Bundesliga
Bayern bosses emphasize master focus, Müller: “Get the thing”
Munich’s Thomas Müller thanks the fans after the game. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
After the BVB blunder, FC Bayern is struggling to win against Hertha BSC. That brings Munich’s confidence back – and softens heated leadership debates, at least for a short time. The captain is certain of the title.
On the way to the end of the day, Thomas Müller demonstratively embodied FC Bayern’s mia-san-mia, which at least at first glance seems to have been regained. “Here we are again! We’ll get this thing,” said the Munich captain after the difficult 2-0 win against bottom Hertha BSC, who were in serious danger of relegation.
The series champion took advantage of Borussia Dortmund’s blunder at 1-1 in Bochum, which was hotly debated because of a missed penalty kick. “We have taken the step and still have to take four more steps,” said coach Thomas Tuchel, who was done and relieved. After the sadness of four games without a win, the 49-year-old was not the only one to breathe a sigh of relief.
Kahn: It’s not about “beauty price”
After the end of the cup and Champions League, the much-criticized bosses Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic clearly saw the importance of this moment of happiness in the Bundesliga. “I think the team noticed what was at stake,” said CEO Oliver Kahn. “In a phase like this, it’s not about winning the beauty prize, it’s about winning and taking the lead in the table – and we did that.” None of the winners was bothered by the fact that the success over the limited bottom of the table from the capital was very tough to look at for long stretches.
The position of the 53-year-old Kahn is said to be wobbling. “Of course” he was “still here” in the new season, Kahn replied when asked about his future. At the “regular” supervisory board meeting at the end of May, of course, they would also be “very critical” of each other, said the former goalkeeper “Titan”. But his gaze is “not for any discussions,” said Kahn, “but my focus is only on the German championship – and that’s what it’s about.”
Hainer: “Concentrate on the sporty”
When asked about the future of Kahn, the head of the supervisory board, Herbert Hainer, preferred to refer to the remaining title target. “We are all concentrating on the sporting side,” said the President. “That’s the most important thing that happens on the pitch and that we win the eleventh German championship.”
Serge Gnabry (69th minute) and Kingsley Coman (79th) ensured that the series champion set course for the eleventh cup in a row. “Only FCB will be German champions!” Thousands of supporters sang after the final whistle, when the team presented themselves free of hard work in front of the curve. “We brought Labor Day up a day,” said Hainer.
Goal: Four wins
“Now we’re top of the table, it’s in our own hands,” he emphasized – and set the motto for the final four matchdays. “Win four times, then we are German champions.”
Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic also relies on this. “I would like to be champions and see our boys on the balcony and I will do everything for that,” said Salihamizdic, who also has to push ahead with personnel planning for the new season. “We will have talks but we are now fully focused on the championship fight.”
Bremen (A), Schalke (H), Leipzig (H) and Cologne (A) are the final tasks for Munich. “We can all count and do math and we have to win four games,” said two-time preparer Joshua Kimmich.