Now that Bayern II have started their winter break, it is a great time to look back at the season so far and evaluate it. In this article, the individual performance of the members of Bayern Munich’s U-23 squad during the first half of the season will be graded from 1-6, with 1 being the best grade and 6 being the worst grade. This encompasses matchdays 1-22 and ignores participation in the UEFA Youth League for the U-19s. Not every player has played enough minutes to be fairly rated, however. so only players who have contested at least 270 minutes of game time will be evaluated. Without further ado, here are the ratings:
Goalkeepers:
Max Schmitt: 2
GK, 18 years old, 1260 minutes played, 16 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets
Young goalkeepers are always difficult to rate. It is the position where the most self-assuredness is required, yet that kind of self-assuredness is one that cannot always be expected from young players. Schmitt has had an up and down season, making several mistakes that led to goals as well as putting in several performances that saved Bayern’s bacon as their defense faltered. He was briefly dropped, but almost immediately won his starting spot back and kept it. Additionally, he was even given the chance to experience Bundesliga and Champions league nights on the bench of Bayern’s first team. He is deservedly Bayern II’s No.1 goalie and has had a good season so far.
Anthony Pavlešić: 3+
GK, 18 years old, 360 minutes played, 4 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet
Though he has a better goals conceded per game ratio than Schmitt, their performances do not really compare. Pavlesic got a chance to stake his claim as the No.1 for Bayern II around the start of September, before dropping an absolute clanger of a performance against TSV Aubstadt. Since then, he has only gotten game time when Schmitt was promoted to the first team.
Benjamin Ballis NR
GK, 19 years old, 180 minutes played
Hannes Hailmeir NR
GK, 20 years old, 0 minutes played
Defenders:
Grayson Dettoni: 2
CB, 19 years old, 1576 minutes played, 0 goals, 0 assists
Grayson Dettoni is another who has been good. After battling his way into the starting XI last season, he has maintained his spot this season. Dettoni is not the fastest player in the world, but he is decent with the ball at his feet and holds up well physically in a league full of grown men. The USA-born footballer is truly coming into his own and it is great to see. Plus, he sat down to have an interview with BFW a few years ago. If that is not the sign of a cool person, then I don’t know what is.
Steve Breitkreuz: 2+
CB, 32 years old, 1610 minutes played, 6 goals, 0 assists
Signed in 2023 to be one of the old heads that guide the young players, Steve Breitkreuz has done a good job so far. His leadership at the back is palpable, he takes charge during defensive plays and he scores a lot of really important goals. At 6 goals scored in the league, he is the team’s second highest goal scorer. However, his lack of quality on the ball and recklessness when charging out to win the ball can cost him and the team at times. Still, his leadership and his 6 goals bump him up a quite a bit.
Gabriel Marušić, NR
CB, 21 years old, 32 minutes played
Gabriel Marušić made his comeback from a cruciate ligament tear sustained in April, 2023, back in October. Ergo he could not play enough to get rated.
Paul Scholl: 3+
CB, 18 years old, 542 minutes played, 0 goals, 0 assists
Though Paul Scholl also played for the U-19s this season, he is officially on the U-23s roster, so he will be evaluated in this article. His performances have been fine, but the difference in quality between him versus the duo of Dettoni and Breitzkreuz is noticeable whenever he play in their stead. He is less positionally steady and not quite able to impose himself physically. And he is perhaps even less assured on the ball. Given time, this should improve as he adapts to the league.
Adam Aznou: 1-
LB, 18 years old, 585 minutes played, 0 goals, 0 assists
Of course, most Bayern fans know who Adam Aznou is. The magnificent Moroccan magician has been knocking on the door to the first team all season, after all. This effort has landed him on the bench of the first team for most of the season, so he has been unable to accumulate minutes with Bayern II. Whenever he did play for the U-23, he generally demonstrated his impressive passing, dribbling and improved defensive acumen. But he also had a tendency to fall back into some bad decision making habits, deciding to dribble and take on the world instead of making the simple pass far too often. That is why he “only” gets a 1-.
Davide Dell’Erba: 2+
LB/CM, 20 years old, 1282 minutes played, 2 goals, 1 assist
This certainly cannot have been the plan when Davide Dell’Erba was signed. Though the German/Italian dual international was initially signed to bolster the midfield, the left footed creative midfielder has spent the majority of his time in Munich at left back instead. This season, Aznou’s development and subsequent promotion to the first team saw him forced to fill the role again. Yet he has hardly looked phased as his technique, ease on the ball and attacking fervor keeps the left side running nicely. Of course, Dell’Erba does sometimes focus a little too much on getting forward, but it is understandable. He gets plus points for ramming home a late, late pressure penalty in Bayern II’s last Regionalliga game of the year.
Angelo Brückner: 3
LB/RB, 21 years old, 1313 minutes played, 0 goals, 1 assist
Oh, Angelo Brückner. He is really hard working, capable of incredible technique, quite capable of playing with both feet and possesses great agility. But his development has really stalled over the years, meaning he has the same flaws he did when he played his first season of football with Bayern II in 2021. Brückner makes too many simple mistakes, he still struggles in duels, his technique is wildly inconsistent and he chooses the wrong option far too often. The former TSV Hartberg player is very likable but it has been a rough few years for him and his career. The plan in Munich is that players are supposed to stay no more than 2 years at Bayern II before moving on. But Brückner has just finished three years now. It tells you all you need to know about his development.
Vincent Manuba: 2-
RB, 19 years old, 562 minutes played, 0 goals, 1 assist
What a shame. Vincent Manuba’s season has been blighted by injuries and that will continue to be the case until next season, for his cruciate ligament tear rules him out until then. Considering he also spent over 2 months out with a meniscus injury, this man really cannot catch a break. It is all the more frustrating because he was beginning to show signs of serious development, especially physically. The 19-year-old has really grown into his body and it means he has a great combination of wiry strength and genuine speed. His technical skills may not be on par with those physical skills, but his development was quite clear until the heart shattering injury. Here’s to hoping Manuba has a smooth and speedy recovery.
Overall score: 2
In general, it is difficult to complain too much. Most players have taken at least one step forward, even if none of them have made any massive leaps in improvement. The defensive record of 23 goals conceded in 21 games is also pretty good, though, to a certain extent, some unbelievable profligacy from the opponents contributed to the defensive effort as well. A B seems to be a fair grade for a good but not excellent overall effort. But please work on them with their ball playing skills, Bayern coaches. It can be painful to watch them try to progress the ball at times.
The latest Bavarian Podcast Works Show has dropped! Let’s talk about the news breaking from the AGM, Bayern Munich’s complex injury situation, and why the club probably doesn’t just want Florian Wirtz, but needs him. You can get the show on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
