For the new season Bayern Munich’s starting central midfield has a familiar look and feel to it. Once again Joshua Kimmich will be the man responsible for bossing the middle of park for the reigning Bundesliga Champions.
Under Vincent Kompany’s expansive possession-based style of football Kimmich will play to his strengths as a deep-lying orchestrator or an advanced playmaker higher up the pitch depending on the flow of the game.
The fact that the Bavarian side loaned out it’s only true midfield defensive specialist- João Palhinha to Tottenham, with an option to buy, is a clear reminder that Kompany’s system is based on the high-line defense with pressing and counter-pressing to maximise possession and chance creation.
Kimmich’s supporting crew
After being told at the start of last season that he wasn’t in the coach’s plans, Leon Goretzka showed great character to remain with the club and regain the starting spot alongside Kimmich in the engine room. Over the course of last season, Goretzka managed to revive his career well enough to earn a recall to the German national team.
The 30-year-old box-to-box midfielder isn’t quite as dynamic as he was a few years ago, but he is an experienced campaigner and still provides a goal-scoring threat with his aerial prowess and shooting ability. As things currently stand Goretzka just edges out Aleksandar Pavlovic for the second starting spot in the midfield double pivot. Ironically, this may still be Goretzka’s last season in a Bayern shirt.
All things considered; it would not be a surprise if Pavlovic were to displace Goretzka in the starting XI over the course of the season. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder was the find of the 2023/24 season. Since then, he has gone on to become a member of the German national team in addition to being a key contributor at club level. Pavlovic has been touted in some quarters as the heir apparent to Toni Kroos. However, his development has unfortunately been stalled due to illness and injuries. If he can stay healthy for a long stretch, he may further justify the comparison to Kroos.
Rounding out the options for the midfield double pivot is newcomer Tom Bischof, who was acquired from Hoffenheim on a free transfer over the summer. The dynamic 20-year-old left-footer is a versatile box-to-box midfielder. He can also function well in a more advanced midfield role or on the right side of the midfield. Having already earned a cap for the German national team, he has what it takes to be an impactful contributor for Bayern this season, and similar to Pavlovic, he has the potential to become a regular starter.
Apart from not having an enforcer-type player number six in the squad, the Bayern midfield contains an excellent blend of experience and youth.