Yes, we are dropping this a little early, but with the Bayern Munich vs. Aston Villa friendly just ahead, we wanted to drop in to discuss two players who have a lot riding on how they perform in this friendly — Tom Bischof and João Palhinha.
Bischof has been the team’s breakout performer during the preseason and is looking comfortable despite stepping into a much bigger role after arriving from Hoffenheim. Bischof has earned praise for his confidence, technical quality, and ability to influence the game
from deeper midfield areas. Maybe the biggest impression that Bischof has made is putting his technical strengths on display. The 21-year-old has shown excellent passing range, quick decision-making, and the ability to progress the ball through pressure. Bischof looks particularly effective as a midfielder, who can connect midfield and attack rather than simply dictate tempo.
Vincent Kompany’s system demands midfielders who can press, rotate positions, and contribute in possession. Bischof’s versatility — capable of playing as a No. 6 or No. 8 — makes him an attractive option alongside Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović.
Against Aston Villa, Bischof will likely be looking to prove he can handle the physical intensity and defensive responsibilities of a full Bundesliga season, especially against elite transition teams. If he can do that, he could show Kompany that he is “game ready” for starting minutes during the upcoming season.
For the veteran Palhinha, his preseason has proven he can be safe and reliable — not exactly bad traits to have for a midfielder looking to showcase himself.
Palhinha has looked like the player Bayern expected when they signed him from Fulham: physically dominant, disciplined defensively, and excellent at breaking up play. His ability to shield the back four remains his biggest strength and could make him appealing to other clubs if he can put forth another strong showing against Aston Villa — who, ironically, is the team he is most closely linked to at the moment.
For those of you wondering why Bayern Munich still wants to sell him, Kompany appears to prefer a more mobile midfield with greater ball progression, which may limit Palhinha’s worth to the Bavarians.
Palhinha has done little wrong this preseason, but his challenge is not performance — it is convincing another club to meet Bayern Munich’s price for him, which might not be so easy.
With strong performances against Aston Villa, both Bischof and Palhinha can take another step to getting where they really want to go.
Let’s see if the duo can take advantage of the opportunity.
Song of the Week: “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode was one of the bands that defined the sound of modern rock in the 80s and 90s. Their influence is indisputable and while they may no longer get the acclaim they deserve, the impact they made in their heyday was incredible. We have featured them before, but not this tune. Enjoy:
Entertainment Rundown
House of the Dragon — Season 3, Episode 7
I have to make an admission: The show is my guilty pleasure.
I know it is not great (though way better than the first two seasons) and I know the book is WAY better (yes, I have cheated and read some of the summaries of the books to get an idea of where the show is going away from the source), but I am actually enjoying the season.
I cannot really even explain why, but I find myself looking forward to it, so that means I must like it, despite my best attempts to not like it. I know…it’s complex. Let’s dive in:
- Tired of waiting, Rhaenyra leaves King’s Landing on Syrax to investigate Daemon’s disappearance and the mystery surrounding the wild dragon Sheepstealer. Of course, she finds him (Dragon GPS is wild) with Rhaena and we get an all out dragon brawl, which was cool. Syrax, Caraxes, and Seasmoke took on Sheepstealer, who held his own quite well before Caraxes — taking advantage of its (I think the dragons are genderless), but its giraffe-like neck — clinched the win. Sheepstealer is not officially dead, though, so keep that in mind.
- At Harrenhal, Aemond murders Alicent’s guide (err, assassin), Ser Adrian, before Ser Adrian can pull off his plotted murder. Meanwhile, in a desperate attempt to end the madness, Alicent secretly poisons him with nightshade in an attempt to regain control.
- There is no more complex character in this show than Alicent.
- Things do not look good for Helaena, who is having some dreams that seem to indicate she is heading toward some kind of complex decision or action.
- Daemon and Ormund Hightower remain the two best characters in the show now that Ser Criston Cole is dead. It’s really not even close.
- Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, Rhaenyra continues to show that she is a horrible queen on every level. Heavy is the head that wears the crown and all of that.
- Ulf is angry and being lured in to being a turncoat by Ormund.
- In the show’s biggest moment, Aegon and Tyland Lannister decide they are going to go down fighting an entire army (crazy decision, of course), but are bailed out a rejuvenated Sunfyre, who was believed to be dead. Sunfyre torches the entire army from Maidenpool and now we have a three-way dance for the crown.
- Because there had been a lack of s*x this season, Rhaenyra and Mysaria get it on after Mysaria is scolded by her old madame for forgetting who she really is, and for thinking the elites will ever accept her.
- Overall, it was a good, but very flawed episode, which does set us up for what should be a very active season finale. Somehow, someway the show has found an awkward rhythm of being entertaining despite having major issues. I should not like it…but I do. Maybe I am a bad — or at least misguided — person.
Rating: 7.00/10.00
Predictions
This friendly is a crapshoot. We have no idea exactly how anyone will play, or if one side will take it more seriously than the other. It’s just that kind of game.
Both teams are tired at the end of their respective tours, so let’s just predict a hard-fought win for the good guys.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-1 Aston Villa
Prediction Records
- Total: 123-59
- Perfect Picks: 22
- Bundesliga Last Matchday: 0-0
- Bundesliga Overall: 0-0
- DFB-Pokal: 0-0
- World Cup: 71-28
- International Friendlies: 50-30
- Champions League: 0-0
- Club Friendlies: 2-1
- Franz Beckenbauer Supercup: 0-0
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