It's rumbling, no, even the basketball players at FC Bayern Munich are on fire. Not only the completely lacking energy against the Hamburg Towers raises doubts. And that before what is perhaps the most important weekend of the season. The coach finds very clear words.
Shortly before the first title decision of the season, there is a real fire under the roof of the Bayern basketball team. In the Euroleague without a playoff chance, in the league with six defeats already - the cup seems to be the only competition this year in which winning a trophy can work out. "The cup is very important for us," said managing director Marko Pesic, also with a view to the top four in Oldenburg. "Titles are always important for FC Bayern," added Pesic, considering last season's titleless season.
But before the semifinals this Saturday (7.30 p.m. / Magentsport) against their big rival Alba Berlin, Bayern are in a worrying state. On Tuesday evening it was an embarrassing 70:89 in the league against the basement child Hamburg Towers. It was the fifth competitive defeat in the past six games.
Star coach Andrea Trinchieri was beside himself afterwards - not for the first time this season. "There are no words to describe this performance. We were embarrassing, even more than that and we just don't deserve fans like that," said the Italian after the failed dress rehearsal. Trinchieri has failed to bring consistency to his team's performances this season. Although Bayern have a lot of injuries to contend with, that cannot be the sole reason for six defeats in the Bundesliga. "We should stop talking about the things that we cannot influence," Pesic demanded.
But some players seem to be using the lack of top performers like Vladimir Lucic, Elias Harris, Cassius Winston or Corey Walden as an alibi. The atmosphere in the team doesn't seem to be in the best of shape either. "We clearly have things to work on," said Niels Giffey. "I am quite sure that we will put our heads together and talk about this in this week, which is so important for us."
It remains to be seen whether the Bavarians, who seemed tired, lacking energy and without ambition, will really be able to flip the switch before the duel with Alba on Saturday. Trinchieri had already counted his team publicly after the clear defeat in Ludwigsburg and thus made a difference, at least temporarily. Four competitive wins in a row followed before the new sporting descent began.
"We have to grab our own noses. Such a defeat hurts," said Giffey after the recent sporting oath of disclosure. In the duel with Alba, Bayern are now definitely outsiders. After all, Alba, who won the double last year, is unbeaten in the league for 12 games. "It would be a great step for us to reach the cup final in a difficult year. But the semi-finals will be a very tough game," said Giffey. In the final there would be a duel with the winner of the first semi-final between hosts EWE Baskets Oldenburg and the MHP giants Ludwigsburg (4 p.m.).
