Bayern Munich celebrate Leon Goretzka’s revival: “He never stuck his head in the sand.” | OneFootball

On a day during which the most of the news in the Bayern Munich universe revolved around Joshua Kimmich’s imminent contract extension, FCB sporting director Christoph Freund took time to praise Kimmich’s long-term friend and teammate Leon Goretzka at Friday’s press conference. Goretzka commemorated his 250th Bayern appearance in this week’s massive Champions League win.

Bayern prepare to face Goretzka’s hometown club Bochum in the Bundesliga this weekend. A crucial role in last week’s league win over VfB Stuttgart meant that Goretzka once again started alongside Kimmich against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. With Aleksandar Pavlovic out ill, the once inseparable German national team duo will both be starting on the double six again.

Freund praised Goretzka for weathering the storm earlier in the season. The 30-year-old didn’t make his first meaningful appearance under head coach Vincent Kompany until the match-day eight victory over Bochum. Kompany himself only started the Bochum-native thrice in the 15 league rounds before the calendar year. A brace against Wolfsburg on matchday 18 proved to turning point.

“We openly communicated that it would be difficult [for Goretzka] this summer,” Freund said on Friday. “It wasn’t a given that he’d stick it out. He never buried his head in the sand. Instead, he took it on the chin, dealt with it very professionally and said he wanted to keep fighting.

“He just kept working and worked very hard,” Freund continued. “Hats off to how he handled the situation! That says a lot about his character. He played really well. We’ll see what the future brings. It. If you keep working hard and believing, you will be rewarded.”

GGFN | Peter Weis