Bayern Roster Check: Saibari Opens Up New Options—What Happens Without Kane? | OneFootball

FC Bayern is heading into the new season with high ambitions. Domestically, the German record champions are once again the clear favorites; internationally, they aim to take the next step after being eliminated in the semifinals last season. But is the current roster strong enough to make a run at the Champions League? In the FCBinside roster review, we take a close look at each part of the team. Finally, we turn our attention to the offense.

Versatile players are more important than ever in modern soccer. In that regard, Ismael Saibari fits perfectly into Bayern’s roster planning. The Moroccan can play nearly any position in the attack, though he feels most comfortable in the center as a number 10 or number 9.

This gives Vincent Kompany even more options. Saibari, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise, and Lennart Karl can all play centrally behind the striker. Olise, Karl, and Gnabry are also options on the right wing.

This creates fierce competition, particularly behind the regular starting attackers.

On the left, Bayern is counting on Ibrahimovic and flexibility

On the left side, there’s no getting around Luis Díaz. However, Munich didn’t sign a high-profile backup. The transfer of Anthony Gordon, which had been discussed at one point, didn’t materialize.

Instead, Arijon Ibrahimovic is set to get his chance following his loan spell at 1. FC Heidenheim. Max Eberl nevertheless considers the left side to be adequately staffed. In addition to Díaz and Ibrahimovic, Nathaniel Brown and Alphonso Davies could also be deployed there.

“We originally wanted to make a move on the left wing, but we didn’t end up doing that. With Ismael Saibari and Brown, we’ve become even more flexible,” explained the sporting director.

There’s still a question mark, however, when it comes to the really big Champions League matches. If Díaz were to miss a quarterfinal, for example, it seems more likely that Kompany would turn to Musiala, Saibari, or Gnabry rather than throw Ibrahimovic in at the deep end.

Who will replace Kane when it really counts?

Photo: IMAGO

The situation at center forward is even more interesting. Harry Kane is the undisputed starter there. In his current form, the Englishman is one of the greatest weapons top-tier European soccer has to offer.

However, following Nicolas Jackson’s departure, Bayern has not signed a classic center forward as a replacement. Saibari and Gnabry are expected to fill that role if needed.

If Kane is sidelined for a short time, that should work out just fine. The situation would become more difficult, however, if the Englishman were to be out for an extended period. Neither Saibari nor Gnabry can fully replace Kane’s extraordinary combination of goal-scoring ability, playmaking skills, and finishing prowess.

However, the question arises as to which affordable striker could even fulfill this role—and at the same time be willing to sit on the bench behind Kane for extended periods. This is another reason why another transfer seems unlikely at the moment.

Bayern’s offense is the showpiece of the squad

In the other positions, Kompany faces more of a “luxury problem.” Olise is a fixture on the right wing and is expected to stay in Munich despite recent rumors linking him to Real Madrid. As for Musiala, the club’s leadership is hoping that, after his difficult spell, he will permanently rediscover the fluidity that made him one of Europe’s most exceptional players.

With Karl, there’s also another top talent ready to further intensify the competition.

Conclusion: The offense is the crown jewel of the Bayern squad. Kompany has an enormous amount of individual talent at his disposal and can fill numerous positions in various ways with players like Saibari, Musiala, Gnabry, or Brown. However, there is no classic backup for Kane. For individual games, Saibari or Gnabry can take on this role. Should the Englishman be sidelined for an extended period, his loss would be virtually impossible to compensate for in terms of quality. An additional transfer seems unlikely to make much sense, though—because even Bayern would struggle to find a Kane replacement of comparable caliber who would also be content with a backup role.