Man…it had been a while since we had a controversy, let alone one involving stepovers.
Where is Michael Cuisance — aka the #StepoverKing — when you need him?
Anyway, Tz compiled a report from different sources,
which indicates that wonder boy Lennart Karl earned a stern talking to from his boss after some late-game stepovers could have been perceived at disrespectful to Borussia Mönchengladbach:
The Bayern youngster apparently behaved disrespectfully—possibly with provocative stepovers or other antics. “Something that would have prompted an old-school defender to make a final tackle,” Lienen described the scene. According to information from Absolut Fussball, the soccer portal of Home of Sports, the scene involved Karl’s multiple step-overs in the final stages of the game.
“The coach must have grabbed him after the game and given him a dressing down,” Lienen said, describing his son’s observation. The cameraman even heard the lecture as he walked through Borussia Park with his equipment.
According to our information, however, the “run-in” was not as bad as it seemed. The Bayern coach did not approve of the action either. Kompany therefore told Karl that he should not provoke unnecessarily in such situations. Other opponents might react differently.
BFW Commentary
Now…if true, this is the exact kind of advice you would want a former center-back to give to his young attacking phenom.
Is it a reason to worry about arrogance? Well…have you seen what Lamine Yamal has been up to?
Okay then.
More than anything, this can be chalked up as a learning moment and some sage advice being given by a guy who would know a thing or two about why some defenders might want to go studs up after being embarrassed.
The Instagram-ification and Tik-Toxicity of the modern athlete needs to be understood as part of the deal at this point — and that generation just views things differently. For them, some extra, flashy stepovers are just another few seconds on the highlight reel. It’s not personal, it’s just brand building.
For old-schoolers, we might not love it, but it is really just how it is for the kids these days. Even defenders are not as offended as they would have been 20 years ago.
It is a new world, but it does not hurt to listen to some wise words from a guy like Kompany, who knows what he is talking about.
Bayern Munich has a renewed emphasis on winning the DFB-Pokal and will look to take the next step on the road at RheinEnergieSTADION.
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany could have some tough decisions with his lineup. Should he rest key players or is this game too important against a dangerous enough opponent to take a risk?
We will talk about all of that and more on the latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show. This is what we have on tap:
- What to watch for with FC Köln in the DFB-Pokal.
- A look at Bayern Munich’s injury situation.
- A guess at Bayern Munich’s starting XI.
- A prediction on the match.
