FC Bayern newcomer Sadio Mané is usually calm and controlled on the pitch. But he can also get loud in the dressing room, coach Julian Nagelsmann revealed before the Champions League opener. The Senegalese should also shake up the team in Milan.
“I don’t expect witchcraft,” said FC Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann. No miracles, nothing supernatural. But maybe at least a bit of magic, on and off the pitch.
What was meant was new signing Sadio Mané, who has been played under Nagelsmann in all games so far and also at the Champions League opener at Inter Milan (Wednesday 9 p.m.).
Nagelsmann expects Mané “to transfer his experience that he has in the Champions League to other players, that he lives up to his leadership claim and leadership quality.”
Mané, the cabin whisperer
With Mané, Bayern have committed a team player through and through. Before the Milan guest performance, Nagelsmann then chatted something out of the sewing box. “He has an extreme gift for leading groups,” said of his world star.
He doesn’t always act as a loudspeaker on the pitch. Mané chooses his words carefully. In the Supercup against Leipzig, for example, he spoke in the dressing room. And against Milan: “I’m assuming that it will be a little louder in the dressing room tomorrow,” said Nagelsmann.
The starting eleven has not yet been determined
Otherwise, as expected, Nagelsmann did not allow himself to be looked too deeply into the cards when it came to the starting line-up. “I’ve made a few decisions, but not yet for all eleven who start,” explained the Bayern coach.
Special praise for Hernández and Sabitzer
It is already clear that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will play. In addition, Mané will be the leader. Lucas Hernández, who received exceptional praise, is likely to be in central defense. “A funny guy who, when it comes down to it, bites the ball in a positive way,” joked Nagelsmann.
Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer should also hope for a start in the first eleven after special praise (“Against Union, he was our best player on the pitch.”) For Leon Goretzka (“Leon is a candidate, but he has a long injury behind him.”) There will probably only be a place on the bench for the time being.
How important is a first win?
When asked about the sporting importance of the opening game, Nagelsmann was divided. “We’re trying to get off to a good start,” he said, but conceded: “The start of the group stage isn’t crucial.”
He doesn’t want to be blinded by Inter Milan’s mixed league start in the Italian Serie A (three wins, two defeats). “I’m less involved with the league than with the individual players and the coach,” said Nagelsmann.
Inter Milan: “Very good gamers”
And Milan is well positioned despite the absence of top striker Romelu Lukaku. Forward Edin Dzeko, a player with “extreme experience”. It is not clear whether he will be in the starting XI. He came as a joker against AC Milan. In any case, the Argentinian Lautaro Martínez should appear in the Inter storm.
Nagelsmann also praised the midfield around ex-Leverkusen player Hakan Calhanoglu and internationals Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia), Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands) and Nicolo Barella (Italy): “Very good gamers who want the ball.”
In any case, the Bayern coach is prepared for a wide variety of scenarios, because Milan will defend at different levels.
Inter coach with respect for Bayern
A few hours earlier, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi was less optimistic about the duel with the German record champions. After the recent 3-2 defeat against local rivals AC Mailnd, the game is “a chance because it follows the disappointment in the derby and we know what a game like this means for our fans and our club.”
However, he clearly gave Bayern the role of favourites: “We are up against a great team that will cause us difficulties.” Inzaghi also counts FC Bayern among the narrow circle of title candidates.
Source: BR24 Sports
06.09.2022 – 19:55
