Following the Bundesliga title celebrations and ahead of the DFB-Pokal final, Tom Bischof has reviewed his inaugural season with FC Bayern.
The 20-year-old versatile player told Sky, «If I had known how it would turn out beforehand, I would have signed it straight away.» Under coach Vincent Kompany, Bischof established himself as a key rotational player. He accumulated 1654 minutes across 37 appearances, contributing three goals and three assists. «Generally, I’m very satisfied because I’ve learned a lot. I’ve become more adaptable.»
At his former club, TSG Hoffenheim, Bischof primarily played in central midfield. In Munich, due to strong competition in defensive midfield from players like Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Leon Goretzka, Kompany predominantly deployed him as a full-back.
«I could never have imagined playing as a left or right-back now,» Bischof confessed. «I believe I was able to help the team immensely with it. In the beginning, I had some trouble accepting it, especially in the first one or two games. Then I had some conversations with Joshua Kimmich, for example. He told me I would get my chance. It paid off, and I’m simply happy that I could now also help out on the left and support the team.»
Kimmich himself also moved to FC Bayern at a young age as a trained midfielder but was initially used as a full-back. He is now a regular in the center as vice-captain.
Tom Bischof on Scoring His First Goal for FC Bayern at the Allianz Arena
Bischof described his first appearances in the Champions League as fulfilling «a childhood dream.» He added, «Then it was very important to me to score a goal at home, to experience that feeling.» After scoring a brace in the 3-2 away win against SC Freiburg in early April, Bischof netted his first goal at the Allianz Arena on the final matchday in the 5-1 victory over 1. FC Köln. «I think you could see it, I freaked out a bit then. But everything just had to come out. That was still a big goal.»
On Saturday, he will face VfB Stuttgart with FC Bayern in the DFB-Pokal final. Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether he will be included in the German squad for the World Cup. «In my head, in my feelings, I’ve done everything to prepare myself well for it,» Bischof stated. «It would be a dream to be there.» Head coach Julian Nagelsmann will officially announce his squad on Thursday at 1 PM.