The DFB players have to work through their World Cup embarrassment, the French stars of FC Bayern are even fighting their way to the final. In the new year Nagelsmann is also required as a comforter.
Munich (dpa / lby) - get up and keep going! The appeal directed by CEO Oliver Kahn to the French World Cup stars of FC Bayern can also apply to many other noble footballers from Munich. "Les Bleus" lost to Argentina in the gripping World Cup final, Germany was embarrassed with the end after the group stage. A lot of educational work awaits Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann after the winter break.
"After a lost final, it's about getting back up and going on. All players can be very proud of their performance overall," said former runners-up Kahn after Sunday's final in Qatar.
Kahn himself lost the final against Brazil (0:2) with the German national team in 2002 after making a serious mistake. "Two billion people watched me fail," he recently recalled in a podcast, describing the aftermath of such a shock defeat.
This time Argentina with superstar Lionel Messi defeated France around exceptional striker Kylian Mbappé in the final 4: 2 (3: 3, 2: 2, 2: 0) on penalties. Central defender Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman were allowed to play in the World Cup final, Benjamin Pavard was no longer able to play after criticism from France national coach Didier Deschamps. Lucas Hernández had to end all hopes of further appearances after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture at the start of the tournament.
"We are looking forward to the return of our vice world champions, they played a strong tournament - and in 2023 it will be 'Allez les Rouges!' with renewed vigour," said President Herbert Hainer.
"I feel sorry for our French players," said Munich's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic after the final. "They showed very strong performances." At least full-back Josip Stanisic, who defeated Morocco (2-1) with Croatia in the match for third place, will be able to boost the mood.
Preparations for the second part of the season begin on January 3 at FC Bayern, which had released a total of 16 players for the World Cup. On this day, the medical examinations and performance diagnostics are on the agenda. On January 6, coach Nagelsmann's team will be going to a six-day training camp in Doha. In February there will be a duel with Paris Saint-Germain and the World Cup finalists Messi and Mbappé in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Captain Manuel Neuer will be out for the rest of the season after his skiing accident and broken leg. The first replacement would be Sven Ulreich, who has already played as a substitute in eight competitive games for Bayern Munich this season - FC Bayern won all eight games. Or will Alexander Nübel be there in Doha?
The Munich team signed him in the summer of 2020 as a potential new successor from FC Schalke 04. However, the former U21 international was unable to assert himself and is now playing on loan at AS Monaco. An early return campaign from Nübel has long been an issue.
On January 13th there is a game against the Austrian champions RB Salzburg at the FC Bayern Campus. A week later, RB Leipzig is again about points in the fight for the eleventh German championship in a row.
In addition to Hernández and captain Neuer, Munich also have to do without Sadio Mané. The attacker from Senegal missed the World Cup due to an injury to the head of the fibula. It's unclear when he'll be fit again. Germany's internationals around Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala have to work through their frustration after the preliminary round anyway.
