Daily Schmankerl: Discuss the Champions League HERE!; Pundit slams Bayern

Anyone else already excited for the weekend? Or are you nervous for Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin?

• By
  
  CSmith1919
  
• on February 22, 2023 1:42 am

When Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann pulled Thomas Müller after 16 minutes of play on Saturday against Borussia Mönchengladbach, it was a very questionable move that even the boss, himself, referred to as “crappy.”

Noted pundit Didi Hamann had some strong words of his own about the move — and he was not kind to Nagelsmann.

“I think you shouldn’t take out the captain in such a situation. After all, he’s the extended arm (of the coach),” said Hamann. “You can’t take the captain out of there. If you take him off in that phase, he shouldn’t have been the captain at all.” With the change, Nagelsmann makes himself “vulnerable as a coach,” per Hamann.

It should be noted that Müller did not lash out at Nagelsmann for the move.

At one point, Bayern Munich was linked to Chelsea FC attacker Hakim Ziyech and it appears that the Bavarians are once again kicking the tires on the 29-year-old:

After failing to sign him in January, Paris Saint-Germain remain interested in Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, but Bayern Munich have also registered their interest in landing the Morocco international.

Ziyech is a nice player, but I think there would need to be some roster turnover for him to get a spot with Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League certainly lived up to its lofty billing, but the Bavarians cannot sit back and rest on their laurels.

A bit banged up and maybe a little weary, Julian Nagelsmann will have some key decisions to make this weekend, but that is not nearly all there is to talk about this week. This is what we have on tap for this episode:

• A preview on Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach.
• Some thoughts on Bayern Munich’s 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain — and what might happen in the next match.
• Julian Nagelsmann seems to be debating on what system (back three vs. back four) works better for his squad.
• What is Thomas Müller’s role on this team?
• Should Bayern Munich ink Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to an extension?

Sport Bild captured some quotes from RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol via The Times that were very revealing.

“My agent called me and said Chelsea are very interested and of course you consider a serious offer from a big club like Chelsea. Leipzig said they don’t want to sell me. In the end, I really struggled with this decision, but we didn’t reach an agreement. It is like it is. I’m here, and that’s a good thing,…