Tarek Buchmann made an immediate impact on his debut for 1. FC Nürnberg. The player on loan from FC Bayern impressed across the board in the 3-2 away win in Kiel – and delighted coach Miroslav Klose
Hardly anyone had expected him to play before the game. The 21-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the starting eleven – and celebrated a double debut: his first ever professional game and his debut in an FCN shirt
It was anything but a matter of course that he took this step so confidently straight away. „I was really nervous before the game and it took me a little while to get into the game,“ explained Buchmann afterwards. „Ultimately, I was happy that we won here and that I also played a relatively good game.“
The central defender almost crowned his performance with a goal. In the first half, Buchmann headed home from a set-piece but failed to beat Kiel keeper Timon Weiner
His most important moment came shortly before the end, however, when the defender made a spectacular save on the line at 3:2 – and saved Nuremberg from equalizing. A scene that was emblematic of his performance: attentive, courageous and uncompromising
Coach Miroslav Klose had clear words for him after the match. The 2014 world champion praised his debutant to the skies: „He has everything. He has an overview, can play a good ball, bites into tackles, is courageous and defends forwards,“ explained Klose. „A huge compliment.“
But that’s not all: the FCN coach even went one step further: „You almost have to say that he played like a great. Hats off to him – especially with the setbacks he suffered.“
Long period of suffering for the Bayern talent
The path to this debut was anything but easy for Buchmann. The defender has been repeatedly set back by injuries in recent years. Shortly after moving to Nuremberg last autumn, he suffered a serious foot injury and was out for months. He also had other muscular problems
The central defender already had to contend with health setbacks at FC Bayern – including a shoulder operation and several torn muscle bundles
It is therefore all the more remarkable how calmly Buchmann performed in his first professional outing
His loan from FC Bayern currently runs until the end of the season, but after his strong debut, an extension seems a distinct possibility
Coach Klose has already made it clear that he would like to keep the defensive player for longer: „I think we’ll have to have one or two more talks. We’ve invested a lot of work in the youngster and we need him.“
However, it is clear that several parties will have a say in this decision – first and foremost FC Bayern.