It was the sort of goal you’d expect him to score, but Thomas Müller surprised fans and experts alike with his confession. “The coach will say I meant it,” said Bayern’s match-winner in the 2-1 victory over Schalke. “I just wanted to make it a dangerous ball in and test the goalkeeper. I had a bit of luck on my side with it going in.”
Müller’s magic on the pitch has little to do with luck, though. The 2014 World Cup winner is in dazzling form and already has three goals to his name since the winter break – one more than he managed in the whole first half of the season. Müller knows he has the unreserved trust of the coaching staff, which “gives you that bit more out on the pitch.” It sounds like a logical recipe for success: More confidence, more goals.
Bayern unbeaten with Müller goals
“Thomas is a really important player for us, not just as a captain but also as a leader,” said Jupp Heynckes to underline the significance of the 28-year-old. “He’s in good form once again.” And Müller is working just as hard as ever on that. “I always exert myself just as hard,” the Bavaria native explained. “Sometimes the reward isn’t so good, but sometimes it’s super. That’s why you have to celebrate those moments when they come. Moreover, it’s about remaining on the ball!”
The rule tends to be, when Müller is on form, so are Bayern. The forward has found the back of the net in 79 Bundesliga matches throughout his career, and the record champions are yet to lose any of those games (W75, D4). He celebrated his 200th victory in FCB colours in the game against Schalke – just his 275th appearance for the club. “Thomas is a hugely important player,” added Sven Ulreich. “He sometimes does things where he himself doesn’t know how he’s done it. It’s a relief as a goalkeeper to be on the same side as him.”
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