Nagelsmann lauds defensive unit, explains curious Bayern substitutions against Barça
While it was not the 8-2 shellacking everyone recalls from 13 months ago, Bayern's 3-0 win over Barcelona on Tuesday night fell into the category of a dominant command performance.
FCB trainer Julian Nagelsmann expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance after the match. Bayern's head-coach also explained a curious incident involving Kingsley Coman that took place late in the match.
Above all, Julian Nagelsmann found his defensive unit the most impressive on Tuesday night. Center backs Niklas Süle and Dayot Upamecano were able to consistently clear any danger out of the Barça penalty box. The clean sheet seemed well earned.
FCB trainer Julian Nagelsmann expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance after the match. Bayern's head-coach also explained a curious incident involving Kingsley Coman that took place late in the match.
"We defended very passionately and exceptionally well," Nagelsmann said after the match, "The main task [in the Champions' League] is to defend. The first thing the players have to be willing to do is everything they can not to concede a goal."
Süle eventually made way for Lucas Hernandez in the 66th minute, playing right back for a time after his Hernandez came on for fellow Frenchman Benjamin Pavard. Josip Stanisic then relieved Süle in the 82nd. Nagelsmann noted that he was pleased with everyone.
"If we continue to play like this and develop further, we can be considered one of the favorites in the competition," Nagelsmann beamed afterward.
On the topic of substitutions and "being relieved", Nagelsmann also explained why Kingsley Coman did not come on until the 82nd minute. Coman was actually supposed to replace Jamal Musiala in the 66th. Instead, after the fourth official flashed the numbers, the French winger removed his shinguards and the Hernandez-Pavard-Süle reorganization transpired.
"We had to wait until a visit to the restroom was over," Nagelsmann explained, "then we were able to implement."