He is totally embarrassing. Pep Guardiola looks in his plaid shirt and the bashful look like a schoolboy who has not done his homework and confesses to the teacher. A bit of it is true. “In recent months, I have taken only one hour German lessons. An hour!” Admits the coach of FC Bayern. Guardiola rüffelt itself.
He had a lot more done, the 43-year-old is in his vocabulary and its grammar after over a year in Germany not satisfied. Saturday there was again no opportunity for learning. Offering players he went to Neuburg an der Donau, to accept his new official car sponsor Audi
Who wants him the learning deficit blame? It’s just never time. And no place in his mind for words and pluperfect. The is full of worries, despite the 2: 1 (1: 0) in the first game of the season against VfL Wolfsburg on Friday evening. Javi Martinez injured, injured Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery injured Thiago injured, Rafinha injured. And the other five world champions and two World Cup semi-finalists Arjen Robben and Dante after the late holiday and the short pre-season far from a hundred percent. For Guardiola, it is the second start of the season at Bayern – and is as difficult as the first again. If not difficult. “We are up to the winter break problems,” he says, pulling his brow.
At the opening in the 52nd season of the Bundesliga shot with Thomas Müller and Robben two World Cup players the gates. But the problems remain. Soon come the first English weeks, then the season really gets going. And on the defensive against the Munich Wolfsburg were phased prone. “We still have much room for improvement,” says Müller. And Robben says: “I’ve never even made a test match After twenty minutes I was already broken madness…”
The triumph of the German national team in Brazil – for Guardiola he is blessing and a curse. He has his players of course indulged in this historic success. He knew the importance of this tournament, just for Philipp Lahm and Schweinsteiger. Had it not worked again with the title, the speech would have been of the “golden generation” who do not manage to do the last step again. Guardiola urged his football during the World Cup, therefore, with SMS and e-mails to. Gave advice, they motivated. He was at the time in South America traveling and wanted to welcome in any case in Munich to start training players who are mentally on the ground.
Now he’s back as a world champion. Full of self-confidence. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and seals can be even Europe Player of the Year Thursday even. Holds the world title additional hazards? Are the heroes of Rio full now? It is the challenge for Guardiola: To promote the greed of his star ensemble on the big trophies. “The world title is an interesting, but also difficult situation for our club is,” says sporting director Matthias Sammer. Therefore Guardiola held before the game against Wolfsburg a speech full of aggression. “You should see him. Incredible!” Says Sammer.
When Guardiola took over the team of the championship record in June 2013, it had just under his predecessor Jupp Heynckes won five titles. It was for the Spaniard as difficult as now, it was said that Bayern have committed an architect, but the house’m getting. Guardiola then won the Double and managed in the Champions League to the semifinals, 0: 4 in the second leg in Munich against Real Madrid, a lesson. Nevertheless, all spoke at the club from a very good season. Is heard from his environment that Guardiola summer vacation was much needed. His first season in Munich has cost him a lot of strength. Now he seems fresh again, but often also thoughtful.
To what extent has changed Guardiola in the first year with record champions, sporting director Sammer was last asked. “I do not know. He gives the team everything he has., And recognize again what this band needs now. That’s impressive,” said the European champions 1996th
The pressure is great. Guardiola tries not to be too big to let him by increasing the high claims with clear targets. Does it have to be winning the Champions League this year? “The Champions League is the most beautiful woman., But the championship is the most important thing,” he says.
If Guardiola speaks on past performance of the team under his leadership, He looks down and wonders in between long. “My first year at Bayern was much more difficult than my first year at FC Barcelona., We now know better, I know more about the league. Midfielder But I need! And I have almost no”, said the coach.
It lacks professionals who play a key role in his system: Only Thiago, now Martínez. And after the club has sold for economic reasons Toni Kroos at Real. The injuries bring Guardiola plans messed up. Against Wolfsburg needed a B-solution, he left the 17-year-old Gianluca Gaudino play defensive midfielder and a half years injured Holger Badstuber in defense. “Pep is known to be brave,” said Sammer. Nevertheless, the coach wants a new player, the club negotiated with the Moroccan defender Mehdi Benatia AS Roma .
Guardiola had Before taking office, all just concocted in the first year at Bayern he wanted his players to teach possession designed system, in the second to take the next step and make adjustments. About to switch on the defensive from quadruple to triple chain. “The game structure is thus better. And we can counter better control,” said the coach. . The plan is now much more difficult to implement
He has a “Spain – Connection” together to be even more perfect system implement. In his assistant Domenec Torrent, fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura, consultants Estiarte Manel Martínez, Thiago and additions Juan Bernat and Pepe Reina Guardiola has seven compatriots at the club. On the training ground, he speaks German, Catalan, Spanish and English.
From him he is also the beginning of the second season in Munich little price. During the summer he was with his team in training camp in the United States . During a boat trip across the Hudson in New York Guardiola stood at the rail and looked dreamily at the Empire State Building. He did not think there times of formation and tactics? On most of his thoughts he can share only closest confidants. During the U.S. tour he betrayed after all, that he even wants to coach a national team. “But now only counts the FC Bayern.”
As of now, he wants to learn German regularly again. He has already concocted the textbooks. And hopes that its stars help him to have a few hours to practice. By Win on. And stay healthy.
No comments:
Post a Comment