Bayern Munich received a significant boost at the start of Ruckrunde as Jamal Musiala returned to action after spending over six months on the sidelines due to injury. The German attacking midfielder made his return for Bayern against RB Leipzig in mid-January.
Musiala grabbed an assist immediately after coming on against RB Leipzig. Despite the excitement around his return, Bayern have been very cautious about his integration into the first team. He didn’t feature in the Champions League clash against Union Saint-Gilloise. Musiala came on after the hour mark against Augsburg on Saturday.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder had shown neat touches in the final third, but lacks the sharpness that has often troubled opposition in the past. It is understandable that Musiala is taking time to get back to his best after such a serious injury.
Bayern don’t want to put pressure on Musiala as they want to give him adequate time to get back to his absolute best. While talking to TZ on Saturday (via iMiaSanMia), Max Eberl insisted that Musiala will slowly get more game time and make a telling impact in the final third for Die Roten as the season progresses.
"Integration into an ongoing competition where the level is so high is not easy. But he's now got half an hour and is taking his next steps. He needs to get some minutes and moments of brilliance. He had two or three chances in the box. You can see that when you've been out for 9 months, you lack the ease to make the decisive move. But every minute is good for him."Max Eberl
Bayern have done well in the absence of Musiala
When Musiala suffered a horrific injury against Paris Saint-Germain in June, there were alarm bells ringing at Bayern since he is very crucial to the way the team plays under Vincent Kompany.
However, Kompany has managed to get the best out of other forwards in the absence of Musiala to ensure Bayern remain lethal in the final third. Serge Gnabry has looked back to his best this season. The German forward is expected to sign a new contract in the coming days.
Lennart Karl has had the opportunity to make a mark in the first team due to Musiala’s injury. Karl has been a revelation in the Bundesliga and Champions League this season. He has scored crucial goals for Bayern in all competitions. With Luis Diaz, Michael Olise, and Harry Kane firing all cylinders and form of Karl and Gnabry, Die Roten have the luxury to slowly integrate Musiala back into the starting XI.
Bayern will face PSV Eindhoven later today in the final group game of the Champions League. A start for Musiala is unlikely, but he could get more minutes in the second half than he did against Augsburg to build his fitness. Die Roten are looking to bounce back from the weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Augsburg.