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Friedham Funkel has hammered Niko Kovac’s “very weak” defence and claims that “no coach in the world” should put up with Boateng’s performances
Fortuna Dusseldorf coach Friedham Funkel believes that Niko Kovac has made Bayern Munich defensively “weak” since taking the reins at the Bundesliga champions.
Bayern surrendered a two-goal lead late on to Fortuna in Saturday’s game, with Dodi Lukebakio’s hat-trick earning his side a point against the Bavarian outfit in a 3-3 draw at the Allianz Stadium.
That latest result has piled more pressure on the under-fire Kovac with Bayern now nine points off league leaders Borussia Dortmund.
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Fortuna, who have been embroiled in a relegation battle so far this campaign, were good value for their point and Funkel did not hold back post-match with his withering assessment of their hosts.
“[They] make it very easy for their opponents,” the 64-year-old said, “The cause of which is their defence, which is very weak and has conceded 17 goals in their first 12 games, as much as they usually concede in an entire season.
“[They] are very, very vulnerable.”
Funkel singled out Germany international Jerome Boateng for specific criticism after the Bayern man was at fault for Fortuna’s first goal, having tried to play Lukebakio offside.
He further alluded that Kovac’s management methods were to blame for not nipping the 30-year-old’s shortcomings in the bud.
“No coach in the world should stand for Boateng playing like that,” Funkel added. “He’s too laid back to run.
“He wants to avoid having to duel Lukebakio. That should not be happening.”
Bayern’s form under Kovac, who succeeded the retiring Jupp Heynckes in the off-season, has been a significant step down from recent years, with the team failing to keep a domestic clean sheet since September.
Though their fortunes have been stronger abroad in the Champions League, their form in Germany has caused concern among supporters with Kovac coming under pressure.
Club president Uli Hoeness described their performance against Fortuna as a “shambles”, to further deepen the dark cloud hanging over the Allianz Stadium.
Bayern are next in action on Tuesday, when they host Benfica in the Champions League.
Kovac can at least give himself some degree of a reprieve with either a win or a draw to secure his side’s progression to the last 16.