FC Bayern are marching confidently through the Bundesliga and even have the legendary 101-goal record from the 1971/72 season in their sights. But while everything is going well in sporting terms, coach Vincent Kompany is facing a tricky personnel issue – at the crucial stage of the season of all times
As reported by kicker, the Belgian currently has a real luxury problem in attacking midfield: behind the established attacking trio of Luis Diaz, Harry Kane and Michael Olise, there are several candidates for the number ten position
With Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala and shooting star Lennart Karl, three players are pushing for minutes
Gnabry currently slightly ahead
An indication of the current pecking order was recently seen in the Bundesliga top match in the 3:2 away win against Borussia Dortmund, where Kompany initially selected Serge Gnabry in the starting eleven
The 30-year-old put in a solid performance before being replaced by Jamal Musiala after around an hour, while youngster Lennart Karl remained on the bench for the entire match
For kicker, Gnabry’s inclusion in the starting eleven is a clear signal: the experienced attacking player currently seems to have a slight edge in the internal competition
Karl and Musiala push for more playing time
However, the situation is not easy for Kompany, as Karl in particular has come to the fore this season with his strong performances
The 18-year-old is one of the biggest surprises of the current season. With his dribbling, carefree attitude and important scoring points, he has not only played his way into the hearts of the fans, but has also made a name for himself on the pitch
The youngster is unlikely to have liked the fact that he was left completely out of action in the classic of all matches, as his standards have risen considerably following his rapid rise
Musiala should become the difference-maker again
Then there is Jamal Musiala, the attacking star who continues to work on his top form following his serious injury in the Club World Cup
The 23-year-old continues to enjoy great confidence at FC Bayern, as he is seen as one of the faces of the club’s future following his long-term contract extension
At Säbener Straße, they are prepared to give Musiala the time he needs to get back to his best, especially in the crucial knockout matches in the Champions League and DFB Cup, where he should once again become a difference-maker
This is where kicker sees the real dilemma for Kompany: in order to get Musiala back to full fitness, he needs as many minutes as possible – ideally even in the starting eleven
But that would inevitably come at the expense of Gnabry or Karl, who have also impressed this season
For Kompany, this is the start of a difficult balancing act: does he rely on Gnabry’s experience, on Karl’s youthful dynamism – or does he specifically promote the comeback of Musiala, who is considered a key player for FC Bayern in the long term?