Aleksandar Pavlović knows exactly what it feels like to be the young player trying to find his place at Bayern Munich.
Now, as one of the established members of the first team, the midfielder is trying to offer younger players the same support he received when he was coming through the club’s system.
“When younger players move up to the first team, such as Lennart Karl for example, I try to be there for them, help them and give them a hand. It’s similar to what I experienced myself in my early days
with the senior players. Leon Goretzka gave me a very warm welcome back then. I also knew Josip Stanišić from the youth setup, and he also helped me to integrate quickly into the team,” Pavlović told Säbener51 (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
Pavlović understands that making the jump from the youth setup to the senior team can be a major challenge. Suddenly, young players are training and competing alongside some of the best footballers in the world, and the pressure to prove themselves can be enormous.
So how does a young player manage to assert himself in a team full of world-class players? Pavlović’s advice is simple: work hard, be confident and do not be afraid of making mistakes.
“You just have to give your all and work hard, even when it’s difficult – that’s the foundation. You also shouldn’t go into a game with the fear of doing something wrong. My motto is: be confident, look forward to showing what you can do – and mistakes are part of the game. You can then learn from them,” Pavlović remarked.
It is a message that Pavlović has clearly taken to heart himself.
His own journey at Bayern Munich has given him the experience to understand what young players need when they first enter the senior dressing room. Now, he is trying to become that same welcoming presence for the next generation.
For Lennart Karl and other talented youngsters coming through, having teammates like Pavlović, Goretzka and Stanišić around them could make all the difference.
At Bayern Munich, talent can open the door. But hard work, confidence and the courage to keep learning are what can ultimately help a young player stay there.
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