Experienced player booted out

Bayern’s friend on “DFB bang”: “Very unfortunate!”

Julian Nagelsmann (left) will probably do without Bayern's Leon Goretzka. Now Christoph Freund (right) comments on the "bang" in the DFB team.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Leon Goretzka is likely to be a surprise omission from the DFB squad that Julian Nagelsmann will announce on Thursday. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has now commented on his protégé's withdrawal.

"It's a shame because Leon has done really well recently and is an absolute leading player for us," the Austrian told Sky on the sidelines of Bayern U19s' 3-1 defeat in the Youth League quarter-final against Olympiakos.

As reported by Bild on Tuesday, Goretzka will not be in Nagelsmann's squad. A decision that comes as something of a surprise. After all, the 29-year-old has been strong of late and was a mainstay in Bayern's midfield. Goretzka shone with two goals and two assists in the 8-1 win over Mainz at the weekend. However, Goretzka will be absent for the test matches against France (March 23) and the Netherlands (March 26) ahead of the home EURO in the summer.

"That's an honor for us"
 Aleksandar Pavlovic, on the other hand, is expected to be involved. The 19-year-old, who is also eligible to play for Serbia, is regarded as one of Munich's great hopes for the future. "Aleks has developed incredibly well. He plays extremely consistently and with a high level of self-confidence - even in international matches, where there is a lot of pressure. That's an award for us," said a delighted Freund.