The Insider contradicts coach Nagelsmann in the summer statement
At the start of the season, Jan Sommer (right) led Julian Nagelsmann’s team to despair. Now he is Manuel Neuer’s replacement. Image: www.imago-images.de / MIS
Bundesliga
Ahead of the Bundesliga’s restart against RB Leipzig, Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann has made it clear what’s important for him in the coming months. “My job is to organize the second half of the season in such a way that I can be in the saddle in the summer.”
For the 35-year-old, that is only guaranteed if, in addition to the German championship, the Munich team also win after a two-year drought. German Federation Cup Win and Champions League Round of 16 vs Paris St Germain competition successfully.
But on the way to these goals, there are some obstacles for Nagelsmann and his team that could be dangerous for development.
Goalkeeper problem
Ever since Manuel Neuer revealed he broke his tibia and fibula on December 10 last year, the question at Bayern Munich has been about who will replace the captain.
Negotiations with the favorite Jan Sommer have always been complicated. But on Wednesday afternoon, the transfer was reported to be stable.
It remains questionable whether newcomer Sven Ulrich will be in goal on Friday night in Leipzig. Unlike six other positions that the coach has already set in his head – Nagelsmann revealed at the pre-match press conference.
Dozen expert contradicts Nagelsmann
Judging by the Bayern coach’s statement that it would only take “15 minutes” for Sommer to get used to his new line of defence, the Swiss will likely celebrate his first appearance in eleven matches. “It’s definitely not rocket science that you should study for six months first.”
Sebastian Kneissl, former pro and DAZN expert, sees things differently. Watson says:
“You always have to get to know each other. The players won’t know when Jan Sommer is out of goal or what orders he gives. For the individual area, I wouldn’t worry about Sommer. Working with a new goalkeeper “It’s about learning when to push the defense or when a defender should connect attacker. These commands must be learned quickly by a new goalkeeper.
He would rely more on Sven Ulrich for the first few matches so that Sommer and his new teammates could get to know each other.
It is not a problem for the Bayern Munich coach to keep Ulrich in second place. He understands his role. “When we need him, it’s important that we’re there — he gets paid for it.”
My defense dies
With just 13 goals conceded and seven clean sheets after 15 matches, the Munich side have the best defense in the league. But this season is also missing Bayern Again and again the necessary arrangement in defense.
It will not be any easier for the rest of the season with the long absences of Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernandez. In addition, Naseer Al Mazrouei is still missing for a few weeks after suffering from pericarditis. With De Ligt, Upamecano, Pavard, Davies, Stanisek and newcomer Blind, Nagelsmann has only six players in the four defensive positions. Especially in the case of the blind, the record champions have to hope that the Dutchman quickly gets used to the new environment and the league.
The only test match against RB Salzburg last weekend showed just how weak the Munich defense is. In the match 4: 4 against Austria, the record champions showed their strong approach in attack and big problems in defense. Conceding four goals and many good counter-attacking chances for the guests gave Nagelsmann a clear result: “We scored two goals, just like in the first half of the season”.
What happened to Thomas Mueller?
Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Matthijs Tal: the potential of the three attacking positions is enormous. Apart from the long-term injured Sadio Mane, everyone else is stars suitable. The Bayern Munich coach’s great attacking mystery now begins.
Nagelsmann is sure Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will be on the field from the start on Friday night in Leipzig. “Choupo is in very good shape. I don’t see much reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to start.”
Thomas Müller could only threaten the substitute bench against RB Leipzig on Friday. Photo: dpa/Peter Kneffel
Sani starred with a goal in the friendly match against Salzburg, but Koeman and Tal also attracted attention with a goal and an assist each. Nagelsmann even endorsed Tel’s “outstanding performance”. Gnabry scored five goals in the last four matches before the World Cup break.
Then there’s Thomas Müller, who was missing with a groin problem before the Bundesliga break but, according to Nagelsmann, has “well prepared” and is “a very important player”. In attack, he is no longer the undisputed average player. Because Jamal Musiala is also currently being appointed in his preferred position behind the strikers and Choupo-Moting scores in the attacking position.
“Don’t worry, he’ll continue to play a major role,” Nagelsmann tried to take some of the pace out of the debate.
It will be a big match for the Bayern coach art is to keep all the offensive stars happy long term so they can also provide important momentum off the bench.
repercussions of the World Cup
Bayern Munich had the second largest number of players at the World Cup in Qatar. Only Nossair Mazraoui, who finished fourth with Morocco, returned with a real sense of accomplishment.
The majority of the Munich World Cup drivers with the DFB team either withdrew in the preliminary round or lost with them France Argentina in an unforgettable final. Gaining confidence was very difficult.
Julian Nagelsmann confirmed already at the beginning of the year that he did not want to openly address World Cup performances with the stars of the German Football Association. Players like Joshua Kimmich have eliminated the preliminary round themselves. “The World Cup disaster wasn’t something you could simply forget or turn off,” he said at the training camp in Qatar. “However, the drive to come back here is huge.”
And so maybe Munich can cut the National team utility.