After a comeback goal: Bayern's Goretzka talks about tough weeks - "I'm not stupid"
Created: 09/01/2022 13:18
By: Patrick Mayer
Victorious: Serge Gnabry (left) and Leon Goretzka with FC Bayern.
© IMAGO / Moritz Müller
Leon Goretzka makes an impressive return to the DFB Cup against Viktoria Köln after a long injury.
The FC Bayern star then talks about his ordeal.
And not just about that.
Munich/Cologne - Box-to-box player, one who goes long distances between the penalty areas.
One who bridges the axis between defensive and offensive like a hinge.
With power and dynamism.
Still hardened and thoughtful.
It is these special qualities of Leon Goretzka that make him so important for the German Bundesliga record champion and the national soccer team.
Leon Goretzka: Goal in the comeback for Bayern
The 27-year-old was finally able to demonstrate these qualities again when Bayern Munich beat Viktoria Köln 5-0 (2-0) in the first round of the DFB Cup – after a five-week break due to knee surgery.
The show in Cologne-Müngersdorf was his debut of the season, one that he scored 5-0 just 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute (68th).
After Ryan Gravenberch (35th), Mathys Tel (45th + 1), Sadio Mané (53rd) and Jamal Musiala (67th) had scored.
As usual, Goretzka picked up the ball in midfield and marched towards the penalty area with long strides.
He shook off two opponents, when the third wanted to intervene on the edge of the penalty area, the football strategist completed exactly the right moment dry and flat on the bottom left.
He turned jubilantly and was celebrated by FCB colleague Serge Gnabry.
And not just from Swabia.
You could see that a stone fell from his heart.
Julian Nagelsmann on Leon Goretzka
"You could see that a load fell from his heart," said his coach Julian Nagelsmann after the game on
ARD:
"He's always had to deal with injuries in recent years.
It's always a sad story when he gets the news that he'll be out for a few weeks now.
An extremely good guy who worked very hard in rehab.
I was happy that he scored."
What Nagelsmann meant by injuries: Between November 2021 and March 2022, Goretzka was missing 105 days due to persistent hip problems, in May and June last year he was out for six weeks due to a torn muscle fiber.
In the video: Leon Goretzka and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a fun bike ride
Goretzka described the past few weeks as “not an easy time.
I actually had a good feeling in the preparation, then it was said that you had to go to the operating table," he said after the work in the cup competition was done: "I tried relatively quickly to take the six weeks as preparation.
That worked out well.
Now I feel in great shape.
I've worked on my fitness, now the season can start for me."
FC Bayern: Leon Goretzka feels "100" percent after injury
He feels at "100" percent, the national player confirmed and still didn't want to make any starting eleven claims before the away game on Saturday (3.30 p.m., here in the live ticker) at Union Berlin: "I'm not completely stupid either.
I know it probably won't work out this weekend."
Instead, he preferred to emphasize the new competition at FC Bayern in the 2022/23 season: "Last season it was often clear who was playing due to injuries and dips in form.
It's all a little closer together this season for sure.
I'm currently experiencing it in a totally positive way."
(pm)