Pavlovic v Goretzka: Friendly rivalry with a competitive edge | OneFootball

A duel has erupted in FC Bayern's midfield: Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka are vying for the spot next to Joshua Kimmich. Coach Vincent Kompany faces a tough decision.

While the squad of the German record champions seems thin in many positions, there is now a noticeable competition in central midfield. Pavlovic has returned after his eye injury, Tom Bischof is back in training after an appendectomy – and Goretzka is trying to catch up after a weak international break.

Pavlovic impresses with overview and passing accuracy

Photo: IMAGO

The 21-year-old Pavlovic used the international break to work on his fitness in Munich. After two substitute appearances against Leipzig (6:0) and Augsburg (3:2) and a starting eleven appearance in the cup game in Wiesbaden (3:2), he is once again a serious option for the first eleven.

His greatest strength: precise passing. With a rate of 93.5 percent, he was even the most accurate midfielder in the Bayern squad last season. Although he played 12.5 percent fewer balls into the attacking third than Goretzka, Pavlovic acts as an organizing playmaker and ensures stability in the build-up play. The five penultimate passes before goal successes also show that he can think not only laterally but also creatively.

Goretzka brings power and goal threat

Photo: IMAGO

Goretzka is quite different. The 30-year-old is less of a strategist, but a physical presence in the box-to-box game. His strengths lie in advancing into the penalty area, where he becomes dangerous with dynamism and goal instinct. Last season he had a goal expectation of 2.76 - significantly higher than Pavlovic (0.56).

However, the national player is currently in a small form slump. He struggled in the international match against Slovakia, was set up by Julian Nagelsmann as a number ten and was completely left hanging. With only twelve ball contacts in one half, the evening was a bitter one for him.

In Munich, he will be needed in a role that suits him more on Saturday. But in the duel against a defensively set HSV, Kompany might prefer an organizing ball distributor like Pavlovic to crack the expected bulwark.

Pavlovic and Goretzka share a friendly relationship off the pitch. Both have proven in recent years that they can handle the competition professionally.

Whether Kompany relies on Pavlovic's passing accuracy or Goretzka's power in the penalty area will not only shape the match on Saturday. The duel in central midfield could be decisive for the entire season - a crucial balancing act between order and offense.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.