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IS LEON GORETZKA LEAVING, BAYERN MUNICH FUTURE HANGS IN BALANCE
Leon Goretzka's future at Bayern Munich is in doubt as his box-to-box style clashes with Vincent Kompany's tactical system. With his contract expiring, the German midfielder appears a poor fit, raising questions about his long-term role.
Leon Goretzka’s Bayern journey could be ending - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Leon Goretzka's future is currently being closely watched after seven years with Bayern Munich, particularly in light of his most recent performance.
In Bayern Munich's Bundesliga tie with Union Berlin, the German midfielder appeared to be a tactical weak point. Goretzka was substituted in the 80th minute after failing to make a significant attacking or defensive contribution. However, this is more a problem of tactical mismatch than it is of his skill as a player.
Leon Goretzka's unique style of play
Leon Goretzka, who made his debut with Schalke 04, has always been an aggressive midfielder. When he started his career, he was a number 10 who played behind the attackers. Following his physical development, numerous coaches began to use his strong motor and offensive ability as a box-to-box midfielder.
As a result of this job, Leon Goretzka became well-known throughout Bayern's treble-winning 2019–20 season. Goretzka benefited from a pressing strategy that prioritised wing play to generate opportunities.
Because of his ability to box-crash and clear up long shots at the edge of the box, Leon Goretzka became one of Europe's most feared midfielders as defenders focused all of their attention on Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller.
Goretzka's most productive season at Bayern was the treble-winning one, scoring close to 20 goals despite sharing playing time in a crowded midfield with Thiago, Joshua Kimmich, Javi Martinez, and Corentin Tolisso.
Thiago and Javi Martinez in particular helped eliminate Goretzka's two most obvious shortcomings: winning the ball and relieving the press. The German midfielder had a lot of difficulties carrying out these two responsibilities because these two players would be leaving in the next season.
Kompany's system is not compatible with Goretzka's attributes.
As usual, Leon Goretzka continues to crash the box a lot in the Union Berlin game. But this playstyle did not seem to fit all the requirements.
Because Goretzka was moving forward during the build-up phase, Bayern was without a midfielder, and they had a difficult time countering Union Berlin's very muscular pressing strategy. It was challenging to advance the ball since Upamecano, Kimmich, and Laimer were constantly encircled by several home team players.
His inability to manoeuvre in confined spaces was evident when Leon Goretzka ducked deeper to assist his teammates. This was most evident during a play in the first half when Luis Diaz threw the ball back to him and he awkwardly mishandled it to the opposition just outside the penalty area.
Additionally, the 30-year-old had no further influence. Union Berlin's penalty area felt crowded with Goretzka. Konrad Laimer and Serge Gnabry wish to support Michael Olise on the underlap by running into the right half-space. But Leon Goretzka typically took up most of the room with his movements and pulled a defender with him. This may be a contributing element, but it is hardly an excuse to blame Bayern's number eight for the problems of three other important players.
Aleksandar Pavlovic also brought with him a whole different style of play. The 20-year-old is a deep-lying playmaker who plays much closer to the middle of the pitch and only attacks the box when there is room to do so. His presence improved communication between the midfield and the sides and created a path for Harry Kane to run and equalise in the closing minutes of the match.
Arrival of summer. Another midfield player that matches Kompany's mentality is Tom Bischof, a flexible number six who can win the ball back by making underlapping runs in addition to creating from deep.
These two young players gave the impression that Bayern was rediscovering their former Thiago and Javi Martinez. Leon Goretzka, who was intended to be the replacement for these two, is now lower on the hierarchy.
The tale of Leon Goretzka and Bayern Munich is one of unwavering affection. Goretzka strives to be able to contribute to the team and enjoys playing for the red and white. He earned his spot in the locker room for that. When he enters or exits the field, Bayern supporters yell his name at the top of their lungs in the loudest cheers.
But now it appears that Leon Goretzka's style of play and the tactics are a little out of sync. The deal with the German star will only expire at the end of this season. He still possesses all the necessary skills to play for the world's top clubs. But when July of next year rolls around, will that team still be Bayern Munich?
HARRY KANE GOAL SAVES BAYERN BLUSHES AS UNION HALTS RECORD STREAK
Bayern Munich's perfect start ended in a 2-2 draw at Union Berlin, despite Harry Kane's late equaliser, ending a 16-game winning run. League rivals Dortmund and Leipzig also dropped points, leaving Bayern six clear atop the Bundesliga table.
Harry Kane scored in stoppage time to grab Bayern Munich a 2-2 draw at Union Berlin on Saturday - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Danilho Doekhi, a Union defender, scored one goal after Luis Diaz's outstanding solo. Kane scored his 13th goal in 10 league games this season with his late equaliser.
Bayern leads the table by six points despite losing points, as Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig also made mistakes on Saturday.
Despite starting the season with a record of 16 from 16 across all competitions, Bayern were worn out after spending a large portion of Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain fighting with 10 men.
Kompany just made one alteration to Bayern's starting lineup on Saturday, and it was evident as the visitors were slow and had trouble producing much in the first half.
