Although FC Bayern missed out on the hoped-for home win in their 2-2 draw against Arsenal, several Munich players still delivered impressive performances. In particular, the young midfield duo of Aleksandar Pavlovic and Tom Bischof left a lasting impression. Even Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was full of praise for the two Bayern youngsters after the Champions League showdown.
The situation was anything but easy for Vincent Kompany. Joshua Kimmich had to sit out at the last minute due to a bereavement in his immediate family. Tom Bischof stepped in for the German national team player, partnering Aleksandar Pavlovic in the starting lineup.
This marked the first time the two young players had formed the defensive midfield duo for the German record champions at this level—and against Arsenal of all teams, which boasts a star-studded midfield featuring Declan Rice, Martin Ödegaard, and Bruno Guimaraes.
But the two Bayern youngsters withstood the pressure and impressed with a committed performance.
Gerrard raves: “They played outstandingly.”
Steven Gerrard, in particular, was impressed by the performances of the two midfielders. The former Liverpool captain analyzed the match as a TV analyst for TNT Sports and had nothing but praise afterward. “Those two really impressed me tonight. In a game of this importance, they played outstandingly,” explained the 46-year-old.
Remarkable praise from one of the most influential midfielders of his generation.
Gerrard, who was himself known during his playing career for his strength in one-on-one duels, game vision, and leadership qualities, thus paid tribute to the performance of the two young Bayern pros at the highest European level.
Sports Director Max Eberl also spoke positively about the duo after the game, highlighting their running ability in particular.
“I really enjoy playing alongside Pavlo.”
Tom Bischof himself was satisfied with his personal performance after the final whistle. However, the result left a bitter aftertaste for the 21-year-old.
“When you’re in the lead for so long, it’s definitely disappointing that we didn’t get the three points. We had a good stretch in the second half, established ourselves up front, and played well. Arsenal is, of course, a very good team—they put pressure on us, too. Unfortunately, we still conceded a goal,” explained the midfielder.
Despite his convincing performance, Bischof didn’t want to stake a claim to a permanent spot in the starting lineup. “I really enjoy playing alongside Pavlo. But we all know what an outstanding player Jo is. Ultimately, Vinnie decides who starts. I’m just happy to be on the field and get my minutes. We’ll see what the future holds.”
The two young players could play an important role in the long term, not only at FC Bayern but also on the German national team.
During the last international break, Pavlovic and Bischof played together in central midfield under national team coach Jürgen Klopp against Greece and Serbia.
Their strong performance against Arsenal is likely to have further boosted their confidence. At the same time, they’ve shown that FC Bayern has promising alternatives in midfield even if Joshua Kimmich is sidelined.