Serge Gnabry's struggles deepen as Bayern Munich's attacking options soar

Rob Fleming
2 December 2023

Serge Gnabry's journey at FC Bayern is taking a concerning turn, with the 28-year-old forward once again falling significantly short of his top form.

Coach Thomas Tuchel seems to view the German international as the fourth choice for the team's attacking wing positions, intensifying the pressure on Gnabry in Munich.

While the recent Bayern acquisition, Harry Kane, continues to score goals prolifically, Leroy Sane showcases the form of his life this season, and young talents Mathys Tel and Kingsley Coman consistently contribute to the scoreline, Serge Gnabry finds himself stuck in a performance slump. The German star has managed only one goal involvement in ten appearances this season.

At the start of the season, the 28-year-old was a regular under Tuchel. However, a forearm fracture in late September during a DFB-Pokal match has derailed Gnabry's momentum. Since his comeback, Gnabry has only been in the starting XI once out of five possible games. In the recent Champions League match against FC Copenhagen, Tel got the nod ahead of him. According to reports from SPORT1, Gnabry is currently Tuchel's fourth choice for the wing positions.

Tuchel, acknowledging Gnabry's past contributions, stated recently, "He has earned a lot of credit with me and the team." The Bayern coach referred to the end of the previous season when Gnabry played a crucial role in the last five Bundesliga games, contributing to six goals and significantly influencing the last-minute title win.

However, the issue lies in the fact that this credit has now been depleted. Gnabry extended his contract with Bayern in the summer of 2022, reportedly securing a top-tier deal earning him more than €15 million per year. In light of this extension, Bayern's management expected a more impactful performance from the German international.

Gnabry is reportedly aware of his challenging situation at FC Bayern and is determined to turn the tide in the coming weeks and months. This effort is crucial not just for the club but also for the forward with an eye on the upcoming European Championship next summer in Germany.