Nagelsmann does without him
Goretzka’s absence affects Bayern colleagues
March 17, 2024, 8:28 a.m
Leon Goretzka has to watch when the German national soccer team plays against France and the Netherlands. His teammates at FC Bayern are surprised and affected. Newcomer Aleksandar Pavlovic is in a special situation.
At the club, Aleksandar Pavlovic looks up to Leon Goretzka, but in the national team the youngster has overtaken his teammate for the time being. No, no, he didn’t have to apologize for that, Pavlovic assured after Bayern Munich’s away win at Darmstadt 98 (5:2). The 19-year-old is surprisingly in national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s DFB squad for the duels with France (March 23) and the Netherlands (March 26) for the first time – in contrast to Goretzka.
“We exchanged ideas briefly and talked to each other. He’s not mad at me. I can’t help it that I was nominated either,” said Pavlovic, who has developed into a regular in the record champions’ midfield in just a few months and in the coming week could make his international debut. He didn’t dream of it “of course so quickly.”
National goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was surprised at Goretzka’s exclusion. “Anyone who knows Leon and knows how ambitious he is and what he’s trying to give us – I was surprised at the beginning,” he said on Sky. And Jamal Musiala said: “Leon has been playing very well lately. It’s a shame for him, but I know that he will work hard to be in the European Championship squad.”
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel emphasized that it was “very bitter” for Goretzka, “because he was very strong, especially in the short term.” Nagelsmann did not agree with him: “No, he doesn’t have to do that either. He should regulate with complete freedom. He knows which system he wants to play, which players he needs for it and then he is responsible for it. That is totally okay.” But it’s not the European Championship squad, “that’s why it’s a snapshot,” said Tuchel about Goretzka. “He got a similar decision in the spring and was then invited back, so everything is open.”
Nagelsmann himself explained his decision: “Of course he is frustrated and sad and disappointed. Of course it’s not a pleasant conversation if you’ve already looked after a player like that at the club. I think everyone can imagine that. That’s what you do I don’t like it either.” Ultimately, the decision was not between Pavlovic and Goretzka.
Munich’s sports director Christoph Freund said that Pavlovic, who quickly gave the all-clear after being substituted due to injury in Darmstadt with a swollen eye, should “have fun” with the national team. It’s “really strong how naturally he plays at his young age, what presence he has on the pitch.” Is it enough for a European Championship nomination? “We’ll see,” said Pavlovic – and grinned: “I hope so.”