Only one PCR test separates Julian Nagelsmann from FC Bayern. If it turns out negative on Tuesday morning, the coach will be on the sidelines in the Champions League in the evening. He had to suspend four games, including the cup embarrassment. Lots of time to find something to complain about.
“We are glad that Julian Nagelsmann is healthy and can be there again. We missed him.” That’s what Alphonso Davies said at the press conference before his FC Bayern’s Champions League game against Benfica Lisbon (Tuesday, 9 p.m. on Amazon and in the ntv.de live ticker). He was there very prematurely, the left wing, who will celebrate his 21st birthday tomorrow. Because whether his trainer Julian Nagelsmann can really be there again will only be decided by the PCR test, which will be done tomorrow morning.
But Nagelsmann is also in good spirits that, in all likelihood, he will return to his traditional place at Bayern-Bank. Or as an active trainer at your side, rather in the coaching zone. “I’m fine, everything is fine. Of course you can still tell that something was in the body, but that is also normal,” he says after his corona illness with self-isolation. “I think and hope that the test will be negative tomorrow, then I’ll be able to take part again,” said the coach at the press conference before the home game. His last PCR test five days ago was “borderline”. “The rapid tests over the past few days have all been negative.”
Nagelsmann still sounds a bit cold, but it will probably have been the last press conference from his kitchen. The first leg in Lisbon (4-0) on October 20 was the first he missed. The 34-year-old had flown with them, but could not be at the game and was taken back to Munich in isolation by an ambulance plane. He also missed the game against TSG Hoffenheim (4-0), the cup debacle against Borussia Mönchengladbach (0-5) and the 5-2 win at 1. FC Union Berlin.
Lewandowski’s anniversary is coming up
“I’m really looking forward to the game,” said Nagelsmann in anticipation of the Lisbon team. “The first thing I will do is drive to the test and then go straight to the site and unpack my bags that I packed for the Benfica first leg and put things in order. Otherwise there is not much time to savor your freedom.” The kick-off is at 9 p.m., before the last training is due, the team meeting in the hotel, he still has to determine his starting eleven.
Robert Lewandowski will certainly be one of her. The super striker who will then play his 100th Champions League game. “It’s an impressive brand,” says his trainer. The 33-year-old’s goal rate is particularly pleasing; he has already scored five premier league goals in three games. He has 78 goals in total, and the Pole has his eye on the 100 mark. So far, only Cristiano Ronaldo (137) and Lionel Messi (123) have been able to surpass them. “He’s incredibly dynamic. You will never be able to control him 100 percent in a game. That’s why I’m glad he’s on our team,” said Nagelsmann.
Defensive something to complain about
The Bayern coach basically doesn’t have to worry about the offensive. Three games, twelve goals – and not one goal conceded in the Champions League. Of those, however, there were five in the Gladbach Cup last week and then two more from Union Berlin. Nagelsmann had to watch – and found reason for criticism. “There are similar patterns in all games when we get chances against us. In the end it is often still too easy. It’s about taking the last steps in the actions,” explains the coach.
“It is often the case that Manuel Neuer then holds well and prevents goals conceded. That is often too easy.” Until before the Gladbach game, it was often the case that the last line of defense had defended everything. Nagelsmann now demands more activity.
Benfica also had scoring chances in the first leg, especially Darwin Nunez (33rd), Diogo Goncalves (55th) and Roman Yaremchuk (68th) were both barely stopped. 8 to 21 shots on goal and above all 0 to 4 goals were ultimately clear, but Yaremchuk in particular showed what Nagelsmann is now criticizing: The Ukrainian had immediately lost a few meters on the right wing from Dayot Upamecano before he just missed the far corner. That was such a slight mistake that I was criticized.
Stars could be spared
But the Bayern newcomer, who already played at RB Leipzig under Nagelsmann, has a good chance of being there tomorrow. “Every defender has a hard time against a physically strong and fast striker. A big advantage of Upa is that he has a lot of physicality and speed,” said the coach. “When he plays against physically strong opponents, the point is that he moves from the physical to a clever defensive stance. If he plays tomorrow, he will have a good game.”
Speaking of the starting eleven: Nagelsmann is considering sparing some stars. Finally, on Saturday in the league, the duel with the surprising third place in the table SC Freiburg is pending. Whether Davies will play on his 21st birthday is still unclear, according to his coach he has “a bit of muscular problems”. Leon Goretzka, on the other hand, comes back into the shoe after a swollen flesh wound, and Lucas Hernandez’s bruise should not be so dramatic either.
Just one point in the second leg against Benfica would be enough to get into the round of 16 early. Nagelsmann doesn’t want to know anything about that. It should be “twelve points” please, so the fourth win in the fourth game should be here. He would also suppress the cup embarrassment a little further.