By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- A 1-0 loss to Lazio in Rome on Wednesday in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16 triggered an act of defiance within Bayern Munich.
The disillusioned Bavarians carried a heavy load of questions and doubts on their shoulders while leaving the Italian capital.
Their second consecutive game without a goal for the first time since 2015, 14 shots but none on target, a mysterious loss of form in the second half and a red card for Dayot Upamecano - the statistics appear damning, and Thomas Tuchel has lost his fifth knockout game as Bayern coach.
"It's disrespectful to talk about the coach," forward Thomas Muller said, adding, "We have problems, that's obvious, but nothing is lost, there is a re-match."
Tuchel and his squad keep on living in a mysterious state of estrangement. "We haven't lost our goals to get to the next round," sporting director Christoph Freund said. The official denied any discussion about the coach.
"Uncertainty has taken hold of many, and it is a fact that we need a positive result in the league against Bochum to get back to satisfaction," goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said.
The Bavarians kept on mentioning the remaining chances providing the opportunity to rescue a difficult season. "It's on us to do it, to perform over 90 minutes with faith and guts," Muller said.
Neuer cautiously talked about "the quality we have in our squad; it's there."
But as a fact, things have gone out of place and Bayern's attack seems stuck in a fatal state of helplessness. First reports speak of a fundamental re-start next summer, along with rumors Bayern might push the boat out to try to sign Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy.
Muller praised the team's reaction in the first half, and Neuer demanded unity "as we need to talk and help each other."
Reports speak of the herculean task for Tuchel to revitalize confidence among a gifted but wavering and doubting squad.
The upcoming league encounter against bottom side Bochum has turned into a decisive issue for Tuchel.
Muller called for determination on the pitch "as we show in our training sessions. It is time to get things into our competitive games and that is something we players are obliged to do."
In an emotional speech, Muller demanded not to enter a state of "us tearing ourselves apart," with the atmosphere around the struggling 2020 treble winners approaching a delicate state.
While Tuchel denied being concerned about his job, German media is starting to speculate about a possible successor, such as former Bayern and Germany national team coach Hansi Flick. ■
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