Nagelsmann simply “happy”
With giant new against the premier class shock
03/07/2022 8:32 p.m
After turbulent weeks, FC Bayern Munich meets RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday. After the 1: 1 in the first leg, the record champions have to worry a little. An off would bring coach Nagelsmann in explanation. After all, he now has Manuel Neuer again.
Manuel Neuer didn’t let the cool splashes of the lawn sprinkler distract him from the concentrated preparation for his astonishing cold start comeback in FC Bayern’s goal. With full commitment, the national soccer goalkeeper dived for the sharply shot balls from goalkeeping coach Toni Tapolovic.
Julian Nagelsmann also followed his captain’s final endurance test very closely during the final training session in cool Munich, wrapped up warm in a jacket, wool hat and gloves. After that, the thumbs went up for Neuer and Nagelsmann. “Yes, Manu will be able to play if there is no knee reaction overnight,” announced the coach.
In view of the enormous drop against the bold young bulls from RB Salzburg, Nagelsmann has to on Tuesday (9 p.m./Amazon Prime Video and in the live ticker at ntv.de) take certain risks in the fight for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. And that’s why the 34-year-old leader pushes Neuer onto the starting ramp in the most important game of the season so far – and only four weeks after an operation on his right knee. “I’m very happy that Manu can play again,” said Nagelsmann.
Thomas Müller emphasized the effect that a goalkeeper giant like Neuer can have on Salzburg’s attackers, possibly also on national team colleague Karim Adeyemi. “If Manuel Neuer is in goal, the opponents might have a different mindset,” said Müller. He meant, loosely translated, Muffensausen when scoring.
Müller remains optimistic
Neuer’s nomination alone also documents the importance of the premier game in which Nagelsmann and his star ensemble absolutely have to avert a round of 16 knockout. The 1-1 draw from the first leg is dangerous – Kingsley Coman only equalized in the last minute at the Salzburg stadium three weeks ago. And the away goals rule no longer applies as of this European Cup season. A disdainful 0-0 would not be enough for the record champions to reach the quarter-finals for the 20th time.
Munich all-time winners like Neuer, Müller, Robert Lewandowski or Joshua Kimmich are of course not afraid of failure. The 32-year-old Müller made this clear in the press conference. “Of course we’re under pressure, we have to, we want to get on,” he said: “But I see it from the other side: if we achieve our goal and progress, then the season can be extremely good.”
But Bayern are not invulnerable. At the back, the offensive Munich are vulnerable, often self-inflicted. Müller warned that “risk management should be presented differently”. With Neuer and world champion Lucas Hernández returning after his league suspension, there should be zero against an opponent who Nagelsmann classifies as “dangerous”. He is still missing Leon Goretzka and Alphonso Davies, who are so important because of their dynamics.
Off would be dangerous for Nagelsmann
One thing is clear: the Bayern professionals have to deliver again under pressure. “Now every millimeter counts, every centimeter, every game,” warned CEO Oliver Kahn. It’s about a title option and a lot of money that those responsible for expensive contract extensions and transfers need. The Champions League is a bubbling source, another 10.6 million euros would bring the quarter-finals.
Nagelsmann in particular feels the pressure before his 36th competitive game with Bayern. He was forgiven for losing 5-0 in the DFB Cup against Borussia Mönchengladbach. An early knockout in Europe – against a team from the skiing nation of Austria – would hardly be excusable. “I’m not a doomsayer,” he countered negative scenarios. But he knows that international success is at the top of the list of duties for Bayern coaches. Even the tenth championship title in a row could not whitewash his premiere season if it went wrong.
The people of Salzburg also dare to do great things in the Allianz Arena. After a massive corona outbreak, coach Matthias Jaissle is now available again for all professionals. Nicolas Seiwald boldly announced a “full attack”. “We’re ready!” The 20-year-old midfield talent sounded. National striker Adeyemi also wants to be ready. Born in Munich with a past in the youth of FC Bayern, he wants to cause a sensation with goals against Neuer. “We are a block on the leg for Bayern,” said Adeyemi. Exactly these Bavarians have never been eliminated against a team from Austria.