Table leaders against pursuers, First against third. “You can leave out the inverted commas at top match,” says Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of Saturday afternoon’s clash with the surprise team from Freiburg.
Lulling with the help of compliments? Julian Nagelsmann’s appreciative words towards SC Freiburg and fellow coach Christian Streich sounded more like honest praise on Friday lunchtime. “A very likeable club that has been making the most of its opportunities for many years. They have a solid core, including the coach.” Streich has left his mark on SC, “I’m happy to see him”. Nagelsmann’s caveat: “This is an opponent who will demand a lot from us.” He pointed to the league’s most stable defence with seven goals conceded, which is difficult to play against due to its disciplined nature.
Sabitzer must pass
An FC Bayern in top form, however, should always find solutions, even against the Breisgauer. With only Marcel Sabitzer (stomach bug) unavailable, Nagelsmann is spoilt for choice on the offensive, for example. Of the in-form quartet of Thomas Müller, Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry, one will have to stay out when the game starts. “It will hit someone who undeservedly doesn’t play,” announced the head coach, who was, however, in principle happy about this selection, difficult moderation or not.
The Allianz Arena was last not sold out against Hoffenheim and Benfica Lisbon, against SC the season tickets are valid again for the first time. “I expect it to be full or almost full,” Nagelsmann is pleased to say. His words on offence and defence speak for entertainment against Freiburg: “I’d rather win 5:2 than 2:0.” Despite conceding too many goals again recently, he pointed out that his team is “better in all statistics than last year.” In the most important, the result, he and his team want to beat Freiburg and distance themselves in the table, sympathies no longer play a role from 15.30.
