Anger criticism and mentality question
Kimmich takes on FC Bayern
2/12/2022, 9:29 p.m
That was obvious. As with the 0: 5 in the cup knockout in Mönchengladbach at the end of October, FC Bayern also got under the wheels with the 2: 4 at the promoted team from Bochum. Joshua Kimmich took this as an opportunity to doubt the mentality of the team.
“Oh, how beautiful it is” echoed from the stands, incredulous spectators in Bochum hurriedly took a photo of the scoreboard – while the stars of Bayern Munich crept off the pitch with a embarrassed expression. The Bundesliga series champions conceded three goals in seven minutes at the small VfL, with the final score of 2: 4 (1: 4) Julian Nagelsmann’s star ensemble was still well served at the end of a turbulent week.
“That was our worst performance of the season throughout the game,” Joshua Kimmich scolded on Sky: “We missed all the virtues. It’s not the first time this has happened to us this season,” added the national player, referring to the 0: 5 in Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup. Everyone has to ask themselves “whether that’s the mentality that FC Bayern wants to embody.”
No new mega comeback
The shape curve has to improve quickly, on Wednesday the round of 16 first leg in the Champions League at Red Bull Salzburg is due. And already on Sunday, pursuer Borussia Dortmund can move up to six points behind the leaders in the league. Only world footballer Robert Lewandowski, who scored the two Bayern goals (9th/75th), achieved normal form on the side of the high favorite. The rest of the team found it hard to get into the game, especially until the change of sides – even then there was no catch-up like in 1976, when Beckenbauer, Müller, Hoeneß and Co. converted a 0:4 into a 6:5 at the same point.
Almost 46 years later, VfL, which took a big step towards staying up in the league, brought Bayern back to the Bundesliga bankruptcy as the first promoted team since 1. FC Kaiserslautern in August 2010. Bayern Munich had last conceded four goals in the first half in 1975 at Eintracht Frankfurt (final score 0:6). Christopher Antwi-Adjei (14′), Jürgen Locadia (38′, penalty kick), Cristian Gamboa (40′) and Gerrit Holtmann (44′) scored the goals for the intrepid and tireless Bochum team before the break – who were 0 in the first leg: 7 had suffered their heaviest Bundesliga defeat.
“Gala game” for VfL
“It was a gala game for us,” said VfL captain Anthony Losilla. “Relatively early” he noticed that something is possible: “At some point everything worked out.” Both teams started without their regular goalkeepers. Bochum’s Manuel Riemann has been infected with Corona, national keeper Manuel Neuer is expected to be absent from FC Bayern for several weeks after knee surgery. Nagelsmann relied on Sven Ulreich in goal, Niklas Süle played in front of him in the center of defence. The national defender will move to BVB on a free transfer in the summer, as announced on Monday. But that was “no reason to put him in the stands,” said Nagelsmann.
Anyone who believed in a normal course of play after Lewandowski’s 0:1 (9th) was disappointed: In the 14th minute, VfL surprised the big favorites with a counterattack, Holtmann left Dayot Upamecano and played into the centre, where Antwi-Adjei dem sluggish Süle was left behind. Bayern fought for dominance, but lacked freshness and esprit. Upamecano jumped the ball in his own penalty area, winter access Locadia overcame Ulreich from the point. Bochum was now intoxicated. Gamboa moved in from the right and hit the corner, Holtmann scored the next dream goal from the left. Nagelsmann reacted, scored another six in Corentin Tolisso and took the overwhelmed Upamecano off the field. The Bayern pressure grew, but not enough.