With Kimmich, Goretzka, Tolisso and Sabitzer, FC Bayern were missing four players for the double six in Stuttgart. That was hardly noticeable in the ultimately clear 5-0 win, as Marc Roca and Jamal Musiala did their job well.
When Marc Roca finished his day’s work in the 75th minute, he received a seconds-long, intimate hug from his coach on the sidelines as his reward. “He was flattened and quite rightly very happy,” Julian Nagelsmann explained and followed up with justified praise that was at most a little too thick: “I praised him today in the dressing room in front of the team, I rarely do that. He extremely deserved it, Marc delivered an outstanding performance in terms of content. “
Roca played with heart
Reasoning: He knew the footballing quality of the rarely used Spaniard, but Roca had also played with a huge heart. Nagelsmann’s self-critical conclusion: “It was obviously a mistake to bring him on so rarely.” In preparation, Roca, who had already played almost no role under Hansi Flick, had been injured. After that, Nagelsmann never used him, but most recently he allowed the defensive midfielder two substitute appearances in the Champions League and the first in this Bundesliga season in the 2-1 win over Mainz.
“I am very happy. All the players and the whole staff have helped me a lot,” said Roca, saying what professionals say in such a situation. His boss was clearer: “Marc always puts his foot down in training and sometimes shows that he’s angry. He is a strong character, not a little mouse that ducks away. He speaks his mind and has the ambition to play more often. I think it’s right for him to make that known.”
Speaking to Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic on Wednesday afternoon, he also had warm words for the Spaniard: “We are very happy that he played an excellent game after such a long time. In Stuttgart he showed that he is a super boy with a sensational mentality. “
Calm and technically flawless, Roca had ordered the game on this poor pitch, taking charge so to speak and plugging holes. “He played great balls and did exactly what he can do: Resolve the situations. Marc is a boy we love with his attitude. That’s good for him and FC Bayern,” Salihamidzic said.
Musiala has good prospects
So it’s quite possible that Roca will get his next call-up as early as the end of the first half of the season against VfL Wolfsburg on Friday evening. Musiala should be safe, as the 18-year-old had already proven against Mainz that he can also play in a more defensive role and make his mark. Kimmich will be missing again, Sabitzer will hardly be in the starting eleven after his extended break. And with Goretzka and Tolisso, the Munich side will hardly take the risk of anything happening again. The most important insight for FC Bayern after Stuttgart is therefore: Even with a very thin personnel on the double-six, it is easily enough for a win in the Bundesliga.
