After the international double pack: The Bayern stars‘ chances at the European Championships

Although the German national team’s victorious test matches are fuelling anticipation of a summer fairytale, they have turned two FC Bayern players into losers. Other FCB stars are not yet completely clear about the European Championship either.

Holiday or not? After the two international matches, FC Bayern’s stars have more clarity regarding their plans for June. Five German internationals can already feel part of the European Championship squad if no injury intervenes.

There won’t be any major changes until the summer, national coach Julian Nagelsmann made clear: „There’s no question about it: If everyone stays healthy and continues to perform like this, we definitely won’t swap ten players in the summer. Actually not even five, maybe one or two – plus injuries.“

That’s not good news for Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry. FCBinside takes a look at the Bayern stars‘ European Championship chances.

Manuel Neuer: The FC Bayern goalkeeper will start a World Cup or European Championship as number one for the eighth time in a row. He tore a muscle fibre in training and was ruled out for the two international matches. However, Nagelsmann had already guaranteed him the status of number one and the injury did not change that. „That’s why I won’t change my decision,“ emphasised the national coach ahead of the France game, pointing to Neuer’s strong performances since his comeback in the Bayern goal: „He’s been very stable for a long time now, both in the Champions League and in the Bundesliga. It’s about giving the player security and clarity.“ For Neuer, there is only one thing that matters in the coming months: staying injury-free.

Joshua Kimmich: In the two international matches, the 29-year-old found himself right back where he started his national team career at Euro 2016. Kimmich delivered two extremely solid performances at right-back. Against France, he kept superstar Kylian Mbappé in check, and against the Netherlands, he didn’t allow anything down his side and also repeatedly put pressure on the forwards. This makes him a fixture in his new position. At Bayern under Thomas Tuchel, he now also plays on the right-hand side of defence, so he won’t have to change his position again at the European Championships. Nagelsmann has made it clear in recent days that the transfer to the outside was not against the player’s will. Kimmich is „a bit bothered by the fact that people always say he doesn’t want to play in that position. He is generally very open. The most important thing for him is that he plays and can help the team. He does that in terms of content and mentality.“

Jamal Musiala : The photos from the Netherlands game, which show Musiala falling to the ground several times, are anything but symbolic. The 21-year-old is a regular in the first eleven of the DFB team and has been given added value by the number 10. He has received countless plaudits for his interplay with Florian Wirtz. Nothing stands in the way of Musiala making a big appearance in the summer. The only thing that can stop him is a bad pitch.

Thomas Müller: The Bayern veteran can also look forward to another absolute highlight in the autumn of his career with the European Championship in his own country. The two test matches showed what Müller’s role will be at the tournament. The 34-year-old will come on for the last 20 or 30 minutes and drive the team on once again. Unlike at FCB under Tuchel, Müller does not seem to be bothered by his part-time role with the national team. „Thomas knows how important he is in every role. Whether he plays a lot or is someone who comes in and can then contribute his elements,“ explained Nagelsmann.

Leroy Sané: The attacking player was suspended for the two international matches but still joined the team ahead of the game against the Netherlands. A clear signal that Sané should be part of the European Championship squad. Nagelsmann emphasised this plan with words: „If he’s healthy, we won’t do without him. Because he’s simply a super player.“ However, Sané will have to adjust to not always being part of the starting eleven. The attacking line-up with Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Ilkay Gündogan is set for the time being. Nagelsmann will soon be trying to convince Sané to take on the wildcard role at a dinner in Munich.

Aleksandar Pavlovic: An illness prevented the Bayern youngster from making his international debut for Germany. After suffering from tonsillitis, it is currently unclear whether he will be fit in time for the clash against BVB on Saturday. It will become clear at the latest when the squad is named for the European Championships whether the call-up for the test matches is only intended to stop the Serbs‘ efforts to recruit the 19-year-old or whether Nagelsmann is actually planning to play the Munich six-man at the European Championships. If Pavlovic returns to the consistent form of the previous weeks after the break due to illness, there is really no way around him.

Leon Goretzka: For Pavlovic’s midfield colleague, on the other hand, the door to the European Championship is almost closed. When asked about Goretzka and Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, who were left out of the squad, Nagelsmann said at the press conference after the game against the Netherlands: „The message to these players is that we’ve done well now and they have to go full throttle to get on the bandwagon. At the end of the day, they have to be better than anyone else who is there now, in whatever role. That’s clear.“ Goretzka would therefore have to put in a stronger performance in the Bundesliga than his direct rival Robert Andrich. The 29-year-old must now deliver outstanding performances like the one against Mainz. Otherwise, he can only hope for an injury to another midfielder.

Serge Gnabry: The European Championship prospects for Serge Gnabry are even gloomier. He did return from his month-long injury break with two goals in two games. Nevertheless, he must first make it back into the starting eleven for Bayern. It will then be much harder to displace the competition in the DFB team. Chris Führich, a potential rival winger, has impressed with his energetic performances after coming on as a substitute.