Bundesliga
Bayern want to “put a shovel on it” – Müller gives the all-clear
Thomas Müller (M) celebrates his goal with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (l) and Serge Gnabry (r). photo
© Peter Kneffel/dpa
The claimed top of the table gives FC Bayern a good feeling for the Champions League duel with Paris. The manner of appearance cannot do that. Nagelsmann wants to see more of the stars.
After defending the top of the table in the Bundesliga against Paris Saint-Germain, Julian Nagelsmann relies on a motivation boost through the importance in the premier class cracker. “I hope that the excitement of the competition and the excitement of the duel will bring freshness to the mind,” said the FC Bayern Munich coach after the 3-0 win over VfL Bochum. “You always have to categorize it correctly. It’s not always about wanting to tear down the world every second.” But a performance like against Bochum will not be enough against Paris Saint-Germain.
On Tuesday (9:00 p.m.) Munich will play the round of 16 first leg against the superstar ensemble from the French capital. “The tension is increasing, that’s how it is for us, the anticipation is great, but of course also the tension,” said goal scorer Thomas Müller, who was not completely satisfied despite defending the lead in the table. “It could just be a bit more refreshing on the pitch. But you can see across Europe that the top teams don’t necessarily take it easy.” That also applied to PSG. The French lost 1:3 at AS Monaco with Alexander Nübel in goal.
Nagelsmann: Must play outstandingly
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé were absent from the defeat. There are some indications that World Champion Messi will be involved and a lot that Vice World Champion Mbappé will not be in the Champions League. “We have to play an outstanding game in Paris, even if Mbappé may be out,” said Nagelsmann.
Müller, who celebrated scoring like Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry, gave the all-clear after being substituted at half-time. Everyone wants to be there against the French series champion. “On Tuesday we have to step it up a notch,” said midfielder Leon Goretzka, above all demanding a change in approach. “We didn’t really get the energy we wanted to put on the pitch.”
In their last meeting in Paris, Bayern won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Nevertheless, they were eliminated because of the 2:3 in the first leg. “There’s a lot of motivation before the game. We’ll prepare well and we’re really looking forward to a big game against a great team,” said goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The second leg will take place in Munich on March 8th.