Confident Bayern ‘don’t care’ about rivals’ setbacks

Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann yesterday paid little heed to concerns that the Bundesliga season was over before it even started, saying his only focus is on his side’s pursuit of an 11th consecutive title. At the press conference ahead of today’s home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Nagelsmann said his team’s focus is on consistency.
“Honestly, I don’t care if the pursuers stumble,” said Nagelsmann, who joined Bayern from second-placed Leipzig after the 2020/21 season. “If you sit on the right side[of the table]you don’t have to worry about it. .”
Munich are the only team in the Bundesliga to have a perfect 3-3 record so far this season, while Dortmund, Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen have suffered setbacks in the last round. Nagelsmann also tried to deflect the generous praise that former Bayern and German midfielder Lothar Matthaus directed at teenage forward Jamal Musiara.
Matthäus said this week that Musiara “reminds me of (Lionel) Messi” and predicted he could one day be the best player in the world. Nagelsmann said the 19-year-old Musiara, who grew up in England and chose to play for Germany at international level, “would probably be honored to be compared”, but he still has a long way to go. There was. Lionel has played at a very high level over the years. Jamal still has to do it, but I trust him. ”
Speaking of the Champions League draw, Nagelsmann predicted that Munich fans would warmly welcome the return of former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski to the Allianz Arena. Lewandowski’s Barcelona, ​​in what Nagelsmann called the ‘death group’, Inter he was drawn to Bayern along with Milan and Viktoria Pilsen.
“I think they’ll applaud[Lewandowski]. It’s never good when someone gets booed.” Whether fans think his breakup was great or not, he deserves it.
Gladbach beat Bayern 2-1 at the Allianz Arena and drew 1-1 at home last season, but what really hurt Bayern was their 5-0 victory over the 32-time German champions in the German Cup. It was down. Gladbach’s new manager Daniel Falke, who has won promotion to the Premier League twice with Norwich, said Thursday’s match against Bayern Munich in Munich is “probably the biggest challenge in European football”.
“I don’t think Bayern are afraid of Gladbach,” Farke said, suggesting the team’s recent record could be a disadvantage. On the contrary, Bayern Munich feel especially sharp now.”
Gladbach American defender Joe Sculley, who made his Bundesliga debut against Munich last season, said the meeting with Munich was a highlight of his side’s calendar. “It’s just one of those games where players live to live.”


Fixture (always 1330 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Today: Mainz v Leverkusen, RB Leipzig v Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim v Augsburg, Schalke v Union Berlin, Hertha v Dortmund (1330), Bayern Munich v Borussia Mönchengladbach (1630)
Tomorrow: Cologne v VfB Stuttgart (1330), Werder Bremen v Eintracht Frankfurt (1530)