Amid all of the hype surrounding Bayern Munich phenom Lennart Karl’s record-smashing Champions League goal last night, Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany’s tactical set-up also remained a noteworthy piece of news. Austrian international Konrad Laimer’s continued development as a makeshift fullback makes for an interesting story. Laimer’s strange Bundesliga journey with Bayern carries on.
The former RB Leipzig midfielder was converted into a right back by previous FCB head coach Thomas Tuchel. The manner in which the Salzburg-native thrived in this position served as a significant surprise for those covering the Bundesliga. Matters are nevertheless now getting stranger still. Kompany has now turned Laimer into a left back. Career left-back/midfielder Raphaël Gurerreiro works on the right.
Laimer answered questions about this odd evolution in the mixed zone last night. Reporters and the player himself could only laugh at Laimer’s explanation of Kompany’s reasoning. Kompany’s reputation as a leader who effectively lets his team coach themselves was essentially confirmed by Laimer’s words.
“I wondered about it when the coach put up the tactical configuration,” Laimer said. “The coach said that it was for tactical reasons. I have no idea what these tactical reasons were. He didn’t reveal those. He said there were tactical reasons, but didn’t say what those tactical reasons were.
“He’s the boss,” Laimer continued. “Both myself and Guerreiro didn’t have to question it. It’s kind of cool to serve on the left, though things are different for me as a right-footer. I prefer the right, but can make some interesting things happen when I head forward on the left.“
