When the groups for the coming Champions League season were drawn on Thursday evening, the lucky fairy was obviously very keen to bring people who had recently been separated back together: BVB meets Manchester City and Erling Haaland in Group G, FC Bayern in Group C FC Barcelona with star striker Robert Lewandowski. A circumstance that Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn acknowledged with a slight smile. An affront to the Spanish press.
‘Kahn mocks Barca as soon as he found out about the draw’, headlines the Spanish ‘Sports“. “The reaction of the CEO of the German team, caught by the TV cameras, showed a big smile. An unusual reaction for a member of the club’s management waiting for the draw – there is usually respect there,” the newspaper continued.
To accuse Kahn of disrespect is likely to go a step too far. The fact that the ex-keeper acknowledged the lot with a slight smile is quite understandable given the constant exchange of theater around Lewandowski, who ultimately joined the Catalans despite a clear Kahn veto. Instead of malice, one could also assume that Kahn is simply looking forward to being able to show his long-time protégé in a direct duel why staying in Munich would have been the better option.
How thin the nerves of “sport” were after the draw is also shown by the fact that Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann also gets rid of his fat. The newspaper sees a clear “provocation“In view of the last three clear Bayern victories and the result of 14:2 goals, Nagelsmann’s pious wish is quite understandable.
The comments of those involved do not actually indicate a lack of respect. Sport boss Hasan Salihamidzic spoke of a “crunchy”, “attractive group”, Nagelsmann considers the draw to be “very demanding” and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer even singles out the duel with Barcelona as a “real highlight”.