Dayot Upamecano chose to join Bayern Munich ahead of Liverpool or Manchester United last summer but manager Julian Nagelsmann singled him out for criticism following their victory over Manchester United on Saturday.
Bayern Munich won the battle to sign central defense Dayot Upamecano this summer, however it hasn’t been all according to strategy with Dayot Upamecano. French international.
Upamecano was signed by Bayern at the end of last season from Bundesliga Rivalries RB Leipzig last year and the reason for his move was to remain in the Bundesliga but he was not interested in Premier League giants.
Manchester United and Liverpool were both involved in talks to sign the player, Liverpool taking on his former Leipzig defense player Ibrahima Konate in the last season.
The 23-year old has been predicted to be one of the best defensive players on the planet following several successful seasons with Leipzig and has been an integral part of Julian Nagelsmann’s defense this season.
The decision to swap defenders Leipzig to Munich did follow the route that was followed by Nagelsmann this summer , but Nagelsmann’s coach has since openly criticized Upamecano’s performance in Sunday’s victory over Hertha Berlin.
The Bundesliga champions were on the verge of a comfortable win. They were leading by four goals just ten minutes into the second half before Jurgen Ekkelenkamp scored a goal back for the home team.
The goal resulted from Upamecano making a loose pass which was intercepted Dejan Jovetic, whose touch was stopped by Manuel Neuer before Ekkelenkamp was able lift the ball over the goal.
Even though the goal didn’t have any effect on the outcome of the points Nagelsmann was unable to conceal his displeasure with the central defender following the game.
The Bayern manager was particularly critical of the way in which decisions were made by Upamecano but did not mention his name, even as the manager questioned the level of concentration he had.
“That goal was totally avoidable. If I was 95 pounds and super quick, I’d hold the ball, then dribble another couple of meters, and then watch how it goes,” Nagelsmann told TV station DAZN following the game.
“At some moment Steven Jovetic must put an effort on the goalkeeper and you may be able to throw an assist to your center-back partner.
“But you should stay with the ball now. You can play the ball straight out of the back and bounce …. This is always a challenge.
“I’m one of those who likes doing things in a controlled manner. There was no pressure. Simply put the ball in play and watch what your opponent does. You’re 4-0, you know and you’re able to play more carefully.
“It’s not as if we have to move forward extremely fast or to chase down the deficit.”
Upamecano has spent four and a half seasons with the Bundesliga with Leipzig before joining Bayern last year. He chose to decline Premier League interest.
“I knew pretty quickly that I would like to remain in Germany and play in the Bundesliga,” the defender stated at the time.
“I enjoy it here,” the quality of the games and the crowd, the stadiums.
“When FC Bayern gets in the game, you’re really happy. It’s hard to find a better feeling than that, particularly when you’ve played for Leipzig before.”
Bayern Munich remain six points more than Borussia Dortmund, who are second in the table. Borussia Dortmund in the middle in the Bundesliga.
