FC Bayern can make a hook under the group stage of the Champions League on the sidelines of the firmly planned Nagelsmann comeback. A draw against Benfica would be enough for that.
Two weeks in corona quarantine are enough for Julian Nagelsmann. In the evening (9 p.m. in the stern live ticker and on Amazon Prime Video), his players and FC Bayern football fans will see him live again in action in the Munich Allianz Arena against Benfica Lisbon.
“In the phase where we have many games that are very important, it’s funny, unfamiliar and not what you want as a coach,” said the vaccinated nail man about his stadium withdrawal because of the coronavirus infection. “You want to work with the players on the pitch and be there at the games,” said the 34-year-old on Monday. He was missing again in the final training.
The result of the PCR test is still missing
Corona-Tests: A negative PCR test on the morning of the match day should give Nagelsmann the expected green light for returning to the stadium. Several quick tests in the past few days were negative, the trainer reported on Monday. “I feel good. You can tell that something was in the body,” said Nagelsmann.
Starting position: After the 4-0 win two weeks ago in Lisbon, the first of four games that Nagelsmann has missed so far, the Munich team can advance to the round of 16 on the fourth group match day. With nine points and 12-0 goals, Bayern clearly lead Group E ahead of Benfica (4 points), FC Barcelona (3) and Dynamo Kiev (1). Even a draw against Lisbon would be enough. But Nagelsmann is aiming for the ideal yield of “twelve points”.
Important week: After the 5: 2 at Union Berlin, Bayern’s goal against Benfica is also to give another positive answer after the 0: 5 cup disaster against Gladbach. Especially since the top Bundesliga game against SC Freiburg is due to end the week on Saturday. Nagelsmann already has this game in mind. He announced that he would distribute the burden. It could go easy on frequent players a little.
Personal: National player Leon Goretzka has healed a painful flesh wound on his foot enough to put him back in his football boot. Lucas Hernández also attended the final training session on Monday after a bruised foot in Berlin. Alphonso Davies is slightly ailing, so on his 21st birthday he might be able to sit on the bench for the time being. Davies wishes for “three points and a good performance”.
Robert Lewandowski runs 100th times
Benfica: The first leg in Lisbon was open for a long time. It was only in the 70th minute that Leroy Sané gave Bayern the lead with a great free-kick. Then it went quickly, in the end it was 4-0. Nagelsmann therefore believes that Portugal’s top club in Munich will hardly act any differently. “They won’t change that much because they did well in the first leg,” said the Bayern coach.
Anniversary: Robert Lewandowski could play in the Champions League for the 100th time. The world footballer would be the third professional after his colleague Thomas Müller (127 games) and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (122) to reach the special 100-game mark. The record player in the Champions League is Cristiano Ronaldo with 179 appearances.
Over the years, the 33-year-old Lewandowski has changed in his style of play. He is no longer just a goal scorer, but “a very cooperative striker,” as Nagelsmann said. Scoring goals is still Lewandowski’s favorite pastime: with 78 goals he is in Europe’s premier league, and the Pole has long had his sights set on the 100-goal mark.
Source From: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
