Upamecano before the extension

©IMAGO

Sports director Max Eberl answered the question about defensive talent Luka Vuskovic of Hamburger SV with FC Bayern’s clear focus on a contract extension with Dayot Upamecano. « First of all, we will resolve our internal transfer. And once that is resolved, we will have a relatively high quality central defense, » Eberl said ahead of the Bundesliga champions’ record match against third-placed TSG Hoffenheim this Sunday (5:30 p.m./DAZN).

« That doesn’t mean Vuskovic is not a good player. He is 18 years old. He is having an exceptional season. He belongs to Tottenham Hotspur, » Eberl said of the Hamburg loanee. « But FC Bayern also have very good central defenders, Jonathan Tah, Upamecano and Minjae Kim, » Eberl explained. Defenders Josip Stanisic and Hiroki Ito, usually deployed on the outside, could also defend inside.

Then Eberl became fundamental: « We can’t sign all the good players that the public thinks should go to FC Bayern. Then, at some point, the other side comes in and says: ‘Max, we’re not money-making people. We can’t inflate the squad that much.’ So: very good player, without question. But our main objective is internal transfer, and this is known.

This meant Upamecano. The extension of the 27-year-old Frenchman, whose contract expires at the end of the season and who could then benefit from a free transfer, has dragged on for months. Now, after the latest twists and turns, Eberl said that « we’re almost at the finish line. We’re looking forward to the moment when we can finally announce it. »

Kompany confirms use of Kane and Neuer

The favorite, including Manuel Neuer and Harry Kane who are temporarily ill this week, is looking forward to Sunday’s breakthrough showdown (5:30 p.m./DAZN) with third-in-form TSG Hoffenheim. And this after a full week of training, “which we enjoyed”, as Vincent Kompany emphasizes. The Bundesliga’s two best offensive lines meet at the Allianz Arena, which promises to be a (Site notre bureau spécialisé) spectacle. “We are ready for the match,” Kompany said. “We have always shown that if an opponent wants to bring intensity, then we are there. It is also good for the supporters.” In the last ten games, only BVB have scored more points than Hoffenheim and Bayern.

Sports director Max Eberl added: « We want a match against TSG, who for me are the surprise team this season. They have just risen from the ashes like Phoenix and have built a very exciting team. We want to win. » Kompany is also not worried about second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who could even close the gap to three points with a win at VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday. « I’m not interested. You have to be in a tunnel phase, match by match, shot by shot. » At the end of the month, Munich will face BVB away in a direct duel.