Hasan Salihamidzic defends Michael Cuisance, explains why Alaba is staying in Munich

Michael Cuisance has not enjoyed the best start to life at Bayern Munich since joining from Borussia Mönchengladbach over the summer. The French midfielder hasn’t gotten many minutes in the first team and has played primarily with Bayern’s reserves in the 3. Liga. He has had a handful of injury problems this season, but he certainly would like to be playing more with the first team.

On Sunday during Sport1’s “Dopplepass,” former Bayern player Mario Basler sarcastically criticized Cuisance in an appearance with Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl (via Spox):

Cuisance did everything right. Max, I don’t mean to criticize. He transferred from a Europa League player to the 3. Liga. Great footballer, but in his shoes I’d rethink my agent. Immense talent, but how can someone be so stupid and leave a club where he has everything and has grown up a bit? I sometimes really have to ask myself what young players like that have in their heads — probably nothing at all!

As Bayern’s sporting director, Hasan Salihamidizc was responsible for the transfer of Cuisance. After hearing Basler’s criticism, he defended the French 20-year-old. He said that Bayern have a long-term plan for Cuisance, and that he’s ready to take the next step in that process:

Mika has potential. We’re working on helping him take the next step. We had an idea with him. He can take the next step with the high-caliber teammates at FC Bayern. We expect some things. He takes that very seriously.

He’s trying to impose himself in every training session. Sure, he hasn’t had so many minutes, but we’re working on that, too.

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for FC Bayern

This week’s Champions League clash against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia could have been a perfect opportunity for Hansi Flick to experiment with the squad, since Bayern has already secured progression to the knockout stages, but Cuisance unfortunately did not travel to Belgrade on account of illness.

An update on David Alaba

David Alaba has been one of Bayern’s most consistent under Hansi Flick, especially considering he’s been deputized as a center-back in all three matches (Olympiacos, Dortmund, Dusseldorf). He also did not travel with the squad to Serbia because his girlfriend is expected to give birth, per kicker.

Salihamidzic said Alaba could use some rest and regeneration while he stays with his girlfriend:

David has played a lot and played well recently. He also needs to regenerate a little. Of course he’d like to be there at the birth when it starts. The coaches and he therefore agreed that he would stay home.

David Alaba’s partner, Shalimar Heppner: