Bundesliga
Bayern victory in the shadow of the Mazraoui case
FC Bayern’s victory became a minor matter on Saturday. photo
© Arne Dedert/dpa
FC Bayern’s victory in Mainz remains a minor matter. The record champions have to deal with the difficult Mazraoui case. The people of Munich are being sharply criticized.
A victory for FC Bayern, accompanied by taunts between Thomas Tuchel and Uli Hoeneß, on normal days offers enough football conversation to last a whole weekend.
The emotions of Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz in the 3-1 win in Mainz and the sharp criticism of the Munich team in the “Sportstudio” alone confirmed that the record champions are far from normal in their struggle to deal correctly with the Middle East conflict and Noussair Mazraoui . “Absolutely out of the question and unacceptable,” Alon Meyer, the president of Makkabi Germany, called Bavaria’s actions on ZDF.
The decision not to suspend Mazraoui after his pro-Palestinian social media post will remain with Bayern for a long time. Especially since the Mainz team had made a different decision with their professional Anwar El Ghazi. Tuchel was prepared for the questions, explaining that each case “must be looked at individually. I think we have to be careful not to make blanket judgments.” Mazraoui showed remorse. “Otherwise the decision would definitely not have been possible.”
As chairman of the German-Jewish sports association, Meyer was the main discussion partner on ZDF, and the TV rounds also focused primarily on the question of what is right and what is wrong in the debate. Meyer pointed out that Mazraoui’s statement made no mention of the events of October 7, when terrorists from Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, carried out a massacre of civilians in Israel.
“You are counteracting our work”
“When the top athletes, when the model athletes of this club, who earn millions, post something like that. They counteract the work we do tactically. We build bridges, we want to break down prejudices and they are trampled on here with a post,” said Meyer, who praised Mainz. The club is at the bottom of the table, could use every player and has still shown moral courage to “set a clear example here”.
Bayern are particularly in demand because they have an Israeli player under contract in Peretz. The substitute goalkeeper was seen unusually often during the TV broadcast of the game. During the minute’s silence for the victims of the conflict, he stood next to his teammates with tears in his eyes. “I saw it on the screen. He fears for his family and friends day and night,” said Tuchel: “You don’t want to swap places and be in his shoes.” He will be given “as much protective space as possible” in the team.
As with the sensitive issue of Mazraoui, Tuchel was diplomatic in view of the ongoing injury problems and the reprimands of Honorary President Hoeneß. Tuchel had previously criticized what he believed to be a too thinly-staffed Bayern squad. “A lot is made of it when Uli speaks,” he emphasized, referring to a discussion with Hoeneß. “It’s settled between us because we regularly look each other in the eyes and tell each other where we stand and how we feel.”
Personnel concerns have not diminished
His personnel worries have not diminished after the victory thanks to goals from Kingsley Coman (11th minute), Harry Kane (16th) and Leon Goretzka (59th) when Mainz’s Anthony Caci (43rd) conceded a goal. Goretzka’s use is questionable before Tuesday’s Champions League game at Galatasaray Istanbul. The national player had to leave the field with a hand injury. “It could be something worse. I don’t have a diagnosis yet,” said Tuchel. Serge Gnabry and Dayot Upamecano will be out. Things will be “very tight” for Raphaël Guerreiro and Mazraoui.
The example of Matthijs de Ligt shows how minimal Tuchel’s options are in the next lineups. The 24-year-old defender was injured before the Mainz game and has to play again in Istanbul. “There is no other choice. It will stay that way and will not change,” Tuchel speculated. “We’re trying to wrap everyone up in cotton wool.”
Tuchel can also say that Manuel Neuer’s comeback in goal is coming soon as good news. The recently outstanding Sven Ulreich can play again at Galatasaray, but in the Bundesliga on Saturday against SV Darmstadt 98 it could be time for Neuer. “I’m really happy for him because I really appreciate him as a person,” emphasized Ulreich. “I’ll then sit on the bench and support Manu.”