A “kiss” for reconciliation?
FCB plays down the quarrel between Goretzka and Upamecano
September 21, 2023, 1:36 p.m
Bayern are celebrating a groundbreaking victory in the Champions League. In the wild final phase there is trouble between two stars. It’s not that bad, say those who were there. The next few weeks will show whether this is really the case.
In the end, sports director Christoph Freund was even able to see something positive in the anger between Leon Goretzka and Dayot Upamecano in the 4-3 win in the Champions League. “It’s also true that the team is alive. The boys want to win games, so there can be emotions sometimes,” said Freund on Thursday night after FC Bayern Munich’s success in Europe’s premier football league against Manchester United.
Goretzka and Upamecano clashed in the 82nd minute. The French defender gestured and Goretzka presumably criticized his colleague. Upamecano had previously unnecessarily played the ball to Joshua Kimmich, who was closely guarded, which resulted in a loss of the ball. But the Frenchman won the ball back and the scene had no consequences.
“A little kiss” for reconciliation?
“He’s not allowed to play on him either! That’s not just Joshua’s mistake, on the contrary. 80 percent are with the defender,” said DAZN expert Michael Ballack. “Why do you do that? There is no need at all. He also sees that Kimmich is covered and still plays to him. That doesn’t have to be the case.”
Leading player Thomas Müller didn’t see any problem in the altercation. “There was a bit of smoke there,” said the 34-year-old. He doesn’t know whether it was even “a little kiss” to make up for it. “That’s how we want it to be. You can clash for a while, you have to make sure you can maintain the form to some extent.”
The Munich team won the group opener against what was supposed to be their toughest opponent with goals from Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, penalty taker Harry Kane and super joker Mathys Tel. The goals conceded by Rasmus Höjlund and double goalscorer Casemiro made things unnecessarily tight. In two weeks, coach Thomas Tuchel’s team will continue in Denmark against FC Copenhagen.