Regardless of the prominent competition, Josip Stanisic is playing more and more in the foreground at FC Bayern. With his convincing performances, the right-back presents his head coach Julian Nagelsmann with a dilemma.
Josip Stanisic expects the biggest challenge of his young career in the round of 16 second leg in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain (9 p.m. in the LIVE ticker).
The 22-year-old is more in demand than ever at FC Bayern these days. Stanisic was able to play twice from the start in the two important Bundesliga duels with Union Berlin (3-0) and VfB Stuttgart (2-1).
The Croatian international took his chance with convincing performances. From sport.de there was a grade of 2.5 in each case. In the meantime, Stanisic has even outstripped winter newcomer Joao Cancelo.
The Munich native is “currently ahead by a nose”, revealed head coach Nagelsmann at the press conference before the PSG cracker, in which Benjamin Pavard is missing in the first leg due to his traffic light card.
“Stanisic is very reliable, he plays – and I mean that in a positive way – his boot off, knows what he has to bring, has good speed, is a good footballer, but doesn’t overdo it and knows what his job is,” the 35-year-old praised his protégé.
New signing Cancelo at Bayern Munich behind
While Stanisic will be delighted with the recognition, Cancelo is said to be struggling just weeks after arriving from Manchester City. “Sky” reporter Florian Plettenberg recently reported that the Portuguese did not complain internally, but was anything but satisfied with his situation.
The loan deal with the reigning English champions was actually celebrated as a real transfer coup. But in the meantime, Cancelo, for whom FC Bayern is said to have a purchase option of EUR 70 million according to media reports, has to line up behind Stanisic (estimated market value of around EUR 8 million).
Nagelsmann is therefore faced with a dilemma. Stanisic will most likely be given preference in the upcoming Champions League game. “As of now, I’m assuming he’ll play,” said Nagelsmann about the native of Munich, who has had slight thigh problems in the past few days.
Stanisic is valued at FC Bayern
The fact that Stanisic has only played 262 minutes in the premier class in his career does not change the trust he enjoys from his teammates.
“Stani has been there a little longer. His qualities are undisputed. In the moments when you get the chance to play, you have to be there. Stani was there,” enthused original Bavarian Thomas Müller: “He’s bilious in his Tackles, is very quick on the track and can bite into it. But he is also calm on the ball. The whole team knows what they have in Stani.”
In the encounter with the Paris star ensemble, “Stani” is now about to take the final exam. The defender has to prove what he can do on the big international stage against the exceptional talents Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
If this succeeds, Stanisic should finally advance from part-time to regular at FC Bayern.
Jannik Kube