The press conference with Julian Nagelsmann on Friday lasted an unusually long time, just under 34 minutes. Of course, it’s not every day that FC Bayern loses 0:5. The coach wants to learn the right lessons.
On Saturday afternoon at Union Berlin, Julian Nagelsmann will be missing from the sidelines for the fourth time in a row due to his Corona infection. The FC Bayern coach could not return until Tuesday evening in the Champions League against Benfica Lisbon.
“Wednesday is still a bit in my bones,” he said about his state of health, alluding to the highest cup defeat in the club’s history. Nagelsmann stressed several times on Friday that the team would not have won even with him on the sidelines, that he nevertheless longed to return and that the presence of a head coach was important.
“We have shown that we are human beings and not machines “
Nagelsmann’s takeaway from the debacle: “We showed that we are human and not machines, mistakes happen to us and we are vulnerable.” All this combined with a bad day’s form and a very good opponent.
He and his team must now accept criticism and learn the lessons from the 0:5, because: “There are events in life that are characterised by uniqueness and can no longer be changed. But we can influence the future. The task: “We have to prove again and again that we are Bayern Munich and belong to the best teams in Europe. There must not be a game in which this is not the case.”
Wednesday’s experience should remain something unique, he said, because: “We have the ambition to be champions and to get up again.” On Thursday, Nagelsmann held talks with his leading players via video conference to gauge the mood. “But we didn’t cry to each other on the phone about how bad everything is.” He also exchanged views with board boss Oliver Kahn and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic. “When you play for FC Bayern, you rarely have to deal with such hackles in your career, the team is not used to that,” Nagelsmann lectured.
Whether his team is capable of a show of defiance at Union? “You can’t always shake off something like that so easily. But of course we want to show a reaction and deliver a good game, live up to our standards in this league.” That will be difficult at Union regardless of Mönchengladbach, he said, attesting to the opponent’s great form. Last season, the Munich side were lucky to draw 1-1 at the Alte Försterei.
Nagelsmann: Upamecano must “change his defensive style a bit “
The use of Leon Goretzka at Union is still questionable, the international suffered a flesh wound between the Achilles tendon and ankle. “I assume that he will be able to play,” said Nagelsmann, but they still have to wait for training on Friday afternoon. Regardless of the result in Mönchengladbach, he said he was considering one or two changes for stress management reasons. “No player will be left out because of a poor performance or lack of form on the day,” the coach clarified.
Dayot Upamecano could nevertheless get a break, especially since Nagelsmann announced that Niklas Süle would return to the team. He expects the newcomer from Leipzig to act with more cleverness and eye against physically robust players in the future, “he has to change his defensive style a bit. But Upa is a young player and will learn.” How big the learning effect from the 0:5 is for everyone remains the exciting question until kick-off at Union.
