Noussair Mazraoui is one of the few Bayern stars who will not look back on the World Cup in Qatar with dread. Although the full-back struggled with several injuries, he still celebrated the greatest success of an African team at a World Cup. However, the newcomer from Munich did not act as usual on the right at the back, but on the left in the chain. This fact is also interesting for FC Bayern, as sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has now emphasized.
During the first half of the season, Noussair Mazraoui increasingly managed to put pressure on Benjamin Pavard. Towards the end of the half-series, the Moroccan was even just ahead of the Frenchman in the hierarchy. With regard to the second half of the season, the summer newcomer can have high hopes of winning the duel with the currently controversial Pavard. However, the position at right back is not the only chance for Mazraoui to get into Julian Nagelsmann’s starting eleven.
Salihamidzic praises Mazraoui: “Did the tasks on the left very well”
At the World Cup he was finally able to prove that he can also perform well in left-back. With Lucas Hernández injured, Mazraoui should become Alphonso Davies’ first substitute. It can be assumed that the Canadian also needs a break from time to time, which is why Munich can be happy to have a player like Mazraoui in their own ranks.
A new signing for the left back is therefore definitely not necessary: “He did the tasks on the left very well at the World Cup. This gives Julian Nagelsmann an additional option. That calms us down,” said Hasan Salihamidzic, backing the 25-year-old in an interview with “Sport BILD”. Although the sports director did not rule out transfers during the winter break, the external defense should not be affected. After all, with Josip Stanisic there is another player available who can cover both sides.
