Kompany explains Goretzka-Novum: “Normal decision”

First starting eleven in 175 days: Leon Goretzka.
IMAGO/DeFodi

On May 18th, Leon Goretzka was on the pitch for the entire season when a weaker FC Bayern lost 2-4 at TSG Hoffenheim and thus lost the runner-up title to VfB Stuttgart at the last moment. What the midfielder probably didn’t know at the time: it would be his last starting eleven for a long time – more precisely, 175 days.

Although he was never injured in between, Goretzka was allowed to start a competitive game for FC Bayern for the first time this season in the Bundesliga away game at FC St. Pauli this Saturday and thus for the first time under Vincent Kompany. The coach explained this novelty very pragmatically. Given the busy schedule and the Champions League appearance against Benfica Lisbon just three days earlier, it was important to use the full range of the squad, he explained Heaven shortly before kick-off.

“We didn’t doubt his quality for a second, so it’s a completely normal decision for me,” emphasized Kompany, “but I also understand that the questions are coming now.” The Belgian answered them calmly as always: whether Goretzka was happy ? “I hope that every player is happy when they start.” How did you react? “Like every player. They are professionals, they have had such a long career, they know how to do it.”

Goretzka, who was on the bench until the end in the 1-0 win against Benfica, has only been substituted eight times in the 15 FCB competitive games so far this season, the earliest being the second-round win in the DFB Cup against 1. FSV Mainz 05 (4 :0, kicker grade 3) when he was allowed to get involved from the 58th minute. At the start of the season he didn’t even make it into the matchday squad twice – against Ulm in the cup (4-0) and against Kiel in the league (6-1).

At the Millerntor, he was now given priority alongside Joshua Kimmich, who was placed in the double six, ahead of Joao Palhinha and Konrad Laimer, who initially sat on the bench.