Nagelsmann lauds 'snake legs' Musiala

Bayern coach says German winger can be ‘even better’ at WC after guiding club to 2-0 win

BERLIN:

Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has lauded forward Jamal Musiala's development, saying the teenager can be "even better" for Germany at the World Cup in Qatar.

Musiala, who grew up in England and represented the Three Lions at junior level but switched allegiance to Germany, set up both of Bayern's goals in their 2-0 win away at Schalke.

Nagelsmann said Musiala, who now has nine goals and six assists in 15 games this season, was committed to developing and improving his game.

"Jamal Musiala has again set up two goals. He played an outstanding first half and will hopefully play even better in the World Cup and the second half of the (Bundesliga) season," Nagelsmann told German television.

"He listens well, also wants to develop in defence and has developed extremely well.

"He has extremely lively feet, like snake legs - the rebounds always seem to land in front of his feet."

Musiala became the youngest Bayern player to notch up 100 Bundesliga games at 19 years and 259 days on Saturday night.

Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer said he is "happy" Musiala elected to play for Germany rather than England.

"He is a very important - a key - player. We are happy that he's with Bayern and also with the national team," Neuer told Sky.

Speaking after the match to Bundesliga International, Musiala said the three points would give his side a "good feeling" ahead of the World Cup break.

"It was important that we got the three points to go with a good feeling into the World Cup break."

Before the game Nagelsmann hinted his team selections were made with the World Cup in mind. "They need rhythm for the World Cup... that's why we opted for the full squad."

The home side managed to keep Bayern at bay for much of the opening stanza, before a sublime Musiala back-heel put former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry in space to score his side's first after 38 minutes.

Musiala set up his side's second after 52 minutes, with Bayern launching a length-of-the-field counter attack after a Schalke free kick.

Musiala assessed his options before sliding the ball to Cameroon striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who scored his 10th goal from his last nine games for Bayern.

Musiala had the ball in the net less than 10 minutes later, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Schalke manager Thomas Reis credited "clever" Bayern and said his side would face an uphill battle after the winter break.

"My team invested everything, (but) in the end Bayern were just too clever in particular situations," Reis said.

"Now we are the hunters. We will start next season in 18th place."

Bayern Munich are now unbeaten in their past 22 games against Schalke, dating back to 2010 when Musiala was just seven.

A 2-1 win away at Werder Bremen gave RB Leipzig their ninth victory in their past 10 appearances on Saturday.

Leipzig took the lead after just 13 minutes through Portugal striker Andre Silva, before Bremen centre-back Christian Gross equalised in the second half.

Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager scored with just under 20 minutes remaining to help Leipzig continue their impressive recent form under former Borussia Dortmund manager Marco Rose.