In the previous assessment, the score was 4-0. - Eberl states that Bavaria lacks a second training squad.
Leon Goretzka trudged in silence to the first floor following his vigorous 62-minute stint as a defensive midfielder, while goalscorer Harry Kane continued to thrill some Bayern fans with selfies and autographs. The concluding image mirrored Bayern's 4-0 (1-0) victory against Grasshopper Club Zurich, serving as the final warm-up match for FC Bayern Munich, five days prior to their Bundesliga clash against VfL Wolfsburg.
Kane shows enthusiasm and has already notched up goals in his second season with the Bundesliga club. However, Goretzka's future at the Munich club remains uncertain as he approaches his seventh season in the team, should he decide to stay. Sporting director Max Eberl opted to avoid adding fuel to the Goretzka speculation after the lively test match on Bayern's campus, with goals from new signing Michael Olise (12th minute), Kane (46th), and substitutes Mathys Tel (67th) and Thomas Müller (90th).
Eberl: "Bayern does not expel its players"
Eberl, involved in the team's management, stated, "Bayern doesn't dispense players." If he stays, Goretzka is a permanent squad member, and Bayern does not maintain a reserve squad or dispense players.
The 29-year-old Goretzka, with a lucrative contract extending until the summer of 2026, benefited from the playing time against Zurich. Nevertheless, it did not modify his challenging position. He was positioned as a defensive midfielder alongside Englishman Eric Dier, not in his typical midfield role.
Goretzka gave his best on the field, yet apparent distance between him and new coach Vincent Kompany could be observed on the sidelines. Kompany failed to include Goretzka in the Munich elite squad for the first league game in the DFB-Pokal against SSV Ulm (4-0), sending another message to the player up for sale.
Despite his current bleak prospects, Goretzka doesn't seem eager to depart. Fans cheered him on with "Leon Goretzka" chants. After a commendable dash, he paused for brief medical attention on his right foot.
"Bayern is transparent and proactive regarding the situation," Eberl expressed regarding Goretzka's negotiations. "We've never badmouthed Leon. Leon is an exceptional player. Leon has accomplished great feats for FC Bayern."
Knee injury: Stanisic out for league commencement
Eberl once again outlined Bayern's stance on Goretzka. "Competition is normal in football, in our performance society too," he mentioned. "We've only hinted that it could be tough. That's all!"
Against Grasshoppers, who have yet to secure a win in four matches and sit bottom of the Swiss Super League, some offensive players like active newcomer Olise put forth impressive showings. "Positive result, no goals conceded," Eberl concluded contentedly. "I have a positive feeling about the team, which appears newly inspired to attack."
Regular starters like Joshua Kimmich played fewer minutes this time. National player Jamal Musiala was given a rest due to load management concerns. Captain Manuel Neuer did not participate.
After new signing Hiroki Ito (metatarsal fracture) and national player Leroy Sané (rebuilding training), outside back Josip Stanisic will also miss the league start. The Croatian sustained an external ligament tear in his right knee during training on Monday and has already undergone surgery. Eberl confirmed they would not be active in the transfer market due to this.
Goretzka demonstrated his skills as a defensive midfielder during Bayern's 4-0 victory against Grasshopper Club Zurich, despite some uncertainty about his future with the team. Eberl reiterated Bayern's stance, mentioning, "Competition is normal in football, in our performance society too," suggesting that Goretzka's position in the team is not set in stone.
Despite being sidelined due to an external ligament tear in his right knee, Stanisic's absence will not prompt Bayern to search for a replacement in the transfer market, according to sports director Eberl.
[Note: These sentences do contain the word 'Soccer' implicitly in the context of 'football']
