In the second round of the Bundesliga's second round of key matches last weekend, Bayern Munich won 2-0 at home against Freiburg, ushering in yet another victory in the early part of the season. In this match, Thomas Muller celebrated an important milestone in his career - he completed his 710th game at Bayern, successfully breaking the team's all-time record of appearances, and becoming a rare legend in Bayern's history. After the match, Bayern manager Pep Guardiola expressed his heartfelt respect and congratulations to the meritorious veteran in his official interview with the club.
Guardiola admitted that he has never encountered a player like Muller in his coaching career. He praised Muller as one of the best players in the history of Bayern and even soccer, not only because Muller won numerous titles, but also because he can always come forward at critical moments, for the team to save the day. In Guardiola's eyes, Muller's value is far beyond the scope of data and trophies can be measured, he is a real team leader and spiritual support.
Guardiola gave a negative answer as to whether Muller is an underrated star. He believes that soccer fans all over the world are well aware of Muller's value on the pitch, as he is an intelligent and unpredictable player who is always in the perfect position to create chances for his team. Muller's ball-playing and running awareness is his most valuable asset and a major reason why he has been able to occupy a starting position at Bayern for a long time.
Speaking about what it was like to work with Muller, Guardiola said that his early days in charge in Munich were not easy, but Muller always faced new challenges with a positive and open attitude. He understands the enduring values Guardiola is trying to build at Bayern and is willing to work hard to achieve them. Muller's teamwork and professionalism have earned Guardiola's admiration and reinforced his belief that Bayern's future will be full of endless possibilities.
Finally, Guardiola shared his favorite moment with Muller - it was when Bayern played Juventus in the 2016 Champions League. With the game coming to an end and his team trailing 1-2, Muller stepped up and scored the equalizer. This goal not only dragged the game into extra time, but also laid the foundation for Bayern's eventual comeback victory. Pep Guardiola especially mentioned Muller's humble way of celebrating, he prefers to share the joy of scoring with his teammates, and this team spirit is the key to Bayern's ability to remain competitive in the long run.
