Bayern Munich
With Müller’s confirmation and “Wunderwuzzi” into the European Cup anniversary
“We have a run of results that we don’t want to artificially interrupt,” said Bayern coach Tuchel before the game against Copenhagen. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
Thomas Müller doesn’t always play for FC Bayern (anymore), but he does play against Copenhagen. In contrast to this ongoing question, coach Tuchel does not commit himself: Where does he rotate in the fight for records and money?
For this anniversary, Thomas Tuchel committed himself to an explosive ongoing debate. Unlike last time, Thomas Müller will be allowed to start again from the start in FC Bayern’s 100th European Cup game at the Allianz Arena.
“Thomas remains a legend. Normally he will play, even from the start,” said the Munich football coach, who is annoyed by the Müller discussion. “That doesn’t always get to the heart of the matter if you only put Thomas’ minutes under the magnifying glass. That doesn’t help Thomas or us.”
With Müller in the starting line-up, FC Bayern, who are already group winners and in the round of 16, want to continue their winning ways in the Champions League against FC Copenhagen on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN). After four wins in four games, the Munich team are confirmed as group winners and in the round of 16. “We have to bring this fire and passion from ourselves without the immediate pressure of results,” demanded Tuchel on this cold, wet November evening.
It’s a lot of money – and transfers?
Especially since there is a lot of prize money at stake in the remaining two group games against the Danish champions, against whom Müller shone as a joker in the first leg, and against Manchester United in two weeks. There is a UEFA bonus of 2.8 million euros per win for the Munich team, who are already approaching the 100 million euro mark in Europe’s premier class. This income increases the scope for transfers desired by the coach in the winter.
“We are preparing the match as if it were the last chance for us to achieve our goals. We will make no difference where we are in the table – and hopefully you can see that in our game,” said Tuchel. The record series should under no circumstances be broken. Bayern have been undefeated in 38 group games, most recently with 17 wins in a row. “The series is an obligation for all of us,” warned Tuchel.
Tuchel doesn’t want to “artificially interrupt” the run
Unlike the Müller question, Tuchel did not reveal which positions he would rotate in for the series champions. “We have a run of results that we don’t want to artificially interrupt,” Tuchel said on Tuesday. One thing is certain: the game comes too early for Jamal Musiala after a torn muscle fiber. The national player may return to the squad for the game against 1. FC Union Berlin at the weekend.
As in the last two seasons under Julian Nagelsmann, the Munich team are aiming for a flawless six-win group phase under Tuchel. However, Bayern have experienced in previous years that this is no guarantee for a successful premier class season: even after perfect preliminary rounds, they failed in the quarter-finals.
Laimer sees no limits
“We’re on the right track. We’ll see how far we are and how good we are next year when all the knockout games and the important games come,” said Konrad Laimer. You play well and win, but you still have room for improvement. “If that’s still the case, then there’s no upper limit for us either,” said the 26-year-old.
In contrast to Müller, the Austrian international, who exchanged a few casual jokes with his DFB colleagues who were defeated in the friendly match, plays almost always. Sometimes at the right back, sometimes in midfield – which impresses Tuchel. “He always does it with 100 percent, so you can never be mad at him. Even if things don’t work out,” said the 50-year-old. When asked about a position title for the business card, Laimer joked: Maybe you could try “Wunderwuzzi” – all-rounder.
A novelty for FC Bayern
Almost two decades after Munich’s European Cup debut in the arena, a 1-0 win against Bruges on September 27, 2005, new signing Laimer will most likely be on the pitch for the 100th game together with veteran Müller (34). “I enjoy every second with him,” said the former Leipzig professional. Müller is one of the best ever. “It’s the same with him, it’s the same with me, it’s the same with everyone else.”
Overall, FC Bayern is playing its 287th Champions League game and is experiencing something new: the home game will be officiated by a referee, Stephanie Frappart from France.