After the spectacular 5-3 win in the Supercup against RB Leipzig, FC Bayern is in a spirit of optimism. Due to the extensive personnel changes in the squad, the record champions are hoping for new momentum, especially in the Champions League. However, a former Munich professional is skeptical about the euphoria surrounding the newcomers.
Niklas Süle and Robert Lewandowski gone, Matthijs de Ligt and Sadio Mané there: A lot happened at Bayern in the summer. The spectacular deals were mostly positively received in fan circles, and the squad planners of the German industry leader also received media recognition.
Michael Rummenigge, ex-playmaker from Munich, is much more skeptical. “What has Hasan Salihamidzic & Co. been praised for recently for their summer transfers? Honestly, I can’t join in the chorus of jubilation,” wrote the 58-year-old in his “sports buzzer“-Column.
The younger brother of the former Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge went even further. “With all due respect for Sadio Mané and Matthijs de Ligt – neither of them are world-class players for me,” was the tough judgment of the native of Lippstadt.
De Ligt as Bayern’s new defense boss? “Very daring”
Mané will “do the Bundesliga good” and also “score his goals,” said Rummenigge: “But I don’t see him at the absolute top level at the age of 30. If it were different, Jürgen Klopp would certainly have fought more for the striker to keep at Liverpool.”
Not least because of this, “the departure of Robert Lewandowski will still hurt a lot”.
With de Ligt, who came from Juventus Turin for 67 million euros, he was “even more skeptical”. His three years in Italy were “lost time”.
“He couldn’t really develop further after his furious start to his career at Ajax Amsterdam. I think it’s very daring to declare him Bayern’s defense chief. You could have kept Niklas Süle,” emphasized Rummenigge.