“That last loss still stings.”

An immensely significant result on match-day 32 of the 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign led to a tidal shift in German football. Long ruled out of the title race, German giants FC Bayern München learned (via a 1-3 away defeat against VfB Stuttgart) that their hopes of finishing second in the Bundesliga table also stood under threat. Sebastian Hoeneß’ VfB would ultimately end up overtaking Bayern to secure 2023/24 runners-up status on the final match-day of the season. 

After – alongside Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan – current Bayern stars Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer were honored for their national team service at Monday night’s Nations League fixture at the Allianz, the two FCB German sporting legends were given a chance to look ahead to the coming re-match with the club that completed the “double-dethroning” in this Saturday evening’s “Bundesliga Topspiel”. Bayern get a chance at revenge at home. Müller and Neuer spoke at a club “company car” event. 

“Stuttgart are still riding the wave of their good form,” Neuer noted, “All their players are full of confidence, so it will be a difficult home game. That [May defeat] still stings a bit.”

“Two teams are meeting that like to have the ball and are good on it,” Müller added, “I think the spectators will witness an attractive football match, but I’d bet on us. The fire is there.” 

Konrad Laimer was also present at the event. Knowing full well that his role in FCB trainer Vincent Kompany’s plans wasn’t guaranteed, the 27-year-old nevertheless expressed his readiness if called upon. Laimer didn’t get his chance in the last loss, remaining unused on head-coach Thomas Tuchel’s bench.

“We have to be more attentive in a few areas,” Laimer noted, “[but] I have no worries. We know our path and got on a very good one from the start. If we continue like this, I am very confident that it can be a very successful season.”