After FC Bayern Munich’s painful setback in the Bundesliga title fight, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen criticized the stars’ attitude. “It can’t be due to the quality of the team. Especially not when we were still dreaming and talking about the Champions League final a few weeks ago. The attitude changes like the weather obviously,” said Dreesen after the 0: 1 shock against Werder Bremen.
“What does shocked mean? We just played boring football for the first 70 minutes,” complained Dreesen on Sunday evening. “We played a bad game. We didn’t show the attitude that you have to show – regardless of the opponent.”
Bremen won in Munich for the first time in over a decade and a half thanks to a goal from Mitchell Weisel. “You just have to work, bite and make an effort – even if you supposedly have the game in the bag beforehand,” said Dreesen, who succeeded Oliver Kahn in May.
Bayern sports director Christoph Freund also harshly criticized the performance of the Munich football stars. “Today we played anemic in the first half: no passion, no real courage – that was just disappointing,” said Freund on Sunday on BR television. “If we want to achieve something, then we have to give everything for it and really want it .”
“That wasn’t our plan, it came as a very surprise,” said Freund on the program “Blickpunkt Sport”. There’s no point in talking about a good week of training, “because we simply played a bad game.” That was an unnecessary defeat.
Frustration among the players too. Captain Manuel Neuer has called for a quick reaction from FC Bayern Munich after the Bremen shock. “We have to recognize the seriousness of the situation, that we are not at the forefront. We are the hunters right now and that has to get into our heads,” said the goalkeeper of the German soccer record champions. “We all have to understand that we have nothing to give away and that we just have to do our homework – and bring that onto the pitch.”
A good week after the 3-0 win against Hoffenheim, the 0-1 win against Bremen was a serious dampener in the team’s desired comeback in the second half of the season. “We’ve definitely been warned. We know what a run Leverkusen is currently on and that’s why we shouldn’t underestimate it,” said Neuer. “Nevertheless, we have to look to ourselves to win the game against Union and then we can move forward at full speed.”
National player Joshua Kimmich has questioned the attitude of the FC Bayern Munich professionals. “It shouldn’t happen to us that an opponent is hungrier than us,” said the 28-year-old after the defeat against Bremen. “In general, you have to question the approach. You don’t get the feeling that we know what it’s about.”
Bayern’s performance was “absolutely not enough”. “Bremen was more toxic and more grippy.” He had previously played against Werder 14 times – and he always won. This series broke on Sunday evening.
In the table, the gap to Bayer Leverkusen increased to seven points with one game less. “We no longer have it in our own hands, on the other hand the season is still long,” said the 56-year-old Dreesen. “Leverkusen will certainly have one or two games with a weakness.” Bayern will be challenged in the catch-up game against 1. FC Union Berlin on Wednesday.
After the signing of central defender Eric Dier (Tottenham), the Munich team is still looking for an entry for the right side of the defense. It’s up to one player or another, said Dreesen. “We won’t do anything stupid or do anything unreasonable.” Kieran Trippier from Newcastle United and Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain are considered candidates.
Dreesen did not rule out new players for other positions. But he doesn’t think it’s likely either. “Everything is always possible in football, but I think our focus at the moment is on the right-back,” said Dreesen.
Freund, who has been Munich’s sports director since September, did not commit to the question of further winter newcomers.
“We’ll see, it has to be right for everyone involved,” said the 46-year-old. The winter transfer window is not easy. “I don’t want to comment on names,” said Freund.
After Hasan Salihamidzic’s term as sports director ended in May, his position on the board remained vacant. Former Gladbach and Leipzig manager Max Eberl is considered the top candidate for a position at FC Bayern. “It’s not my decision and I’m not the right person to contact,” said Freund. “I’m an absolute team player. If that happens, we’ll have a very good exchange.”
