Bayern Munich: Leon Goretzka opens up on physical transformation
Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka reveals reasons behind bulking up during lockdown.
In the final game week of the Bundesliga, nothing was surprising as Bayern Munich lifted the title away at Wolfsburg. It was yet another comfortable victory for the champions. One thing that was notably visible when the players were celebrating that Leon Goretzka was flaunting the muscle he has put on during the lockdown.
The German midfielder has ended the season on a high note after enduring frustrating first half of the season. Goretzka was sidelined for a couple of months for different injuries that he suffered on international duty. He completed the season by becoming the first choice midfielder for Hansi Flick.
Goretzka enjoyed a debut season in Bavarian colours by being a box to box midfielder. He used to link up the midfield and attack, popping up at right positions in the box to score important goals. The German continues to contribute to goals from midfield, but his role often changes during the game as he drops deep in the number six position.
Playing in the number six role needs clever positioning while imposing physical stature becomes a bonus. Speaking to Bild am Sonntag (via Goal), Goretzka admitted that he took lockdown as the opportunity to become a more physically imposing midfielder.
"“For me, lockdown was both a crisis and an opportunity,.A crisis because you miss football and daily training with the team, but also a chance to gain muscle mass in co-ordination with the physiotherapist.“In crucial games and moments, it is important to be physically and mentally fit. The weight helps me in tackles, makes me a bit more agile and robust. Not only on the ground in a one-on-one, but also in the air.”"
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Joshua Kimmich has been largely operating as the holding midfielder for Die Roten this season. The German international is not a physically imposing midfielder, but his positioning and expansive passing make up for it. Thiago Alcantara has been his partner for the majority of the games in 2020, providing the cutting edge by operating in number eight role.
The Spanish midfielder suffered an injury after the restart, allowing Goretzka to drop in the centre of the park instead of playing as a number ten. He complemented Kimmich perfectly by providing the steel in the midfield. Both of them swapped roles in games when Kimmich used to press players while Goretzka mopped things in front of the back four.
Goretzka’s improved physical prowess will be very important in big champions league games. Along with guile in the midfield, he provides something that the team lacks unless Javi Martinez starts playing in the number six role.
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Flick will be sticking with Goretzka and Kimmich as the first-choice midfield pairing next season since Thiago is looking likely to leave the club. Corentin Tolisso has struggled to get playing time under Flick. Goretzka has shown signs of evolving and becoming a more well-rounded midfielder, which bodes well for the future.