If FC Bayern want to achieve great things in this Champions League season, they will also need Serge Gnabry in top form, just as they did in their 2020 triumph. After a somewhat weaker last season, the international’s form curve is clearly pointing upwards.
Gnabry contributed nine goals to the European title win in 2020, including a brace in the semi-final against Olympique Lyon. He failed to add to that tally last season, adding just one assist to his career tally in the top flight. A tally that Gnabry equalled in the first group game in Barcelona (3-0), when Robert Lewandowski’s shot rebounded off the post for the final goal.
Against Dynamo Kiev this Wednesday evening (9pm, LIVE! on kicker), Gnabry has the next chance to deliver something countable and build on his decent start to the season with three goals in the Bundesliga. “I’m feeling better,” he said succinctly on Tuesday when asked about his health after a flu-like infection had slowed him down recently. “We’re setting ourselves new goals game by game, the joy of playing and self-confidence are currently there, we want to keep that up,” the 26-year-old announced for the match against Kiev.
“We definitely have a team we can do it with “
However, he was somewhat evasive when asked about FC Bayern being one of the top favourites for the trophy. “We don’t see it that way at all, there are many, many good teams that are eligible to win.” That cautious? Gnabry and FC Bayern do have aspirations, of course. “We as a team are at peace with ourselves, stick together well, have mega bucks and hunger for success and want to win the Champions League again. We definitely have a team that we can do it with. “
Gnabry is an important part of that, and coach Julian Nagelsmann appreciates that too. “Serge has a good finish with his left and right, which means he can play on both wings. On top of that, he has good running and deep routes.” Nagelsmann also appreciates the international as a person, saying he is a fun-loving guy who always brings a good mood into the dressing room. Gnabry lives a very professional life, but with a view to his past and one or two injuries, he still has to be careful: “We’re keeping an eye on him to make sure he’s as fit as possible for the really important tasks.”
Gnabry’s contract currently runs until 2023. After the extensions with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, the question of his future also arises. He did not want to comment on this on Tuesday. SportBild now reports in its Wednesday edition that the talks are at an advanced stage and that an agreement is not far off.
