No-one needs reminding of the Grand Canyon-sized chasm that exists between ‘the best’ and ‘the rest’ in the Bundesliga. Especially after Bayern Munich stormed to a ninth successive league title last season, finishing 13 points ahead of runners-up Red Bull Leipzig.
And having won nine of their 11 games so far this season, anyone tempted to bet on Bayern’s dominance coming to an end during Julian Nagelsmann’s debut season at the Allianz Arena should save themselves the bother and toss their spare change into the Rhine.
In time, the struggles of Marcel Sabitzer could come to epitomise the gulf in quality that separates the club known as FC Hollywood from their Poverty Row rivals.
Sabitzer may rue snubbing Arsenal and Tottenham for Bayern Munich
The captain, leader and midfield talisman of RB Leipzig for many seasons, Sabitzer has started just one of 11 Bundesliga games since following Nagelsmann and Dayot Upamecano to the Allianz Arena.
“In the situation I’m in, playing time is the most important thing right now,” the Austria international told reporters during the November international break, in what some have assumed to be a jab at his current employers (BuliNews).
“When I’m here (with Austria), I feel confidence, assurance that I’m needed. If I feel and sense that, I can put in my best performances. Everyone needs confidence and assurance to be able to perform as well as possible.”
After his unveiling by Bayern in the summer, Sabitzer told Kicker he knew first-team opportunities would be hard to come by with Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and co for competition.
But even he may have been surprised by how little he has featured, especially with his former Leipzig boss Nagelsmann on the touchline.
According to BILD and the ultra-reliable Fabrizio Romano, Premier League giants Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur both showed interest in Sabitzer in the summer – the latter having scouted him since the Jose Mourinho days when the then-Leipzig skipper tore Spurs apart in the Champions League knockout stages.
Whether Sabitzer regrets turning down the London giants in favour of a move to Munich is anyone’s guess. Bayern are almost certain to win a trophy or two this season after all – and the same can’t be said of Arsenal or Tottenham.
But when Sabitzer is swigging steins on the Allianz Arena turf in May, there’ll be a bitter-sweet taste in his mouth.
And that’s no reflection on the choice of beer at Bayern Munich.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
