The transfer of Marcel Sabitzer from FC Bayern Munich to Borussia Dortmund from three perspectives

Marcel Sabitzer once slept in Bayern bed linen and will now wear a BVB jersey. The Austrian would probably have wished for a different continuation of his career. But maybe the change is an opportunity for him.

And how is the transfer to be evaluated from the point of view of the two clubs? SPOX analyzes the Sabitzer deal from three perspectives.

FC Bayern Munich: Again a strong damage limitation

On the transfer market, Bayern have signed a few players in recent years who didn’t perform as expected. So far, the search for a partner for Joshua Kimmich has gone noticeably wrong, especially in central midfield.

In addition to Marcel Sabitzer, Marc Roca also failed to find his way into the team. Things are not looking good for Ryan Gravenberch at the moment either. However, Bayern have recently managed to cleverly resell their bad purchases – sometimes even at a profit.

So now also at Sabitzer. 15 million euros were transferred to RB Leipzig in 2021, according to media reports, the record champions are now collecting 20 million euros and possible bonus payments from BVB. The fact that Sabitzer could now close an important construction site in Dortmund is certainly a small downside of the change.

For FC Bayern, however, a misunderstanding ends lightly – perhaps with a touch of melancholy. Because at the beginning of last season it briefly looked as if Sabitzer could be the Kimmich partner we were looking for. “He’s always one of the best in training,” said Joshua Kimmich at the time: “He gives us a lot – especially in Leon Goretzka’s absence.”

At that time, the Austrian presented himself defensively and playfully. It was a brief phase that hinted at what could have been. But when Goretzka returned, Julian Nagelsmann relied on him again. Sabitzer was loaned out to Manchester United and finally his time in Munich ended unsuccessfully.

Marcel Sabitzer: The burst dream

“I’m very happy to be able to play for FC Bayern,” said Marcel Sabitzer when his move was announced: “Even as a child, my Bayern jersey was my great pride, every Christmas I got a new one.” Everything read like a dream come true.

As so often, the reality was finally different. His dream was shattered pretty quickly and Sabitzer had to learn that at a big club like FC Bayern there is often more than just performance. As mixed as his first season was, his second year got off to a good start. The irrepressible trust in Goretzka threw him back on the bench.

That’s another reason why the 29-year-old should be in a bad mood these days. He presented himself to the media taciturn and annoyed, the midfielder did not make a happy impression in the first photos with BVB fans. This is probably not how Sabitzer imagined the continuation of his career – and he can’t hide it. In the meantime he had even deleted all Bayern photos from his Instagram account, some are now back.

But when the disappointment has gone, he should also understand that this change is a great opportunity. The right footer goes to a club that badly needs a player like him. It might also pay off to take a step back.

For Sabitzer, it may be the restart of a career that has recently stalled. Because when you look at his performance before moving to Bayern, there is great untapped potential.

BVB: Is Marcel Sabitzer the salvation of a messed up plan?

It is widely known that Borussia Dortmund is a club that can develop players’ potential. Young players in particular therefore switch to BVB year after year. One reason for this is the careful transfer planning in recent years. Again and again the black and yellow key players had to give up, they always seemed to be prepared.

The planning was completed early and the squad was able to get used to it. But this summer everything is different. Although it was foreseeable that Jude Bellingham would leave the club, so far there has been no replacement. This is also due to the fact that Edson Álvarez got lost for weeks – a type of player who is more like Emre Can and has fewer qualities in ball processing. Although the change was nearing completion, Edin Terzic is said to have spoken out against it in the end.

So now Sabitzer. Another type of player, but maybe one who helps BVB more than Álvarez would have done. Because the Austrian is more complete in profile. He’s not as strong a tackler as the Mexican, but he’s stronger and more flexible. Finding a role for the Austrian should be much easier.

As random as the transfer seems, the coincidence for Borussia could be as happy. Sabitzer may not be a king transfer, especially in view of his performance at FC Bayern, but he can be a very important building block for a team that does not have the most ball-safe players in midfield.

In this respect, BVB may have made a stroke of luck here. Everything will depend on whether they signed Sabitzer, who once qualified for Bayern Munich in Leipzig, or the one who failed to make it in Munich. Accordingly, the quite high transfer fee will only be able to be evaluated in a few weeks, maybe months.

Marcel Sabitzer in the profile