The Thomas Müller wave is piling up at FC Bayern
FC Bayern can continue its super streak in the Champions League. But because the clash against FC Copenhagen no longer has any sporting value - the group win is already clear - the topic of Thomas Müller is gaining weight. The coach justifies himself.
Thomas Tuchel must have known what to expect when he appeared at the media briefing on Tuesday. Ahead of the clash against FC Copenhagen, it would be much less about the game and more about the footballer Thomas Müller. Alongside the discussions about the national team and national coach Julian Nagelsmann, he is the dominant topic in German soccer these days. Not because the 34-year-old is once again doing typical Müller things on the pitch, but because he rarely plays. Last Friday against 1. FC Köln (1:0), for example, he didn't play at all. The FC Bayern coach had completely dispensed with substitutions. This came as quite a surprise, as he had previously complained vehemently about the extreme strain on the footballers.
Munich is once again experiencing the strange phenomenon that there is always something going on. Always something that takes the focus off the things they would like to talk about. About the development of the team, for example, which is becoming increasingly stable defensively and has also taken successful steps forward. "The win in Dortmund was a key experience," analyzed Tuchel. "It gave us security and confidence. We understand our rhythm better and better, we know better and better how to get the necessary speed into the game. The automatisms and sequences are working better and better. You can see that in our game."
The fact that people are now talking about Müller again and not about the Danish champions is also a consequence of their own successes. The record champions have long since settled things for themselves in the group stage of the Champions League. After four games, they have four wins and first place. There is nothing left to play for in sporting terms. However, there is still something to be won: 2.8 million euros in UEFA bonuses per win for Munich, who are already approaching the 100 million euro mark again in Europe's premier league. This income increases the scope for the coach's urgently desired transfers in the winter.
"I praised him because he deserved it"
Tuchel knows this, of course, but does not want to let his team off the hook in terms of delivering a top performance this Wednesday (9 p.m., live ticker on ntv.de) . The coach believes his players need to "show this fire and passion even without the pressure of a result." But he also knows: "That's not always easy in the middle of the battle for the championship." However, the outstanding run of 17 consecutive wins in the group stage "proves that we can do it and is an obligation for all of us. There is no alternative." Will there be a big rotation? "We have a run of results that we don't want to interrupt artificially."
The only certainty is (I): The game will come too soon for Jamal Musiala after he tore a muscle fiber. And (II) is also certain: Thomas Müller will "normally play, even from the start." Tuchel once again had words of praise for the reserve player, but he also let it be known that he was annoyed by the burning issue. Müller knows "how much I value him, he knows my respect. I praised him because he deserved it, he's a playing legend," said Tuchel and admitted: "I understand the excitement when Thomas doesn't play regularly."
The coach had already suspected at the end of October what was in store for him. After a few games without Müller in the starting eleven, he revealed that it would become increasingly difficult over the course of the season to moderate limited playing time for the international. That is "something quite normal. Thomas is used to playing, his strength is developing a rhythm. He will never like it and should never like sitting on the bench. That's easier to accept a few times than several times." Müller accepted and accepts this without complaint. That's why, according to Tuchel, he "can only pay Thomas the greatest compliment for the way he's training at the moment, the energy he brings to the team. It's sensationally good and exemplary."
"If you put the minutes under a magnifying glass ..."
Now that the wave has continued to pile up, however, he obviously felt compelled to justify himself: other stars have become entrenched in the offense. Moreover, it was "the right of every coach" to choose other professionals. For example, for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting against 1. FC Köln. This is also a question of respect for his performance. And: "If you put the minutes under the magnifying glass, it doesn't help Thomas or us. The new level that comes in as a result doesn't help anyone," he lamented. "Of course he's not happy. But he will always be a special player." But for how much longer? That's a big question at the moment. His contract expires next summer. Both sides are said to be interested in continuing their collaboration. Talks are set to begin soon. One sticking point could be the club icon's salary, as he is reportedly not prepared to give up very much money.
Regardless of this, the discussions about the future of the icon have long since become a conflagration. The situation, wrote Lothar Matthäus in his Sky column, "looks like a creeping departure." Müller only ever hints at his own assessment of the situation: "It's clear that it annoys me when I'm not on the pitch," he admitted recently, before adding: "We have almost an oversupply of quality players in attack. Everyone has to swallow that sometimes." Of course, this does not change his goals. "I still enjoy being on the pitch," the 34-year-old said recently and announced that he "definitely wants to play on for another year beyond 2024". With the big dream of reaching the Champions League final "dahoam" in 2025. Will Müller's plan now be thwarted by the coach? Müller knows, the coach claimed, "that he has the chance" to be a regular under him again. There has been little to no indication of this for weeks.
For Gnabry, "it's a matter of biting"
Another special player for FC Bayern last season was Serge Gnabry. However, the winger is also currently on the back foot when it comes to playing a lot of minutes. At the start of the season, the international played five of seven possible competitive matches from the start before suffering a broken forearm in the cup in Münster (4:0). "Serge was incredibly reliable for us at the end of last season with his goals and decisive situations, he carried us in every game," said Tuchel. "Then he played a very strong preparation, but unfortunately got injured very early on."
On his way back into the first eleven at the record champions, he will receive clear messages from Tuchel: "Now it's time to bite, to gain confidence through the things that make him strong." If he succeeds, "then he will return to the level that he expects of himself and that we are used to," predicted Tuchel, emphasizing: "We know how important he is. It's clear that he's a sensationally good guy anyway." One like Müller.
FC Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller is a topic of discussion in the Champions League, despite the team's secure group stage position. Tuchel must address questions about Müller's lack of playing time, despite his stable team performances and crucial contributions like in the Dortmund win.
Thomas Tuchel will include Thomas Müller in his starting lineup against FC Copenhagen despite Justifying his decision to limit Müller's playing time due to the fierce discussions surrounding his lack of minutes. The coach has praised Müller, stating his sensitivity to Müller's frustration, but also emphasizing the talent of winger Serge Gnabry, who's aiming to regain form after a series of injuries.
Serge Gnabry's road to regaining a regular starting spot with FC Bayern Munich involves proving his worth to manager Tuchel, who expects him to demonstrate his game-changing capabilities once again. Despite Gnabry playing just five of seven matches this season before suffering an injury, Tuchel's belief in the winger's potential remains unwavering, and he has backed Gnabry to return to his best form.
Source: www.ntv.de
