Before FC Bayern Munich’s last home game this year, coach Julian Nagelsmann is looking forward to the World Cup break with mixed feelings. He was “divided in two,” said the 35-year-old before the Bundesliga game on Tuesday (8:30 p.m. / Sky) against Werder Bremen. “In terms of results and the way we’re playing, the break may not come at the right time.”
After the game against Werder, the game at FC Schalke 04 is on Saturday. FC Bayern continue in the Bundesliga on January 20 in Leipzig against RB. The group stage of the Champions League ended last week. The round of 16 games there are not due until February. The Munich team will meet Paris Saint-Germain there with the superstars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
Victory in sight
“Especially the long Champions League break is not so nice. You would like to continue playing if you are so good in the flow,” said Nagelsmann. Against Bremen he wants to consolidate the regained table top with another win.
The 35-year-old can also see something positive about the approaching break – at least for the non-World Cup participants. Because of the many games, it’s a bit like “autopilot,” said Nagelsmann. You have a lot of games, you are “always on the bus and always on the go”. He had to have many discussions in front of the team and the media. “It’s been a lot of palaver time from me. I’m also very happy when I don’t have to talk about football all the time.”
After the games against Bremen and Schalke, a small group that is not going to the World Cup will initially be given a week off. Then there are training sessions again. From December 10th to the beginning of January, FC Bayern should be free again. Training in the new year will then start on January 3rd. The Munich team will once again complete their winter training camp in Doha from January 6th to 12th.
