As the newly crowned 100-win anniversary, Thomas Müller beamed with joy after the offensive spectacle and announced his FC Bayern’s great premier class ambitions. “If you look back, it was a really crazy long journey through time that I was able to spend in the Champions League. But we’re not done yet – and neither am I,” said the 34-year-old after a wild European Cup classic.
The 4-3 win against Manchester United, which coach Thomas Tuchel had to watch while suspended from a VIP box, was just a “way station,” said Müller. He was the third player after superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (115) and Real goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas (101) to reach the milestone of 100 wins.
A few meters away from Müller in the stadium aisles, Tuchel was talking shop after Munich’s successful start to the season in Europe’s best league. “Every win in the Champions League is a big point. And every win against Manchester United is a big point,” said Tuchel after an evening of football that he would not like to experience again in this form. “We don’t need to repeat that.” Reason: He was not allowed to join the team because of a UEFA ban.
Distance in several ways
The 50-year-old sat in the stands with an iPad on his lap at a “spatial” and also “emotional” distance from where he watched his assistants around Zsolt Lőw coaching against what was probably the strongest group opponent. In two weeks, Tuchel will be able to go back to work on the bench for the first away game in Denmark against FC Copenhagen.
The four attacker goals from Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, penalty taker Harry Kane and super joker Mathys Tel gave Tuchel as much fun as the 75,000 spectators. But Munich’s 20th opening win in a row in Europe’s premier class also saw three goals conceded by Rasmus Höjlund and the double goalscorer Casemiro. “The game was a bit wild. It was nice for the fans to see a lot of goals and it was good offensively, but overall we have to make fewer mistakes,” said the once again strong Sané. After his four league and two national team goals, he also celebrated a goal in Europe.
At Bayern’s premier class debut, 100 million man Kane was also happy as a goalscorer. “I think we are one of the favorites. There are not many teams in Europe that see us and want to play against us,” said England’s national team captain on US broadcaster CBS. Like Kane (30), Tel (18) also scored. After two goals and an assist in the Bundesliga, he continued his impressive wild streak in the Champions League.
“Energy” – and not at “Kaffeeklatsch”
“He always gives energy, he always wants to score a goal,” said Müller about the Frenchman Tel, who was signed by Stade Rennes a year ago for at least 20 million euros. “But that’s what we demand. We’re not here for a coffee chat at FC Bayern because we won the lottery.” Tel himself was “very satisfied”, but also said: “We can do better.”
This was especially true for the Munich team’s renewed shaky phases, which negligently made things exciting again. Duel expert Konrad Laimer criticized the tendency to “hara-kiri pass into midfield”. Sports director Christoph Freund doesn’t have any defensive concerns. “Even though we scored three goals today – it’s always a bond between the whole team,” said the 46-year-old, who loved to rave about the luxury offensive.
“Musiala is an exceptional player. Absolutely world class when he has the ball at his feet, what kind of thinking he has, how he solves one-on-one situations,” said Freund. Musiala, who recently played as a substitute after recovering from a muscle injury, was given priority over Müller in the starting line-up this time. Tel would also like to play there soon. The situation was “a bit unfair” for the top joker, Tuchel admitted. But it is only a matter of time before the 18-year-old starts. Maybe the day before the Oktoberfest visit, on Saturday against Bochum?
Everything “pink”?
“At the front we have six or eight top players for the four positions. The squad isn’t thinned out at the front in any way,” said Müller, who only came on late in his 143rd game in Europe’s elite class. The coach has many variations and as a player you have to present yourself in such a way that you can perform right from the start. Or failing that, support your teammates. “It sounds like a rosy world of wonders, but that’s actually how it is with us at the moment.”
