Bundesliga

Marc Roca’s difficult position at Bayern: “I still have to take steps”

Published

3 years ago

September 28, 2021

Marc Roca's difficult position at Bayern: "I still have to take steps"

At the away game of FC Bayern in Fürth, in addition to Michael Cuisance, who had been on the sidelines for a long time, Marc Roca also failed to make it into the squad of coach Julian Nagelsmann for the second time in a row. His explanation for this should not give the Spanish midfielder much hope for regular appearances.

A chance is not a chance – that was Marc Roca’s motto in the summer. After a disappointing first season with only six starting eleven appearances under Hansi Flick, the Spaniard, who moved from Espanyol Barcelona to Isar for eight million euros, wanted to cause a sensation in his second year in Bavaria.

To do this, he put in many extra shifts in the weight room when he was not playing football. An additional motivation for him: Flick’s successor Julian Nagelsmann had him on the slip during his time as coach of RB Leipzig. “I want to stay here and assert myself,” added Roca in June Sport1 clear.

Roca and Cuisance not in the squad for the second time in a row

The reality three months later: It’s not even enough for a squad place against Greuther Fürth. “Marc still has to take steps in finding his position on the six,” said Nagelsmann after the 3-1 win at the Bundesliga promoted team. It was the second game in a row that the new Bayern coach preferred to include three right-backs – including Bouna Sarr – than the 2019 U21 European champions.

Like Michael Cuisance, who was also left out, Roca had recently “not trained badly,” Nagelsmann asked SPOX and Goal clearly, “but not in such a way that they could have ousted others”.

Of go-arounds and mistakes: The Salihamidzic transfers in check

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Leroy Sane is currently getting off to a flying start at Bayern – in contrast to Michael Cuisance. A good opportunity to examine and classify the transfers of sports director Hasan Salihamidzic so far.

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Salihamidzic only took over in the summer of 2017, which is why the transfers of Niklas Süle, Sebastian Rudy, Corentin Tolisso and Serge Gnabry are not discussed here. In fact, Brazzo was only able to really intervene in terms of squad planning in winter 2018.

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Sandro Wagner (in January 2018 from TSG Hoffenheim – transfer fee: 13 million euros): The striker, who already played in the FCB youth team, was brought in to give Robert Lewandowski some breaks.

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Wagner was aware of his role from the start and rarely complained about a lack of working hours. In the first season he met eight times in the league. In the winter of 2019 he moved to China. Note 3.

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Alphonso Davies (from Vancouver Whitecaps in July 2018 – transfer fee: 10 million euros): After barely playing with the first team in his first season in Munich, he is now a regular.

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Davies slipped into Bayern’s first team due to many injuries. Under Hansi Flick, the fast Canadian really flourished on the left back. Convincing also under Julian Nagelsmann. Note 1.

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Leon Goretzka (in July 2018 from FC Schalke 04 – free transfer): Goretzka’s commitment turned out to be a jackpot for FCB. After initial fluctuations in performance, the midfielder really turned up after the first Corona break in 2020.

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The ex-Schalke is not only a top performer on the pitch, but also leaves an excellent impression with campaigns like “We Kick Corona”. No wonder that the FCB recently extended with him until 2026. Note 1.

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Lucas Hernandez (in July 2019 from Atletico Madrid – transfer fee: 80 million euros): The most expensive purchase in Bundesliga history didn’t seem to pay off at first because Hernandez was struggling with many injuries.

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The French, who can be used both in central defense and on the left side of defense, is now convincing every time he plays. With him in the starting line-up, FCB has never lost in the Bundesliga. Grade: 2.

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Benjamin Pavard (in July 2019 from VfB Stuttgart – transfer fee: 35 million euros): The Frenchman didn’t need long to get used to his new environment. On the right side of the defense, he was often asked.

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The 25-year-old was particularly convincing in the triple season, but since then he has broken down a bit, both defensively and offensively. Overall, however, a very reliable player. Grade: 2.5.

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Jann-Fiete Arp (in July 2019 from Hamburger SV – transfer fee: 3 million euros): The talent convinced in Hamburg with his technique and many dribbles that led to goals. As soon as the change became known, however, there were no further deployments.

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This is also the case with FC Bayern. Arp was only used in the third division for the second team. He only played briefly for the professionals. Meanwhile kicks in Kiel. Grade: 5.

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Michael Cuisance (in August 2019 from Borussia Mönchengladbach for 12 million euros): Was touted as a “great talent” by Brazzo. However, it became one of the biggest, if not the biggest, transfer misunderstandings in recent years.

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After a weak loan season in Marseille, Cuisance no longer plays a role in Munich. Currently it is more likely to hurt teammates in training. Anything but a breakup in winter would be a surprise. Grade: 6.

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Philippe Coutinho (in August 2019 from FC Barcelona – loan fee: 8.5 million euros): Out of necessity, brought from Barcelona because of the failed move from Leroy Sane, the Brazilian should lift the record champions to the next level with his technique.

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Coutinho had a difficult stance in his only season, but got in better and better with better fitness after the corona break. Helped with important goals in the CL win, then returned to Barca. Note 3.

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Ivan Perisic (in August 2019 from Inter Milan – loan fee: 5 million euros): After the departure of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, the Croatian was brought in as an alternative for the wings. Perisic fulfilled his role perfectly.

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He was always there when Gnabry or Coman were injured or needed a break. Bayern were considering a firm commitment from Perisic, but in the end it was too expensive for them. Grade: 2.

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Alvaro Odriozola (in January 2020 from Real Madrid – loan fee: none): The Spanish right-back barely had any game minutes in Madrid. In Munich he should compete with Pavard in the second half of the 2019/20 season.

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The bottom line was that Odriozola wasn’t a factor at all and couldn’t get past a few short assignments. Logically, he returned to Madrid – after all, as a triple winner. On loan today from Florence. Grade: 5.5.

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Tanguy Nianzou (in July 2020 from PSG – free transfer): For the 2020/21 season, Bayern brought the young central defender from Paris, who had already gained experience in PSG’s professional squad under Thomas Tuchel.

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Nianzou came out injured, torn muscle bundles early on, and then dropped out with a thigh problem. After a good preparation, he is currently only a supplementary worker under Nagelsmann. Have to stay fit to finally arrive at FCB. Grade: 4.

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Alexander Nübel (in July 2020 from FC Schalke 04 – free transfer): A U21 national goalkeeper for free? Sounds good. Nübel, however, did not get involved at all because of Manuel Neuer and was loaned to Monaco.

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He was criticized early on at Niko Kovac’s club. At the moment it seems completely unclear whether Nübel will have a future in Munich at all. Grade: 4.

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Leroy Sane (from Manchester City in July 2020 – rumored transfer fee: 49 million euros): An absolute bargain for this price. It quickly became clear: a transfer with potential for a coup.

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Has shown his dribbling skills again and again, improved defensively. Is really getting started after difficult weeks and months. But first has to confirm this form. Grade: 2.

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Bouna Sarr (in October 2020 from Olympique Marseille – transfer fee: 8 million euros): Came as a backup for Pavard to permanently place Joshua Kimmich in midfield. Just like his predecessor Odriozola, the Frenchman has not yet convinced either.

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Sometimes disoriented in positional play, not robust enough in duels, too imprecise in passing. His contract runs until 2024, a change is currently out of the question for him, also for monetary reasons. Grade: 5.5.

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Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (in October 2020 from Paris Saint-Germain – free transfer): Is considered to be a good-humored contemporary who does not complain about being a reservist and delivers without a long start-up time. A great backup.

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Choupo-Moting mainly delivered during Lewandowski’s injury break in April. Scored 15 goals for Bayern so far. Grade: 1.5.

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Marc Roca (in October 2020 from Espanyol Barcelona – transfer fee: 9 million euros): Salihamidzic is said to have been watching the Spanish midfielder for some time. However, a change came as a bit of a surprise – after Roca’s relegation with Espanyol.

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Although he showed good passing play at times in his few appearances, Flick didn’t seem really convinced of Roca. Missed the entire preparation under Nagelsmann injured. Currently with a training deficit. Grade: 4.5.

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Douglas Costa (in October 2020 from Juventus Turin – loan fee: 250,000 euros): The Brazilian played for Bayern from 2015 to 2017. It was not Salihamidzic who exclusively made himself strong for the loan, but also some players who still knew Costa.

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In autumn he set a few accents before he got fewer and fewer hours of work in winter and finally got a hairline crack in his foot. The Bavarians decided not to buy. Costa is playing again today at Gremio in his home country. Grade: 5.

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Tiago Dantas (in October 2020 from Benfica Lisbon – loan fee unknown): Was primarily considered the dream player of ex-coach Flick, who had followed Dantas’ career for a long time. In Munich, however, the Teeanger was never able to prevail.

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FC Bayern finally decided against a permanent commitment, which is why Dantas returned to Benfica and then went on loan to CD Tondela. Grade: 5.

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It is still too early to evaluate the newcomers this season – Sven Ulreich, Dayot Upamecano (pictured), Omar Richards and Marcel Sabitzer. Even if Upamecano is already showing that Brazzo and Co.’s efforts to get him were worth it.

FC Bayern: Nagelsmann has many options in midfield

This is bad news for Roca because Corentin Tolisso, a direct competitor with calf problems, has to pass. Apart from that, there is already plenty of quality in the defensive midfield with Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and the Nagelsmann favorite Marcel Sabitzer, who was recently brought from Leipzig – especially since Nagelsmann recently tested his own Josip Stanisic as a sixth.

It is also true that Roca tore the outer ligament in her left ankle after just a few training sessions under Nagelsmann and had to step back six weeks between mid-July and early September.

His chances of regular match practice are still rather poor in view of the great competition in his position. And so it would certainly not be surprising if the scenario occurred in winter that the players were not convinced of before the season: a change on loan.