It has been quite an intense few weeks for Bayern Munich and head coach Thomas Tuchel. With an injury crisis plaguing Die Rekordmeister, they have had to contend with this while simultaneously dealing with an onslaught of fixtures.
However, while the German champions have been able to retrieve positive results, including fighting back from 2-0 down against RB Leipzig on matchday 6, Tuchel is unhappy that some of his players are having to go through further stress with the German national team. Julian Nagelsmann’s team will be travelling to the United States for two friendly matches against the USA and Mexico early next week.
The Bayern head coach commented during the press conference prior to Bayern’s game against Freiburg: “I didn’t have to wait until now to raise my eyebrows. I don’t know if I’d be interested in playing against Mexico in America before a European Championship in Germany. I don’t know if anyone can explain this so conclusively that I completely understand it. I don’t know who decided it, but it has been decided.”
“We’ve now had three away games with the rigours of travel. The German national players are now going away again and will come back with jet lag on Thursday. Then they sit on the plane to Mainz on Friday and on the plane to Istanbul on Monday. Then they come back on Wednesday and then there is only one home game between the away games in the cup and in Dortmund.”
“There is a difference between a busy schedule and everything away from home and in different time zones. This is at the end of the endurance. No coach in the world at this level will say otherwise. It’s just that we’re only ever asked about it when everything has been decided. Nobody ever asks questions before something is decided. They probably know our opinion and don’t want to hear it. Therefore it is idle.”
Tuchel’s frustration is clear to see, and with a squad that is light on their feet has certainly only added to his problems. With the news that Jérôme Boateng will no longer be joining Bayern – thanks in part to fan criticism – Die Rekordmeister will now have to look elsewhere for reinforcement as they look to challenge on three fronts this season.
GGFN | Will Shopland
