Bayern interim coach Hansi Flick: The human catcher

Bundesliga

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Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had remained unscathed. In the 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, the chairman of the board of FC Bayern sat for the last time on the side of the acting president Uli Hoeneß. "At the first goal, the Uli was so emotional next to me," said Rummenigge, "since he almost threw me down the stairs." The visibly moved Hoeneß continued to dig in front of the microphones, acknowledged his lifetime achievement for the club and summed it up with the conclusion: "That's how I imagined my departure as president."

If this gala was for Hoeneß his personal final dahoam, so was the triumph in the Bundesliga top match for Hansi Flick may just be the beginning - to be more than just an interim coach, more than an interim solution. As Rummenigge and Hoeneß have indicated, they will continue with Flick. Beyond the international break, possibly until the winter break.

Captain Manuel Neuer praised his personal approach to the team. The keeper, who had already met Flick in 2009 as an assistant coach in the national team, said, "He's a human catcher."

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Obvious was the aggressiveness with which the Bayern bothered the enemy early on. For example, in the case of bruises by Roman Bürki, four Munich players lurked at the edge of the penalty area, which irritated the Dortmunders, who otherwise barely got over the center line. Joshua Kimmich said: "We had a lot more high ball winnings, so they did not get into the game, we had a clear set of who gets started, there were clear structures we kept to, everyone knew what to do and Of course, it's easier to get the ball back early than at your own penalty area before you have to play ten outfield players again. "

This could be understood as indirect criticism of Flick's predecessor Niko Kovac, who preferred a more defensive style of play. However, Kimmich had also found inspiring words about Kovac when he had taken office at Säbener Strasse: "He has a great response and is very good and confident in his appearance," Kimmich was quoted in 2018.

The players spoke after the triumphant evening against Dortmund much about what Flick has done in the five days since Monday, which was different.

• "He has a good relationship with the players, he has talked to us a lot, so defending much more aggressively is a first step," Neuer said.

• "He has set in the right spots, he has changed our way of defending, and he has a high level of empathy, a good instinct," said Leon Goretzka.

Andreas Gebert / REUTERS

Not just catching balls: Hansi Flick

Flick seems to have found the right words, but also the right positions for the actors. David Alaba towered about in the central defense. Or the terrific Alphonso Davies, as if he had never played anything other than left-back.

Müller on top again

Thomas Müller, a few weeks ago permanent reserve, was in a great mood: "Always nice when the Dortmund come to Munich," said the striker, alluding to the 26: 3 goals that Bayern had against BVB last achieved at home. Suddenly Müller, of Kovac still referred to as an emergency nail, suddenly in a head role. Müller gave many instructions from his ten-position, directed the game, conducted, gave two assists. "Anyone who has watched closely may have seen that I had a slightly different role," he said.

And Philippe Coutinho? The loan from Barcelona, ​​the star transfer of the summer? Came under Flick like already in the somewhat tough 2: 0 against Olympiakos until very late and fell again not on.

At the end of the evening, Uli Hoeneß found pathetic words about the recently slaughtered Kovac. "Niko is my friend, I feel like he's freed from a tremendous load." And then, almost patronizingly, he said, "And I helped him get rid of this burden."

So you can make a sacking also nice.