Hello football friends,
At FC Bayern, the atmosphere is more relaxed again after this week with the furious entry into the Champions League quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain and then also the three in the Bundesliga with the 5-3 win against FC Augsburg.
The two PSG games were important. But it’s also important that coach Julian Nagelsmann has the full backing of Bayern officials.
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At Bayern you don’t get any applause if you finish second, there’s always pressure – and Nagelsmann knows that too. In the end it’s all about titles and trophies.
Effenberg: Bayern bosses provide support
It was also the perfect tactical line-up against PSG, relying on Josip Stanisic and leaving Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané out for the time being. And now you’re in peace for the time being because they stepped up their game against Augsburg.
Something else to add about Nagelsmann: Above all, you mustn’t lose the players – that’s all crucial at Bayern.
There are enough negative examples from the past, let’s just take Carlo Ancelotti, Felix Magath and Niko Kovac: they all had success in Munich, got the double – but they had a problem with the leading players and were dismissed as a result.
If Nagelsmann manages to do that, then we will see him at the Bayern-Bank for many years to come.
Dortmund must close the bag
The situation at Borussia Dortmund is a bit different after the 2-2 draw at Schalke in the district derby.
Of course you have to close the sack if you’re in the lead twice and I think about this missed big chance by Jamie Bynoe-Gittens – then the game is over.
Or let’s take the goal conceded to make it 2-2, when Julian Ryerson is the focus – you have to go to the ball.
Bellingham at BVB in focus
For me it’s still not a downturn at BVB. The last few weeks have shown that they can also perform on the track.
But it will be exciting to see how things continue on the pitch and in the table: Next week Dortmund will face 1. FC Köln, then the international break will come and then Bayern.
“The Dortmund Week”, the SPORT1 podcast on BVB!
Then it will also come back to Jude Bellingham, who is on the radar at the top clubs.
I would advise Bellingham to stay in Dortmund, he’s still young and can still sign three or four top contracts.
Sancho as a cautionary tale
I also think that unlike Haaland, Bellingham is more connected to BVB. (COMMENT: That was arrogant, BVB!)
He gets total support and trust. I wish for his personal development that he stays.
And you don’t get a guarantee anywhere else anyway. Sancho (at Manchester United meanwhile rather average after his transfer, editor’s note) is the best example of this: he left and had dreamed a lot – and where is he now?!
See you soon,
Your Stefan Effenberg
Stefan Effenberg won the Champions League with FC Bayern in 2001. He also won several German championships and cups with Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 54-year-old has been part of the permanent team of experts at STAHLWERK Doppelpass since the summer of 2018.