Hasan Salihamidzic blasted Bayern Munich as "inferior in all areas" in their loss to Bayer Leverkusen, as the champions slipped up in the Bundesliga title race.
A 2-1 defeat in the final game before the international break saw Julian Nagelsmann's side fail to reclaim top spot a day after losing it to Borussia Dortmund.
With the two sides set to meet in their first game back on April 1, Bayern will enter the crunch clash knowing a second reverse in a row could spell the end of their title defence.
Sporting director Salihamidzic was left fuming by what he perceived as a poor mentality throughout, and felt the visitors deserved nothing at BayArena.
"That's not what Bayern means," he told SPORT1 in discussing the performance. "We missed everything [that we] demanded from a team that won on Thursday. We were inferior in all areas."
"Confidence or not, we have to bring [our] mentality and greed onto the pitch. It is about the championship [race].
"We had two shots on goal in the last few minutes, but [we had] so little drive, [or] mentality, [or] assertiveness. I've rarely experienced that.
"This team is so good when the mentality is right from the start, but [they can be] just as bad when they don't do it and think that they can do everything with [their] quality."
Bayern had won three straight league games after losing to Borussia Monchengladbach last month but will now welcome Dortmund trailing their Klassiker rivals by a point.
Reggae Boyz keeper Andre Blake signs endorsement deal with Spectrum Systems
In an exciting development for Jamaican football, Reggae Boyz captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake has secured a new two-year sponsorship deal with Spectrum Systems Limited, Jamaica's leading distributor of roofing and building products. This deal comes hot on the heels of Blake's recent sponsorship announcement with Supreme Ventures.
Blake's new partnership with Spectrum Systems highlights the company's commitment to supporting local sports, adding to their existing sponsorships of the Waterhouse Football Club and race car driver Sara Misir. As part of this agreement, Blake will be featured prominently in Spectrum's advertising campaigns and will support the company’s sponsorship initiatives within the football community.
The collaboration was celebrated with Blake's attendance at the Jamaica Premier League Superfinal last Sunday. During the event, he presented a gift to Waterhouse FC, which secured fourth place in the 2023/24 season, underscoring Spectrum Systems' ongoing support for the club.
Contributed: Andrew Stanigar Managing Director of Spectrum Systems greets Andre Blake on Sunday at the Jamaica Premier League Super Final.
Andrew Stanigar, Managing Director of Spectrum Systems Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We invest in sports sponsorships because they allow us to connect with our customer base. Both Andre Blake and Spectrum Systems have a lot in common—quality, reliability, and consistency. It makes sense to align the number one roofing company with Jamaica's number one goalkeeper."
For Andre Blake, the endorsement deal represents a valuable opportunity to further engage with the local football community. "Sponsorships like this allow me to connect better with Jamaica football fans," Blake commented. "I look forward to what we will be able to achieve together as I aim to inspire and connect footballers across the island while also championing Spectrum's advertising campaigns. It's a win for everyone."
With this new deal, Blake continues to expand his influence both on and off the pitch, leveraging his prominence to promote and support local sports. The two-year agreement promises to be beneficial for both Blake and Spectrum Systems, strengthening their ties to the Jamaican football community and beyond.
Ten Hag backs Rashford to use England omission as 'fuel' in FA Cup final
Erik ten Hag urged a "highly motivated" Marcus Rashford to use his England disappointment as "fuel" ahead of this weekend's FA Cup final.
Rashford was omitted from Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man squad for the upcoming European Championship this week, following a disappointing season in which he has scored just eight goals.
The forward struck 30 times during the 2022-23 campaign, but has struggled to build on that momentum this term.
Rashford will hope to feature at Wembley as United face rivals Manchester City in a repeat of last year's final, needing to win to ensure they do not miss out on European football for the first time in 10 years.
And Ten Hag is backing the 26-year-old to respond to his setback in a positive manner.
"He looks good," the United head coach said. "A career has ups and downs, and a down can also give you fuel and that is what I see in training.
"So, he will be highly motivated. He is very talented and already has a big career, and I am sure he will get over this and make even more goals."
One of Rashford's finer moments of the season came against City when he opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard strike in a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad in March.
Two months on - and at the conclusion of a difficult season blighted by injuries to several key players - Ten Hag believes United are in a stronger position to compete with their rivals.
"At the Etihad, we were very good in the game for 70 minutes, and had opportunities to go ahead," the Dutchman added.
"They could substitute, but we didn't have the players on the bench. That is a big difference. On Saturday, we will have a bench and will have a much stronger side."
'I don't want to think about Guardiola leaving City', Foden admits
Phil Foden wants to continue enjoying working with Pep Guardiola, and will not "think too much" about the Spaniard potentially leaving Manchester City.
Foden was named Premier League Player of the Year after helping City land a record-breaking fourth successive top-flight title, scoring two goals in their crucial victory over West Ham on the final day.
Guardiola, whose contract is set to expire at the end of next season, hinted he may depart the Etihad Stadium, suggesting he was closer to leaving the club than staying.
Foden has gone from strength to strength since coming through the City ranks and being handed his debut by the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss during the 2017-18 season.
And the England international is focused on continuing to embrace making further strides with the 53-year-old at the helm.
"I've not known any other thing apart from him," Foden told BBC Sport. "So, it'll be strange when he does go. I don't want to think too much about it. I want to enjoy the things we're doing now with him.
"I feel like there's other managers out there who complicate it a little bit. The best advice he gave me this season was ‘don't try and be Phil Foden in every action’, and I feel like that advice really went a long way.
"I believed in what the manager was saying. I believed in the process. When I wasn't playing, I knew there were better players in front of me. And I knew the more I grew up and the longer time that went, there'd be an opportunity for me."
Foden was speaking ahead of the FA Cup final, in which City will face rivals Manchester United at Wembley for the second year running.
The Citizens, who prevailed 2-1 12 months ago, are aiming to become the first English side to win the Premier League and FA Cup in successive seasons.
"Last year, United didn't make it easy for us," Foden continued. "When it’s a derby, on your day, anyone can win, so it's something we have to look forward to and be at our best if we're going to win."
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