Julian Nagelsmann always suspected it. If it is true, the top stars Messi and Mbappé will be there in Paris. Will Bayern still deliver to PSG?
Within sight of the illuminated Eiffel Tower, Julian Nagelsmann was still puzzling over whether he would have to draw up a match plan for an opponent with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé for FC Bayern’s big game against Paris Saint-Germain.
“If both can play, they’re so fit that they can hurt any team in the world,” said Nagelsmann on Monday evening in the team hotel. And he was confident for the first part of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday (9 p.m. / Amazon Prime Video) in the Prinzenpark Stadium: “I am very sure that we will play a top game.”
The big poker game about the world cup top scorer Mbappé, who miraculously recovered, and the world champion Messi, who also got fit in time, had not previously caused Hasan Salihamidzic to boil. The Munich sports director put on a poker face himself in a black suit when he spoke at Munich Airport. “I know what kind of players and top stars they are, but I’m concentrating on our team,” said Salihamidzic. He expects great things: “These are highlights in the life of every footballer.”
Salihamidzic made an urgent appeal to the Munich stars with four keywords and demands: “Activity, energy, aggressiveness, mentality.” You have to put all this on the pitch against the super offensive in Paris with Messi, Mbappé and the Brazilian Neymar. Neymar is counting on the return of his superstar colleagues at PSG: “If we play as a threesome, we feel stronger.”
“The game is very important for all of us”
In the Prinzenpark, which has never been a feel-good place for FC Bayern, it will be decided in advance in what splendor the second Bayern season under Julian Nagelsmann could shine – or not. The still young coach knows that he has to do a lot of things right in terms of tactics and personnel – unlike a year ago when he was knocked out in the quarter-finals against underdogs FC Villarreal. “For the coach, for the players, for the club – the game is very important for all of us,” said Salihamidzic.
What was before – at Bayern with the unrest about captain Manuel Neuer and the dull Bochum dress rehearsal, at PSG with injured stars, defeats and a bad mood – is no longer of interest at the kick-off. After all, the premier class is the stage for which both clubs and international stars live and burn. “All of Europe is hot for the game,” said Leon Goretzka. A battered Messi, a lightning-fast healed Mbappé, a weak Neymar? gift. Paris needs its superstars – now! “Only the Champions League counts for Paris anyway,” said Goretzka. The Qatari owners are desperate for the trophy.
Crucible for Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann has other questions buzzing around in his head. What promises a good result for the second leg? Chain of three or chain of four? More compact or totally bold with the full offensive band? During the last training session in cool Munich, the 35-year-old took a close look. Nagelsmann, who was in a bad mood after the 3-0 win against Bochum, said they would be brave. “That he shows emotions, that he’s angry sometimes – that’s actually what we want,” said Salihamidzic. “He also demands these emotions from the players on the pitch.”
Great coaches and great players prove themselves in great games. World champion Messi (35) can do that. And has Jamal Musiala (19) already? The comparison of generations is one of the attractions of the meeting of the giants. Messi is the “world champion, the player who shaped the world of football for 15, 20 years. The best player in the world,” Salihamidzic praised the Argentine.
It will certainly not be anything in Paris in Bochum style. The sound of the Champions League anthem should ensure a completely different level of energy on the pitch. “I hope that the excitement of the competition, the excitement of the duel, will bring freshness to your head,” said Nagelsmann. Don’t worry, Kingsley assured Coman. “It’s going to be a great game,” said Bayern’s “King”, who headed the winning goal in the final against his ex-club in the 2020 final in Lisbon.
Joshua Kimmich will be back in the starting XI in Munich after being suspended against Bochum. Yann Sommer wants to show against Messi, Mbappé and Neymar that he is a goalkeeper at the highest Neuer level. Thomas Müller is also ready after calf problems. “We have to be there,” the leader warned.
Messi and Mbappé putzmunter
The phenomenon of injured stars miraculously getting fit before big games was seen at PSG on Monday. During training in sunny Paris, Messi and Mbappé ran across the lawn in a lively mood. Of course, PSG coach Christophe Galtier did not reveal whether Mbappé would be in the starting XI. But he said on Monday evening: “If it’s on the score sheet, it’s to play, not to scare Bayern.”
Paris with Messi and Mbappé is of course of a different caliber than Paris without M & M. “These are two players with very special skills that make the difference,” said Nagelsmann: “If we lose two top players, we are probably one too tad weaker.”
In fact: two years ago, when Bayern were unlucky to lose against PSG in the quarter-finals, Robert Lewandowski was injured in the first and second leg. Incidentally, Mbappé was the match winner for PSG in the 3-2 first leg win in Munich with two goals.
The possible lineups:
Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Nuno Mendes – Verratti, Danilo Pereira, Vitinha – Neymar – Messi, Mbappé
Bayern Munich: Summer – Joao Cancelo, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Müller, Musiala, Coman – Choupo-MotingReferee: Oliver (England)
