Just over a year ago, Aleksandar Pavlović was a talented but unproven youngster in the Bayern Munich academy while Angelo Stiller was a youngster who had seemingly jumped from the Bayern academy to the Bundesliga too early, struggling to earn a spot in the starting lineup for Hoffenheim. Now, however, both are set to play major roles in the Champions League and have just been called up to the German senior team together, now hailed as the future of the German midfield.
It is this status as the future of the midfield that made Stiller and Pavlović such an interesting topic for reporters in a recent press conference, as new Germany captain Joshua Kimmich was asked about the two youngsters and his thoughts on them. Luckily, as @iMiaSanMia captured, he has some personal experience with the two to call upon:
“Both have developed a lot. I know Angelo from the second team at Bayern. Unfortunately, he left the club back then. You could already tell back then that he’s someone who is brave and wants the ball. He’s technically good and has no fear, similar to Pavlo. In his first season, Aleks started against Real at the Bernabeu and wasn’t afraid. Both have a similar profile, both are technically strong and play good passes. Both have fun on the pitch.”
Kimmich knows what it is like to be doubted and then take the chance presented to him. At the start of the year, he was struggling at Bayern, criticized from all sides and many called for him to be dropped from the national team. Just over half a year later, he is now the new captain of the national team and the player in charge of taking care of the newbies. While he received no support during his low point, it will be his job to provide support to the two newbies. Knowing him, that will be one of his top priorities.
Looking to catch-up on Bayern Munich’s weekend, plus a breakdown of how each Bundesliga match played out? Great, then check out the latest episode of Bavarian Podcast Works — The Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl. You can get the show on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
