Unlike in the domestic championship, there hasn’t been a slump in the Champions League for Bayern: Bayern started flawlessly in Group C with successes over Inter Milan and FC Barcelona. Now, according to Jamal Musiala, the next three should follow against Pilsen. “Now we can’t sit back, we have to take the same hunger and the same energy into the next games,” demanded the German team player, whose team is playing against the Czechs without leaders Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich, who tested positive for the corona virus.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is ready for action. “We want to continue like this against Pilsen and try to gain even more self-confidence so that we can go to Dortmund with a good feeling,” said the captain. The halted negative trend in the league created a relaxed mood for the German series and record champions. “We hope that we can do better in the Champions League,” said Nagelsmann. In any case, Pilsen is just a stopover on the way to the showdown against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. “It’s just the game that football Germany looks forward to all year,” said Leon Goretzka.
After Kimmich’s positive corona virus test, Goretzka came into focus. In midfield, Goretzka should probably help shape the game together with Marcel Sabitzer. For Müller, Serge Gnabry and not Kingsley Coman, who was applauded when he returned to training, should make his starting eleven debut this Champions League season. Whether Müller and Kimmich can return against Dortmund is the most exciting question that accompanies Munich in this hot week. Both had tested positive over the weekend. They were described by the club as symptom-free, but for the time being coach Nagelsmann has to plan without the duo.
“A step in the right direction”
After the “positive signal” in the clear home win against Leverkusen, the sole record of 31 group games without defeat against the Czech champions should also be achieved. In the period from 2012 to 2017, Real Madrid, like Munich, managed a series of 30 unbeaten games, which Bayern can surpass on Tuesday. “It was a first step in the right direction. But we are all well advised not to hang that too high. It is important to show this attitude game after game,” said CEO Oliver Kahn.
Sadio Mane, last scorer against Leverkusen, is expected to score more goals to match and break the record. “The next games will show whether it was a knot burst. I really hope so,” Nagelsmann said about the game against Leverkusen. Speaking of Bayer: The Werkself are on fire after the repulse against Munich. Coach Gerardo Seoane urgently needs a sense of achievement in the CL group game at FC Porto and then in the league against Schalke in order to be able to keep his job.
Glasner hopes for the Frankfurt Festival
Like Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt has three points after two rounds in Group D, and Premier League top club Tottenham are now waiting. “We have an unbelievable quality on the offensive, a lot of speed and a goal threat. But we’re happy that we can compete with them,” explained coach Oliver Glasner, who will have to do without Mario Götze against the Londoners. The 2014 World Cup final goalscorer is suffering from an ankle injury. “It’s a pity that we lack his experience and quality, but we have enough good players who can compensate for that,” said Glasner.
In the duel with “Spurs”, who, like Eintracht, have three points after two games, the 49-year-old from Upper Austria is hoping for a “football festival” and a “perfect evening” for his team. “Tottenham are still my group favorites, but the lads have often shown that they can surpass themselves,” said Glasner.
