The leading actor of the Munich gala evening had no time for any more advertising on his own behalf.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting set paternal priorities. The 33-year-old hurriedly walked with his son through the catacombs of the Allianz Arena and put off the exceptionally interested reporters after FC Bayern Munich's powerful five-goal statement against SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga. "It's his birthday today. We have to go," he said, referring to nine-year-old Liam. And gone they were.
Coupo-Mouting convinces in the front line
In 65 impressive minutes on the pitch, Choupo-Moting had previously made a personal statement. The little player had slipped into the starting eleven for the leader Thomas Müller, who was further injured on his back, and just did the Lewy. Sure, Choupo-Moting is no Robert Lewandowski. And he won't become one in his profile life either. But in the lustful 5-0 goal celebration of the Union Berlin hunter FC Bayern against overstrained Freiburg, the Cameroonian proved as a goal scorer, assist provider and passing station in the front line what added value a real center forward can have for the Bayern game even after Lewandowski.
Choupo-Moting was "the target player that we often miss in the media," as coach Julian Nagelsmann pointedly pointed out, before singing a eulogy about Choupo-Moting, which he usually used as a joker: "He did it very well. His Goal was outstanding, plus two good assists. He's been a good wall player. He can play football really well. We're happy to have him as the central nine."
In a short DAZN interview immediately after the game, the promised one advertised for more playing time, possibly on Wednesday (8:45 p.m.) in the DFB Cup game at FC Augsburg, in which Leroy Sané will fail. The national player, who was just brilliant as a tenth, suffered a torn thighbone against Freiburg.
"It was fun," said Choupo-Moting after his strong application for more playing time: "I know what I can do and that I can help the team. Julian knows that too. Of course I want to keep playing a lot," he said native of Hamburg. The attacker is not lacking in self-confidence.
Salihamidzic: "Choupo was always playable"
He has the appreciation of his colleagues. "In my opinion, Choupo is the best sole player. He can fix the ball incredibly well and play with the sole. He played a great game," said offensive colleague Serge Gnabry. Sport director Hasan Salihamidzic also praised the substitute: "Choupo was always playable. There was a wall up front. He played well, keep it up."
The strong and robust, but also often injured attacker demonstrated "what he can do in the box", as Leon Goretzka said. Nevertheless, Goretzka called the discussion about the missing classic nine after Lewandowski's departure "idle". Reason: "We will not change the squad now. And we have a top squad and enough solutions to score goals."
Goretzka's thesis was confirmed against Freiburg. In addition to Choupo-Moting, three other offensive players, Gnabry, Sané and Sadio Mané, scored. "That's the benchmark. We have to be measured against it now," said Salihamidzic. The sports director does not like to look at the table. The reason: "We are not yet where we belong."
It means first place. Surprisingly, Union Berlin occupies it, four points ahead of the hunters from Munich. They don't like this distribution of roles. Goretzka attacked verbally on Sunday evening: "We want to continue marching and straighten out some things in football Germany."
