MY ACCOUNT
Julian Nagelsmann insisted Bayern Munich have not changed anything about their approach in recent weeks – they have just started being more ruthless in front of goal.
Bayern strolled to a 2-0 win at Hoffenheim on Saturday thanks to first-half goals from Jamal Musiala and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
The defending Bundesliga champions moved to within a point of surprise leaders Union Berlin, who travel to bottom side Bochum on Sunday.
Bayern’s need to catch up to Union is a result of a slow start to the campaign that saw Nagelsmann’s side go four games without a victory at one point, though they have won three of their last four since, with the dramatic 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund the only discrepancy.
The loss of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona at the end of last season and the lack of a like-for-like replacement led to concerns Bayern would need to adapt to a new way of playing.
Following the win at his former club Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann said nothing much has changed, his players are just finishing their chances with more regularity.
“I think we already had plenty of good games beforehand, we just didn’t use our chances,” he said at a post-match press conference. “There were games like against Stuttgart [2-2 home draw] where we should have been up three or four nil but ended up drawing. Similar against Dortmund as well.
“In general we didn’t change too much, neither did the players, they were already working hard… As I’ve said already, the players want to improve as well and have a very high expectation of themselves.
“We didn’t train differently, maybe a little more analysis, and then just [started] winning. At Bayern, you always need to win, then everything is great.”
The Bayern head coach also had positive news regarding Leroy Sane, who sustained a muscle injury in last week’s win against Freiburg, suggesting the Germany international will be back in training ahead of the World Cup next month.
“It’s difficult to predict [how long he will be out for] but the fact he’s already back on his feet is great,” he said. “We don’t really have much experience with him [in recovering from this type of injury] because he has not really had muscle problems… It’s not the biggest of injuries.
“He could be back in two-and-a-half or three weeks, and he can certainly be fit and in a good rhythm prior to the World Cup.”
