Takeaways from Jeju: This Bayern youngster will play the biggest role | OneFootball

FC Bayern came out on top in its preseason friendly against Jeju SK in South Korea. FCBinside offers three takeaways from the match.

The Munich team recorded its second win in the third preseason match of the season. The game yielded the following insights:

1. Bayern goes the extra mile

The victory over Jeju was a test under challenging conditions. The temperatures were sweltering; South Korea is currently experiencing a heat wave. The high humidity, in particular, was grueling—even for the reporters in the stands. It’s hard to play good soccer under such conditions.

The players also had to contend with a field that, according to Tom Bischof, “wasn’t perfect either.” Bayern could have had an easier time of it in terms of their preseason preparations. The Asian tour is grueling; on Wednesday, the FCB delegation will continue on to the metropolis of Hong Kong. But the club’s leadership made a conscious decision to undertake this tour.

The goal is to tap into new markets and boost the Bundesliga’s international marketing efforts. Of course, this comes with financial benefits for Germany’s record champions. To that end, Bayern is going the extra mile. Other Bundesliga clubs can comfortably play their friendly matches at home. Bayern’s executives have recently voiced clear criticism on multiple occasions regarding their competitors’ reluctance to travel. The Munich club itself wants to lead by example in this regard.

For the players, this means additional strain. At times, they struggled against the Korean first-division club Jeju SK. On Friday, they’ll face Aston Villa in a friendly. That will be Champions League-level competition.

“We’ll face a slightly tougher opponent against Aston Villa,” said new signing Nathaniel Brown after the game. Despite all the difficulties, the team must then take the next step in their preseason preparations. The Super Cup in Dortmund is already on the schedule two weeks later.

2. Bayern are keeping a close eye on Assomo

The Asian tour is also intended to give Bayern’s young talents the opportunity to showcase themselves on the big stage. Two players from the academy were the goal scorers in the 2-1 victory. Felipe Chavez, on loan to 1. FC Köln for the second half of the season, scored the 1-0 goal for Bayern.

Bastian Assomo then scored the 2-1 goal. The 16-year-old skillfully controlled a pass from Joao Palhinha—who is on the transfer list—took another step, and hammered the ball precisely and unstoppably into the left corner. That was a real statement. Bayern’s management is keeping a close eye on Assomo anyway.

The 16-year-old joined the Munich academy from Hertha BSC just last year. The center forward knows where the goal is: In twelve appearances for the U17s and the Regionalliga, he scored twelve times. At 1.92 meters, his stature is impressive.

Photo: Getty Images

After the game, Bischof raved about his young teammate: “It’s incredible for his age: the way he controls the ball, he has a great finish, and he’s a classic box-to-box player. He scores his goals.” 

All excellent qualities for a center forward. Following his meteoric rise, Bayern are on the hunt for the next Lennart Karl. Will it be Assomo? The leap to Vincent Kompany’s team is probably still a bit too early for the 16-year-old. But looking ahead, Assomo certainly has the potential to make the jump to the pros.

3. This Bayern youngster will play the biggest role

Bara Sapoko Ndiaye is also only 18 years old. But the midfielder is likely to play the biggest role of all Bayern’s young talents in the coming season. His move to FCB isn’t even official yet, but sporting director Max Eberl made it clear in South Korea that the finalization of the transfer is only a matter of time.

That’s why Bara was already able to play against Jeju and delivered a convincing performance, for which he received an FCBinside rating of 2. The Senegalese national team newcomer and World Cup participant showed determination in his tackles and played several smart passes. Coach Kompany thinks highly of him.

Following Leon Goretzka’s departure, the club didn’t sign a top-tier player for the central midfield and also let another talent, Noel Aseko, leave. If Bara continues to develop like this, he’ll rack up playing time for Bayern.

With Bara, Bayern has truly snagged a major talent. Not only in the friendly against Jeju, but also earlier in training, he repeatedly demonstrated his soccer skills. There’s a noticeable difference between him and the other young players: With his appearances in the second half of the season under Kompany and, of course, this summer at the World Cup, he’s already made the transition to adult soccer. The upcoming season could mark Bara’s breakthrough with Bayern.