In the 2023/24, Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka fought back from a poor start to regain a starting role for the vast majority of the season, João Palhinha was one of Fulham FC’s most important players while Aleksandar Pavlović enjoyed an impressive debut campaign that nonetheless saw him relegated to what was mostly a supporting role. But this season, with all three competing for playing time in Bayern’s midfield, Pavlović has the favor of new head coach Vincent Kompany and is leaving the competition in the dust, gathering nearly 4 times the amount of minutes Goretzka and Palhinha have assembled together.
Despite this, Pavlović is sure that there are no hard feelings from his midfield subordinates competition. When asked about Palhinha, he admits he is proud on winning the battle: “Of course that makes me proud. Because he’s also a great player and a great teammate,” Pavlvović explained, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. “We get on well, everyone gives it their all. I’m just happy that I can play and show what I can do.”
When it comes to Goretzka, the Bayern academy product is perhaps a little less outwardly happy about winning the battle: “It’s true that I get on very well with Leon. [Goretzka’s lack of game time is] a bit sad for him, but we still get on very well,” Pavlović assures, via @iMiaSanMia. “He’s always happy when I play well.”
As Pavlović’s star for club and country continues to rise, Palhinha and Goretzka face the opposite fate. If this keeps up, will the two seasoned professionals maintain this happy demeanor or will some resentment start to settle in?
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