training session and, according to Nagelsmann, will start if he doesn’t have any problems.
