Meine Bayern“ is the name of the column by SPORT BILD reporter legend Raimund Hinko that deals with the German record champion. Hinko has accompanied the Munich team for decades.
Dear Niko Kovac,
„I am sure that the coach will react sovereign to the first defeat“. With these words I finished this column a week ago. Phew, that came faster than expected with the defeat. And you actually kept your cool („I’m far from seeing everything black„).
I think it’s great. Of course, it doesn’t change the fact that it can become quite uncomfortable in the next weeks, months after this 0:2 in Berlin.
It would be too easy to swim with the current and to smack Jérôme Boateng. Although before the season I always thought that a transfer to Manchester United or Paris St. Germain would have been best for both sides. Although the BP (Boateng breakdowns) are too obvious.
When I’m unsure, I listen first and foremost to fans who know a lot about football, who often have a clearer view than players or people involved with the player. Fans who reflect the mood at the base. So Matthias Guenes from Füssen, Bavaria member number 75182, hotel manager in Hohenschwangau and trainer at TSV Kottern, wrote to me: „The Boateng is through! Stamp on the ass and goodbye. With Vidal we acted correctly. Not with Boateng. No focus, no fitness, no attitude.“
Above all I feel sorry for you, dear Niko. You fought for Jérôme. And now you see him poking around clumsily.
As with the two goals against Hertha, which he was to blame for, the first one was very bad. And as with the indebted opponent against Hoffenheim, when he let himself be wiggled out by the angular Adam Szalai on a beer mat surface. Even worse, I find Boateng’s wide balls over the opponent’s defence, where the other players are at the mercy of chance for better or worse. Usually the goalkeeper of the opponent is happy, as on Friday Herthas Thomas Kraft.
It would make sense to play in the reliable Niklas Süle, who should be set at 23, with the clever, sovereign Mats Hummels. There is no need for rotation with central defenders, the load is much lower than with outer defenders, midfielders and strikers.
Even if Boateng should still get a chance against Ajax Amsterdam – on Saturday against Mönchengladbach’s nimble offensives (Hazard, Plea, Hermann, Cuisance, Traoré) he would be a security risk.
It is strange that the game of the Bavarians is so left-heavy at the moment. This is why the impeccably industrious Franck Ribéry comes to many ball contacts, in school one would say to points of diligence.
The Frenchman usually runs towards his opponent with a determined eye – with a few exceptions it ends with a loss of the ball and the opponent’s counter chances. Now Ribéry is almost set because of the fatal injury of Kingsley Coman. But on the right Arjen Robben, the second oldie, seems faster and more dangerous. See the difficult 1:0 against Augsburg.
It wouldn’t be a mistake to bet on the 23-year-old Serge Gnabry on the left. The just quoted fan Matthias Guenes wrote me: „I love Ribéry…but also he is through. Goretzka, Gnabry, Coman, Kimmich, Sanchez – the future must begin.“
That is easier said than done. If Lucien Favre, a super trainer, consistently drops the stagnating Mario Götze at BVB, it’s easier in Dortmund than if you, Niko, sort out players you deserve in Munich, public favourites or even world champions. That’s a fact. Check Betfair Free bet for their promotions and bonused offered.
Ottmar Hitzfeld Honours
As player
- FC Basel
- Swiss Super League: 1971–72, 1972–73
- Swiss Cup: 1975
As manager
- FC Aarau
- Swiss Cup: 1985
- Grasshopper
- Swiss Super League: 1989–90, 1990–91
- Swiss Cup: 1989, 1990
- Swiss Super Cup: 1989
- Borussia Dortmund
- Bundesliga: 1994–95, 1995–96
- DFB-Supercup: 1995, 1996
- UEFA Champions League: 1996–97
- Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2007–08
- DFB-Pokal: 1999–00, 2002–03, 2007–08
- DFB Ligapokal: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007
- UEFA Champions League: 2000–01; Runner Up: 1998–99
- Intercontinental Cup: 2001
After phenomenal years with Louis van Gaal, Pep Guardiola and Jupp Heynckes, you were aware, Niko, that the task will be extremely difficult for you. Since the days of the great Ottmar Hitzfeld, no one else has rotated as mercilessly as you did in the 1-1 draw against FC Augsburg.
Hitzfeld lost 0:1 in February 2001 with a strongly rotated team after a goal by Miroslaw Spizak at the Munich suburban club SpVgg Unterhaching. From then on Hitzfeld reduced the rotation. And? Yes! in the end he won the championship ONLY with one point ahead of Schalke (five ahead of Dortmund) – but he won the Champions League with a shine. Man Niko, you could sign that right away. Then you would be one of the biggest Bayern coaches in your first year.