Nagelsmann wants Bayern to imitate Leverkusen’s performance in Lisbon – Observer
Coach Julian Nagelsmann said this Tuesday that, against Benfica, he expects Bayern Munich to maintain the level presented with Bayer Leverkusen (5-1) and to impose their football at Estádio da Luz, in the Champions League.
There is always room for improvement, but it would be good to maintain the level we displayed in the last game in the German League. We want to maintain the stability in Lisbon that we showed with Leverkusen. We have to impose ourselves as we have done so far. We have to continue this work. This is the priority”, said Julian Nagelsmann.
The 34-year-old coach was speaking to journalists at the club’s training center outside Munich at the preview conference for Wednesday’s third round match of Champions Group E.
In this meeting with Bayer Leverkusen, in the eighth round of the Bundesliga, the German champions crushed their rivals in the first half (5-0), ending up saving frame in the second.
“Benfica are a great team from Portugal and have everything for tomorrow [quarta-feira] play good football and cause us problems. I don’t think Benfica is afraid of us. He will play in a stadium full of his fans. Besides, Benfica have experienced players and a coach with a lot of experience”, he said.
Thirty-three years younger, Nagelsmann assumed that he accompanied the career of Jorge Jesus and praised the “passion” of the Portuguese coach.
“It has attractive football. Not young like me, more experienced. It is interesting to see how he continues to live this profession with all his passion. He’s one of the people I follow in football and I’m excited to meet him ”, said the German, referring to a 67-year-old Portuguese coach.
Nagelsmann further announced that Alphonso Davies and Goretzka are not able to play will fail the game in Lisbon.
At the same press conference, French defender Dayot Upamecano assumed the goal of not conceding goals at Estádio da Luz and highlighted the experience of Benfica players.
It is an experienced team, plays at home and will want to win. We have to be prepared. We don’t want to concede goals and that’s our biggest concern. Benfica is a team used to the Champions League, but we want to win and increase the advantage in the group”, said the 22-year-old centre-back.
Bayern Munich lead Group E with six points, while Benfica are second with four. Dinamo Kiev is third with one, and FC Barcelona remains with zero.
The match for the third round of Group E of the Champions League is scheduled for 20:00, at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, with refereeing by the Romanian Ovidiu Hategan.