With the big clash between Bayern and Dortmund taking place this weekend, Talent Radar takes a look at a combined XI of the best young players in the two sides’ current squads.
Over the last couple of seasons, the title race that existed in Bundesliga has gone back to being a one team show, with Bayern dominating from start to finish. Guardiola has taken the already dominant team to new heights, at least in the league, if not in Europe. Importantly, the next generation is also being readied, with the likes of Coman and Gaudino all finding a place in the club’s plans this season.
After falling spectacularly from their perch last season, Dortmund have been resurrected by the fresh ideas of Thomas Tuchel. Players like Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Gundogan have put in leading performances, and have been ably backed by some superb youngsters like Weigl.
We have thus compiled a combined XI of the young players in these two massive clubs’ squads.
Note that the following XI has been created keeping in mind first team opportunities and appearances already made, while the formation has been positionally adjusted. Outfield players eligible are those 21 and under as of June 1st 2015, while goalkeepers 22 and under as of the same date were eligible to make the team. To know more about Talent Radar, head this way.
Defence: The defence of this ultra attacking team has three Dortmund individuals and one from Bayern.. Relative unknowns like Bonmann, Stenzel, and Steinhart make up the core, but they’re accompanied by one of the best young players in Germany. Mathias Ginter has been a mainstay of the Dortmund defence, and long been recognised as one of the bright spots in Germany’s age group teams. This season, he’s served Dortmund as a right back, and provided the perfect mixture of defensive solidity and attacking verve, scoring goals, winning penalties, and playing a role in breaking up opposition attacks.
Midfield: The midfield is populated by some top drawer young talent, all of whom are looked at as stars of the next generation. Both Gaudino and Kimmich have earned glowing reviews from Bayern, and are both constantly on the fringes of that dominant central midfield that wins Bayern so many games. On the other hand, in Julian Weigl, you have a player who’s already bossing Bundesliga midfields. The Dortmund new boy has been critical to their success, with his splendid passing and rabid tackling and aggression off the ball.
Attack: Like the attacking prospects of their full starting line ups, the Talent Radar line up is also full of pace, trickery and creativity going forward. Julian Green still hasn’t exploded onto the scene like some others, but his pace and skill have left the likes of Klinsmann and Guardiola in awe of him, and that’s not a bad set of admirers to have. Coman and Januzaj are already famous names across the globe. Januzaj in particular is no fresh face, having already experienced success at Manchester United.
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[contentcards url=”https://outsideoftheboot.com/2013/10/26/adnan-januzaj-scout-report/” target=”_blank”]
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