The beginning of the 2024/25 campaign was a difficult time for Goretzka. For years, his spot in Bayern‘s midfield had seemed to be nailed on, but competition in the form of the developing Aleksandar Pavlović and new arrival João Palhinha left his position in the starting line-up – and even his future at the club – uncertain.
With just a single minute of action across the opening six Bundesliga matches that uncertainty grew and, having also missed out on Germany’s UEFA Euro 2024 squad, Goretzka was left in the unfamiliar situation of being out in the cold for both club and country.
“I told him clearly that it would be difficult for him,” said sporting director Max Eberl in September. “That’s our job. He’s behaving well, I really respect him as a person. Sometimes things can change.”
Watch: Goretzka in resurgent form
