Okay, the result was perhaps not quite what FC Bayern had hoped for at the start of the new calendar year. “Of course we wanted to win the game,” admitted Manuel Neuer. But after the 1-1 draw at FC Basel, a smile also flitted across the captain’s face as he summarised the game and raised an interesting topic that can be taken away from this Saturday afternoon in Switzerland.
The hot prospects from the youth academy, who came on as substitutes in the second half, were a breath of fresh air in the sold-out St. Jakob-Park. One of their number scored the deserved equaliser when Noël Aséko Nkili struck in the 70th minute.
Praise for the youngsters
For 18-year-old Aséko, today’s match marked his senior debut for the club. Adam Aznou (17), Benedikt Wimmer (18) and Lovro Zvonarek (18) also played their first minutes. “What the boys brought to the pitch, not just today but in training too, was very good. Everyone gets stuck in. It’s not always easy for young players to keep up with what is demanded here, but everyone involved is doing their absolute best,” said veteran Neuer, praising the youngsters. Also, both Frans Krätzig and Mathys Tel hit the gas immediately after being brought on.
Aleksandar Pavlović, on the other hand, who started as a defensive midfielder, built on last year’s good performances with another assured display. “When you see how he’s playing and consider what he already brings to the team, you can see the potential is there. The youngsters have what it takes and keep learning day in, day out,” acknowledged sporting director Christoph Freund. Coach Thomas Tuchel added: “The changes re-energised us. The boys were keen to show something.”
The road to the top is long, but still possible. This realisation is definitely hopeful and something to work towards.
Noël Aséko Nkili scores the equaliser against Basel with a long-range effort
The attitude was nearly spot on in the first half. Even if Thomas Tuchel felt the team didn’t show “enough hunger in the final third”, there were several chances to take the lead. The desire to win back possession immediately after losing it in the opposition half was also impressive, with the team seamlessly switching gears and turning defence into attack. Tuchel said: “We didn’t capitalise on our opportunities, otherwise we would have comfortably won the first half”.
Focus on team building
Before the Bundesliga restarts on 12 January with the home game against TSG Hoffenheim, there are still a few intensive training sessions left before the team head to Faro in Portugal for a training camp from 14 to 18 January. The focus there will be on team building in addition to the training sessions. Tuchel said: “I really wanted more time with the team. You can spend more time on the training ground and also strengthen the team spirit.”
Temperatures in Faro in January are usually between 15 and 20 degrees, so the prospects are bright. “The conditions will be very good, we’ll use the time to continue to grow as a team,” emphasised Neuer.
First rally the team, then turn the heat on the opposition.
Reaction from the friendly against Basel here:
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