Gnabry suddenly "elementary": Bayern star makes a radical turnaround - and plays for his future

FC Bayern are still missing the injured Jamal Musiala. But the German record champions are taking advantage of the gap in the squad, someone who hasn't played a leading role in Munich for some time. For Serge Gnabry, the focus is already on the coming season.

Christoph Freund had to smile when asked about Serge Gnabry. "It always happens so quickly – first he was a potential sales candidate in the media, now it's about an early extension," said the FC Bayern sporting director.

Even before this season, there had been repeated speculation about the 30-year-old's departure from Munich. But Gnabry stayed – and so far, despite the incisive Harry Kane and the outstanding Michael Olise, he's been one of the big winners. "It's fun to watch him; the most important thing is that he's fit – then we know what we have in him. He also has an outstanding character, which is also enormously important," emphasized Freund.

In seven competitive matches so far, the 53-time international has already contributed to six goals, and Gnabry is currently undisputed. A start that's sparking euphoria not only among his friends. "He has now consistently proven that Serge can be an exceptional player. Serge is a fundamentally important player for us at the moment," praised sporting director Max Eberl.

"Now I am healthy"

Gnabry is currently benefiting from the absence of Jamal Musiala in the attacking center – and from the fact that coach Vincent Kompany has never abandoned him, even in difficult phases. "With Serge, you can see that his confidence is returning, that he's gaining more security," Joshua Kimmich explained his teammate's upswing. Gnabry, he added, "seems very, very free – on and off the pitch. In the end, that's reflected in his performance."

Gnabry himself, who faces his former club Werder Bremen on Friday (8:30 p.m. on Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de, with highlights on RTL+ ) , remains relaxed despite all the praise. He has experienced too many times in his checkered and injury-plagued career how quickly things can go the other way.

"I'm in a good mood right now, pushing hard. I'm fitting in with the team and it's a lot of fun," he said, but: "As an athlete, you also need a certain amount of luck on your side to make it work. Last year, after a good phase, my knee slowed me down a bit. Now I'm healthy, feel good, have confidence—and right now I'm in the flow."

Gnabry, who has made a total of 292 competitive appearances (96 goals) for Bayern since 2018 and won 16 titles with the club, is out of contract at the end of the season. His future is still uncertain, but it could well remain with Bayern. However, Eberl recently left open when negotiations would begin.

The most important thing now, Gnabry emphasized, is "not to let up and to stay injury-free." What has helped him in difficult times? "The confidence that better times will come again." Gnabry is currently experiencing those better times at Bayern.