The FC Bayern squad offers four right-backs – or just three? Coach Julian Nagelsmann explains the pecking order.
It looked a bit strange when the FC Bayern substitutes put on their shirts and made their first rounds in the home match against Wolfsburg (2-0) about a fortnight ago. Because Joshua Zirkzee was absent due to illness, only Mathys Tel and Leroy Sané remained as offensive options, along with Ryan Gravenberch otherwise only defenders. None of them were later substituted, but one was not even allowed to warm up: Bouna Sarr.
Since his return as Africa Cup winner in February, the Senegalese still played in two competitive matches: for a few minutes in the league draw against Leverkusen (1:1) and for a half in the already decided round of 16 second leg against Salzburg (7:1). Sarr disappeared from the scene for a long time because of patella tendon problems.
The 30-year-old, who has since recovered and was signed from Marseille for eight million euros in 2020, is still not playing a major role at FCB, but no buyer has yet been found. “I assume that he will stay,” coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Friday, praising Sarr’s recent training performance and then explaining that he did not see the right-back as a right-back at all. “Rather a tad further forward,” Nagelsmann said. “On the right in midfield. Because he dribbles a lot and takes a lot of risk in his actions, he has a very good pace dribbling, creative solutions, a good move to the goal.”
Sarr is not a “classic defender, even though he plays for the national team and that’s how he came to Bayern Munich. I don’t think that’s his best position, he’s better further forward. “
Mazraoui still has to get used to the pace
At right back, newcomer Noussair Mazraoui, alongside Josip Stanisic, also has claims to that, but he didn’t make a good impression at the start of preparation “Before that, he was a classic newcomer who needed a bit of time.” Who, on top of that, had to struggle with weight loss due to the adjustment to the new city. That has improved in the meantime, Nagelsmann assured. As have Mazraoui’s performances. “He just has to get used to the pace a bit more in the Bundesliga. As far as defending is concerned, that maybe you have to close down earlier in one situation or another. “
There is only one “small problem” for Mazraoui: Benjamin Pavard, who is in front at right back, does his job “very well” and “very reliably”. Nevertheless, Nagelsmann promises: “In the long run, Nous will get his games.” Just not yet.
