The man everyone is talking about intensively is not even there in rainy Copenhagen. And yet the excited debate about the return of 2014 world champion Jérôme Boateng to the German series champions, which was seriously considered by FC Bayern but also worth discussing, is haunting the Munich record hunters on their first away trip of this Champions League season. It’s not just about the football player Boateng, but also about the private citizen. And the private Jérôme Boateng has recently also stood for court proceedings and the recently overturned conviction for violent attacks on his former girlfriend.
“The presumption of innocence applies when proceedings are suspended. Because that is the case, we as a football club have the right to make football decisions,” said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel on Monday evening in the Danish capital. It simply has to be possible to let “a deserving player” train with him. “The doors are always open,” said Tuchel. After the test phase in training, a decision will be made about signing the 35-year-old central defender, who left Bayern in 2021 and most recently played for Olympique Lyon.
Bayern have a personnel shortage in the center of defense. Tuchel noted that he understands that Boateng is being discussed because of the private matter. But he “didn’t realize that this was causing unrest in the club and the team.” National player Joshua Kimmich was positive about Boateng’s training comeback in Munich. “I was happy to see him again,” said the 28-year-old midfielder. “Many of us won many titles with him,” said Kimmich. Boateng’s trial was “not a big issue in the dressing room”.
At FC Copenhagen, regardless of all the Boateng debates, Bayern want to continue their record series of games with the in-form Leroy Sané, who is scheduled to appear in Europe’s premier class for the 50th time this Tuesday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and on Prime Video). Successfully continue 35 group games without defeat. After the wild 4-3 start against Manchester United, the next step towards the interim goal of the round of 16 should be successful. “The anticipation is great,” said Bayern’s sports director Christoph Freund on Monday at Munich Airport.
At the Parken Stadium, coach Thomas Tuchel’s ensemble, which is struggling for consistency and dominance in the Bundesliga, awaits a strong home opponent and a pitch that is pretty battered after a concert. “There are enough things to improve,” groaned Tuchel after the 2-2 draw in the top game at RB Leipzig. On Monday it still rained intermittently in Denmark’s capital. In this respect, it was a wise decision not to schedule the final training session in sunny Munich, but rather at the venue again. The practical test in parking should help Sané, Kane and Co. in an emergency.
Training and a conversation
Meanwhile, the special training guest stayed in Munich. Boateng could – because he is without a club – suddenly return as an emergency aid two years after his not exactly quiet departure from Munich. Freund announced a prompt decision this week. “He will also be training at Säbener Straße for the next two or three days. And then we will have another conversation with him. And then we’ll see what the best decision can be for everyone involved,” said the 45-year-old.
Of course, the Boateng case has two levels, one sporty and one away from the football field. Boateng, who recently only appeared sporadically for Olympique Lyon, could alleviate Munich’s own shortage in the central defender position during the summer transfer period if he has positive training evidence. Matthijs de Ligt is also out injured in Copenhagen and will be out for a while. Tuchel only has two special forces available in Dayot Upamecano and new signing Minjae Kim.
Christopher Meltzer, Munich Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 6 A comment from Sebastian Stier Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 8 Sebastian Stier, Leipzig Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 1
“We saw that we were rather thinly positioned there,” said Freund. Boateng is available – and he knows FC Bayern. “It would be his role to support the team as a back-up and – if necessary – that he could then step in.” However, that would no longer be possible in the Champions League during the group phase. A week ago we suddenly experienced the situation in which all three central defenders were injured, said Freund. This is how Boateng came into play. “This is a special situation in which we naturally worry about what can happen between now and winter.”
However, Boateng is also facing trial over allegations of violent attacks on his former girlfriend. The Bavarian Supreme Regional Court just overturned a conviction of the professional due to blatant legal errors “in its entirety”. However, the process will be reopened – and could thus accompany Boateng’s second job at Bayern. There are Bayern fans who are extremely critical of this Boateng problem.
“Everyone can have their own opinion,” commented Freund. He named the attitude of the club’s decision-makers. “Our approach is what is best for FC Bayern in terms of sport.” Boateng’s trial is “a private story” and therefore “not a big issue for us,” said the sports director: In addition, “the presumption of innocence always applies.”
