Unknown Japanese player suddenly sits on the bench of FC Bayern

Status: 21.09.2023, 04:59 a.m.

By: Luca Hartmann

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FC Bayern hosted Leverkusen on Friday evening for the top match after the international break. When looking at the Bayern Bank, there is a previously unknown face.

Munich - While FC Bayern hosted Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena on Friday evening for the duel for the top of the table, the focus was logically on the 22 players on the pitch. But some Bayern fans may have been surprised when looking at the bench.

Taichi Fukui in the Bayern squad against Leverkusen

The 19-year-old Japanese Taichi Fukui took his place there, and he is probably unknown even to die-hard FCB fans. For the first time ever, Fukui made it into the squad in a competitive match of the first team, and then directly in the top game against Leverkusen.

The whole thing was only possible because Bayern will have to do without Kingsley Coman against the Werkself, who are currently playing strongly. The Frenchman had to sit out due to muscular complaints. And since the Bayern squad is not exactly broad at the moment anyway, the youngsters Fukui and Frans Krätzig, who attracted attention in pre-season, moved up to the matchday squad of the Munich team. But who is the young Japanese?

In the game against Leverkusen, Taichi Fukui (sitting below, 3rd from left) sat on the bench for the first time with the Bayern first team. © IMAGO/kolbert-press/Ulrich Gamel

Japanese at FC Bayern since the beginning of the year

The 1.73 tall midfielder moved to Munich from Sagan Tosu's U18 team at the beginning of the year. At the age of 17, he made his first appearances in Japan's top league. The Bavarians transferred around 400,000 euros to Japan. So far, Fukui has only played for the Bayern Amateurs in the Regionalliga, where he has played in seven of eight games this season.

Especially in his first appearances last season, the Japanese was able to convince directly. On his starting eleven debut against Unterhaching, he managed a decisive assist and recorded a total of four assists in his first twelve games.

Fukui's contract in Munich runs until 2025. Even if the Japanese is intended for the second team, he will certainly not mind being allowed to sit on the bench more often at a game of the professionals. (LuHa)