Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, faced the press ahead of their away clash against Wolfsburg in Bundesliga Round 33 on May 10, reaffirming the club’s commitment to focus on football rather than officiating controversies.
Referee Decisions Under the Spotlight
Addressing the aftermath of their recent Champions League exit against PSG, Freund reflected on the disappointment permeating the club. “Two nights later, the disappointment is still strong. We were in good shape at the time and firmly believed that we could win the game. But competitive sports require the right time, place, and people, and it is often the details that determine the final result,” he stated. He acknowledged the ongoing debates about the officiating in that match but stressed the importance of returning the focus to the sport itself.
“It is obvious that many penalties were against us, but it is meaningless to argue about these now. We have always maintained regular communication with UEFA. The common goal of the club and UEFA should be to focus everyone on the football match itself, rather than the referee’s decisions. It is a pity that this could not be done in Wednesday’s match,” Freund added.
Potential New Additions
Freund also addressed speculation regarding Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s brother, who has recently trialed with Bayern. “I can confirm that his brother did come to the club, participated in training here, and played in a trial match. He is a very talented young player, and we will wait and see how he develops,” Freund remarked.
Future Squad Plans Unaffected by Recent Loss
Discussing the broader implications of their Champions League performance on squad planning, Freund noted, “The situation and competitive conditions before the match against PSG were very favorable, and the final victory or defeat was only a matter of detail. The game did not go as we wished, but overall, we performed exceptionally well this season, played very entertaining football, and remained in a stable state.”
While the loss against PSG was tough, he emphasized that the team would continue to strategize on player development and squad enhancement. “We will hold another meeting to discuss how to make the team stronger. Our current goal is to bring the second championship trophy of the season back to Munich,” he stated.
Focus on Precision in Player Acquisitions
As for the prospect of introducing new players, Freund clarified, “Nothing has been finalized yet, and related matters are still under discussion. But we will adhere to the team-building principles we have adhered to this season: the team’s lineup should not be too bloated, and we will continue to adhere to this.” He reassured fans that they would aim for precise and thoughtful additions rather than drastic overhauls, stating, “Our existing lineup is already very good, and we only need to make accurate and reasonable introduction decisions next.”
