Bayern Munich kicked off their preparations for the second half of the season in the best possible way by clinching a 5-0 win against RB Salzburg. The Bavarian club had given players an off day on Wednesday after the squad returned from the winter break last Saturday. Bayern will start preparing for the first game of Ruckrunde on Thursday as they host Wolfsburg on January 11.
In their preparations for the clash against Wolfsburg, Bayern will be without their midfield talisman- Joshua Kimmich. The German midfielder is struggling with ankle problems. He had missed the final game of 2025 against FC Heidenheim.
While talking to Kicker (via iMiaSanMia) on Tuesday, Max Eberl admitted that Kimmich will be out for a few more days. The German midfielder is expected to miss the game against FC Koln. Kimmich will potentially be back in the squad for the clash against RB Leipzig on January 17.
Kimmich has been a standout player for Bayern during the first half of the season. He has consistently delivered for Bayern under Vincent Kompany. Considering his importance to the way the team plays, Die Roten do not want to rush him back from injury.
Leon Goretzka gets the opportunity to stake a claim for more game time
With Kimmich ruled out for the clash against Wolfsburg and FC Koln, it is an opportunity for Leon Goretzka to get a start for Bayern. The German international is expected to pair with Aleksandar Pavlovic in the center of the park. Tom Bischof is another midfield option, but Goretzka is currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
Goretzka has had decent playing time in the first half of the season, but he is no longer first choice option in the midfield. Kompany prefers a midfield pairing of Kimmich and Pavlovic during the first half of the season. Goretzka will hope to make the most out of the two starts against Wolfsburg and FC Koln to set the tone for the second half of the season.
As things stand, Bayern are not planning to offer a new deal to Goretzka. He will become a free agent in the summer. Goretzka remains keen on staying in Munich, but there will be no shortage of options for him as several clubs have been linked with him for a winter transfer. Bayern and Goretzka do not want to part ways in January as the experienced midfielder remains focused on achieving success in Bavaria during the next six months.