'Gutless' Munich played without freedom against table toppers Bayern Leverkusen, mulls Muller
Bayern Munich forward Thomas Mueller was heavily critical of his side on Saturday after a 3-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen left the champions five points behind in the Bundesliga title race.
Leverkusen took the lead after 18 minutes thanks to Munich-born Josip Stanisic, who is on a season-long loan from Bayern.
Wing-back Alex Grimaldo scored a second shortly after half-time and Jeremie Frimpong rounded off the win by going the length of the field to score in the fifth minute of injury time.
Mueller, a 12-time title winner with Bayern including the last 11 in a row, was visibly angry speaking with reporters after the match.
«What do I think we were missing? In training we show what we can do much better because we are courageous, because we play football freely,» Mueller said. «What we're missing is the guts and some freedom to play.
»Leverkusen were taking risks, looking for solutions and playing football. We're playing from A to B, B to C, and nobody plays freely or takes risks."
«There are some consequences that you can see on the pitch and that's why I'm pissed off,» he added.
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Mueller laid the blame for the defeat at the feet of the players, deflecting criticism from coach Thomas Tuchel.
«There are not always clear reasons why,» Mueller said. «We weren't there today. There were enough international-calibre players — that's why we don't need to discuss the coach.»
Leverkusen's defence, the best in the league, kept star Bayern striker Harry Kane quiet, with the England captain unable to add to his tally of 24 league goals.
Tuchel was at a loss to explain why more was not seen from Kane, telling reporters he was «not exactly sure
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