Heading into Bayern Munich’s big Bundesliga showdown with RB Leipzig, midfielder Leon Goretzka knew his team was going to have to dig deep to pull out a crucial road victory.
With so many players taking part in a grueling international break last week, Goretzka just knew this game would be a grind.
“You could see that we were lacking strength today. But then you have to defend it in your own half. But we understood that well. That was the mentality you need,” Goretzka said (as captured by Tz).
Goretzka, of course, scored the game’s only goal in his squad’s 1-0 win. In doing so, he turned teammate Thomas Müller into a bit of a prophet as the veteran labeled Goretzka with a new nickname: Scoretzka.
“Thomas was probably bored during the international break. So I had to deliver today so that Mull is right as always,” Goretzka said with a laugh.
As for Müller, Goretzka is happy to have the wily star barking orders and causing chaos on the pitch — even if he sometimes feels like Müller might be a little too exuberant at times while pressing.
“Sometimes we also have to rein him in a bit in our pressing, so that he doesn’t just run off,” said Goretzka. “But the important thing is that we keep coaching ourselves.”
Even with the victory — and the new nickname — Goretzka was cautious. The win over RB Leipzig was a step in the right direction, but did not finish the job.
“There are still 21 points to be awarded. It was a big step, but not a decisive one,” said Goretzka.