He kept being drawn backwards. Although Leon Goretzka was actually scheduled to play in the six-man position against Mainz, the Bayern star instinctively slipped back to build up the game.
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Like someone was magically pulling him backwards?
“I don’t know if it was magical,” said Goretzka after the spectacular 8-1 win SPORT1. “But of course you make sure you find your space – the coach tells us that too. We should find solutions ourselves within our structure. And that’s what I tried.”
Not only did he try, but he also succeeded. This is also why Goretzka manages to have some almost magical moments. The 29-year-old couldn’t believe it himself. Especially since it was a special day for him even without his two goals and two assists.
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“I have never experienced anything like it. Today I have a special visit from acquaintances and friends that I haven’t seen for a long time. They said: ‘We’re here now, then you have to score a goal too’. I then said that it was actually no longer possible in the position I now play. The fact that it worked out with four scorer points is of course a nice story,” said Goretzka Sky.
From the emergency solution to the perfect remedy
It is remarkable how the Bayern star accepts his new role and thrives in it. Leon, the quarterback!
While the trip to central defense in the first half of the season was due to Bavaria’s injury woes, his slide back into the back row is now the perfect way for the record champions to improve their game.
“He does it very well. I think he plays very clearly. He has a very good, hard passing game. He has the courage to play through the gaps,” said coach Thomas Tuchel before the game against Mainz. Goretzka does this at a very high level.
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The coach now knows what he has in Goretzka. Back in the summer at the training camp at Tegernsee, Tuchel had not yet categorically ruled out the national player saying goodbye. Only Goretzka’s offensive announcement (“I love the club, I love the city, I love the fans. There is no thought of leaving the club”) ended the speculation.
“Outstanding game”: Thomas Tuchel highlights this Bayern star
The national player was also not disturbed by Tuchel’s constant demand for a “Holding Six”, which could easily be seen as a vote of no confidence in Goretzka. He simply put himself at the service of the team: midfield, defense – Goretzka played everything.
Apparently the 29-year-old didn’t even position himself for the new role with Tuchel: “No, I didn’t offer him that. “He decides how we proceed tactically,” explains Goretzka SPORT1.
Goretzka’s achievements help him at Nagelsmann
That should also please the national coach. Following Toni Kroos’ return to the national team, Julian Nagelsmann can once again make full use of his potential at headquarters.
In the competition in midfield, Goretzka could benefit from his new role as an all-rounder and quarterback. “I always see myself as having a duty to help the team – no matter where I’m lined up,” said Goretzka, while also admitting that it sounds pretty boring.
But it seems to be too early to declare war on internal competition. Goretzka obviously wants to impress on the pitch – in a new role.