Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich ‘back down to earth’ after Cup exit
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Bayern Munich forward Thomas Mueller (left) and Freiburg defender Manuel Gulde tussling for the ball during the match.
PHOTO: AFP
MUNICH – Captain Thomas Muller said Bayern Munich had “come back down to earth”, after a 2-1 home loss to Freiburg on Tuesday saw them knocked out of the German Cup.
Bayern beat Dortmund 4-2
But an injury-time penalty for a handball by Jamal Musiala, converted by Freiburg forward Lucas Holer, saw the visitors grab their first-ever victory at the Allianz Arena in the quarter-final clash.
Bayern, 20-time German Cup winners, have now been eliminated before the semis for three straight years since their treble-winning season in 2019-20.
“(We’re) sitting here now with broken shards of something. For this year, it’s over again in the German Cup,” said a “disillusioned and brutally disappointed” Muller, 33, who scored a brace against Dortmund. “Now we’ve emotionally come back down to earth – or a bit further down.”
Bayern dismissed Nagelsmann during the international break despite the team having lost only three matches in all competitions this season.
Tuchel said his new team were lacking “that last bit of greed and hunger” to win, but still took the blame for the defeat.
“The expectation was, of course, to win and we were in the situation to win,” said the 49-year-old, who won the 2016-17 German Cup as Dortmund coach.
“We conceded two goals with two shots... We are very disappointed (to lose) a quarter-final at home. Of course, I am responsible.”
His opposite number Christian Streich was pleased with his charges’ fervour and endeavour.
“I am delighted with this result... It was a passionate performance and then you need such a moment to win it,” said the Freiburg coach.
Also reaching the last four are Eintracht Frankfurt, after a 2-0 victory over Union Berlin thanks to Randal Kolo Muani’s double in two minutes. AFP, REUTERS
