FC Bayern before summit meeting
Matthäus explains why Müller has to play
National soccer player Thomas Müller is back in the starting eleven for FC Bayern. If it's up to Lothar Matthäus, it should stay that way at the upcoming Bundesliga summit. His qualities will be in demand, especially against Leverkusen.
Thomas Müller is back and he must be in a great mood. In the last three games of his FC Bayern in the Bundesliga, the veteran was only able to step in from the bench after a delay. In the 3-1 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach last Saturday, he made his comeback: Müller returned to the starting eleven.
Müller's return also delighted record national player Lothar Matthäus. The TV expert is therefore also campaigning for it not to be limited to this one game – at least for the summit meeting next Saturday against Bayer Leverkusen (6.30 p.m./Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de)“For me, he has to play,” said the 62-year-old in the talk show “Sky90”.
Matthäus was impressed by Gladbach's performance. Müller set up young star Aleksander Pavlovic's 1:1 and before Harry Kane's 2:1 header, he provoked the decisive mistake by Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas in an aerial battle. “With the enthusiasm he transfers to the team and his quality, I think he is definitely a candidate for the first eleven,” said Matthäus before the game against the league leaders, which is immensely important for Bayern. The Munich team are two points behind coach Xabi Alonso's as yet unbeaten surprise team.
“Especially against Leverkusen”
“Leverkusen will have a bit of trouble if you attack them early. They don't play long balls and want to combine their way out,” explained Matthäus. “They have technically good players, but if they are put under a lot of pressure, they will also make mistakes. Bayern can benefit from that and Müller can control this early pressing.”
Under coach Thomas Tuchel, Müller recently played a joker role, only starting in eight of his 20 Bundesliga appearances, but the Munich team is unbeaten when Müller starts. “Especially in a game like the one against Leverkusen, you need players up front who pull the team along and press,” said his former national team colleague Shkodran Mustafi on “Sky90” and praised Müller: “For me as a player, he has always helped me with the way he pulls the team along.”
It's possible that “Radio Müller” will also get his team going against Leverkusen. It would be his 501st win in Bayern's kit. He was given a jersey for his 500th win. But he didn't care. “I'm not a fan of all the anniversaries just because it's a round number of competitive wins. The feeling of victory is what's so great,” explained Müller. “What makes me happy is the fact that we can take the top of the table with a win.” And then his mood continues to be great.
