Strong performance by Alaba in Bayern victory over Leverkusen
Congratulations on the 31st German championship of FC Bayern and on the seventh title of his tenure, successful coach Hansi Flick does not accept any on his farewell tour. “I told the team before the game that we could take a huge step in the right direction. We did that,” said the satisfied Munich coach after the 2-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen. “If possible, we want to win in Mainz too, then you are welcome to congratulate.”
After a victory on Saturday at FSV Mainz 05, when Robert Lewandowski wants to resume his hunt for Gerd Müller's legendary 40-goal record, the triple winner would celebrate the championship title en suite with ÖFB star David Alaba in the ninth year. For the second time under Flick's command, for the 30th time in Bundesliga times, which would mean the fifth star on the jerseys.
“The championship is our goal and we are very close. Even if the season didn't go perfectly, we can grab the title and that's the goal,” assured Joshua Kimmich, who after taking the lead from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting ( 7.) himself had scored the goal to the final score (13th) early and was next to Alaba the best Munich player in the 50th league win against Bayer Leverkusen. The 1: 2 by RB Leipzig in Cologne made Bayern's joy a little bigger after the home win.
Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann had actually written off the title after the 0-0 draw against Hoffenheim on Friday. “I'm more annoyed that we didn't win than that we weren't going to be champions. Even before the match day, the probability was no longer very high,” admitted the 33-year-old.
Nagelsmann had no doubts about the character of his team. “It's really easy to analyze. It's not a character thing,” he asserted that the small crisis was solely due to the exploitation of opportunities. “The problem wasn't Cologne, it was us ourselves. 41:10 shots on goal and 1: 2 goals against Hoffenheim and Cologne show where the basic problem lies. We don't play badly, we narrow our opponents well, but we score far too few goals.”
In contrast, Flick's surprisingly short term of office will soon be adorned with seven titles. “We have ten points ahead. So we can and want to close the bag on Saturday,” emphasized Flick, who did not want to comment on the supposedly fixed move from David Alaba to Spain's record champions Real Madrid. “He hasn't told me that yet, so I don't want to comment on that yet.”
Of course, the upcoming comeback of world footballer Lewandowski was also an issue. After his forced break and 35 goals so far, the Pole has shown restraint. “There are four games to break the record. That means I have to score at least six more goals,” said the striker soberly. After his break there are also “question marks” about how things are going for him without a rhythm.
The 32-year-old sometimes also longs for anonymity. “Just go for a walk with the family – without that feeling of being watched all the time,” said the star striker of the “GQ” (April issue) in an interview. “Please don't get me wrong, most people are very nice to me. If someone congratulates me on a good game, I'm naturally happy about it. I also know what that means to people. But sometimes I wish for a no-name to be – and to go for a walk anonymously, for example. “
