Alaba, Boateng, Martínez, Müller, Neuer. This quintet played a key role at FC Bayern on the way to the 2013 triple. Flick also counts on the "old people who want to know again" at the 2020 final tournament. And they know how to pack FC Barcelona.
Lagos (AP) - The day before the start of the Champions League final tournament, Hansi Flick closed the Bayern doors completely in the Algarve.
Despite the foreclosure, it is known that Flick relies on a triple axis from 2013 for the hammer start in the "Final 8 tournament". A quartet that not only knows how to win Europe's premier class, but also how to dominate Barça.
"The young players are extremely hungry - and the old ones also want to know again," said Thomas Müller. This Müller was 23 years young when Bayern dismantled Barcelona 7-0 in the semi-finals on the way to winning the 2013 title. In the 4-0 win in Munich, Müller scored twice, in the second leg in Spain he scored the 3-0 final score. In addition to Müller (now 30), Manuel Neuer (34), Jérôme Boateng (31), Javi Martínez (31) and David Alaba (28) were also there. Even after that, in the final against Borussia Dortmund (2: 1), triple coach Jupp Heynckes used the quintet over 90 minutes.
Except for the old Spanish fighter Martínez, who at that time formed an insurmountable wall in defensive midfield with Bastian Schweinsteiger, goalkeeper Neuer, the central defender duo Boateng and Alaba and attacker Müller also play leading roles in Flick's Barça plan of the present. The 55-year-old coach relies on a mixture of triple experience and hungry young people like Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry and the very young Alphonso Davies.
The left defender is facing the greatest task of his recently started professional career. The 19-year-old Canadian should try in the quarterfinals to slow down world footballer Messi.
Captain Neuer has felt for some time that a triumphal procession like 2013 is possible. "We saw in the group stage how well we played internationally," said the goalkeeper, but warned: "Now there are knockout games, these are always finals." And there "every mistake can be punished" - and wumms, you're out against Barcelona.
New must go ahead, as well as Müller - and in 2020 also Alaba. In the triple year 2013, the 21-year-old Austrian was still similar to the young Davies. Alaba was also playing in the back left. Seven seasons later, he was promoted to Chief of Defense by Flick. CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge appointed Alaba, who continues to gamble with the Munich bosses for a new million dollar contract, most recently to the "chief" who leads the team from behind and sets the tone, almost as a copy of Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer. "He is the first player to have played at the same level as Franz back then," enthused Rummenigge.
While the number 1 status of today's captain Neuer, who is also expecting an explosive private duel against Barcelona with his strong DFB goalkeeper competitor Marc-André ter Stegen, has not changed over the years, it is one of the special merits of Flick, to have developed the two 2014 world champions Müller and Boateng into real pillars of the 2020 Bayern class.
In the initial phase of this super long Corona season, Müller was just a stopgap under ex-coach Niko Kovac. Flick changed that immediately when he took over the post of head coach. Before the start of the final tournament, he said: "Thomas has a lot of experience, especially in games like this. That is why he is an important factor for the team." Even if Robert Lewandowski could be primarily responsible for scoring goals against Barça this time.
Even in the Algarve, Müller's comments and commands are constant accompanying music on the square. Flick is also pleased that Boateng can train again after his injury-related substitution in the 4-1 win against Chelsea. The defender wants to crown his remarkable comeback as Bayern regular. "I've improved this season, and I'm particularly satisfied after the winter break." Boateng knows what will be in demand in Lisbon from Friday: "The Champions League is a big competition, so it depends on the form of the day."
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