German wizard returns to training
Bayern Munich receive a major boost as Jamal Musiala returns to squad training after fracturing his fibula and dislocating his ankle, which kept him out for four months. The Bayern Munich midfielder injured himself after colliding with Donnarumma during Bayern Munich’s clash with PSG at the Club World Cup. The Bavarians will not rush Musiala back into action, with Vincent Kompany planning for his return to the pitch to be in early January.
Throughout the course of this discussion, there will be several questions that will be unpacked about how Musiala’s return could impact Bayern. Firstly, will his return boost Bayern’s chances of winning the Champions League, or will it cause an imbalance to an already stacked attack? Secondly, will the German midfielder pair up well with Lennart Karl, and could they potentially form a deadly midfield duo, or will there be a clash considering both players play in the same role? Lastly, will he be able to replicate his form from previous seasons, or will his lengthy spell on the sidelines take away from his quality?
The 22 year old midfielder set to add to an already devastating attack
The German wizard’s return is expected to boost an already free-scoring Bayern side, with the 22-year-old attacking midfielder proving to be a key orchestrator for the Bavarians in the past. His return means that Bayern could potentially have one of the scariest attacks, if not the scariest attack, in European football. He is now set to join a long list of elite attackers, including Olise, Diaz, Kane, Karl, and Gnabry, who have already been wreaking havoc for defenders this season. However, whether his return could potentially unbalance or elevate the team remains to be seen.
Despite Musiala’s return being a boost it could give Kompany a selection headache
Considering that there have been previous instances where teams heavily centered around attack failed to succeed, Kompany will have to be very mindful about how he handles this situation. There have also been concerns that fitting in such a high-profile player may disrupt the squad’s current rhythm. Although Musiala’s quality can’t be denied, adding him to the starting 11 would mean having to sacrifice a player who is already in the 11, which could affect the team’s rhythm.
Could Musiala’s return cause a clash with Karl
There are currently a lot of debates about whether Musiala’s return would see Karl benched or whether they can actually coexist together. On one hand, Musiala’s return to the pitch could potentially form one of the deadliest midfield duos in Europe with recent emerging star Lennart Karl. Lennart Karl’s presence in the side could reduce Musiala’s responsibility of tracking back as well as provide a wider range of attacking options. Their quick combination passes could cause confusion among defenders, hence making space available for them to capitalize on. However, considering that both players primarily play as a number 10, it may force both players to compete for that role.
