Chapitre 18: Getting called up to the first team
The next game was against Burghausen, where I scored 2 and assisted 3 for a 5:1 win.
On the 33rd matchday, we played against TSV Buchbach who was in a similar situation to Burghausen. We won the match 3:0 with me only assisting one. But my performance was still very good. Why? Because this was my first match as a right-back.
After that, we played against Rosenheim, where we drew 2:2 with me assisting for one and shooting one.
To be honest the league didn't matter anymore as TSV 1860 München have already easily secured their promotion to the third division. This is a sad story as 1860 was relegated from the 2nd to the 4th as their Money-giver didn't want to pay the license for the 3rd division.
But good news followed soon after. At least for me.
Bayern substitute right-back Rafinha from Brazil was injured and I was called up to be a substitute for Kimmich.
After going to the training ground of the first team, my head was suddenly rubbed by someone.
I turned around and saw Müller and a few other pros with smiles on their faces.
"But this time you will stay here longer than last time right, Max?", he said while laughing.
After that, I trained passing with Kimmich. We had a good time. Some may think he and I wouldn't be too good friends as we are rivals. But no. In fact Kimmich wanted to play as 6 way more than right-back, but there was no good substitute and he needed to keep that position.
I was lucky as the already announced new Bayern Coach Niko Kovac preferred players with good running positions as well as vision, which I had plenty of due to my templates and he wants to build up through the goal kick and breakthrough on the left and right side. Another perfect match for me. This means I perfectly fit in his coaching style. That means if I play well in the training matches after he comes I may be able to stay in this squad
I had a few training sessions with them every day and on the matchday of the 32nd matchday I was in the squad.
Bayern has already locked in the Bundesliga title early on. Due to this Heynckes let youth players like Lars Mai, Dorsch, Shabani, and Evina into their starting eleven.
Bayern dominated the game early on and shot the 2:0 in the 76th minute.
But in the 78th minute, it happened. Frankfurt striker Haller was sprinting in a 1vs1 to Neuer. Kimmich ran from behind and made an emergency tackle to stop Haller's sprint. It was shortly before the penalty area and due to this Kimmich got red instead of yellow.
Immediately Heynckes signaled me to warm up.
Soon after I was substituted into the game and Wagner who replaced Lewandovski in the starting eleven was subbed out.
After I was subbed on I received massive applause from the Bayern fans. They were proud, as I was the youngest player to play in the Bundesliga and any of the five major leagues. I broke a huge record. Not everyone may have known I broke that record, but after it was projected onto the huge billboard everyone clapped.
After being on the pitch, I immediately told everyone Heynckes arrangements for the rest of the game.
I was nervous. My first real professional Match and that, because I haven't mentioned it yet, in front of my future coach.
I went a bit behind the player who took the free-kick as I was too small for a Bundesliga wall, but no worries I was way above average for my age.
The free kick was an average shot, which Neuer easily kept with both hands. Immediately afterwards I went onto the right flank. Neuer looked around and saw me. He threw it to me.
I calmly stopped the ball and accelerated. I passed the first enemy player with a simple sprint and after that, I passed the ball to Rudy who played a high-altitude ball over their left-back like we practiced in the training sessions.
I accelerated past that defender and after running around the penalty area I stopped the ball and waited for Dorsch, Shabani, and Evina to run into the penalty. All my second-team teammates. I wasted a bit of time with playing a few bicycles in front of their defender. Suddenly I made an elastico and made a cross. The cross went above the goalkeeper and right to Evina, who calmly headed the ball into the goal. Me and Evina celebrated like crazy as this was my first professional assist and his first professional goal.
While we were celebrating Niko Covach's eyes lit up for a short amount of time, which wasn't seen by anyone.
After the kick-off, the game remained pretty calm, but I still had a few opportunities to show my defensive skills.
All in all, I would say this was a very good debut. The best part is that I will probably play as a starter for the last two games, as Kimmich got a direct red card, which means he won't be playing for at least two games.
___________________________________
I will for sure let him participate in the World Cup, but in a way that makes sense and isn't too forced. Don't worry I only let him participate to break some records, but won't change the setting that Germany won't qualify for the knockouts. This means him only breaking records, but not changing anything substantially. If you want me to let him let Germany advance, say it. And if yes, how far Germany should advance.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone