As of: January 30, 2024, 4:58 a.m
By: Philipp Kuserau
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Alphonso Davies has been in poor form at FC Bayern for weeks, but his performance in Augsburg gives hope.
Now the Canadian is defending himself against the ongoing criticism.
Munich – Alphonso Davies has had a disappointing season at FC Bayern so far.
After the first three matchdays, the Canadian already had three assists - since then there has been a lull in his scoring account.
Davies scores first goal of the season against Augsburg
In Bayern's narrow 3-2 win in Augsburg, however, Davies was again darting up and down the left wing, as we were used to from him in better times.
The 23-year-old seemed more dynamic than in previous games, showed good duel behavior and even crowned his good performance (tz grade 2) with a remarkable goal to make it 2-0 (45th +5).
It was Davies' first goal of the season and his euphoric celebration after the goal made it clear how much weight must have been lifted from his shoulders at that moment.
The ongoing criticism of his person in recent weeks has clearly not left him unscathed.
Alphonso Davies has been in poor form at FC Bayern for weeks.
© IMAGO/Mladen Lackovic
Davies distracted by real rumors?
Mistakes like the one in the 0-1 defeat against Bremen, when Davies acted sloppily in a duel against Mitchell Weiser before conceding the decisive goal, raised questions about where his head was at the moment.
Already at Real Madrid?
There have been rumors for some time that the Royals are said to be very interested in the full-back.
Davies' agent has fueled speculation in recent months and has publicly raved about Real.
The Canadian reached his lowest point with Bayern last Wednesday (January 24th) when Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel did not consider him for the all-important catch-up game against Union Berlin and instead let Raphael Guerreiro play in his position.
“I believe that he needs our support because he is sensitive and very self-critical and the situation hinders him rather than inspires him.
That’s what his game looks like at the moment,” Tuchel then looked for ways to explain Davies’ low form.
Davies defends himself: “Of course expectations of me are higher”
Davies himself has a different approach.
“In 2020, nobody really had me on their list, I was a relatively unknown quantity and I delivered.
After that, the expectations of me were of course greater.
I think that on the whole I did justice to this, but of course not always, not in every game,” he is quoted in
kicker
.
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“My style of play has changed a little since then.
A little less tricks, a little less dribbling, a little less risk.
“But I understand other things better today than I did four years ago and have more experience,” he explains his playing development to Sportblatt.
Bayern want to extend the contract with Davies – but not at any price
The defender celebrated his breakthrough at FC Bayern in the 2019/20 season - with his deep runs into the opponent's half, his tricks and his dynamism, he contributed a large part to the later success in the Champions League.
Davies is currently clearly lagging behind his form from around five years ago.
Despite the drop in performance, Bayern would like to keep him and extend the contract, which expires in the summer of 2025.
However, as they say, not at any price.
According to
kicker,
those responsible at Bayern also informed Davies' management of this before Christmas.
Davies on Bayern: “I feel very comfortable here”
In order for Davies to stay with the German record champions beyond 2025 and with improved salaries, he now has to deliver consistently.
The performance in Augsburg gives Bayern bosses and coach Tuchel hope that Davies has finally overcome his dip in form.
“I feel very comfortable here, playing in an incredible team, at one of the absolute top clubs in Europe,” emphasizes Davies in
kicker
.
The next few weeks will show how important a future at Bayern really is to Davies.
(kus)