VfB Stuttgart, threatened with relegation, will probably learn painfully on May 8th (5:30 p.m. / DAZN) that the performance of the Munich team after the Balearic tour after the 1: 3 in Mainz and after criticism from Hertha trainer Felix Magath will be appraised. “I don’t expect any reaction to the Ibiza trip,” Nagelsmann said. “We’re trying to win our last home game in front of a full house on the day we get the trophy.”
“I’ll be happy if we get the bowl”
After the pre-glow against VfB, after two years of the pandemic, there should finally be an atmospheric celebration with 75,000 spectators. In the rain of confetti in Munich, captain Neuer was presented with the championship trophy for the first time by the new DFL managing director, Donata Hopfen. One week later, after the end of the season, thousands of people celebrate on Marienplatz from the balcony of the town hall.
You want to catch up with the fans, “which was not possible in the last two years. We won the titles in empty stadiums,” recalled beer shower expert Benjamin Pavard to a piece of title sadness. It was the world champion who was the first to throw the giant wheat beer glass over Nagelsmann’s head after winning the title in a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund. “I’m happy when we get the bowl,” said Nagelsmann and joked. “I think I have it in my lower back to lift her up. Maybe I’ll do a few more stability exercises that it’s safe too.”
It doesn’t just get emotional because of the trophy handover. The club will also say goodbye to national player Niklas Süle and world champion Corentin Tolisso after five years. “We’re trying with the squad planning that every player gets the right framework,” promised Nagelsmann, who did not plan Süle for the starting eleven after the “treat” against Mainz.
Lewandowski “keep absolutely”
Nagelsmann was confident that Bayern fans would not see Lewandowski’s last home appearance. Salihamidzic had ruled out a change this summer anyway. But given industry practice, a lavish million-dollar offer could result in a reassessment of the situation.
Lewandowski’s (33) contract is dated until June 30, 2023. Most recently there was contact between the Bayern management and the adviser to Poland. “I’ve already asked if that was a good conversation. It was probably that,” said Nagelsmann. “But there is nothing to report, in any direction. My status has not changed, that we definitely want to keep it and definitely want to extend it.”
The contract extension of Müller (32) as a “top performer and symbolic figure” for another season until the summer of 2024 could “certainly pull others along,” said Nagelsmann. Neuer and Serge Gnabry’s contracts also expire in the summer of 2023.