Kimmich, Laimer – or Aznou on the right? FCB talent is pushing his way onto the pitch

Adam Aznou has yet to make a competitive appearance for FC Bayern. But that could change quickly. After Sacha Boey’s serious injury, a position is available at right back in the back four. Adam Aznou could take on that role. He impressed in pre-season but has yet to make a competitive appearance for FC Bayern. He made a much-celebrated debut for the national team.

Aznou named “Man of the match” on Morocco debut

His first appearance for Morocco was a success. In the 1-0 win against Lesotho in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, he was immediately voted “Man of the Match”. Before that, he had often joined the attacks of the “Lions of Atlas” on the left defensive side. “It was an incredibly wonderful experience to play for the senior national team for the first time. My family was there too and supported me in the stadium. I will remember that day forever, it was like a dream,” said the debutant in an interview on the FC Bayern website and also revealed that the debut jersey will have a very special place. “My jersey from the game will have a special place at my parents’ house.”

Aznou’s promising preparation with the pros

It’s not just the FC Bayern press department that has noticed Aznou’s latest performances. Coach Vincent Kompany also knows the 18-year-old Moroccan with Spanish roots. He gave his talented player playing time in each of the six pre-season games, and Aznou was even in the starting eleven for the Bundesliga dress rehearsal against Grasshopper Club Zurich – and impressed with his offensive and courageous style of play. The youngster even assisted two of the four goals.

Vincent Kompany also had him on the field in the friendly against Tottenham Hotspur – but still in Aznou’s actual regular left-back position. The Catalan had previously played in that position in FC Bayern’s second team and for the U19s.

Along with Yamal, he was one of the top talents in the FC Barcelona squad

In the 3-0 victory against WSG Tirol, Aznou won the most duels of all Bayern players and had the most successful dribbles. He is considered a strong offensive full-back and a stronger dribbler.

He learned at FC Barcelona’s famous training facility “La Masia”. At the Catalans, he was one of the top talents along with European Championship superstar Lamine Yamal. Unlike Yamal, however, Aznou decided to pursue a career abroad and moved to the record champions’ campus in 2022 for a lucrative deal.

Professional contract with FC Bayern until 2027

Holger Seitz, the former youth coach at Säbener Straße, described Aznou in his welcome speech as “nimble, technically adept, strong player”, he provided “good crosses” and was “a creative winger with a lot of offensive drive”. Aznou often showed weaknesses in defensive tasks, after all the young Catalan has mostly only known one direction so far: adelante, adelante, adelante! Forward, forward, forward.

The youngster seemed to have convinced the German record champions: In May, the club gave him a professional contract until 2027. The fact that Aznou can be used flexibly – as a left and right back as well as a left winger – may also have played a role.

Aznou could benefit from Boey’s injury

The record champions are particularly in need on the right after the recent losses of Sacha Boey (torn medial meniscus) and Josip Stanisic (torn medial ligament). Konrad Laimer, who also played there as a substitute against Kiel, or Joshua Kimmich can fill this position. But Kimmich will actually stay in midfield, Kompany sees him there. The coach has also made it his mission to develop talent.

This would allow him to play for Adam Aznou in the Champions League against Zagreb (on Tuesday from 9 p.m. in the radio report). When asked at the press conference before the game, coach Kompany said: “We have solutions and of course it is damaging for Sacha.” However, the 38-year-old left open what the concrete solutions might look like.

Either way, it is only a matter of time before Aznou plays his first competitive game for FC Bayern after his successful debut in the national team.