After CL-Aus against Villarreal
Julian Nagelsmann described the end with FC Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Villarreal as one of the bitter defeats of his coaching career. It is “certainly one of the top three,” admitted the coach of the German record champions after the 1-1 draw in the second leg against the Spanish Europa League winner. After the 0:1 in the first leg a week ago, the Munich team missed out on reaching the semi-finals.
Nagelsmann said the assessment of his first season at Bayern depends “a bit” on how the championship is organized. In the Bundesliga, Munich are nine points ahead of Borussia Dortmund. In addition to the “premier class”, Bayern are also out in the DFB Cup. That is not “not sufficient” for the club’s claims. The semi-finals in the Champions League is “always a bit the minimum goal”. Nagelsmann has not yet spoken to the team after the momentous draw on Tuesday evening. He wants to do it the next day, you have to “let the impressions sink in” first.
Especially in the first leg, the 34-year-old made the bitter end. The 0-1 win in Spain a week ago “was the key, we lost the duel there,” said Nagelsmann on “Amazon Prime Video”. “Today we did very well, it was one of the best games of the last few months.” “I don’t know what’s in store for me, Bundesliga, Bielefeld. If you lose and get eliminated, then so be it. But I’m not afraid, there are worse things.”
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Nagelsmann does not want to accept open contract questions, for example with top striker Robert Lewandowski (33), as an excuse. “From my personal point of view, that would be too much of an alibi for me,” said the Bayern coach. He doesn’t want to blame anyone for the loss. Lewandowski’s contract expires in 2023. Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn has ruled out a change of striker this summer after speculation about an alleged early departure from FC Barcelona.
Kahn meanwhile protected the players after the end. “More commitment and will than the team has shown is hardly possible,” said the 52-year-old. “I think you can’t really blame the team, they gave it their all.” The team could have scored more goals after the 1-0 loss in the first leg in Spain. “Would have, would have a bicycle chain,” says Kahn. “It just wasn’t meant to be. We certainly didn’t lose that here and now.” There are few “more unpleasant teams” than the defensively strong FC Villarreal.
“Of course we were eliminated here in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. That’s why we won’t burst into tears at Bayern,” said Kahn. “We have the opportunity again next year and will attack again.” The priority now is to win the tenth championship in a row.
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Thomas Müller (32) described the end as “extremely bitter”. “We played a committed game, played a good game.” However, Bayern didn’t take advantage of their chances, especially in the second half. You have to put up with this accusation, said the international. “It’s very difficult today. Accepting the defeat… I don’t know what to say either,” Müller admitted helplessly.
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