Julian Nagelsmann has been the coach of FC Bayern since July 2021
Quelle: Getty Images/Clive Rose
With the first-leg win at Paris St. Germain, Julian Nagelsmann gave himself some air in the debate about his work at Bayern. The pressure on the coach was great recently. Now the bosses are praising him – but they are also warning.
Dhe patron of the club withdrew to a seating area with a drink and let his eyes wander around the room in great satisfaction. After their 1-0 (0-0) win at Paris St. Germain, FC Bayern invited to the club celebration at the Pullman team hotel near the Eifel Tower on Wednesday night, and honorary president Uli Hoeneß watched the team sing the club anthem “Stern des Suedes”. to applause from club staff, VIP fans and sponsors. “Here in Paris you have to win first. We have created great conditions for ourselves,” said Oliver Kahn, looking ahead to the second leg in Munich in three weeks.
It was Kahn’s first speech at a celebration of the German record champions after an international away game. The framework for successor Karl-Heinz Rummenigge could hardly have been better. Unlike the latter, Kahn did not give a speech, but spoke in dialogue with Munich’s stadium announcer on a stage, the players next to him listened.
After weeks of unrest and at times poor performances in the Bundesliga, Bayern put in their best performance of the year. Ironically, against the Parisian star ensemble, they were defensively more stable than last and created offensive chances. “We’ve seen what our team is capable of,” praised Kahn. She acted tactically clever and defended against the superstars Neymar and Lionel Messi so “that they didn’t get going at all.”
“Thomas took it very well”
Seven wins in seven games, six of them without conceding a goal – Bayern’s record in this top-class season so far gives everyone at the club confidence. It was a great victory, especially for Julian Nagelsmann. His plan with a constellation without World champion Thomas Müller – always a risk at Bayern, the personnel quickly becomes a political issue – and with Kingsley Coman worked. Coach Alphonso Davies came on at half-time and prepared Coman’s winning goal (53′). He already scored four goals in February.
Nagelsmann said the decision in the Müller case was very tight, the coaching team discussed it for a long time. The conversation with Müller before the game was not a pleasant one, “but that’s also part of my job profile. Thomas took it very well.” Müller took photos at the celebration and was visibly happy about the victory.
This special evening in Paris was important for Nagelsmann’s standing, both internally and externally. He strengthened him enormously in a delicate phase. Recently there has been a lot of discussion about whether the 35-year-old has dealt properly with the injured captain Manuel Neuer and the separation from goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic, how powerful Nagelsmann is, why the lead in the league over the pursuers is not large. When he signed up, the club bosses emphasized that they wanted to shape an era with Nagelsmann. It is primarily measured by international performance. “This is a first step,” said Nagelsmann about the 1-0. “I’m happy about the result. We will have a good idea in Munich to take the second step.”
Kudos for summer
The club management praised Nagelsmann’s match plan. And now strengthens him publicly. Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic said after the victory in the Prinzenpark: “Something is brought in from the outside. The coach is constantly being questioned where he cannot be questioned at all. It’s strange for me and us, but we don’t let it bother us.” After the three draws at the beginning of the year, the team has slowly found its rhythm.
Salihamidzic also praised goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who prevented the equalizer several times in the final phase. Despite the Switzerland international goalkeeper’s signing a few weeks ago, Bayern are reportedly interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel as the injured Neuer’s long-term successor. According to the “kicker”, there was first contact. His teammates are enthusiastic about the current new replacement in summer, midfield boss Joshua Kimmich praised the goalkeeper’s “great save”. “A 1-1 would not feel so good. He has contributed a great deal.”
In the second leg, the recently injured Kylian Mbappé should play for PSG from the start. After coming on as a substitute midway through the second half, the star striker presented Bayern with enormous problems and scored a goal that was disallowed for offside. “You saw what this absolutely exceptional player can do,” said Kahn, impressed. “Such games, at this level, are not decided in the first leg.” In the Bundesliga, things are really getting down to business now. Kimmich, reported Kahn, immediately after the final whistle in the dressing room demanded full concentration on the league game at Borussia Mönchengladbach next Saturday (3:30 p.m., Sky).
Bayern hope that they can maintain their good form until the second leg against Paris or even improve it. Who is the favorite in the second encounter? Mbappé looked calm after Tuesday night’s defeat. And replied: “Paris St. Germain. Always.”
