FC Bayern will also have to cope without coach Julian Nagelsmann against TSG Hoffenheim, who is in domestic quarantine due to a Corona infection. From this, he explained in a virtual press conference on Friday how the work is going without in, how he keeps contact during the games and how he passes the time.
FC Bayern sent an unusual image from Säbener Straße. The seat next to club spokesman Dieter Nickles remained empty, and instead Julian Nagelsmann sent a virtual greeting from his home. He said he was doing well under the circumstances, “I’m still a bit limp, but I can already laugh again.” The 34-year-old had to leave open the question of his return to the team, saying it would depend on further tests and his state of health. As an optimist, however, he is hoping for the DFB Cup match at Borussia Mönchengladbach next Wednesday evening.
Nagelsmann will again be represented against Hoffenheim by his assistants Dino Toppmöller and Xaver Zembrod. Toppmöller, who knows the role as head coach from his time at Luxembourg first division club F91 Düdelingen, will be up front. “Xaver doesn’t like to be in the limelight, prefers to work in the background. Dino has no problem with that and has a super charisma,” Nagelsmann reasoned.
Nagelsmann with analysis centre at home
Nagelsmann may not be physically present, but the head coach is still not gone, of course. In Lisbon, he said, communication with analyst Benjamin Glück took place via WhatsApp and phone calls, “that worked well, we were connected all the time so I could influence things a little bit. “
It won’t be any different against Hoffenheim, according to Nagelsmann himself, he has “set up an analysis centre at home.” In addition to the normal TV picture, he receives further images via iPad and laptop, for example so-called scouting feeds. In doing so, he remains analytical. “The emotions boil up more when you are there live. I was also very calm in the hotel in Lisbon.” However, he will not let himself be switched on during the half-time break, only give tips beforehand on which scenes the coaching team should show then. The opponent, his former team from Kraichgau, is difficult to predict in terms of basic order and tactics, “they will demand a lot from us. “
Why the unvaccinated players don’t have to go into quarantine
According to consistent media reports, there are five unvaccinated players at FC Bayern, but they do not have to go into quarantine. According to Nagelsmann, his voluntary tests over the past few days – he is vaccinated – were all negative, only the one on Wednesday afternoon in Lisbon showed a positive result the next morning. At the time of this test, he was already in his hotel room and had no further contact. Like the club, he recommends that his players be vaccinated, but no one is forced to do so. “I am in favour of vaccination and believe that it is a good thing. But there is no compulsory vaccination in Germany, not even at FC Bayern. I have a mild course, that is the good thing about this vaccination.”
So even if he is not allowed to leave the house, Nagelsmann has plenty to do in preparation for Hoffenheim. At least, he will also take a walk in the garden, he revealed, “and see what the moles are doing. “
