As of: February 2, 2024, 7:12 a.m
By: Philipp Kessler, Hanna Raif
Comments
Press
Split
Thomas Müller is having a difficult time under Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.
He recently sat on the bench three times in a row.
Nevertheless, the veteran doesn't complain.
Munich - Thomas Müller (34) already won the triple with FC Bayern in 2013 and 2020.
But the veteran could have done without this.
In 2024, Müller sat on the bench three times in a row.
The low point: Despite a major staff shortage, the offensive star was not in the starting line-up last Saturday in Augsburg (3:2).
After Kingsley Coman (27/torn medial ligament) sustained a serious knee injury, he was not substituted; instead of Müller, talent Mathys Tel (18) was preferred.
It wasn't until the 89th minute that coach Thomas Tuchel (50) let him play.
Müller is only on the bench at FC Bayern
Müller's bankroll has always been a huge topic for the public.
He himself took the topic surprisingly calmly.
“I always prepare for playing time, the coach decides how much it will be in the end,” said Müller after the game.
He puts his own interests aside: “We’re a small group anyway, so we have to stick together.”
Müller is exemplary - and he praised the weakened team for the hard-fought victory at FCA.
“We won 3-2, we are happy that we are back to within two points of the top of the table and that is all that matters at the moment,” emphasized Müller.
“It is important that we get points and that we put Leverkusen under pressure in order to survive in this phase of the season when we have a lot of injuries.
It’s a good win, a lot of teams are struggling here.”
The situation is serious: Thomas Müller is currently fully focused on FC Bayern.
© ActionPictures / Imago
Matthäus sees Müller as a luxury reservist
On Saturday (3:30 p.m., Sky) FC Bayern welcomes Borussia Mönchengladbach.
On offense, the Munich team will still have to do without Serge Gnabry (28/tendon injury in the left adductor) and Coman.
Tel wasn't really able to convince after his substitution in Augsburg.
If Müller sits on the bench for the fourth time in a row, it would be even more bitter.
Especially in view of Munich's long list of injuries.
“Bayern still has players in their squad who sit on the bench, but are usually national players,” writes Lothar Matthäus (62) in his current Sky column about the record champions’ hospital.
“If you can substitute Thomas Müller in the 89th minute, then the squad must be good.” Having Müller on the bench is actually a luxury problem.
Philipp Kessler, Hanna Raif