FC Bayern: The return of the sovereign

WWhen Julian Nagelsmann talks about the level of his team, he often uses the words “at the moment” or “now”. Words that describe a state in the present. Because the FC Bayern coach knows only too well that what is considered good today can be bad tomorrow – or vice versa. For example, the squad that has been upgraded for this season, which in the worst case can lead to dissatisfaction and was considered one of the triggers of the autumn crisis a few weeks ago. At best, however, the competition ensures a higher level. “It’s extraordinary,” said Nagelsmann after the 6-2 win against FSV Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga and didn’t forget to add the word “straight”.

Exceptionally good, he says. At the back, because the defense looks more stable than ever under Nagelsmann. And in front, because the opponents don’t know exactly who to focus on. The six goals on Saturday came from six different players. Instead of an outstanding scorer, to whom the attacking actions are tailored like Robert Lewandowski used to be, there are currently many shooters. Jamal Musiala maintained his team’s top position with his seventh goal of the season, just ahead of Sadio Mané, who scored his sixth goal against Mainz. Serge Gnabry has already scored his fourth goal, Leon Goretzka and Mathys Tel scored their second goals.

return of respect

Mainz coach Bo Svensson paid particular attention to his former team-mate Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, as the Munich striker has been the top scorer in the past five games. Choupo-Moting still scored, but only at the very end. “There is nothing better than when everyone in the team can score goals,” said CEO Oliver Kahn. “That also generates a certain respect from the opponent.”

The respect that had decreased in September because the image that FC Bayern had given after a few draws and a defeat in the league was not that of a sovereign. There was rumbling in the club, in the team, and a bit in the relationship between the coach and the players. Demands on starting eleven missions were formulated publicly. Individual interests seemed to play a more important role than the big picture.

Flow as a goal

Perhaps it was the 2-2 win at Borussia Dortmund at the beginning of October after a 2-0 lead that finally opened the eyes of the team and that they once again concentrated on their common sporting goals. “It was our goal to get ourselves into that kind of flow,” said Goretzka. And that should continue this Tuesday in the sportingly meaningless last Champions League group game against Inter Milan. When the team works, it works, no matter who is rotated into the team, no matter if there is a real nine or a wrong nine. “One takes the other with him, that’s how this energy comes about. And that makes it easier to perform well,” said Gnabry. The fact that four important regular players are missing in Lucas Hernández, Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer is – at the moment – ​​of little consequence. And Lewandowski was recently only spoken about the Barcelona game.

“Everyone who comes off the bench is doing very well. And that’s what a team lives from,” said Nagelsmann. There is no drop in performance when there are substitutions, Kahn stated. “The game continues at the highest level.” There are still players who are currently getting fewer starting eleven matches than they are used to. Kingsley Coman, for example, who can’t get past Mané or Gnabry after an injury break. Or Benjamin Pavard. The full-back not only has an almost equal competitor in Noussair Mazraoui, who is “extraordinarily calm on the ball against aggressively defending teams”, praised Nagelsmann. But Pavard is also needed as a central defender as long as Hernandez is still out. “He’s currently covering two positions, so you have to consider how you let him play.”

Ulreich answers Neuer questions

Sven Ulreich, as Manuel Neuer’s representative, seems to be required more after the game if he is to provide information on the fitness of the first goalkeeper who has injured his shoulder. You have to “look from day to day”, says Ulreich. “But I’m assuming that he’ll still play games before the World Cup.” It’s not too difficult for Munich’s number two on the pitch at the moment, but there’s hardly any opportunity to recommend himself. He doesn’t have to either, said Ulreich, because “I know my worth, even if I don’t play”. A faux pas like the one on Saturday, when an opponent landed a pass and Marcus Ingvartsen used this template to score the second Mainz goal, is particularly noticeable given his underemployment, but “it’s not that wild,” says Ulreich.

When the score was 5:1, he didn’t want to play the simple ball, but wanted to try something – and that went wrong. It may be a small consolation for the competition: there are still things that FC Bayern are not able to do.