Gnabry Set for Comeback! Competition at FC Bayern Heats Up | OneFootball

Serge Gnabry is on the verge of making his comeback with FC Bayern. After his protracted adductor injury, the 31-year-old has now almost caught up on his training deficit. The offensive player could be back in Vincent Kompany’s squad as early as the Champions League opener against Bodø/Glimt.

Gnabry was already training with his teammates again last week. At the start of this week’s training sessions, the national team player was able to complete all the drills and appeared to be in good shape. Physically, the attacking player seems to have largely recovered by now.

Kompany had already hinted at a imminent return for his veteran player. Gnabry has been working on his comeback for weeks after adductor problems sidelined him since the spring. Now it seems his long spell on the sidelines is finally coming to an end.

If there are no setbacks in training, it seems quite realistic that he could be called up to the squad for Thursday’s home game against Bodø/Glimt. For Kompany, his return would be an important additional option—and a new challenge for some of his attacking players.

Gnabry is putting more pressure on Saibari

Ismael Saibari, in particular, could feel the impact of Gnabry’s return. The summer signing has started the last two games in a row. In the 4-1 DFB-Pokal victory over VfL Osnabrück, the 25-year-old put in a convincing performance. In the subsequent 0-0 draw at Schalke, however, he was largely inconspicuous.

With Gnabry, Kompany now has another option for the attacking positions. Competition could intensify significantly, especially in the center.

That’s because Jamal Musiala is back as well. The 23-year-old made his comeback at Schalke after a lengthy break and logged more than 30 minutes of playing time. While Bayern wants to ease their playmaker back into full action gradually, Musiala is expected to once again take on a central role in the offense going forward.

Added to that is Lennart Karl, who is also available again after his long injury layoff. Nathaniel Brown has also already shown that he can be deployed further up the field when needed.

Kompany is once again getting significantly more playing time

Photo: IMAGO

This development is good news for Kompany. Just a few weeks ago, the team’s offensive options were significantly limited due to several absences. Now, key players are gradually returning.

Gnabry brings not only experience but also tremendous versatility. The 31-year-old can play on both wings as well as in the center of the attack, thereby giving his coach additional tactical options.

For Saibari, however, this means that competition for playing time will become significantly tougher once again after his first few weeks in Munich. The new signing won’t just have to hold his own against Gnabry; with Musiala back in action, he now faces another prominent competitor.

Whether Gnabry will actually make his return to the squad as early as Thursday is likely to be decided in the coming training sessions. One thing is already clear, though: With his return, competition for spots in Bayern’s offense will once again become much tighter.