The 2023 calendar year was anything but positive for Leon Goretzka (28) – at times he even lost his place in the DFB squad. Meanwhile, the 28-year-old is once again playing a crucial role at FC Bayern Munich under coach Thomas Tuchel.
When his day starts at 8 a.m., Leon Goretzka first takes time for himself. He reads a little, watches the news, observes world events. He is interested in what is happening around him. He doesn’t want to live in a bubble far removed from reality, he tries to broaden his mental horizons. This helps him to concentrate fully on his work, on soccer, later in the day. On his passion, which is sometimes fun and sometimes causes suffering. Just like last summer
Months of uncertainty about the future
It was a long, unprecedented back-and-forth in his career during the last transfer window. It was a completely new situation that Goretzka had to deal with. Speculation about his future persisted for weeks, even months. It was whispered at FC Bayern that he could leave the club if a suitable offer came along, even though his contract runs for another three years until 2026. There was also criticism from coach Thomas Tuchel, who said bluntly in the direction of his midfielder at the start of training: “It was certainly an unsatisfactory end to the season for Leon, and that’s no secret. Not just in the last game, but in the final phase.”
Like the rest of the team, Goretzka’s performances dropped off significantly, especially in the second half of the previous season. Bayern’s midfield lacked stability and composure. Games and points were given away unnecessarily. There was little or nothing to be seen of the confident Bayern. Which is why almost every professional at the German record champions was questioned last summer. Such as Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry or Sadio Mané, whose departure was sealed early.
When asked whether Goretzka would still be a Bayern player after the end of the transfer window, the head coach avoided a clear yes. “I wouldn’t confirm that for any player,” said Tuchel at the time and continued: “He is simply someone from his status, his contract and his age from whom we expect a lot: that he takes responsibility, that he carries the team. There is room for improvement. Our job is to help him do that. A situation can always arise – like with Lucas Hernandez, who I fully expected – where players have other plans. There is a lot of competition. “
Goretzka loves “the club, the city, the fans “
Words that were anything but a commitment to the player. On the contrary. If anything, these words fueled the rumours and hit Goretzka hard, as did Tuchel’s decision to classify him as a number three midfielder for the time being, as was evident in the preparation, the test matches and the Super Cup. However, the national player’s direction was quickly clear. He wants to stay and assert himself. “All I can say is: I love the club, I love the city, I love the fans,” Goretzka emphasized after the official team presentation: “There are no thoughts of leaving the club.”
There was – presumably deliberately – no public backing or a preemptive bar in his future debate, and talks with coach Tuchel were rare. Goretzka is gladly included in the deliberations, both in terms of soccer and content. But also on a personal level. Tuchel is a little more distant, saying that he has already had conversations with Goretzka, often “short conversations” that “often take place on the way to training, in training or on the pitch after training”, explains the head coach: “You don’t always have to call the coach’s office to make an appointment.” For the midfielder, it was a case of keeping a cool head, swallowing it and getting on with it. This time was not easy for him. The fact that he wasn’t called up for the national team in the meantime only added to his disappointment.
But as a professional who has already experienced a lot at the age of 28, he took on this situation, this unfamiliar and sometimes uncertain challenge. He remained calm on the outside, kept his frustration to himself and worked on himself. He distracted himself from these negative experiences with his friends. A group of childhood friends who meet up regularly. To play football in the garden, for games evenings or even vacations together. They are Goretzka’s safe environment, which encourages him in what he does. Because: while other professionals find it extremely difficult to deal with criticism and let it unsettle them, Goretzka drew the right conclusions and fought for his place
The club bosses have also noted this development with approval. As did coach Tuchel, who appreciates Goretzka’s attitude. “There were a few discussions about him,” says the 50-year-old: “But he accepted it and stuck with it. Eyes closed and through. He never let himself down, trained very well and found his form.” Whether on the double six, the left eight or, of necessity, in central defense
The people in charge appreciate Goretzka’s variability
However, it is important to differentiate between his actual roles. On the double six, he had the more defensive role, especially last season and at the start of this season. He was supposed to protect his partner Joshua Kimmich and not move too far up the pitch due to the latter’s slight lack of pace. This should provide more stability, but at the same time limit Goretzka’s attacking drive and make him less dangerous in front of goal. This only changed again in the course of the first half of the season, at least temporarily. In the 4-0 win in Dortmund, he occupied the left eight/ten (depending on interpretation) alongside Jamal Musiala, playing higher up the pitch with Konrad Laimer behind him. This gives his game more freedom – like he once did with Thiago, with whom he enjoyed playing together and harmonized superbly. But he also did his job reliably defensively
“Leon is an absolute top player, which he has already proven consistently at the highest level over many years”, “In recent weeks, he has marched ahead with his strong performances in various positions and that even with a broken hand – that shows his super mentality.” This also impressed coach Tuchel. “He’s now gritted his teeth with his hand fracture and he’s also fought through it with pain, putting himself at the service of the cause and the team with a restriction, that was very impressive,” said the Munich soccer coach a few weeks ago: “He played very well as a central defender when it was necessary.” He also “found good form in the half-back position” in the center of midfield, according to Tuchel. The interplay with Alphonso Davies and Leroy Sané on that side works – and he doesn’t shy away from the often long run to the back. “He’s a box-to-box player, very strong on the run, technically adept, who creates danger in the opposition penalty area with his speed and is always looking to score himself,” says Freund, describing Goretzka’s qualities: “He’s also performed really well as a central defender in recent weeks, which shows that he can be used anywhere.” His flexibility is currently doing FC Bayern an enormous amount of good
Can Goretzka also fight his way back into the national team?
In Munich, he has found his place again, provided he was fit. The situation is different with the national team. In three out of four international matches under Julian Nagelsmann, Goretzka was on the bench for the time being, but he was in the starting line-up for the first time in the 2-0 defeat in Austria. It is not always easy for him to accept this, but of course he has no other choice. There was a discussion with the national coach about his situation and prospects in the national team during the trip to the USA in October. It is said to have been a very open, direct exchange, albeit not entirely positive for the player, who – like the national coach himself – is in the discovery phase in the national team under Nagelsmann. However, it is only logical that Goretzka also wants to fight his way through the DFB until the European Championship in his own country, as he learned how to deal with setbacks at FCB. And, above all, that he knows how to overcome them.
At FC Bayern, meanwhile, Goretzka is being appreciated again. “Leon is a leader who always leads the way on the pitch and always takes responsibility, even in difficult situations,” emphasizes sporting director Freund.
Things could get exciting for Goretzka from the New Year if FC Bayern actually sign a defensive six-man and he is earmarked for the first eleven. The cards would then be reshuffled in the Bavarian center. Goretzka could compete for a place with his buddy Kimmich, as he did recently with the national team. But that is a long way off. In any case, he needs to get fully fit again during the Christmas break – after missing the last two games due to illness – so that he can pick up in January where he left off in 2023
