Bayern Munich: Hansi Flick backs Jamal Musiala to shine in midfield
Julian Nagelsmann has managed to get the best out of a couple of Bayern Munich players by using them in a new position. In the last few months, the German coach has successfully managed to use Jamal Musiala in the center of the park. The teenager could be in line for a similar role for the German national team.
Musiala burst onto the scene for Bayern at the start of the 2020/21 season. He was largely used as an attacking midfielder by Hansi Flick during last season. Musiala excelled in this role since he has a great eye for goal and killer pass in the final third. The youngster also has great close control that allows him to go past players with ease and excel in tight spaces.
Die Roten was short of midfield options at the end of Hinrunde. Joshua Kimmich was sidelined due to a coronavirus infection, while Leon Goretzka was struggling with a knee injury. Corentin Tolisso was also on the sidelines. In such a scenario, Nagelsmann decided to use Musiala in the center of the park.
Musiala excelled in this role during the brief spell before the Christmas break. He has been used in this same position in the last few weeks when other midfielders were not available for selection. While talking to Sport1, Germany’s head coach Hansi Flick admitted that Musiala always had the skillset to excel in the deeper midfield position.
"“At Bayern, we often thought about playing him as a #6. Jamal is very smart in tackling. He always sticks a foot in to steal the ball.”“Jamal offers very good things in possession. He’s a player who can solve 1v1 situations very well and opens up good opportunities for the team. I’m very happy that he’s establishing himself at FC Bayern. The minutes do him good and are important for his development.”"
In the short term, Kimmich and Goretzka are the first choice options in the midfield pivot for Germany and Bayern. However, Musiala can definitely play this role in the long role since there are more than enough options in the attacking midfield role for club and country.
Flick is spot on about the role of playing in midfield on Musiala’s development. The youngster will be able to grasp small things at an early stage of his career to become a very versatile midfield player. At this stage of his career, getting playing time is crucial irrespective of which position he is playing.
Jamal Musiala may not get opportunities to play in central midfield for Germany during the ongoing international break. Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan is likely to play in the center of the park. Musiala will have to rely on appearances from the bench in the attacking midfield role. His current form commands some sort of game time for Germany during the current international break.
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Apart from Jamal Musiala, Nagelsmann also managed to get the best out of Leroy Sane by using him in a different position. Sane has featured on the left for Die Roten with the license of occupying in the central zones. The success stories of Musiala and Sane playing in new roles bodes well for the club’s future under Nagelsmann.