For Bayern Munich, a season stands and falls with the performance in the Champions League. Because the championship title is guaranteed anyway. That's why the round of 16 against PSG is proclaimed by the public as a duel of fate for coach Julian Nagelsmann. Now the FCB is forming a wagon complex around the 35-year-old.
Even before the victory in Paris, Oliver Kahn didn't feel like constantly having to discuss Julian Nagelsmann. He sees "a very strong escalation" on the coach, emphasized the boss of FC Bayern on Prime Video. But: "That's a bit exaggerated." Nagelsmann's fate at the German record champions was often linked to the round of 16 cracker in the Champions League against PSG. But Bayern don't want to get carried away by the discussions about the 35-year-old in recent weeks.
"A lot is brought in from outside. But the team and the coach work very well. We really have a very, very good mood," said sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić demonstratively after the 1-0 (0-0) - and added emphatically: "The coach is constantly being questioned, even though he can't be questioned. I find that funny!"
It should be just right for Kahn and Salihamidžić that even Honorary President Uli Hoeneß is protecting Nagelsmann - although it has recently been speculated that Hoeneß is not a fan of the young coach. But obviously he is. "Julian is the right one, a very young, very capable and very thoughtful trainer who doesn't chew on every sentence five times before pronouncing it. I like that," Hoeneß told the editorial network Germany. Nagelsmann learns "quickly", does an "excellent job".
But Nagelsmann knows that things can change quickly in the troubled Bayern environment - and ultimately only success counts. Even before the PSG game, he had therefore emphasized the importance of the premier class for himself personally. And right after the win he was cautious in his assessment, even if it was a win against some doubts. The result is "not too much". It was only "the first step taken". The second is to follow on March 8th in the second leg.
But one thing is already clear: the pressure at Bayern remains high. Especially since the Munich team only has a minimal lead over Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund in the league. "Out there they are waiting for us to stumble. But we don't want to do anyone a favor," said Kahn. Because anything but the eleventh championship in a row would shake the record champions.
The next two league games are correspondingly important. On Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky and in the ntv.de live ticker) we go to the feared opponent Mönchengladbach. Bayern have not won four games against Borussia recently, and they have not won five of the last six games. And then comes Union. He is counting on the Berliners "until the last day of the game. They are incredibly difficult to play on," emphasized Hoeneß. And above all, they have "a very good coach". Urs Fischer's calm and serenity would radiate to the whole club. Julian Nagelsmann can only dream of that.
