It wasn't the defeat that Julian Nagelsmann was in his mood for on his debut as coach of FC Bayern Munich.
After the 2: 3 (2: 2) on Saturday against Bundesliga rivals 1. FC Köln, the 33-year-old was much more concerned with the growing list of injuries in the squad without the national players.
"It will be difficult," said the coach with a view to the next weeks of preparation.
"We have to see how we get through."
Even before the soccer test match kicked off in Villingen, Bayern reported that Marc Roca had failed due to a torn ankle ligament. "It's particularly bitter for him," said Nagelsmann. “In his free time he improved again and saw his chance to play his way into the team. I hope he gets back on his feet quickly. ”The Spaniard will probably be absent for six to eight weeks.
Christopher Scott and Taylor Booth then had to leave the field prematurely against Cologne. The training squad, which should stay that way until the return of the German and French national players and Robert Lewandowski, is shrinking. “Both complained of muscular problems. We have to wait for further investigations. But it was a shame we had to take it down. They performed well up to the point of being substituted ”, praised Nagelsmann, who watched the performance of his rump squad chewing gum and sitting calmly on a white plastic chair.
Due to the available staff, he was able to assess the performance well. At the same time, after a few days on Säbener Strasse, he also internalized the winning mentality of the record champions. “Basically, we always want to win at FC Bayern, and that also applies to the friendly matches. But if you can see our squad, then that was okay, ”said Nagelsmann and pleaded for mitigating circumstances. "It was entertaining and interesting, so we can also take something positive with us."
His team took the lead through Armindo Sieb (6th minute), before Cologne turned the game around with Jan Thielmann (20th) and Mark Uth (27th). Before the break, returnee Joshua Zirkzee equalized for Bayern, but in the second half Uth made his brace perfect (56th). In contrast to Nagelsmann, Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart offered a starting eleven, which could also be on the field against Hertha BSC on August 15.
From the start, Nagelsmann relied on the two newcomers Dayot Upamecano and Omar Richards, among others. "I had a very good feeling with my new team, we talked a lot on the pitch," said Upamecano, describing his impressions. “I'm just looking forward to the team and my first game. The result is not good, but I think we still have a lot of games and will do better next time. "