Vincent Kompany is waiting for Jamal Musiala to rediscover his best form for Bayern Munich.
Jamal Musiala appeared to be peaking at the perfect time for Bayern Munich – until two underwhelming performances temporarily derailed his momentum.
Gnabry’s Resurgence and Musiala’s Injury
Serge Gnabry’s adductor tear was a major blow for FC Bayern. The 30-year-old had enjoyed a remarkable resurgence this season.
Gnabry stepped in for the long-term injured Jamal Musiala. Gnabry slotted into the starting line-up and performed so well that Musiala was unable to reclaim his place in the starting XI even after recovering from injury at the start of the year.
He remained a fixture in the side’s biggest matches until tearing his adductor in mid-April—ending both his season and his World Cup hopes.
Gnabry’s injury came just as Musiala rediscovered his best form. In March, the playmaker had been sidelined again by ankle trouble, withdrew from the international fixtures, and was told by Oliver Kahn that he might miss the World Cup.
Musiala’s Return to Form
By April, however, the 20-year-old had rediscovered his sharpness, delivering a series of standout displays that underlined his importance to club and country.
In the Bundesliga, he began scoring as a rotation player for Gnabry, who was simply being rested at the time. In the Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid, he provided crucial impetus from the bench, and following Gnabry’s injury, he was suddenly back in the starting line-up.
Six goals and assists in seven games followed. Musiala looked determined and fit, whilst his passing became increasingly brilliant and his dribbling more intricate.
Kompany’s Perspective
“It’s a coincidence that Serge’s injury has happened now, and Jamal isn’t that far off,” manager Vincent Kompany explained at the time. “Physically, he’s very close to his best. Running, pressing, winning tackles – he can do all that now.”
“There’s just one question left: when will that ‘Magic Musiala’ return? That Jamal at his very best. When that total freedom comes back at some point – and it will – then you’ll have a more developed version of Jamal Musiala. And as a manager, I’m looking forward to that.”
PSG Clash and Disappointment
Then the football calendar handed Bayern a semi-final clash with PSG—the same side against whom Musiala had broken his fibula during the Club World Cup the previous summer. Against that very team, he returned to the starting XI and instantly became a key figure. The perfect stage for “Magic Musiala” to return.
As expected, Musiala started the first leg against PSG, yet he failed to make an impact. The show was stolen by Michael Olise, Harry Kane and Luis Diaz. Despite four goals for Bayern, Musiala managed no shots on target, no assists and only one chance that he unluckily wasted.
He completed just 26 passes, second-fewest among the starters, edging out Alphonso Davies, who played 34 minutes less.
The match passed him by, and to some extent that reflected the nature of the contest. The ball ping-ponged mostly along the wings.
Kompany is waiting for that total freedom to return.