Interview with Uli Hoeneß ahead of PSG second leg: "We're under pressure, but they're a little more"

Before the round of 16 second leg against PSG, Uli Hoeneß sees the pressure on Paris.

The honorary president does not even want to start discussions about Julian Nagelsmann.

Poing – "I love you!" With these words, Bayern Honorary President Uli Hoeneß was bid farewell to the Champions League round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain in Poing by a student from the Dominik Brunner secondary school.

Before that, the 71-year-old took part in the “Pack ma's – for a school without violence” event in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dominik Brunner Foundation.

On the fringes of the event, Hoeneß gave an interview and dared to look ahead to the PSG second leg on Wednesday.

Mr. Hoeneß, what kind of game do you expect against PSG?

Hoeneß: There is a lot at stake for both teams.

I even think a bit more for Paris: all the money that has been pumped into the club in recent years should eventually lead to a Champions League victory.

The longer this goal is delayed, the more nervous those in Qatar will become.

We're under pressure, no question, but that's a little more.

With Kylian Mbappé, Paris has the difference player par excellence.

Hoeneß: That's the way it is.

For me there are two faces of PSG: with and without Mbappé.

We experienced that in Paris.

The first hour was nothing, they didn't even shoot at our goal in the first half.

Then I thought: Oops, what's going on here?

But when Mbappé came in, it was a different game.

A small advantage is that we lead 1-0.

If we had lost the first leg, we would have had to open at some point.

And then you give him more rooms.

Mbappé needs a run-up and speed for his sprint.

So they have to come now.

This can be our chance.

Uli Hoeneß on Nagelsmann: "I find this whole campaign ridiculous"

In the event of a departure, the air for coach Julian Nagelsmann should become thinner as a coach.

Hoeneß: I find this whole campaign ridiculous!

Sometimes you get the feeling we're in a relegation battle.

Of course we at Bayern are used to being more points behind in the fight for the championship.

But we're still top of the table, we're in the quarter-finals of the cup and in the Champions League: All goals are still achievable.

I mean that the whole thing is a campaign again – for whatever reason.

I do not understand that.

I don't think he was guilty of anything.

In Gladbach he described the referees as a "softened pack".

Hoeneß: Each of us has the right to slip up.

That was a slip for me.

He apologized and that's the end of it for me.

Thomas Müller was also in focus after being substituted in Gladbach.

Hoeneß: Thomas must know: He must also play well.

In the phase in which he was not in the starting eleven, he had played one or the other worse game.

Now he has improved again.

He's very efficient.

And if he is, he has an incredible added value for the team.

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Uli Hoeneß on Thomas Müller's future role: "FC Bayern isn't built on mercenaries"

Even after your active career as an official?

Hoeneß: FC Bayern is not built on mercenaries, but on people who come from the club itself – or like Thomas from their own youth.

He is the ideal image for people who first have a career as a player and in the future maybe as an official in some way.

If he wants that, he's predestined for it.

Like Manuel Neuer.

But the goalkeeper upset the club management with his SZ interview.

Would a fine be appropriate?

Hoeneß: I don't know, that's no longer my job.

Otherwise it says again: Hoeneß gives the bosses advice.

I just said that it doesn't need to be discussed before this important game.

My opinion was just that after the important game against Paris, the parties should get together and then everyone involved will find a solution.