FC Bayern did not sign a six-man in the summer, but another “new guy” appeared. An overview of Munich’s midfield in the first half of the year.
Together at Bayern and in the national team: Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich. IMAGO/Sven Simon
Joshua Kimmich, grade point average 3.09: The constant discussions about him seem to have left a slight mark on FC Bayern’s third captain, even if Kimmich is always criticized at the highest level. The 28-year-old often gave the desired defensive six-pointer and continued to hit a lot of and sometimes good standards, but he took himself out of the game a bit with his early red card against Darmstadt. Without Kimmich, FCB won 8-0 against a decimated team from Darmstadt, then won 4-0 in Dortmund with a clear victory against rivals Stuttgart (3-0), when Kimmich was absent due to illness. His nomination to the starting eleven was a given.
FC Bayern in individual criticism
Leon Goretzka, Notenschnitt 3.0: After a poor second half of the 2022/23 season, it initially looked as if Goretzka would lose his regular place to newcomer Konrad Laimer – also due to a minor knee operation – but he still got up from the start at the start in Bremen (4-0). the lawn and no longer gave up his space. Because Kimmich played deeper over the course of the season, Goretzka was able to develop his strengths as a box-to-box player again, particularly shining against Leverkusen (2:2) and as a deep six/central defender in the massive win in Dortmund. After Hansi Flick was briefly ignored, the 28-year-old immediately returned to the national team.
Konrad Laimer, average grade 3.25: In terms of football, the new signing from Leipzig leaves gaps here and there and has his problems, especially in the short passing game, but overall Laimer proved to be a sensible transfer from Bayern. The 26-year-old Austrian impresses as a tough and active tackler. Laimer still prefers to play in central midfield, but due to the personnel situation he mostly had to play as a right-back. The polyvalence and his service to the team speak for him.
Aleksandar Pavlovic, Notenschnitt 2.75: The homegrown product is the discovery of the first half of the season at FC Bayern. Only a few people had Pavlovic on their radar at the start of the season, but the 19-year-old got his chance due to numerous injuries to the men next to him and took advantage of it. After his debut against Darmstadt, coach Tuchel threw him into the deep end in Dortmund after just an hour, but Pavlovic acted courageously and purposefully, even setting up a goal for Harry Kane. After signing his first professional contract until 2027, he was allowed to play again at the end of the year for the sick Kimmich and Goretzka, and impressed with his calmness, as a ball distributor and a good set-piece shooter.
Between crisis and success: The DFB in 2023
There was no peace at the German Football Association in 2023 either. Matthias Dersch and Carsten Schröter-Lorenz take stock of the DFB men, women and referees at the end of the year.
2 hours 14:43 minutes ago
Raphael Guerreiro, Notenschnitt 3.10: There isn’t much to say yet about the free transfer signing from Dortmund. Guerreiro started the season with a torn muscle bundle, was knocked out briefly and then was out for several weeks again with a torn muscle fiber. It was only towards the end that the Portuguese, who turned 30 on Friday, was able to show that he could also be a useful reinforcement for Tuchel, whether as a left-back or central midfielder. With his technique and his understanding of the game, there should definitely be more starting eleven appearances in the second half – as long as he stays healthy.
2023-12-28 15:01:16
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