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20-year-old left-back Marco Friedl has been on loan with Werder Bremen from Bayern Munich since January. His contract with Bayern runs through until 2021 and his loan spell with Bremen is technically set to end in 2019, although Bayern have the option to bring him back before then.
In an interview with Bild, however, Friedl has expressed his desire to stay with Bremen through the end of his loan, and perhaps beyond. Staying, he feels, is the best option for all parties as he looks to develop in an environment where he can see increased first-team minutes:
I have often spoken with Bayern about what would be best for all sides. I also made clear that I want to see out my loan contract. I’ll almost certainly stay until 2019. I’m working hard, want to impose myself from the get-go! I have an important year ahead of me.
After only featuring for Bayern twice this season, including a full, 90-minute debut vs. Anderlecht in the Champions League, Friedl had a more impressive Rückrunde with Bremen, making a total of 9 appearances from a total of 16 available matches. He started off getting solid minutes with their 2nd team as he wasn’t in the first team squad for his first 6 matches with the club. His performances to close out the season, he revealed, have not gone unnoticed, by both Bayern and Bremen:
The Werder bosses are very satisfied with me. . . My correspondence with Bayern has gone very well since my loan. Sporting director [Hasan] Salihamidzic often asks how I’m doing, watches my games. He also gives me feedback. I can tell that they’re interested.
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Lastly, Friedl also comically commented on the stick he received from Bremen fans for wearing shin guards with images of himself in a Bayern Munich kit on them. He was quick to comply with the request of the Bremen fans to change them:
The fans asked me weeks ago why I still have Bayern shin guards. I then decided that I needed new ones [laughing]. I’ve had Werder shin guards now for three games. Things have been going great with them.