Hansi Flick hints that depth will keep Bayern Munich roster in heavy competition

For the most part, Bayern Munich’s summer transfer window was considered to be successful, especially having finally gotten Leroy Sane from Manchester City. He’s one of ten players that were brought in during the window which has provided Hansi Flick with some necessary depth in a season where matches come one after the other across all competitions.

There’s no disguising the fact that squad rotations are absolutely necessary with such a truncated schedule this season, but the added depth is also something that will keep some of the core players in the squad more honest. In other words, starting spots are always up for grabs and at the end of the day, Flick is going to pick whoever he thinks is going to the best job at any given position. He re-iterated this speaking after Bayern’s 5-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend (Tz), a match that saw Bouna Sarr start over Benjamin Pavard at right back.

“It’s important to have a deep roster,” said Flick. “Bouna played a good game, and it’s important for all the other players to see that there’s someone else who’s really good. That might tease one or two more percent out.”

Sarr put in a decent shift against Frankfurt, which both Flick and Pavard certainly took note of. He started the sequence that lead to Sane’s goal and significantly improved upon his outing in the 3-0 DFB-Pokal win over FC Düren. There has even been a decent duel for starting spots at the left back position between Lucas Hernandez and Alphonso Davies, but Davies now faces a spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury suffered early on against Frankfurt. Even before that match, Davies had been losing minutes to an in-form Hernandez, so now his injury throws another twist in the tide for Flick.

The Bayern Munich manager may have to come up with solutions at left-back when he needs to make rotations. David Alaba could go back out to left back if need be, Pavard or Sarr could switch over to the left side of defense, or both Pavard and Sarr could start on opposite flanks; the options are there, but there’s equal opportunity for everyone to stake their claim.

Photo by S. Mellar/Getty Images for FC Bayern

Musiala still causing an international stir

17-year-old Jamal Musiala has also impressed in the performances he’s made so far. The central midfielder/winger has made a total of seven first team appearances across all competitions this season, scoring in the 8-0 win over Schalke as well as the 5-0 win over Frankfurt.

He started and played the full 90 minutes against Düren and has looked lively every time he’s come on as a substitute. On the international scene, Musiala is causing a bit of a strife between the DFB and the FA. He was born in Stuttgart, but played with England’s U15’s and U16’s having grown up in England with his mother while she was studying abroad. He did play a few matches for Germany’s U16’s, but is currently registered with England’s U17’s.