Sunday April 11th 2021
Notelf, Zoff, “Next question!”
There is a blaze of fire at FC Bayern
The sports director is arguing with the trainer. The team loses the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. So many injured players are missing that only one Notelf can compete in the Bundesliga: There is a lot going on at FC Bayern at the moment. Coach Hansi Flick seems increasingly annoyed.
Hansi Flick gave a pained smile. “Do you think I am enjoying the whole thing?” The Bayern Munich coach asked the ARD reporter, annoyed. The speculations about his future and the dispute with sports director Hasan Salihamidžić continue to weigh heavily on Flick and the record champions in the weeks of truth with the Champions League hit against Paris St. Germain.
The concerns are after the meager 1: 1 (0: 0) of Munich Notelf against Union Berlin and in view of numerous failures before the quarter-final second leg in the premier class on Tuesday (9 p.m. / Sky and in the ntv.de live ticker) big enough at PSG. Manuel Neuer therefore longingly wants “a little more peace” at Sky before the second duel, in which the Munich team are under a lot of pressure after the 2: 3 at home.
All things that “rattle us from the outside are of course not necessary,” emphasized the captain. Thomas Müller also didn’t feel like all the theater. If he did it with his trainer, he said: “Next question!” Because: “Any answer would fuel that again.”
Reason in a constant dispute?
But it’s been burning for a long time. Never in Flick’s 18-month tenure with six titles has the situation been so tense. Apparently, no power word from CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who had urged Flick and Salihamidžić to their senses before the game against Union, helps.
Neuer has clearly positioned himself as spokesman for the team in the ongoing dispute. “I think that Hansi Flick is the right coach for us and you could see how successful we have been in the last few times,” said the goalkeeper at Sky.
In order for it to continue successfully, Flick tried to focus on the sport after the draw of his rump group around the Bundesliga debutants Josip Stanisic and Christopher Scott. In view of the high level of traffic, it is crucial before Paris “that we gather strength and clear our heads,” he said. Despite all the problems, you go into the game “with a positive feeling”: “We’re trying to get everything out of it and score two more goals.”
Big worries about staff
However, the personnel problems are huge. The ailing Robert Lewandowski, Niklas Süle and Marc Roca, Serge Gnabry, who tested positive for Covid-19, and long-term injuries Corentin Tolisso and Douglas Costa are missing. The use of Lucas Hernandez and Leon Goretzka is also open. He has, said Flick, “more hope with Lucas – even if it’s an injury that is more painful. We can’t take any risks with Leon because it’s a muscular injury.”
After all, Alphonso Davies, who was banned from Berlin, is available. Flick also gave the all-clear to Kingsley Coman, who was substituted at half time against Union after a blow to the head of the fibula, and to Jamal Musiala. The 18-year-old had to leave the field with cramps.
Previously, the young international had brought Bayern, who are now five points ahead of Leipzig, in the lead (68th). Substitute Marcus Ingvartsen equalized after a controversial throw-in (86th). Flick still praised the “good mentality” of his B-Elf. The 1: 1 is “a shame. But we look positively ahead.”
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