A Special Role for Bayern Stars: That’s Klopp’s Plan for Musiala and Gnabry | OneFootball

Jürgen Klopp caused quite a few surprises with his first squad selection as Germany’s national team coach. The 58-year-old has called up a total of 44 players for the upcoming international break. Among them are two Bayern stars—Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry—who have recently come off lengthy and difficult stints on the sidelines, respectively.

Klopp has a specific plan for both of them. If possible, Musiala and Gnabry are expected to spend the entire two weeks with the national team. The focus is less on racking up as many minutes of playing time as possible and more on consistent team training and a controlled build-up.

This stems from the new national team coach’s unusual approach. Klopp has put together two different squads: one for the matches against the Netherlands and Greece, and another for the match against Serbia and the rematch against Greece. He explicitly emphasized that these are not an “A” and a “B” squad.

Regardless of this division, some players are expected to participate in the entire international break with the DFB. Musiala and Gnabry are among them.

Klopp wants to help Bayern stars find their rhythm

“We have a few players—three, to be exact—who have been through a somewhat difficult period: Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, and Serge Gnabry,” Klopp explained when presenting his roster.

All three are expected to train as consistently as possible throughout the entire camp. “We want to keep them with us for the full two weeks, if at all possible, to help them find their rhythm and have them participating in regular team training,” said the national team coach.

For Musiala and Gnabry, this training camp comes at a crucial time. After his health-related hiatus, Musiala has already made his comeback with FC Bayern and is gradually being brought back to top form.

Gnabry is also working on his return. The 31-year-old had been out for a long time and was back in the squad for the first time in Munich’s recent 2-1 win at Elversberg, though he did not see any playing time there.

Playing time will be managed on an individual basis

Photo: IMAGO

However, the fact that both are expected to remain with the DFB throughout the international break does not mean that Klopp is willing to take risks when it comes to managing their workload.

“There is a possibility that they could play in various matches under certain circumstances, always in a measured way and tailored to their personal situations,” explained the new national team coach.

Klopp wants to give Musiala and Gnabry as much of a normal routine as possible. Both are expected to train regularly with the team while also gaining targeted playing time, without overdoing it in terms of playing minutes.

In addition to the two Bayern pros, Klopp is also taking this approach with Schlotterbeck. Goalkeeper Finn Dahmen is also expected to remain with the national team for the full two weeks.

For FC Bayern, this means that Musiala and Gnabry will complete at least part of their return to action in the coming weeks under Klopp’s guidance. The national team coach wants to manage their workload on an individual basis—and, if possible, send both players back to Munich with improved match fitness.