Munich – Leon Goretzka has had to deal with a number of setbacks this season. National coach Julian Nagelsmann recently did it without the midfielder. So the EM ticket is far away. Now the next setback. Goretzka mainly had to languish on the bench in the very important premier class semi-final against the Galactic teams from Madrid.
“Didn’t beg”: Michael Ballack criticizes FC Bayern star Leon Goretzka
Youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic surprisingly moved to the double six together with Konrad Laimer. “I believe Pavlovic gets his confidence from the way he plays,” Tuchel explained the decision on the “DAZN” microphone. “When he came to train with us on the first day of the second team, he played exactly the same as he did at the last training.” Can the 20-year-old also show this self-confidence to the 81,000 spectators in the Bernabéu cauldron?
Former Bayern player Michael Ballack had a clear answer: “I don’t think Thomas Tuchel will draft a player he doesn’t trust. I think he deserves it.” For Goretzka, however, there was a bit of a verbal spat. “In the end, he wasn’t the one begging to play,” the 47-year-old said. “I hope Pavlovic plays a good match.”
Thomas Müller is also initially on the bench in Madrid
His coach also hopes so, because he has given the top talent a clear task. Pavlovic needs to take a lot of courage. “That is exactly his characteristic,” said the coach of the record champions, emphasizing: “The two sixes will be very important, that we have short gaps in the passing game, that we win the second balls and that we complete the possession phases dominate in the centre,” said Tuchel.
But Goretzka wasn’t the only Bayern star who had to watch the match from the bench. Veteran Thomas Müller also fell victim to Tuchel’s rotation machine, while Serge Gnabry was preferred. Do you want to give the winged speedster more time to fulfill his prophecy? After all, Tuchel promised after the 2-2 draw in the first leg that Gnabry would get on the scoresheet in the Spanish capital.
FC Bayern: Müller should come for a possible penalty shootout
But the 50-year-old did not want to confirm that: “We want to be more aggressive on the wings and win Jamal (Musiala, D. Red.) for half the field.” But Tuchel had to put his plan aside after just half an hour. Gnabry had to go out injured and Alphonso Davies came on for him.
But at the latest when extra time starts, Bayern fans will see their favorite on the pitch. “It could also take 120 minutes, there could be a penalty shootout. Thomas is clearly a top five shooter. That was the deciding factor,” said Tuchel. Will that happen?