Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 7y

Thomas Muller's position at Bayern 'has been taken' - Lothar Matthaus

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has told tz "there is no place" for Thomas Muller in Carlo Ancelotti's strongest XI.

Thiago Alcantara has started for Bayern instead of Muller in Bayern's two biggest matches of the season so far -- a 3-0 win over RB Leipzig and last week's 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal in the Champions League.

According to Matthaus, "Muller's position has been taken" and while Thiago impressed, the Germany international was an unused substitute against Leipzig and had to make do with a cameo against the Premier League side, scoring the final goal of the evening as a substitute.  

"I like him and know what he has achieved," Matthaus said. "But, if no one gets injured, there's no place for him in Ancelotti's system for key games."

The 1990 World Cup winner believes there are four attacking players who will be particularly important for Treble-seeking Bayern this season.

"Much depends on Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Thiago who supply Robert Lewandowski. They have to grab control of games and create decisive chances," Matthaus added.

If Bayern are to be successful under Ancelotti's tutelage: "They are irreplaceable. If these three and Lewandowski are all on the pitch, the chances of Champions League success are considerably higher than if Ancelotti had to do without one or two of them."

Matthaus, a former Bayern captain, said he believes Bayern have struggled to break down five-man Bundesliga defences this season.

"Bayern have always had difficulties against a five-man defence because they don't enjoy the same space on the flanks as they did against Arsenal for example," he said.

"With their quality, Bayern were able to take a four-man backline apart at will."

^ Back to Top ^