Is Leroy Sane coming? Or isn’t he coming? Not even Thomas Müller can be coaxed to make a statement about the future of his national team colleague. “Everything is already announced, from perfect to burst to the middle of it, you don’t know who to believe and when,” said the as always good-humoured vice-captain of FC Bayern at a 20-minute press round on Thursday in Rottach-Egern (Tegernsee).
Müller, on the other hand, spoke in more detail about the preparation of the German record champion, the youth debate at the FCB and the defeat in the Supercup against Borussia Dortmund, which “quite annoyed” him. SOCCERSCORE and Goal were on site and have all statements ready for you.
Thomas Müller about …
… the transfer rumours about Leroy Sane: “Unfortunately I still can’t say anything about transfers personally. I’m neither a doctor nor a transfer politician. Everything is already announced, from perfect to burst to in the middle, you don’t know who to believe and when.”
… the small FCB squad: “A club always has to do the splits between a large and a small squad. If you have a large squad with a lot of quality and manage to have few injuries, of course you have more cases of hardship and therefore perhaps a little more restlessness. If you have a smaller squad and too many injuries in the significant places – no matter how we do it, you will get your food.”
… the young players: “The boys are all good. The youth debate at FC Bayern is not about the fact that no good players will make it to the top. It’s just that we have to score three points in every game. No young player has time to get a taste of it without it being relevant what the result is. It’s the same with all the top 10 clubs in Europe. My prime example is Kevin de Bruyne. He’s maybe top 10 in the world and was in a top club when he was 20. He only made his breakthrough after two loans and a change of club. If one with this quality at the age of 18, 19, 20 can not assert himself in a top club: Then how is someone supposed to make it who might take a little longer with the development?”
… Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry: “King and Serge were already in the wind last season and had responsibilities. I don’t think anything’s gonna change for these two great. Both want to make many games and get fit through the season.”
… his favourite position: “My strengths are certainly best shown off in a midfield position. That’s where I can make my teammates look their best. Behind the tips has never meant for me that I move within a radius of two meters. I’m always between the lines and when it comes to the ball, I can always find a little further back.”
… the preparations for the season: “Every year we start anew. You try to prepare as well as you can. This is certainly more complicated with team tactics than with fitness, because the cogs have to mesh. How you get yourself fit is relatively clearly defined in science. The industry now sees itself in a completely different light. In the 90s there were one or two physiotherapists for a whole team, today we have six or seven and they still don’t work at idle. I don’t know if the load has increased compared to before, but the game has definitely become more intense and with it the physical preparation. You don’t just tie your shoes, go to the square and get started. Mobility and power are much more in the foreground.”
… the current mood and the defeat in the Supercup: “Our second half series was very positive and we emerge stronger as a group. We have also done quite well in the preparation so far. The result against Dortmund was quite annoying for us and me personally. Dortmund always wants to win, especially when it comes to the first title of the season. The game was not the highest level of both teams. Nevertheless, we had it well under control. Dortmund scored two goals in the end, we missed our chances. It was a disappointment for us, but at the games in the USA and at the Audi Cup we played well against some well-known opponents. That’s why we’re confident about the season.”
… the subject of nutrition: “I never had any teething problems after my holidays. Of course, our buffet is different than it was ten years ago. This is reflected in German society as well as in our team. There are people and players who have possible intolerances and nutrition plans. The goal is to be more efficient. Of course, terms like gluten or lactose also play a role here.”
… the cup game against Energie Cottbus: “We want to make a decent opening game and make progress with the sovereignty I expect from Bayern Munich. It’s all about the way.”
… the differences between Javi Martinez and Thiago in sixth position: “Javi has advantages with long balls. In the game with Thiago there is a different ball control, a different quality. He has extreme strengths. Who’s better off there is up to the coach.”
… a possible system changeover to a triple chain: “We are able to play with a triple chain. This flexibility is there because the training of the players is very good. That’s where the coach can react. But it is not part of his plan to mix the systems wildly. Unless he recognizes weaknesses and changes the system.”
