Joao Palhinha has mostly made short appearances for FC Bayern Munich this season. In the 1:4 debacle against FC Barcelona, the opportunity to recommend yourself for more playing time remains unused.
It was a performance between a blessing and a curse for Joao Palhinha. After the unlucky Aleksandar Pavlovic was injured again, the summer newcomer was allowed to appear in the starting line-up for the first time in the Champions League and played more than twenty minutes for FC Bayern Munich for only the third time.
“Now Palhinha can calmly show what he’s made of. I believe he will grow with the team and we haven’t seen him at his best yet,” said expert Michael Ballack before the game DAZN still a great chance for the Portuguese to prove himself in a big game.
Reserved Palhinha lacks stability
But the 4-1 defeat against FC Barcelona largely failed to have a positive effect on the record champions’ game. Palhinha’s physicality evaporated as the defensive midfielder remained almost invisible in the first half, often chasing the ball and avoiding risky passes.
Until he was substituted in the 60th minute of the game, Palhinha only made 30 touches of the ball. A striking difference to youngster Pavlovic, whose dynamism often appears as active as Joshua Kimmich.
The third goal conceded shortly before half-time, in which Palhinha appeared passive, was also symbolic of the performance against Barca. Overall, he failed to stabilize the midfield and make the work of the two central defenders easier.
Neuer and Ballack criticize defensive behavior: “It has something to do with game intelligence”
“We should have been more present, especially in terms of aggression, because Barca is a team that beats us with long balls that go to Lewy (Robert Lewandowski, Anm. d. Red.) slipping through can hurt. Also because they have fast players like Raphinha. Especially in midfield, the aggressiveness simply has to be there against strong teams like Barcelona. There was a little something missing for us. “That was a point that we missed,” said Manuel Neuer, criticizing the team’s performance after the game.
Ballack also commented on the defense: “I can’t always say: we always press and always keep the last line up. Sometimes that doesn’t work. Sometimes mistakes happen beforehand. And that has something to do with game intelligence. That I have self-responsibility in the game and the players recognize that and lead their players in front of it. At FC Bayern I sometimes lack – I don’t want to say the quality – the assessment of the situation.”
It was precisely for these game situations that FCB originally signed the Portuguese in the summer, who was intended as an emergency aid, and transferred over 50 million euros to FC Fulham. In front of the defensive line, Palhinha should provide stability and protect the risky game.
Friend: “One of the biggest mistakes Thomas Tuchel made”
Considering the Portuguese’s playing time and achievements so far, the price tag is too expensive, especially since the 29-year-old is in his prime and no major development steps can be expected.
TV expert Steffen Freund presented the benefits of the commitment in the Bundesliga web show ran in the past week sometimes completely in question. “Without ifs and buts: Yes!” said Freund when asked whether the transfer of Palhinha could have been saved and criticized: “That’s one of the biggest mistakes Thomas Tuchel made.”
“Why do we in Germany have to criticize a top player like Joshua Kimmich so much when he simply has a form crisis – or when something isn’t going well?” asked Freund about the resurgent Kimmich. “And why does Thomas Tuchel want to sign Palhinha when you have Kimmich? I wouldn’t have made that decision.”
Under the new head coach Vincent Kompany, Freund’s criticism seemed to be confirmed so far. With 27 percent of the possible minutes played, it is reasonable to assume that Palhinha does not fit into the new FCB coach’s system.
Nevertheless, the injury situation could ensure that Palhinha will continue to be in the starting line-up in the coming weeks. Already at the press conference before the Champions League clash, Kompany strengthened the player: “You saw against Stuttgart what he can do. That is clear.”
Will Goretzka be relevant again?
Straw selbst know, wie er der Bild reported that he was “very happy” after the game against Stuttgart, “because I knew that it would be a great opportunity for me.” A chance that could have fizzled out a little after just one game.
Leon Goretzka, who had actually already been sorted out, took over on Wednesday after Palhinha was substituted and played his longest playing time of the season in the remaining 30 minutes.
“Goretzka would probably play for me. Maybe I wouldn’t have needed a Palhinha for 50 million because I would have relied on Goretzka,” said Lothar Matthäus before the debacle against Barcelona Sky90. “Let’s see where the journey takes us.”
