The Joker stung again. Mathys Tel came on late in FC Bayern Munich’s 4-3 win against Manchester United. But the few minutes were enough for the 18-year-old Frenchman in the Munich Arena last night to score for the first time in Europe’s premier football league in his sixth Champions League game. It was the goal to make it 4:2.
“Mathys is doing exceptionally well,” said coach Thomas Tuchel, praising the offensive talent after the game. Tel had already attracted attention in the Bundesliga with two goals and an assist.
Tuchel promised Tel an early reward. “It’s a matter of time when he starts,” said the 50-year-old coach about the in-form attacker’s starting eleven.
Currently, Tuchel wants to continue to rely on Tel’s Joker run. “At the moment he has this role and he is doing it extremely successfully.”
As a young player, Tel was in a “challenger role” at a top club like FC Bayern, his coach explained. And in this case it is part of the situation “that you have to do a lot with just a few minutes”.
Tel, who was signed by Stade Rennes a year ago for at least 20 million euros, is currently fulfilling this requirement perfectly. Bayern’s new sports director Christoph Freund was enthusiastic about Tel’s start to the season: “The boy is incredibly fun. A really good boy.”
Leading player Müller also praised the young Frenchman. “He always gives energy, he always wants to score a goal,” said the 34-year-old.
“But that’s what we demand. We’re not here at FC Bayern for a coffee chat or because we won the lottery. It’s about the highest level of performance that we have in Germany. Everyone has to get involved.” Just like Tel. “He does it excellently. His quota is exceptional,” said Müller.