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Bayern Munich: Marcel Sabitzer’s patience will eventually pay off

By Kiran Thakare

Marcel Sabitzer has endured a slow start at Bayern Munich since arriving at the club from RB Leipzig in last summer transfer window. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
Marcel Sabitzer has endured a slow start at Bayern Munich since arriving at the club from RB Leipzig in last summer transfer window. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images) /
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Another Bundesliga gameweek, another substitute appearance for Marcel Sabitzer. The Austrian midfielder came on in the second half for Bayern Munich on Saturday in the crucial 5-2 win against Union Berlin. Sabitzer has mainly become an option from the bench for Die Roten.

It was a quiet transfer window for Bayern Munich for the majority of summer. After completing the early signings of Dayot Upamecano, Omar Richards, and Sven Ulreich, Die Roten did focus on outgoings to make some space. The Bavarian club couldn’t find permanent offers for fringe players but did complete the transfer of Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig in the last week of the window.

Marcel Sabitzer came to the club with the role of providing more depth in midfield. His two years of experience working with Julian Nagelsmann was an added bonus. It was expected that Sabitzer would need very little time to adapt to new surroundings due to familiarity with Nagelsmann’s philosophy.

However, things have not been as straightaway as Sabitzer would have expected. He has started only once in the Bundesliga. The Austrian midfielder is used as an option from the bench with 246 minutes to his name in the league. In three Champions League games, he has got one star. He is yet to score or assist in these limited opportunities.(Stats courtesy: Whoscored)

The lack of opportunities has also been down to the form of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, and Thomas Muller in the midfield. Muller doesn’t exactly play in the midfield but does play as a number ten, a position where Sabitzer can slot in. Meanwhile, Kimmich and Goretzka have excelled as midfield pivot.

Despite less playing time, Sabitzer shouldn’t be concerned as of now. After the next international break, games are going to pile up until the winter break. Sabitzer should be looking to get more playing time in this period.

Apart from the upcoming busy schedule in November and December, Sabitzer will have to be ready to fill in the midfield in case of injury problems. Corentin Tolisso and Goretzka have consistently struggled with injuries in the past couple of seasons. Nagelsmann will have to manage the playing time of these two midfielders, which can eventually open more chances for Sabitzer.

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Post international break in November and second half of the season often test the depth of the squad as Bayern juggle games between Champions League and Bundesliga. Sabitzer will have a big role to play during this run due to his incredible work rate and versatility.

The situation for Sabitzer is not as poor as Mickael Cuisance and Marc Roca. The Austrian midfielder surely looks likely in the long-term plans of Nagelsmann. However, he will have to be patient for getting an extended run in the starting XI. Until then, he has to make the most out of the chances he is getting from the bench.