When the “in love” Thomas Tuchel and his badly bruised Bayern stars sneaked into the ballroom, Oliver Kahn wavered between being a champion and a miracle in the second leg. As in the best days as a goalkeeper “Titan”, the CEO preached his legendary “go on, keep going” mentality in the nightly speech. “I’ve experienced incredible things in football,” said Kahn after the presumed second title KO within a week. “We have a duty to throw in everything that’s possible in this second leg.”
After the 0: 3 mood killer at Manchester City in the starting eleven, Munich still have the theoretical chance of reaching the semi-finals with a historic evening next Wednesday. Far more likely, however, is that the Bayern bosses will have to write off the next trophy a few weeks after the coaching earthquake. “There’s no point in lamenting anything, somehow seeing everything negatively. We have a great opportunity to become German champions,” Kahn stated in front of embarrassed faces at the board table. “We cannot allow ourselves to be lost in thought.”
The risky move from Julian Nagelsmann to Tuchel because of “endangered goals for the season” did not pay off for the Bayern bosses, at least in the short term. Tuchel, who at least smiled a little during a casual chat at the midnight meal, flanked by sports director Hasan Salihamidzic and President Herbert Hainer, would certainly not have had anything against the more brilliant early days of his tricky Munich mission. “But today I’m in love with my team,” said the 49-year-old.
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title FC Bayern got in the last decade. 2023 threatens a season without a trophy.
The depressed delegation highlighted the positive aspects of their own game after the painful result against the title favorites coached by Pep Guardiola. But an even greater defeat would have been possible, because after the 2-0 loss due to a serious mistake by Dayot Upamecano, the Munich team swam mightily. Overall, there was a lack of nerves of steel and assertiveness. As in 2021 (Paris Saint-Germain) and 2022 (Villarreal FC), the 2020 title winner is likely to be eliminated in the quarter-finals again.
Thomas Müller, who came on late, felt “a punch in the pit of his stomach” after the 0:3. In his own words, it was easier for him to digest the joker role at this Champions League summit. Of course he was “not super happy”, but as a captain you have to deal with it, said the 33-year-old. “The Lebbe goes on and we’ll stay tuned.”
Soccer is soccer. It’s only over when you’re in the shower.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel on the chances in the second leg
With oysters, beef wellington or quinoa power salad, Müller & Co. were able to let the painful first leg of the quarterfinals sink in the ballroom of the Clocktower Hotel after eight wins in eight Champions League games of the season. Munich lost only twice in the top league higher. “It’s about getting the three points against Hoffenheim, then we’ll prepare for Wednesday and see what else the football god has in store,” said Müller, trying to show his own fighting spirit.
A look at the history of Europe’s top class can give at least a tiny bit of hope. “Completely different things were filmed in the Champions League,” recalled national player Leon Goretzka. FC Barcelona, for example, celebrated sensationally in the season after a 0: 4 at Paris Saint-Germain with a 6: 1 advancement to the round of 16. In 2018/19 Liverpool FC were practically out after losing 3-0 to Barcelona, but made it to the final with a 4-0 win.
There was no place in the starting XI for Thomas Müller
“Football is football. It’s only over when you’re in the shower,” said Tuchel. “If we look at the result in isolation, it seems impossible. But we won’t give it away. We’re far too pissed off for that and far too angry. ”Perhaps not everything was “Bavaria-like”, conceded Tuchel to a corresponding question. “But I was very proud on the sidelines.” But it’s hard to imagine how big the trouble would be if the championship series ended now. The advantage in the table over Borussia Dortmund is two points.
Even without a chance at the cup title and after a bad result in the Champions League, you could see “that we’re playing good football,” said Salihamidzic. “We need a bit of time, including the team with the new coach.” So far, Tuchel has hardly had the opportunity to train properly with the new team. “Nevertheless, I believe that we will benefit greatly from the new coach,” said Joshua Kimmich.
In addition to the Müller question – Tuchel wanted to rely on more speed and dribblers on the offensive and did not expect “a typical Thomas Müller game” – the Munich team was again confronted with the issue of a missing top striker. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (34) was absent injured and is not a candidate for a long future in Bayern’s attacking center either.
There have been many speculations about a storm deal. For example, those around Tottenham star Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen (Naples), Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt) or Gonçalo Ramos (Benfica). For an absolute top striker, Munich would probably have to break the 100 million euro mark for the first time. “We have players, if they are of a different level and are in top form, we know how many goals they can score,” said Salihamidzic.
Bayern are not currently on the same level as City – but possibly no other team in Europe either. “We scored three fantastic goals, it’s an excellent result,” said Guardiola. Rodri gave his ensemble the lead with a dream goal (27th). After Upamecano’s mistake, Bernardo Silva increased (70th). Haaland then made the final score (76th). “It just sucks that we give away a game like that,” said Upamecano sidekick Matthijs de Ligt.
Upamecano looked embarrassed after the City lesson. The Frenchman knew only too well that he was largely responsible for the extent of the defeat. “At this level against a team like that, you can’t afford anything. No lateness, no hundredths of a second, no mistakes, because they will be punished mercilessly immediately,” said Kahn calmly on the microphone in the hall. There were no accusations against the 24-year-old central defender. “It’s important that he believes in his strengths. He’s an outstanding player,” said Kimmich.
