The fantastic Bayern restart under Thomas Tuchel lost a lot of its shine after allegations of lying against the Bayern bosses.
Instead of being able to enjoy the ensemble’s show of power around “truffle pig” Thomas Müller against Borussia Dortmund, Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic had to continue to deal with and justify the legacy of Julian Nagelsmann’s abruptly ended term of office. CEO Kahn looked correspondingly grim on the morning after the 4-2 win in the Bundesliga classic when he settled accounts with Lothar Matthäus after sharp criticism from record international player.
“We always told the truth,” said Kahn in a black pullover when he was live on the TV station Bild and was asked about Matthäus’s accusation of lying. “I don’t know what Lothar, as he says, sees, hears or even feels.” After a quarrel between the two former teammates on the Sky microphone immediately before kick-off in the Allianz Arena, Matthäus followed up during the game. “I know that Oliver Kahn is lying,” teased the 62-year-old via “t-online”.
“Extremely Busy Week”
There was no sign of relief à la Tuchel when Kahn left the elevator after returning to the top of the table and strolled through the stadium catacombs on Saturday evening. But the 49-year-old Tuchel was also “a bit conflicted” after a “extremely exhausting week” despite the extremely important victory after a blackout by BVB keeper Gregor Kobel. The result was outstanding, said Tuchel after just one training session with the entire squad. On the list of deficiencies, he listed the points of clarity, rhythm and cleanliness in the passing game. “I’m not just euphoric now,” said the former Dortmund coach. “We have to add, add, add.”
Kahn, as a preacher of “More and more,” should have been happy to hear Tuchel’s words. Quite in contrast to the never-ending questions about the exact course of the separation from Nagelsmann and the debate fueled by his management as to who contacted whom, when and how. And if someone is lying. Bayern claim to have dealt fairly with Nagelsmann – Matthäus doubts that.
Criticism of Matthew statements
After his career, Matthäus rose to the position of “chief critic of German football” “via one way or another,” said Kahn. “It’s only when you then criticize the chief critic yourself that I always have the feeling that he can’t handle it at all and then lets himself be carried away to such baseless and styleless statements.” Honorary President Uli Hoeneß believes the board members Kahn and Salihamidzic. “I don’t see a problem for FC Bayern, but rather for Lothar Matthäus. He has to prove his statements,” said Hoeneß to “Kicker” on Sunday.
After returning to the top of the table thanks to Kobel’s own goal, a brace from Müller and Kingsley Coman’s 4-0 with two late goals conceded by Emre Can (penalty) and Donyell Malen, Kahn preferred to focus on the upcoming tasks. “Each game is now basically a final for us,” he said before the cup quarter-finals on Tuesday (8.45 p.m.) against SC Freiburg. Dortmund, who have to play in the cup competition in Leipzig, quickly tried to look ahead. “We are Borussia, we’re getting back up – and the thing isn’t over yet,” sporting director Sebastian Kehl said combatively about the championship question.
In the first of many key Munich games, Tuchel relied on virtues against his former club Dortmund that had made Munich strong in the past: defensively with a back four, with a dense center and a Müller as a central free spirit behind the top. The captain ran, worked, directed – and scored twice in front of national coach Hansi Flick. To reduce him to a “truffle pig in the penalty area” would not do Müller justice, said Tuchel. “He just wants to play football, just wants to play sports. He’s not above anything and is a super smart player.”
Müller jokes: “Clever cloudy”
Müller was pleased that he and his colleagues delivered “with their backs to the wall”. “Otherwise there would be dark clouds over Säbener Straße. So it’s overcast,” joked the double goal scorer. In addition to Müller, Nagelsmann’s trusted player Joshua Kimmich also emphasized positive Tuchel impulses in just a short time. “I found his speech and the manner very positive. I think we will take a step,” said Kimmich.
Unlike fashion lover Nagelsmann, Tuchel coached on the sidelines in a simple tracksuit. He often took a seat on the bench, making gestures that did not agree with everything. “He’s not one to romp around on the sidelines,” said President Herbert Hainer. “He is a very eloquent, thoughtful, technically highly qualified coach who will certainly do us good.” Hoeneß spoke of “an ideal solution” after just one week.
Tuchel was good right away for the strong Leroy Sané. “Everyone knows how outstanding he can be. But he’s too old to be a potential player or a talent. That was just the first step,” said Tuchel.
He also needs more time to get used to it. “It doesn’t feel 1000 percent like my team yet,” said Tuchel. At the end of an evening that was moving for him, he expressed his sympathy for his predecessor Nagelsmann. “One of the things we’re trying to do is finish it for him.”
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