FC Bayern quickly agrees on Neuer's commemorative game
Manuel Neuer joins an elite group, as Thomas Tuchel's tenure with FC Bayern Munich comes to an unexpected end: The main attraction of matchday 33 in the Bundesliga wasn't the game itself, but the goings-on behind the scenes at the record-breaking team. On the pitch, Bayern Munich had no issues conquering VfL Wolfsburg.
Less than a week after suffering a crushing loss in the Champions League, the team demonstrated enormous resilience in their final home game under coach Tuchel. Without a title to their name, they safely won 2:0 (2:0) against their arch-nemesis. Bayern reclaimed second place from VfB Stuttgart with this convincing performance.
In an anniversary match for captain Manuel Neuer, who was playing his 500th Bundesliga game, debutant Lovro Zvonarek scored the opening goal in the 4th minute for this restructured Munich squad. Threatening to put an end to Wolfsburg's hope of qualifying for European competition, Leon Goretzka doubled the lead in the 13th minute, with Munich's stellar home record against VfL standing at an impressive 25 wins and two draws.
No Tears, No Flowers
Before the largely insignificant match, Tuchel did not receive a proper farewell. "You don't need flowers for an early termination of a contract without a title," he quipped with a smile. Rife with speculation, there's rumored to be a potential successor to Tuchel, whose future is also uncertain. The leading contender, according to the gossip mill, is "Sextuple" coach Hansi Flick. Additionally, Roberto De Zerbi from Brighton & Hove Albion is also rumored to be a candidate.
With numerous injuries plaguing the team, Tuchel made eight changes from the lineup that played against Real Madrid. Some who made their first starting eleven appearances for Bayern were Bryan Zaragoza and Zvonarek. Five players from the squad that lost to Real were not even part of the squad, including Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Noussair Mazraoui, and the injured Serge Gnabry.
To everyone's surprise, after weeks of rumors and tension, Tuchel and his players managed to shrug off the frustration from their shocking elimination from the elite competition. Despite significant roster upheaval, Munich started with determination and vigor. Despite having a goal from Zaragoza ruled out for offside (18th minute due to a VAR review), they persevered to score swiftly.
Tuchel stressed the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, "We don't want to lose our laughs and cheerfulness. Our goal is to remain graceful in defeat." Even after the break, Wolfsburg managed to hold their own until Neuer's substitution in the 74th minute. The 38-year-old veteran was replaced by Daniel Peretz, who played in his first Bundesliga game. Matteo Perez Vinlöf and Jonathan Asp-Jensen also made their first-division debuts.
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Despite the unexpected departure of Thomas Tuchel, FC Bayern Munich managed to secure a 2:0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg in their final home game of the season, with Manuel Neuer celebrating his 500th Bundesliga game. This win helped Bayern reclaim second place in the Soccer Bundesliga standings.
With Tuchel's departure and numerous injuries, Manuel Neuer stepped up as captain and led a restructured FC Bayern Munich team, including debutants Lovro Zvonarek and Bryan Zaragoza, to secure a win in their commemorative match.
Source: www.ntv.de
