The coach gave the decisive tips for the 4-0 victory in the Champions League game at Benfica Lisbon by radio.
Afflicted: Julian Nagelsmann in training on Tuesday
Initially, the Munich Bavarians believed in a flu-like infection that caught their head coach Julian Nagelsmann, a corona test then brought the certainty: Despite a full vaccination, the 34-year-old is infected with the virus. To be on the safe side, Nagelsmann had already been isolated before the Champions League game at Benfica Lisbon, he is now supposed to return to Germany separately from the rest of the Munich delegation with an ambulance pilot.
Even without their coach, Bayern continued their run of success on Wednesday evening: Benfica was dealt 4-0. Co-trainer Dino Toppmöller gave his debut as a coach and was able to rely on help from the team hotel. Julian Nagelsmann was mentally and emotionally fully involved – and also set the course for victory.
“It was Julian's idea how we should organize the changes. It was a brave decision to bring Serge – but in the end the right one, ”said Toppmöller, who was in contact with his boss via radio at least from the break. “You can see that Julian is sick, but still very quick in his head – and had a great idea,” said Toppmöller about the Gnabry idea. Serge Gnabry's offensive move for Benjamin Pavard when the score was 0-0 was a factor on the road to victory.
Leroy Sané (70th / 85th minute), an own goal by Everton (80th) and a goal from world footballer Robert Lewandowski (83rd) made Bayern celebrate a “well-deserved victory”, as Toppmöller found. “It wasn't like I did the big Zampano there. I'm glad we won the game and that we represented Julian well in the coaching team, ”said the son of former Bundesliga coach Klaus Toppmöller, whom he wanted to contact on the night of Lisbon. In addition to Dino Toppmöller, the Nagelsmann assistants Benjamin Glück and Xaver Zembrod also played their part in the clear success.
After the defeats of Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg, the Munich team once again documented their exceptional position. And not only nationally, but also internationally. Because as well as the Munich team at their club record start with three wins in three games and 12-0 goals, no other team made it into the new premier league season this season. “When you see how hungry they have always been in the last few years, also in the championship – that's one of our great strengths. I hope it stays that way, ”said the outstanding Sané.
Perhaps the game would have been steered in a different direction if captain Manuel Neuer had not brilliantly prevented the deficit twice. “That's why we have the best goalkeeper in the world in our goal,” said Toppmöller.
Up front, Kingsley Coman was back in the starting XI for the first time since his minor heart operation. “I feel very good. I am very happy that I can play without heart problems, ”said the winger. The game was really special for him: in the Champions League triumph 14 months ago, he scored the 1-0 winning goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the same place.
