BERLIN: Thomas Müller set a Bayern Munich record for Bundesliga appearances and celebrated by scoring in a 3-0 win over Bochum to keep the defending champion on top on Saturday.
It was Müller’s 428th league appearance for Bayern, one more than club great Gerd Müller, and the most for any outfield player at the club. Only goalkeepers Oliver Kahn (429) and Sepp Meier (473) have played more Bundesliga games for Bayern.
Müller capitalized on a botched backpass from Bochum defender Saidy Janko to break the deadlock in the 41st minute with his fourth league goal of the season. He has 141 altogether.
Bayern substitute Kingsley Coman then scored after some fine combination play in the 64th and Serge Gnabry made it 3-0 with a penalty in the 73rd after he was fouled by the luckless Janko.
It kept Bayern three points clear of Borussia Dortmund, which defeated Werder Bremen 2-0 away to maintain their perfect start to 2023.
Bayern next visit Paris Saint-Germain the Champions League. Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann was evidently thinking of Tuesday’s game when he took Müller off at halftime and gave some time off to João Cancelo, Jamal Musiala, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Leroy Sané.
Midfielder Arijon Ibrahimović — no relation to Swedish star Zlatan — came on in the 77th for his Bayern debut.
Müller sets record, scores to keep Bayern top in Bundesliga
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Müller sets record, scores to keep Bayern top in Bundesliga
- It was Müller's 428th league appearance for Bayern, one more than club great Gerd Müller, and the most for any outfield player at the club
- Only goalkeepers Oliver Kahn (429) and Sepp Meier (473) have played more Bundesliga games for Bayern
Maresca ‘relaxed’ about Chelsea’s rough patch
- Chelsea boss Maresca was Friday named Premier League manager of the month for November
- “For us November was fantastic. December, we didn’t start in the way we would like, even if it’s just one week ago we played Leeds, ” Maresca said
LONDON: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said he was “completely relaxed” about his side’s dip in form as he seeks greater consistency ahead of Saturday’s home match against Everton.
The Blues thumped Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on November 25 and earned an impressive 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal days later.
But they have not won since, losing at Leeds and Atalanta and drawing with Bournemouth.
Chelsea boss Maresca was Friday named Premier League manager of the month for November, in recognition of his side’s unbeaten record.
“We are in December now,” he said, laughing, at his press conference.
“This kind of thing is because you do the right things in terms of performance and results,” he added.
“For us November was fantastic. December, we didn’t start in the way we would like, even if it’s just one week ago we played Leeds (a 3-1 defeat on December 3).
“So it’s just three games in a row in one week that we didn’t get the results that we expect but we are now focused on the next one.”
Chelsea, who won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup last season, are fifth in the Premier League, eight points behind Arsenal.
Maresca said he was relaxed about Chelsea’s mini-slump.
“It’s football, it’s completely normal,” he said. “I understand most of the time we are always looking for problems or things we need to solve.
“The Leeds game was last Wednesday, eight or nine days ago. We are not going to change our season because we didn’t get the points that we expect.
“But I’m completely relaxed, I’m completely OK because I’m sure that at the end of the season we’re going to be where we have to be.”
The Italian admitted that improving consistency was the next step for his young squad.
“In terms of human beings, it’s impossible to be all season at the same level but for sure probably we need to learn things and to avoid that in the future,” he said.
Maresca said forward Cole Palmer should be available to face Everton after missing Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat by Atalanta.
