Kingsley Coman, 25, had to answer a number of personal questions as a guest at the press conference before the Champions League game between FC Bayern and FC Barcelona. Among other things, the domestic reporters asked for news about the extension of his contract, which was due to expire the summer after next (“maybe there will be something new soon”), about his health (everything is great) and his relationship with the head coach (also great).
In Portugal, on the other hand, only one short sentence was of interest in his many replies. “We are motivated,” said Coman, and in addition to the 233,000 members of Benfica Lisbon, this message should also have pleased the coach of the great traditional club.
For Jorge Jesus, 67, on Wednesday evening in Munich allegedly decides whether he can keep his job in the Portuguese capital or whether he has to accept one of the offers from Brazil. If Barcelona win at Bayern, Benfica will be relegated to the Europa League, and if the Spaniards draw or lose, Jesus’ team can remain in the upper class if they win at home against Kiev.
A lot is at stake for Barcelona – for Bayern just about the Uefa premium
The other question is whether the motivated Coman is allowed to play at all, since for the undisputed leaders FC Bayern it is basically only about the Uefa bonus. Julian Nagelsmann would now have the opportunity to spare a few of his particularly stressed stars for the Bundesliga final before the winter break, especially since several players are not available to him.
In addition to the recovering virus cases Joshua Kimmich and Eric Choupo-Moting and the muscle injured Marcel Sabitzer, Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka, among others, are currently not operational. That is precisely why the game against Barcelona is of greater importance, explained Nagelsmann: This way, players could play who would also have to compensate for the many losses in the league.
As additional incentives, the coach comes up with a few special goals: “A perfect preliminary round in terms of points,” a possible club-internal goal record and other goals for Robert Lewandowski, who is leading in the shooting list, “so that he can confirm that he is the best striker in the world is”. He didn’t plan any free time for the stars, promised Nagelsmann: “They’ll play, don’t worry. Greetings to Lisbon.”