FC Bayern’s defense wasn’t always solid in the first half of the season. Image: IMAGO/Eibner
The post-Christmas contemplation didn’t last long. Ralph-Uwe Schaffert, member of the DFB executive committee and president of the North German and Lower Saxony associations, spoke to the “Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung” and the “Neue Presse” on Thursday to deliver a round-the-clock attack on the German national team.
He has the feeling that “with a not very small number of players currently active” they think they can get by with “perhaps 85 percent of the possible stake”. It is time to “radically change the playing staff”.
He particularly highlighted Joshua Kimmich and İlkay Gündoğan. Kimmich had “so far failed to provide proof” that he was a leading player, said Schaffert and added a small detail, which ultimately assured him of the Bavarian chairman’s displeasure: “Even in the club.”
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After DFB sports director Rudi Völler denounced the nature of the criticism in “Bild” and offered to “explain it to him again over a cup of coffee” to Schaffert, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen expressed his concern about the statements ” more than irritated.” It is “incomprehensible when the vice president of the DFB criticizes the performance of a deserving and important national player like Joshua Kimmich in his club”said Dreesen on Thursday evening.
FC Bayern: Defensive protection was repeatedly criticized
Brushing aside wounded vanities, Schaffert’s criticism of Joshua Kimmich puts his finger in a wound that FC Bayern has been tinkering with at will over the past six months. In parts of the overall very successful first half of the season, which seemed a bit unconfident by Bavarian standards, the defensive protection in particular was repeatedly prone to porosity.
Joshua Kimmich was repeatedly criticized at FC Bayern.Image: Imago Images / Eibner press photo
In addition to the insufficient squad density, Joshua Kimmich, who was unfaithful to his position, was also regularly held responsible for this. But because the defense as a whole has weaknesses, consequences should now be drawn.
A change in FC Bayern’s defense is looming in the summer
According to Manuel Bonke, chief reporter for “TZ” and “Münchner Merkur” responsible for FC Bayern, there are signs of a change in the defense. According to this, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel is looking for a new “defensive boss” who can lead the team not only with his physicality, but also with the ball at his feet.
The top transfer target remains Ronald Araújo from FC Barcelona, in whom the club is said to be interested this winter.
This is likely to have consequences, especially for Mathijs de Ligt, who was once brought in as “defense chief” but was at least unable to fill this role consistently. While he was still selected under Julian Nagelsmann, de Ligt is currently only third choice under Tuchel behind Min-jae Kim and Dayot Upamecano.
Arsenal are said to be interested in Mathijs de Ligt
However, since the defense is currently so thin, Bonke believes that the Dutchman’s departure in the winter is out of the question. The situation could be different in the summer, especially since a transfer of Araújo is then again within the realm of possibility. There is already a possible buyer.
As “The Athletic” reports, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta is said to think highly of Mathijs de Ligt. Since the Londoners are also aware of the personnel situation in Munich, a commitment is a “long-term transfer goal”. Maybe in the summer then.
From the relegation battle to the top group of the Bundesliga table – VfB Stuttgart experienced an eventful year. Sebastian Hoeneß’s team is probably one of the biggest surprises of the season so far. Thanks to the convincing 3-0 win against FC Augsburg at the end of the year, VfB is in third place in the table.
2023-12-30 09:30:00
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