After the home victory against RB Leipzig, Bayern could have started a positive streak and go into the Champions League match against Lazio with the wind in their favor. But against SC Freiburg it was only enough to draw 2-2. The Breisgau game left us with some ideas.
1. Things cannot continue like this with Tuchel
With the decision to part ways with coach Thomas Tuchel in the summer, Bayern really wanted to create clarity. You didn't want to have the question every week: “Does he stay or does he have to go?”“
After performances like those in Freiburg, the question now arises: “Will he really stay until the summer?” Or do you have to leave first?“
The question is also justified, because the way the coach faces the situation shows it: Things cannot continue like this with Tuchel!
The 50-year-old emphasizes like a mantra that he now wants to finish the season professionally and focus on sport. However, Tuchel is always asked about other things. Then he can't resist criticizing the club, as in Thursday's press conference, when he was upset by the numerous management changes at the record champion.
Or it makes it known that the separation was not as amicable as initially communicated. Asked about new sporting director Max Eberl, Tuchel said before the game in Freiburg: “It's very nice to have him around now. Unfortunately not that long. I think this could be good. But it is what it is.“
He has not yet assimilated the separation and Tuchel shows it in his body language, in his interviews, in his criticisms of the team.
“DAZN expert Jonas Hummels summed it up well after the draw in Freiburg: “Since his resignation was announced, he has been defiant on the sidelines. He was the only one on the coaching staff who was not happy with the goal. Everyone jumped up, he remained seated; The same thing happened last week. As a player you notice it.“
Employers notice it too. It seems that if Bayern are eliminated from the Champions League against Lazio on Tuesday, it could all be over for Tuchel immediately. Even a sudden separation before the decisive match in the premier class no longer seems 100 percent ruled out after the performance in Freiburg.
2. Kimmich weak on the right
Letting Kimmich play at right back makes sense. Apart from that, Tuchel had no real alternative as Konrad Laimer still does not appear to be fully fit.
In theory, the position on the right side of defense could give Kimmich security, here he once represented the highest level. But that was before!
Today's Kimmich is simply restless, which may also be due to his broken relationship with Tuchel, who also clearly criticized Kimmich after the match. He complained about Kimmich's right back: “Yesterday we did defensive training and a video session. Things were clearly communicated and clearly divided.“
In reality, Kimmich did not have his team under control in Freiburg, With Günter's big opportunity, he left it completely free and had no offensive effect. After just over an hour, Kimmich was substituted. The next step for the former protagonist.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann also plans to use Kimmich as a right-back in the European Championship. With Freiburg's performance, things are likely to get tougher against the best offensive players on the continent.
3. Tel has to move forward from the beginning.
A ray of hope in Freiburg was Mathys Tel. On matchday 24, Tuchel was able to add the young Frenchman to the team for the first time this season. Bundesliga in the starting eleven. And that's only because Leroy Sané was out for a short time due to injury.
In his unusual position on the right wing, coordination with Kimmich was not very good in defense, but Tel's goal to make it 1-1 was something to click on.
The 18-year-old is a player for special moments; Lately Bayern has been missing moments of inspiration like his beautiful shot.
When he took over as the new sporting director, Max Eberl demanded that the German record champions better support talents like Tel in the future. You should start doing this immediately! Tel should still be allowed to play from the start, ideally in the all-or-nothing game against Lazio.
Even if Sané returned, Thomas Müller could also free up his place in the attack: unlike Tel in Freiburg, the 34-year-old was also unable to make an impact.
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By Sebastian Mittag