There ain’t no rest for the wicked…or Bayern Munich players apparently.
Bayern Munich signee Tom Bischof was called up to the German national team after a week full of accolades.
After seeing his name on quite a few Bundesliga Team of the Season lists, Bischof is riding high into his move to Bavaria this summer. While Bayern Munich has long been a fan of Bischof, the German champions could have inadvertently lucked into getting Bischof as he has taken his game to the next level.
At any other club in the Bundesliga, Bischof would almost assuredly be a starter, eating up minutes like Pac-Man next season. At Bayern Munich, though, Bischof will be just one of the players in an intense battle for playing time.
Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images
Able to play as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or a wing, it would seem that Bischof will have no problem finding a way to get some minutes at Bayern Munich next season. In reality, though, Bischof could be facing an uphill battle.
As of today, the German youngster will square of with Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer, and Joao Palhinha in the central midfield, Jamal Musiala (and maybe Florian Wirtz) at attacking midfield, and Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, and (maybe Leroy Sané) at wing.
While it would seem like a longshot to see Bischof playing as a wing for Bayern Munich, his talent could be so undeniable that Bayern Munich needs to get him on the field in one way or another.
We will see how that situation plays out, but before that can happen, Bischof will hit the pitch with the German national team soon and get a chance to further grow his burgeoning reputation. Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann wanted to get a closer look at Bischof’s development.
“He played a very good season despite Hoffenheim’s difficult situation. He’s a very promising player for the future. I think it’s good to have him here now and be able to test him. His new club [Bayern] didn’t release him for the U-21 EUROs, but the schedule allowed that we call him up and he still can play the Club World Cup. It’s deserved because he played a good season,” said Nagelsmann (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
There could be a way for Bischof to even potentially play central midfield with Pavlovic, but that would require Joshua Kimmich to play right-back — something he has been reluctant to do for Bayern Munich in recent seasons.
Whatever the case, Bischof is in the big leagues now — a move to Bayern Munich, a call-up from Germany…life is coming at the kid fast.
Will he keep up and show his talent or will he just end up being the latest Bayern Munich acquisition to get lost in the shuffle?
Bavarian Podcast Works — Special Edition: Breaking down Germany’s call-ups for the UEFA Nations League Final Four
Julian Nagelsmann and the DFB just dropped the 26-man roster for the UEFA Nations League Final Four. With a baffling number of injuries plaguing the squad, Nagelsmann will lean on some familiar names as well as some fresh faces to take on Portugal in the hopes of reaching the Final in Munich.
With Kai Havertz, Nico Schlotterbeck, Antonio Rüdiger, Jamal Musiala, and more still injured, Nagelsmann will need to be creative to get the most out of this tournament. Among the callups is newcomer Nick Woltemade, who is having a breakthrough season at VfB Stuttgart.
Robin Gosens and Niclas Füllkrug return to the national team to provide some veteran experience and round out the squad. Despite the injuries, does Germany have enough to win their first title since the Confederations Cup in 2017? While this might not be the Euros, a successful tournament would be a massive indicator heading into the 2026 World Cup.
Ter Stegen back atop the depth chart
FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen missed the large majority of this season.
A major patella tendon injury kept the German goalkeeper on the sidelines from September until early May, but he is back in Catalonia and atop Germany’s depth chart.
Nagelsmann made it known that Ter Stegen would be “the man” after the squad was announced.
“I’ve always emphasized that Marc is our #1. I spoke to Hansi (Flick) and he said that Marc is showing top performances and is in top shape. He played two games and will probably play again on Sunday. We’re looking forward to having him back. It’s the right decision,” said Nagelsmann (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
Ter Stegen has, indeed, shaken off the rust rather quickly, but he will be tested with Germany, who will feature a makeshift backline given how many regulars are out of the mix for the UEFA Nations League Final Four due to injuries.
Ter Stegen has also been waiting for this moment his whole career. He is now out of Manuel Neuer’s shadow and will get the chance to prove to everyone that he is really as good as he thinks he is.
As the kids say, Ter Stegen wanted that smoke…and now he’s got it. We’ll see how he deals with it.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 44
Bayern Munich is readying for a busy offseason, the German national team is preparing for the UEFA Nations League Final Four, and there is a lot of news dropping by the hour.
We’ll hit on some of the biggest stories out there and attempt keep pace with the rapid flow of news and information. Let’s get to it — this is what we have on tap for the Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show:
- Jamal Musiala is out for the UEFA Nations League per Bayern Munich’s request. How much does that hurt Germany?
- What will Germany’s roster look like?
- Is Liverpool FC really a serious contender for Florian Wirtz?
- Why Bayern Munich cannot afford to wait until 2026 to get Wirtz.
- Leroy Sané is still in limbo and everyone seems fine with it.
Song of the Week: “Animal” by Def Leppard
This is a weird one — not the song, but how it came to me as a potential song of the week. About 1⁄4 of a mile up the street at the site of a former elementary school that was torn down and that has now become a vacant lot with some awful playing fields, there is a carnival set up.
For some ungodly reason, this random Def Leppard video popped into my head and while the theme of this is a traveling circus, I felt like a carnival was close enough. Also, if you are in a 80s hair band mood, this song still rocks:
Entertainment Rundown
The Last of Us
Okay, I’ve officially waved the white flag. I’ve only caught bits and pieces of the last two episodes.
As much as I hate doing this, I’m pulling the Bane move from the beginning of The Dark Knight Rises by jumping off the plane. Remember, they will expect to find one of us in the wreckage…it just won’t be me.
Andor
Okay, I am watching Andor and I’ll review it when done. I will not bail on this one..or will I?
Prediction Records
This was — by far — my worst year ever.
- Last Week Bundesliga: 3-6 (Through Matchday 34)
- Overall Bundesliga: 140-166
- UEFA Nations League: 92-79
- Champions League: 100-86
- DFB-Pokal: 44-18
- Total: 368-349
- Perfect Picks: 53 (when the score and winner is predicted exactly)