Union took the lead with 27 minutes remaining after Doekhi slipped the ball under Manuel Neuer from close range after their early goal was called out following a near-offside call.
Despite being pinned in their own zone, the reigning champions scored on one of their first attempts at goal, with Diaz miraculously conjuring an unlikely goal just before halftime.
After beating a defender on the turn and saving a ball on its way out, the Colombian attacker blasted in from a close angle.
With seven minutes left, Doekhi put Union ahead with a rebound that went through a packed penalty area and into the corner of the net.
However, Kane's goal in the 93rd minute kept Union undefeated this season and put them on course for their first-ever victory over Bayern.
In other news, Dortmund was held to a 1-1 draw at Hamburg as Ransford-Yeboah Koenigsdoerffer of the home team equalised in the seventh minute of extra time.
Despite having limited chances and losing 4-1 to Manchester City in the Champions League midweek, Dortmund played a strong but unimpressive game, with English midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka scoring in the second half.
At the last second, Koenigsdoerffer headed in a cross to keep Niko Kovac's team from moving up to second place and catching up to leaders Bayern, denying Dortmund the victory.
In a 3-1 loss at Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig faltered as well, losing points for just the third time this season.
For the third consecutive game, Leipzig took the lead nine minutes in thanks to a goal from teenage attacker Yan Diomande.
In the twentieth minute, Hoffenheim responded with a tap-in from Albian Hajdari. Tim Lemperle scored their second goal right before halftime, giving the home team the lead.
Grischa Proemel's goal with 11 minutes left ended Leipzig's chances of a late equaliser.
With a 6-0 thumping of Heidenheim at home, Bayer Leverkusen easily won its largest victory of the season and moved up to fourth place.
In addition to goals from Jonas Hofmann and Ernest Poko, Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza scored twice.
Later on Saturday, Borussia Moenchengladbach will host their derby opponents, Cologne.
VINCENT KOMPANY SIGNALS WARNING: UNION BERLIN COULD TROUBLE BAYERN MUNICH
After a UCL win over PSG, Bayern Munich's Vincent Kompany warns against a "trap game" vs. Union Berlin. He stresses the need to reset and match their physicality to avoid an upset on the road.
Bayern Munich boss Kompany spots a serious threat versus Union Berlin - via x.com/FCBayern
Vincent Kompany, the coach of Bayern Munich, is keeping things level after his team's Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week. He believes that Union Berlin should not be overlooked, especially at home.
"Union's strength at home is so clear. They are a small team with a lot of experience, tough tacklers, quick runners, excellent cross-defence, and quick pressure on the ball. It is comparable to Köln in that they are compact, brave, and possess comparable collective capabilities. The strikers, who score a lot of goals, are another group. They have a collective momentum and believe in themselves. They will also be very motivated because they drew against us last year. Like PSG, it is still an interesting task. We need to mentally get ready for that," Kompany stated. "You must mentally push the button to reverse the situation. A few minutes after the PSG game, I came to that realisation. However, we can learn a few things from Paris. We had to play a lot of defence and displayed different plays in the second half than in the first. We also showed up right away for the cup in Köln. It will be difficult, but we must regain that mindset. It will often involve set-pieces, tackling, and second balls in addition to pressing and possession. Removing the opposition's momentum is another goal. I do not have to explain anything to the guys because we drew there last season.
Kompany wanted to make it clear that Union Berlin is a "trap game" and that he did not want emotions to fester too long following a victory or defeat. The team has to keep moving ahead.
"We have to instantly reset our win total after every game. I say that because I have personally experienced it in my career as a coach and player: the focus is always on the next game. The match against PSG is already done, and I no longer feel the rush of winning 16 straight games. Regardless of whether we win or lose, we must always learn from our games. I want us to stay the same. We defeated PSG, and we are going to Union to try to win there as well," Kompany stated.
Kompany did not provide much information regarding who would play, and he also refuted the idea of having a small roster.
"Tomorrow, we will see who plays. "When do the players take a break?" is the question you ask most frequently. We always look at the signals the players are sending, but if they are healthy, have recovered well, and are prepared for the next game, we will follow that. When they do take a break, we ask, "Why are they taking a break?" We shall thus wait until tomorrow. We have chosen to rest Rapha Guerreiro for tomorrow in order to give him time to recuperate after he experienced some small problems following the Leverkusen encounter. However, it is merely a preventative step," Kompany stated. Because Lennart Karl has grown so much, the team seems to have grown a little. He has already demonstrated his ability to make a difference. We also have Luis Díaz, who is always in shape and has required very little effort. Michael Olise and Harry Kane are also always in shape. The fact that we have not needed a larger squad has helped. The guys need to maintain their fitness. After that, Hiroki Ito, Alphonso Davies, and Jamal Musiala will return. These players, in my opinion, will be crucial this season. Every member of the team is able to play and support us. This complete assurance is essential.
On paper, the matchup between Bayern Munich and The Iron Ones, who will be coming to Berlin, should be one that the Bavarians dominate.
But there is at least some danger. It could be risky to go right before an international break while exhausted following a really hard game versus Paris Saint-Germain. This might even be a "trap game," according to some.
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