In the cup match against Ulm, coach Kompany did not nominate transfer candidate Goretzka for the Bayern squad. It was a different story in the 4-0 win against Zurich. An injured returnee misses the start of the league.
Five days before the Bundesliga opener at VfL Wolfsburg, FC Bayern Munich won another test match with sales candidate Leon Goretzka in the starting eleven. The 29-year-old's 62-minute appearance in the lively 4-0 (1-0) win against Grasshopper Zurich was pleasing. It will hardly change his complicated situation at the record football champions. Once again, Goretzka did not play in midfield on the Bayern campus, but was deployed as a central defender alongside England's Eric Dier.
Goretzka was not included in the squad for the first DFB Cup match of the season against SSV Ulm (4-0), which was seen as a further signal from Bayern bosses and coach Vincent Kompany that Goretzka is currently without prospects in Munich. Goretzka was able to enjoy encouraging shouts of "Leon Goretzka" from the crowd. The international had to be treated briefly on his right foot after an energetic run forward.
Olise, Kane, Tel and Müller score
Against Grasshopper, who are bottom of the Swiss Super League after four matchdays without a win, new signing Michael Olise (12th minute) scored with a volley, goalscorer Harry Kane (46th) and substitutes Mathys Tel (67th) and Thomas Müller (90th).
The test match had been arranged at short notice to give players such as Kane, Olise and Portuguese new signing Joao Palhinha more match practice. "We want to get a bit of pressure in, not just training but also games, to internalize Vinnie's new idea," said sporting director Max Eberl before kick-off. Kompany's new pressing style of play requires a change in behavior against the ball.
It was only after just over an hour that Kompany replaced the current regulars Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Müller. Jamal Musiala was completely rested in order to manage his workload. Captain Manuel Neuer also did not feature.
After new signing Hiroki Ito and international Leroy Sané (recovery training), full-back Josip Stanisic will also miss the start of the league. The Croatian suffered a torn collateral ligament in his right knee in training on Monday and has already undergone surgery.
dpa
