Oliver Kahn (53) called on the FC Bayern Munich players before the top game in the Bundesliga against 1. FC Union Berlin. © Sven Hoppe/dpa
“Now the players have to show that they are Bayern Munich,” said the record champions’ CEO in an interview with “Sport Bild”.
A duel like the one against the third-placed player in the Bundesliga from Köpenick, who, like Munich and second-place Borussia Dortmund, currently has 43 points and ultimately only has the worst goal record of the three teams, is the “perfect stage” for this.
The players in the Allianz Arena could prove to everyone that nobody knows better than FC Bayern “what to do in a situation like this”.
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Because one thing is clear, according to the 53-year-old: “We clearly dropped too many points in the Bundesliga, that mustn’t happen to us.”
While Kahn held the players accountable, coach Julian Nagelsmann (35) received full support from the executive floor.
“Julian is a guy who takes on any challenge – and who is also able to master them,” praised the Bayern boss.
There is always pressure with the series champion, that’s part of it and “also makes the special appeal”.
In addition, Kahn also referred to keeping an “overall structure in mind”. “The team played in the Champions League in Paris (in a 1-0 win in the first leg of the round of 16, editor’s note) delivered a strong performance and now lost in Gladbach after a difficult game. We can classify that very well and don’t make it dependent on individual games.”
Hasan Salihamidzic (46) struck a similar tone after the away win in the premier class and was also upset about the criticism of Nagelsmann. “Julian is a long-term project for FC Bayern,” said the sports director, who became clear: “It annoys me! It annoys me! All discussions are unnecessary. I wish that our coach would be allowed to work in peace!”
Should Bayern on Sunday (5.30 p.m., DAZN) against Berlin won’t win, but it’s unlikely to come to anything.
