A sizeable contingent from Bayern Munich has been always been a mainstay in the German national team. Player form and team tactics have tended to overlap, which has mutually benefitted both sides. In the game against Luxembourg in the World Cup qualifiers, Bayern’s athletes took centerstage, scoring 3 of the 4 goals. One of the prime attackers Serge Gnabry, attributed his run of good form to a boost in confidence after delivering good performances for Bayern.
To be fair, three of the four goals against
Luxembourg were directly due to Gnabry’s end product. His shot that got deflected off of Nick Woltemade went into the book as Wolty’s goal. Kimmich’s penalty too was drawn due to Gnabry’s pressure. Gnabry meanwhile added a goal himself with a good shot in the 48th minute.
Is this the best version of Gnabry ?
In the post match interview (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Gnabry replied to whether he was in the form of his life. “Form of my life is a bit exaggerated. I’m having a good start to the season. It did me good to score again today. I’ve often said that I didn’t change anything. It’s self-confidence, especially with the way we’re playing at Bayern at the moment. Sometimes things go well, sometimes they don’t. Right now it’s going well for me” said Gnabry.
This question is not simple to answer. His first two seasons at Bayern saw Serge in a very forward role, always looking to find the net. Gnabry was one of the most lethal attackers at Bayern in terms of finishing. His best season in the league however was the 2022/23 season where he racked up 28 goals and assists.
However, in the current season, certain stats such as through balls, lay-offs completed, passes and possession lost are the best they have been in Gnabry’s time at Bayern. Being used to fill in for the injured Jamal Musiala, it would be fair to say that Gnabry is doing more than a decent job as a second striker/attacking midfielder in acting as the final connecting link in attack.
So, to answer the question, we could put it this way. Gnabry is being the best version of what is asked of him, in a role different from his previous seasons. Lets not forget Bayern are without both Thomas Müller and his successor Jamal Musiala. However, that has not stopped Bayern from breaking records for goals scored. And Gnabry, has done well to aid that feat.