Football magician Jamal Musiala came onto the training pitch with a big smile and was joking with his teammates in high spirits. After his Bundesliga gala in the 4-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen, the 19-year-old should successfully lead FC Bayern into the groundbreaking week in the Champions League with the German Clásico as the highlight.
"Now we can't sit back, we have to take the same hunger and the same energy into the next games," demanded Musiala, whose team against Viktoria Pilsen without the leaders Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich, who tested positive for Corona, are expanding a record series in Europe can.
After two wins in two games in the Croesus League, coach Julian Nagelsmann's star ensemble is aiming for the next step towards the round of 16 this Tuesday (6.45 p.m. / DAZN) in Munich's Allianz Arena. "We want to continue like this against Pilsen and try to gain even more self-confidence so that we can go to Dortmund with a good feeling," said captain Manuel Neuer.
Bayern-like again
The stopped negative trend in the league - and that with a style of play that was Bayern-like again - ensured a relaxed atmosphere in the final training session before the unequal showdown with the pointless group taillight from the Czech Republic. "We hope that we can do better in the Champions League," said Nagelsmann.
But Pilsen is just a stopover on the way to the Bundesliga showdown with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. "It's just the game that football Germany looks forward to all year," said Leon Goretzka.
After Kimmich's positive corona test, he is particularly in focus. Goretzka should help shape the Bayern game in midfield. For Müller, Serge Gnabry and not Kingsley Coman, who was applauded when he returned to training, should make his starting eleven debut this Champions League season. During a loose kick before the start of the unit on Monday, Goretzka gave Gnabry the obligatory snap in his ears after a lost game.
Corona cases
Whether Müller and Kimmich can return against BVB is the most exciting question that accompanies Munich in this hot week. Both professionals tested positive at the weekend. They were described by the association as symptom-free. First of all, coach Nagelsmann has to plan without the two managers.
It is all the more important that Musiala, who Neuer has chosen as the "key player" for the club and national team, continues to direct. "That's nice to hear. I just want to develop my game and help the team as much as possible," said the 19-year-old about the captain's praise.
After the "positive signal" in the clear home win against Leverkusen through goals from Leroy Sané, Musiala, Sadio Mané and Müller, the Czech champions should have the sole record of 31 group games without defeat. "It was a first step in the right direction. But we're all well advised not to overthink it. It's important to show this attitude game after game," said CEO Oliver Kahn. More goals are expected from Mané. "The next few games will show whether it was a knot burst. I really hope so," said Nagelsmann.
In the period from 2012 to 2017, Real Madrid, like Munich, managed a series of 30 unbeaten games, which Bayern can surpass on Tuesday at an unusually early Champions League hour. This season there were two wins against Inter Milan (2-0) and FC Barcelona (2-0). After the two games against Pilsen, where the second leg is on Wednesday in a week's time, the way to the round of 16 should finally be paved.
