FC Bayern: “We’re all in shit together”

Sports FC Bayern

“We’re all in this shit together”

As of: 9:24 a.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes

Thomas Tuchel, the coach of FC Bayern, is optimistic before the second leg against Lazio Rome

Source: dpa/Sven Hoppe

FC Bayern has to make up for a defeat against Lazio Rome in the Champions League. For coach Thomas Tuchel, it’s also about the job. While Lothar Matthäus talks about an interim solution, a professional summarizes the situation drastically.

The decisive man introduced himself to the staff with a hearty breakfast. Max Eberl made his debut at Weißwurst on Säbener Straße on Monday morning and held discussions with many FC Bayern employees in the club’s canteen.

The new sports director of the German soccer record champions, who had his first official day at work in the disappointing 2-2 draw against SC Freiburg last Friday, is faced with a big task: finding a new coach for the world club. By summer at the latest, without Interim solution. But possibly earlier too – with an interim solution.

This Tuesday (9 p.m., Amazon Prime) Bayern will face Lazio in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. After the 0-1 in the first leg, ten points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and only one win from the last five games, it feels like the final game of the season. The premier class as the last chance. An elimination against the playfully limited Romans, ninth in the Italian league with just one win from the last twelve away games in the Champions League, would be an indictment. And as a result, the club could part ways with coach Thomas Tuchel before the end of this weak season.

“Effort and will are not the problem,” says Tuchel

Bayern have not reached the semi-finals since 2020. There is also a lot of money at stake against Lazio: missing the quarter-finals would mean around ten million euros less income, and by the time they reach the final it would even be around 40 million euros less. Lothar Matthäus believes that Tuchel would not be able to stay until the end of the season if he were to leave. “The risk is great. They don’t understand each other, and if you don’t understand each other, you’re no longer there for each other,” said the record national player on Sky.

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Tuchel had his team train for the last time on Monday afternoon before the game against Lazio and held a press conference in the Munich stadium. The 50-year-old appeared focused and tidy – and was combative. “The situation is very clear: we need a win with a two-goal difference. A certain amount of pressure is part of top performance. We need them,” said Tuchel. “You shouldn’t expect it to feel super light. The hurdle is very high, it’s a big challenge.”

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After the game in Freiburg, he criticized his players harshly, talking about sometimes headless play and harakiri. Do the players still listen to him? “Yes. That’s why we played a good second half,” Tuchel replied to a reporter’s question. Everyone can be sure “that there is no one who has more ambition to win the game than me.”

Tuchel was also asked whether it felt like a final for him and whether the end of the collaboration discussed with club boss Jan-Christian Dreesen at the end of the season could be brought forward. “Not from my side,” said the coach. “I can’t speak for others.” The team receives support from him and will continue to receive it. “Effort and will are not the problem.”

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Tuchel explained how he deals with the situation and criticism of him. “It’s very important for me personally,” he said of the game. “I really hate losing. It’s very hard for me to deal with defeat and not have the influence. Every game, everything, is a lesson,” said Tuchel. “In the last few weeks it has of course been difficult to look at the positive aspects that this job brings. It’s important to accept the challenge and stay positive, learn the lessons.” He will grow from it, “I believe in that.” He expects that from himself. “Things are not normal. Of course it’s just football. It is my great passion, my great love. I’m 100 percent involved until the last game for Bayern.”

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He wouldn’t be surprised if Lazio plays on the counterattack and looks for the speed of striker Ciro Immobile. In a certain sense, patience is required “not to get frustrated if everything doesn’t work out right away,” emphasized Tuchel. But: “We have no time to waste! We have to make it clear from the start that we want to play for goals. We don’t want to wait until the 75th minute.”

There is far too much at stake on this special Tuesday evening in the Munich stadium. For FC Bayern – and for Thomas Tuchel. Defender Matthijs de Ligt summed it up on Monday afternoon: “We’re all in this shit together.”