Leon Goretzka impresses in a new role and is a key and symbol for Bayern’s sudden transformation. This also puts national coach Nagelsmann in trouble.
The spectator stands and the interior of the Allianz Arena were almost completely empty after FC Bayern’s 8-1 win against Mainz. The players had long since disappeared into the arena’s catacombs. Only Harry Kane still didn’t have enough after his hat-trick and his two assists. As usual after his hat tricks, he secured the match ball this time and tried out his latest souvenir: together with Louis Harry Kane Jr., his son born in 2020, he played a few more balls on the pitch. Both of them clearly had fun and may soon continue the passing exercises with the hat-trick ball in the garden of the Kanes’ new home in the posh Munich suburb of Grünwald.
In any case, Thomas Müller no longer has to worry that the hotel room in which Kane lived in his first six months in Munich would become too small for all the game balls that Kane brought home, as his teammate joked at the time.
In any case, after the Bayern gala, Kane strolled happily and contentedly through the catacombs towards the exit of the arena. In tow: all four of his children and a few bags and bags in which the game ball was also stowed. For the fourth time this season.
With now 30 Bundesliga goals, the 100 million summer transfer is now slowly, but quite accurately, setting its sights on Robert Lewandowski’s fabulous record of 41 goals this season with nine games still remaining. “There’s still a few games left so I want to add more goals,” said Kane before heading off into the evening. “It’s a gift to be able to train him,” said his coach Tuchel and added with regard to the wavering goal record: “I trust Harry with everything. He does what he always does in his entire career. He scores, he is a role model , is a great personality.”
He even outshines Kane
The English international became the first player in Bundesliga history to score eight multiples in his first season. But that still wasn’t enough to earn the title of “Player of the Match” handed out by Tuchel. Why? Because Tuchel was surprised when it came to choosing him and instead named someone else: Leon Goretzka.
Previously, he had “only” managed two goals and two assists – Goretzka, however, is not a striker like Kane, but actually a central midfielder. Actually, because Tuchel had to use him this season, among other things, as an emergency replacement in central defense. And since recently, specifically the second half against SC Freiburg (2:2), Goretzka is now playing in both positions. Tuchel thought of this tactical trick for the 29-year-old. And so Goretzka actually plays in defensive midfield again, but when he has possession of the ball he moves back to the left side of a three-man chain alongside the two defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Eric Dier.
There he acts as Bayern’s new play designer from deep – with resounding success. This was one of the keys to success in the 3-0 win against Lazio and, thanks to Goretzka, Munich’s build-up game was much broader and more unpredictable than before. And Bayern suddenly plays like Bayern again. There is no sign of the insecurity on defense and the sluggish offensive game of the past few weeks.
Goretzka is the key to Bayern’s transformation
Instead, the Munich team suddenly appeared stable at the back and dominant at the front. Just “Bavarian-like,” as Goretzka said in the affirmative. He is the symbol of change for the good. “I just try to implement what the coach tells me. Today a lot of what we tried worked,” he told t-online. Leon, the professional. “We used our chances very efficiently and finally scored a lot of goals again. Of course that makes it a lot more fun.”