While Serge Gnabry’s absence at the end of the season is a significant blow for FC Bayern, there’s a silver lining as Jamal Musiala appears to be nearing his peak form. However, Kompany has issued a clear warning and raised a crucial lingering question.
Perhaps the highly controversial statements made by Oliver Kahn served as the exact motivational boost Jamal Musiala needed. Following a lengthy recovery from a fractured fibula and a severe ankle dislocation, a lukewarm reintegration into the squad, and another health setback that caused him to miss the March international matches, Musiala has shown remarkable resilience.
«He should forgo participating in the World Cup,» the former FC Bayern chairman stated on Sky eleven days ago. «If I feel something is not right in my game, then I have to work on myself to be ready again.» This was followed by public outcry, widespread expressions of solidarity for Musiala, and an impressive sporting response from the 23-year-old attacking player.
FC Bayern: Jamal Musiala Delivers Three Strong Performances in a Row
In the subsequent 5-0 victory against FC St. Pauli, Musiala started for the first time in over a month. He played with his usual lightness, scored the historic 101st goal of the Bundesliga season, and provided another assist. In the spectacular 4-3 comeback win in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, Musiala’s dribbling earned Eduardo Camavinga his first yellow card, leading to his eventual red. He then brilliantly set up Luis Diaz’s crucial equalizer with a backheel. This all came after he came on as a substitute for Serge Gnabry, who had established himself in Musiala’s preferred central attacking midfield role during Musiala’s absence.
Three days later, Gnabry suffered a torn adductor in his right thigh during training. The 30-year-old is certain to miss the rest of the season with FC Bayern and likely the World Cup with the German national team. Both domestically and internationally, he competes with Musiala for playing time.
As expected, Musiala started in place of Gnabry at the championship celebration against VfB Stuttgart. He repeatedly took on defenders, creating gaps in Stuttgart’s defense, one of which ultimately led to Raphael Guerreiro’s equalizer. This marked Musiala’s fourth goal contribution in three games. Coach Vincent Kompany substituted him at halftime, presumably to manage his workload. «That was planned,» Musiala confirmed.
FC Bayern: Raphael Guerreiro and Lennart Karl Also Offer Hope
Musiala’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for FC Bayern, especially with Gnabry’s injury. «It’s actually a coincidence that Serge’s injury happened now and Jamal isn’t far off,» Kompany had said before the Stuttgart match. He added, almost in disbelief, «We played a large part of this season successfully without Jamal. But precisely at the moment Serge is no longer there, we have a good Jamal back.»
Musiala has «developed physically» since his long injury layoff, the coach added at a press conference on Tuesday: «He is physically very close to his best level. Running, pressing, winning duels – he can do that now. There’s only one question left: When will the magic Musiala return? That Jamal at his absolute best. When that total freedom comes back at some point, and it will, you’ll have a developed version of Jamal Musiala. And as a coach, I’m looking forward to that.»
At the same time, Kompany tempered the euphoria immediately after the Stuttgart game: «It’s difficult for me to put all the pressure on Jamal now. I don’t think that would be fair.» After all, with 21 goal contributions, Gnabry is FC Bayern’s fourth-best scorer this season, behind Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, and Michael Olise, and he consistently delivered good performances, especially in key matches.
Kompany was likely pleased not only with Musiala’s performance against Stuttgart. Raphael Guerreiro also presented himself as a potential attacking midfield option for the upcoming DFB-Pokal semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen and the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain with a strong performance and a goal. Furthermore, Lennart Karl has returned to training after recovering from a muscle fiber tear and could soon be available for selection.
Jamal Musiala: His Season Statistics
| Games | 16 |
| Minutes | 633 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 5 |