He only turned 19 in February, but Jamal Musiala is proving to be the versatile teenage jewel in Bayern Munich’s midfield who turned down Chelsea in favour of a return to his native Germany. When Bayern face Villarreal away in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie Wednesday, Musiala could be deployed either as an attacking or defensive midfielder.”He can enrich any team – including Bayern Munich and the national team. He knows how to assert himself, creates space, is very good in one-on-ones and can dribble at speed” said Germany head coach Hansi Flick.Musiala on his favourite position: “I just enjoy being on the pitch, no matter where. But since I was young, I’ve played in attack more often, for example on the wing or as a #10. I definitely feel most comfortable there.” pic.twitter.com/eBXV7ObKiG— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 5, 2022 Musiala broke into Bayern’s first team last season as an attacking midfielder with an eye for a defence-splitting pass. He was born in Stuttgart, but moved with his family to England as a child and rose through Chelsea’s academy before joining Bayern in 2019. Despite playing for England Under-21s in 2020, he opted to play senior football for Germany. His full debut for the four-time world champions followed in March 2021. Last September, Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus said Musiala can become “a second Neymar”, after the teenager dazzled with a goal and assist off the bench as Bayern hammered RB Leipzig.The best-organized club in the world has no idea how many players they’ve got on the pitchThe lanky teen has been dubbed “Bambi” by team-mates, but he’s shown a more combative side since switching to a deeper role for both Bayern and Germany in recent weeks.”He pinched a lot of balls. They call him ‘Bambi’, but he has good aggressiveness” Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said after Musiala came on to help Bayern to a 4-1 win at Freiburg on Saturday.Bayern used all Freiburg’s mistakes for another comfy win in BundesligaNagelsmann revealed that Musiala “thought I was joking” when suggesting before Christmas that he try playing in a more defensive position. It has turned out to be an inspired move with Musiala slotting in when a hip injury sidelined Leon Goretzka for four months. Flick started Musiala as an attacking midfielder in Germany’s 2-0 friendly win over Israel, then dropped him back down the pitch, where he stayed for last week’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.Manchester and Bayern in battle over the next Dutch jewelMusiala is humble enough to know he has much to learn from both Flick and Nagelsmann.”In the number six role, I have to be a bit cleverer with more discipline. I’ve done well recently, but I still have much to improve on” said Musiala.Musiala got stuck into the central midfield battle in Amsterdam against an experienced Oranje side and held his own against Barcelona star Memphis Depay.”He can keep hold of the ball in the tightest of spaces. Although he looks lanky, he is so intelligent to always use his body in the right way” said Ilkay Gundogan, who partnered Musiala against the Dutch.Which club sold the most shirts on the planet?For Bayern, Nagelsmann rates Musiala as the first choice to operate just behind Robert Lewandowski whenever Thomas Mueller is unavailable. Yet the Bayern boss sees Musiala as the perfect hybrid midfielder, a “ball magnet with technical skills only a few have” in defence or attack. Nagelsmann says Musiala must still go through a “maturing process” and can still be “a bit too playful” with the ball.Nagelsmann vs Tedesco: Who watched ‘Lord of the rings’ more times?He hinted Musiala could start at Villarreal with Goretzka, who scored at Freiburg on Saturday, only just back after a long spell out.”There are no guarantees he will play, but Leon can’t play every three days, so I am happy we have the alternative and that we can switch” said Nagelsmann.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEQuarter-final, first legTuesday22.00: (1.40) Man.City (4.90) Atl.Madrid (9.00)22.00: (8.00) Benfica (4.70) Liverpool (1.45)Wednesday22.00: (2.15) Chelsea (3.35) Real Madrid (3.80)22.00: (5.60) Villareal (4.00) Bayern (1.67)***odds are subject to change© Agence France-Presse
