Thomas Müller is a unique specimen. In more than one way. Already, by his unconditional attachment to his club, Bayern Munich, which he began to frequent when he was only ten years old. To never leave it since and to do all its ranges. However, the solicitations were not lacking for this player who appeared at the age of 18 in the Bavarian rotation and who became a reference during the 2014 World Cup, won by the Mannschaft with a Müller author of 5 goals overall. of the competition. The type of performance that does not go unnoticed by wealthy Premier League residents. Except that Müller never dreamed of somewhere else. Happy in Munich in a club that allows him to build an impressive track record - 9 German league titles and above all the fabulous treble of 2012-2013 with the Champions League and the German Cup -, the striker does not has neither the soul of a mercenary, nor even that of a great traveler.
Unique in his loyalty, Müller is also unique in his style of play and his versatility. Which makes it a true symbol of current Bayern Munich, where players have become accustomed to performing in different positions. Just watch midfielder Joshua Kimmich doing wonders as a right-back, or young Alphonso Davies, a training winger who has been converted to a left-back. But in this little game, Müller remains the king, he who is able to play number 9, winger, playmaker or in 9 and a half, perhaps his best position especially when he has a center forward in front of him. of the caliber of Robert Lewandowski. In fact, the Munich striker knows how to do everything because he has a football IQ well above average. Müller breathes and smells football like very few others can. As evidenced by his 21 assists this season in the Bundesliga, an absolute record in Germany.
However, achieving such a performance seemed far from won at the start of the season, when his coach Niko Kovac confined him to the sidelines, preferring the “rookie” Philippe Coutinho. The Croatian had even blurted out against him: "I will only play Thomas if I have no other choice". A crime of lèse-majesté in the Bavarian house, generally much better ordered. A note of intent which, added to insufficient results, would get the better of a Kovac dismissed from his post in November 2019 and replaced by Hansi Flick. The tactician who finally gave a second youth to the thirties, that some thought was declining. It must be said that between the two men, the harmony is perfect. You just have to listen to Müller talk about his coach, who has seen nine different pass before his eyes at Bayern, to understand: “Our game had not been so well organized since Pep Guardiola (2013-2016). Hansi Flick has always been a great guy, always very clear in what he tells us. But I didn't expect him to have the full package at this point to become Bayern coach. "
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"With Thomas Müller, we are not in a classic coach-coach relationship", analyzes Patrick Guillou, the Bundesliga commentator on BeIn Sport. “You need the manager. And Hansi Flick knew him from the German team, they were world champions together. He knew exactly how to take it, like Jerome Boateng (uncertain for the final) who was also in the cellar. He put the postman back on the bike. ” Result, on this Final 8, Müller still demonstrates all the influence he has in the Bavarian game. With different, almost anachronistic qualities. Müller will not shine either by his dribbles like a Neymar, nor by his speed like a Mbappé, nor by his overflows or his ultra precise centers like a Di Maria. In fact, Müller, it is none of these and…. all of this at the same time. Or more exactly, he gives the impression of not touching it but at the final whistle, you realize that he has scored and delivered an assist. A silent assassin on the ground.
“He's someone I admire a lot because he works a lot on a daily basis. I try to take an example from this kind of player for the work he does on a daily basis. "
Corentin TolissoBeyond the statistical aspect, Müller also impresses with his mental strength. "He is very important for the team, in the locker room or on the pitch," explained his teammate Kingsley Coman. “He's always had that winning character, he's always been a fighter. He has always given everything on the pitch. He played a little less at the start of the season, but since then he has shown that he is essential. He's in amazing shape. Currently, what he is doing is very strong. " An opinion obviously shared by another Blue from Bayern, Corentin Tolisso: "He's someone I admire a lot because he works a lot on a daily basis. I try to take an example from this kind of player for the work he does on a daily basis. We always say that work pays. On the field, he runs a lot, he is very intelligent tactics, always effective, always decisive. He is like Bayern. " Paris SG therefore knows what to expect this Sunday, for its first Champions League final. But even warned of the danger, not sure that the Parisian club finds the effective anti-poison to limit the influence of this devil of Müller….
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