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Bavaria's prelude: "Criss-cross" into the new Bundesliga season

2021-08-14T08:42:45.149Z


In the first league game under Julian Nagelsmann, FC Bayern shows sensitivities that were already a burden to his predecessor. Defensive work is now to be "developed in games" because there is little time for training.


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Leon Goretzka (front) complains in the game at Borussia Mönchengladbach

Photo: INA FASSBENDER / AFP

There was no standard phrase, "Can you all hear me?" Nor was there anyone who forgot to mute their microphone.

After the 1-1 draw between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern Munich, the reporters listened to the coaches face to face while sitting at individual tables.

For both Julian Nagelsmann and Oliver Glasner, it was their first Bundesliga game with the respective club.

At FC Bayern in particular, however, many things stayed the same as they were under Hansi Flick.

The former Munich and new national coach saw in Borussia Park that Robert Lewandowski met - and so did the opponent.

Flick might then also hear what his successor said at the beginning of the analog press conference: "It was a very varied game, which is actually not the best sign for the coach."

As if they were still wearing the national jersey

He described the opening game as "wild" at times, which was "not a very classic 1: 1".

He failed to define a classic 1: 1, but the message got through.

His team had created plenty of chances, although the attacking midfield row with Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry played as if they were still wearing the national jersey.

Borussia Mönchengladbach also had some promising opportunities that could have climbed to the highest quality class, but referee Marco Fritz refused a penalty in two extremely controversial scenes in the final phase. Dayot Upamecano would have been the culprit on both occasions, but the newcomer was particularly lucky in the 81st minute when he pulled Marcus Thuram's arm and touched his ankle. There was no whistle and the video assistant intervened.

But even in the first quarter of an hour of the game, Bayern's defensive was like goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been used to his displeasure for months.

Alphonso Davies, who impressed on the offensive with outstanding actions, made a positional error early on, which allowed Patrick Herrmann to approach Neuer alone.

Shortly afterwards he enabled the Gladbach leadership through a playback error.

Davies, only recently recovered from an injury, was an example of Bavaria, which dominates German football but gives the opponent a chance.

When Munich became champions in 2016, they conceded 17 goals, a year later 22. Last season there were 44, more than at Union Berlin.

The trend started in previous years.

Nagelsmann's list of tactical flaws

"That the defense is an issue - absolutely clear," said Nagelsmann. When asked whether he might need a new player because of the injury and Benjamin Pavard's absence for weeks, he answered evasively. Instead, the coach drew up a list of tactical flaws. The defensive weaknesses had "a lot to do with playing with the ball." This would often leave positions that would have to be occupied in order to avoid the opponent's counterattack with effective counter-pressing. "We have to maintain the structure, we mustn't run back and forth," says Nagelsmann.

But there is little time left in training, because the first week in the Bundesliga is an English one.

The Supercup against Borussia Dortmund is on Tuesday.

"We have to develop through the games," said Nagelsmann because of the tight schedule and the international break that would soon be due again.

A duel against Erling Haaland and the otherwise very neat offensive of BVB could be a grueling practice session, at the end of which there is even a trophy.

The first victory for Julian Nagelsmann as coach of FC Bayern would mean his first title as a senior coach.

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2021-08-14

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