Nagelsmann makes it clear: No Müller comeback before the World Cup

Created: 2022-11-09 09:59

By: Philipp Kuserau

Thomas Müller is still injured and will not make his comeback against Schalke.

The World Cup plays a decisive role in this.

Munich - Now there is certainty: Thomas Müller will not play a competitive game for Bayern before the start of the World Cup on November 20th.

FCB coach Julian Nagelsmann made this somewhat surprising announcement at the press conference on Monday before Bayern's home game against Bremen (Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.).

The 33-year-old is still plagued by hip problems.

The original plan was for Müller to gather match practice before the start of the World Cup and make his comeback in the last Bundesliga game before the tournament against Schalke (November 12).

Müller was only on the pitch for 55 minutes in October

But nothing will come of it now.

The risk of provoking another setback or another injury through a premature return to the squad just seems too high.

"The chance of an injury is already there if he starts too early now.

Since we are all fit, we don't have to risk it.

I think that's also in his interest," explained Nagelsmann at the Pk.

The past October was an absolute epidemic month for Müller.

Corona, back problems, a gastrointestinal infection and most recently complaints in the adductor muscles ensured that Müller was only on the pitch for a total of 55 minutes.

Nagelsmann on Müller: "Too much risk and not enough sense for me"

Despite the injury worries, all sides are trying to stress that the world championship is not in danger for Müller.

"Thomas is on the mend," said Nagelsmann on Monday.

"We could test him for the game at Schalke on Friday at the earliest.

That's actually a bit too short for me.

I would just like to give him peace before the World Cup to let the structure heal completely.

That's too much risk for me and not enough sense.” The current form of his team proves the trainer of the German record champions right.

Since the international break in September, Bayern have only dropped points in the 2-2 win over Borussia Dortmund.

All other games could be won - and in October mostly without Müller.

With the recent 3-2 win against Hertha BSC, Munich even climbed to the top of the table.

The Munich team is therefore cautious about Müller, who absolutely wants to contest his fourth World Cup and had already spoken of a special World Cup preparation before the season.

In addition, Müller still has the opportunity to collect a few minutes of play in the DFB friendly against Oman on November 16th.