Bayern Munich will not be using Robert Lewandowski's exit as an "excuse", said manager Julian Nagelsmann, as the German champions begin their Bundesliga title defence away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday night.
Lewandowski, 34, left Bayern this summer after eight seasons, 13 major trophies, and 344 goals, with the Polish striker joining Barcelona on a three-year deal.
While the exit of a star player could have a potentially detrimental impact, Bayern have moved to replace Lewandowski with Senegalese forward Sadio Mane, signed from Liverpool, while the squad has been further strengthened by the arrivals of Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus, highly-rated teenage striker Mathys Tel from Rennes, and midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and full-back Noussair Mazraoui, both from Ajax.
"Of course we have let a player goal who scored over 50 goals and that's something we have to compensate for," Nagelsmann told reporters on Thursday. "I believe we have improved our squad and I won't be looking for excuses and blame it on Lewadowski (leaving)."
Nagelsmann, 35, was appointed Bayern manager last summer and led the club to their 10th successive Bundesliga title - his first major honour. However, a quarter-final exit in the Champions League to Villarreal and a shock 5-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach in the second round of the German Cup increased the scrutiny on Nagelsmann, although he insisted he does not get affected by external noise.
"The pressure is more something I place on myself," he said. "I don't read that much from the media because I'm not going to be any happier. Of course a lot gets presented. Friends always ask why there is so much pressure from the media, why it's always some sort of apocalypse.
"At Bayern Munich we always want to give our best and I'm not going to be scared of that. The pressure I give myself is that we will be better and more successful than the previous year and that we play in a constant way throughout the season.
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Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane holds the German Supercup trophy after Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig in Leipzig, on July 30, 2022. AFP -
Sadio Mane and his Bayern teammates celebrate winning the German Supercup. AP -
Sadio Mane celebrates with the Supercup trophy following Bayern's win over RB Leipzig. EPA -
Sadio Mane celebrates with the Supercup trophy after Bayern's win over RB Leipzig. Getty -
Sadio Mane runs with the ball during the Supercup 2022. Getty -
Sadio Mane on the ball during the German Supercup match between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. EPA -
Sadio Mane has a shot saved by RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Getty -
Sadio Mane celebrates scoring Bayern's second goal with teammate Serge Gnabry. Getty -
Sadio Mane scores Bayern's second goal against RB Leipzig. Getty -
Bayern Munich players celebrate winning the German Super Cup 2022 after beating RB Leipzig at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany. Getty Images -
Bayern Munich players run towards their fans and the Supercup trophy as they celebrate their Supercup victory. Getty Images -
Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer celebrates with teammates and the trophy after winning the German Super Cup. Reuters -
Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich is challenged by Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig. Getty Images -
Leroy Sane scores Bayern Munich's fifth goal during the Supercup 2022. Getty Images -
RB Leipzig's Hugo Novoa in action with Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane. Reuters -
Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane is shown a yellow card by referee Robert Schroder. Reuters -
RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku scores their second goal from the penalty spot. Reuters -
Dayot Upamecano of Bayern Munich is challenged by Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig. Getty Images -
Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring their side's third goal with teammates. Getty Images -
Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane scores their second goal. Reuters -
Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala scores their first goal. Reuters -
A general view as RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich line up prior to kick off of the Supercup 2022. Getty Images
"We of course want to go further in the Champions League. It always depends on luck with who we come up against. We have the goal to be successful."
Bayern prepared for the new Bundesliga campaign with an impressive 5-3 victory over German Cup holders RB Leipzig in the Supercup and next take on the reigning Europa League champions.
Nagelsmann is aware of the challenge posed to his team by Frankfurt, who defeated Bayern at the Allianz Arena last season, and is expecting another tough battle at the Waldstadion on Friday night.
"Playing in Frakfurt is not always easy," he said. "The arena is always loud, especially after the Europa League win, they certainly have that confidence that might have dropped during the league (campaign), they've certainly built that back up.
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Sadio Mane at the Allianz Arena after completing his move to German champions Bayern Munich from Liverpool on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. AFP -
Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann with Sadio Mane after the new signing's press conference at Allianz Arena. Getty -
From left, Bayern's chief executive Oliver Kahn, Sadio Mane, club president Herbert Hainer and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic. AP -
New Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane after his unveiling at the Allianz Arena. AFP -
New Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane after his unveiling at the Allianz Arena. Reuters -
Sadio Mane and Bayern Munich supervisory board chairman Herbert Hainer. EPA -
New Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane after his unveiling at the Allianz Arena. AFP -
New Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane after his unveiling at the Allianz Arena. EPA -
Left to right: Oliver Kahn, Sadio Mane and Herbert Hainer. Reuters -
New Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane after his unveiling at the Allianz Arena. Reuters
"The fans are passionate, (Oliver) Glaston is a good coach and the team is strong."
While much of the focus ahead of the new season has been on Bayern's new players, teenager Jamal Musiala has already shown why he is being talked about as the next big star in Germany. The 19-year-old winger starred in the Supercup and scored the opening goal, raising expectations that he will be a key player both for Bayern and the German national team at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
However, despite the growing hype, Nagelsmann is keen for Musiala to remain grounded and focused.
"I certainly gave him a lot of praise because it was deserved. I think he knows that if he doesn't keep those performances up he won't be playing any more," the Bayern manager said. "He's a nice guy and I don't think he'll fly too high. He will be an important player for us and the national team as well."
