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In preparation for Tuesday's match day 5 Bundesliga contest against league-leading SC Paderborn (yes, that's not a typo), Pep and media director Markus Hörwick sat down with the sports journalists to answer questions.
FC Bayern Press Conference, September 22nd, 2014
In order to not condition the assembled reporters to expect him to show up early for press conferences, like he did last Friday, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola went back to his usual habit of being fashionably late, arriving 5 minutes after the scheduled time.
Let's get to it, here are Pep's thoughts (my interjections in italics):
On the current placement in the BL standings - The standings aren't important this early in the season, Bayern will improve, but they need time. Players are tired, because of the World Cup, the short vacations, and the abbreviated training camp.
On playing a newly promoted team - Early in the season, anything can happen, especially against a new team that others are not familiar with. Later in the season, a club like Bayern will be in a groove, and the small teams are less likely to trip them up.
On how close Ribery and Robben are to returning, and the effect on the team - Ribéry is out for Tuesday, Robben may be available. FC Bayern needs them, creative players that can go 1-on-1 in the last 15 meters of the field. But they have to adjust to their absence.
On Robert Lewandowski's performances and lack of goal scoring - Lewandowski is suffering from some adductor problems, is not at 100% fitness, but Pep is satisfied with the Polish striker's play.
On Jérôme Boateng's progression as a player - When he does not have to deal with his occasional back problems, Boateng has it all. He is fast, plays well forward and back, and is good in buildup play. Pep believes that the CB has not reached his potential yet, with added experience, he will get even better.
On his thoughts about SC Paderborn, and how they will play against Bayern - Pep didn't know anything about Paderborn (not surprising), and was surprised by their quality after doing his research. He expects them to play the same as they have in the first 4 games (aggressive, high press). If Paderborn wins, it will be a huge surprise, if they lose, it's no big deal.
On playing the WC in Qatar in the summer (a question from out of left field) - From his experience of having played in Qatar, Pep admits that the summer is very hot, and it would be difficult to play in those conditions (duh! But I guess obvious questions get obvious answers).
On Lewandowski, Alonso and Götze being on the bench against HSV, was that a mistake? - Pep wanted to give some of his tired players a rest (and Lewa has a minor injury, as mentioned above), his plan was to start the game with fresh legs, and bring the stars on in the last 30 minutes, to turn the game, if necessary. It didn't work out, which he accepts responsibility for. "If we win, I'm a super coach, if we lose, I'm arrogant."
On resting starters - Bayern can't play the entire season with 11 players. Pep needs everyone on the roster. The same problem applies to the other top teams (Dortmund, Schalke, Leverkusen).
On Manuel Neuer's excursion and hand ball, will he restrict his keeper's movement? - If Neuer feels he needs to come out, he can, he is smart enough to decide. He may allow a goal every once in a while, but he prevents many goals, so it's worth it (Pep specifically brings up Neuer's game-changing performance against Algeria in the World Cup).
On changing formations (3-man vs 4-man backline) - The team is more comfortable with a 4-man defense. In order to play a 3-man backline, the players need more practice time. Pep says the team will show a lot of improvement after the winter break, when they will have more time to train the new system.