Bayern Munich sporting director Freund says Tom Bischof will receive “significant playing time” this season after the midfielder impressed in the 4-1 DFB-Pokal victory away to Osnabruck, while Sacha Boey has been kept out of team training to reduce the risk of injury during the uncertainty over his future.
Bischof, making his first start of the season and only his third appearance for the club this campaign, scored with his weaker right foot and made a strong contribution in both halves of the pitch.
Freund praised the 19-year-old’s ability to fit into Bayern’s possession-based game, while also highlighting his defensive work.
He said Bischof had won important duels, recovered possession effectively and helped to ease pressure on the defence. The midfielder also posed a threat going forward and capped his display with a fine goal.
Freund added that Bischof had consistently performed when Bayern needed him and would be involved in important matches during the season.
The sporting director said there was no concern about Bischof’s limited minutes in Bayern’s opening two competitive fixtures, despite the player also impressing during pre-season.
Bayern have three high-quality defensive midfielders, or players capable of operating in a double pivot, while several younger players are also available to provide cover. Freund believes that depth is essential given the number of matches Bayern will play.
He described the competition between Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic, who is entering his second or third season with the first team, as positive. Bischof is left-footed, while the other two defensive midfield options are right-footed, creating what Freund viewed as a well-balanced group capable of pushing one another forward.
Boey’s training absence was precautionary
Germany’s transfer window has closed, but the possibility of Boey leaving Bayern remains open because transfer markets in some other countries are still operating. Freund said the time available for a move was running short, although no definitive decision had been made.
Should Boey remain at Bayern, Freund said the club would continue to treat him fairly and professionally. The defender had maintained an excellent attitude, trained with full focus and performed well during pre-season, leaving the club with nothing to criticise.
Boey’s current absence from team training was agreed through discussions between the club and the player. He did not want to risk suffering an accidental injury before a possible late transfer was completed.
Freund stressed that there was no further problem between Boey and Bayern, and confirmed that the French defender would return to regular team training.
The club’s position on Hiroki Ito has also changed. Bayern now intend to include the Japan international in their plans for the new season after he completed a lengthy recovery and returned to full fitness.
Freund said allowing Ito to leave had never been the club’s preferred outcome. Bayern would only have considered a departure if an exceptional and highly attractive offer had arrived and Ito had expressed a wish to pursue a new challenge. He added that the matter had never required extensive internal discussion.
Saibari regaining fitness after injury
Ismael Saibari, who made an impressive return from injury as a substitute in the previous Friday’s match, again showed promising signs against Osnabruck although he had less involvement than some of Bayern’s other attacking players.
Freund said Saibari was gradually rebuilding his form and had not yet recovered completely in terms of fitness and stamina. However, the player now felt comfortable and was beginning to show the qualities recognised by the rest of the squad.
Despite the difficulty of the match, Saibari repeatedly made dangerous attacking runs and helped Bayern’s forward play by holding the ball effectively. He also had two or three good opportunities to score and could have finished with one or two goals.
Freund believes the forward is making very good progress in his recovery.
Bayern continue to take a cautious approach with Jamal Musiala, whose recovery is being assessed on a day-to-day basis. The club will not take risks with the injured player, and no firm return date was given when asked whether he could be available on Saturday.
Like Bayern’s other injured or absent players, Musiala is following the team’s matches closely and supporting his team-mates. He was expected to watch the Osnabruck game on television.
