Leon Goretzka thrives for Bayern Munich after challenging start to season

The German midfielder, who struggled for playing time early in the campaign, has been a key figure for Bayern with injuries to Aleksandar Pavlovic and Joao Palhinha.

Goretzka's performances have been crucial in recent weeks, with his third consecutive start coming in Bayern's 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the Champions League.

Speaking to Prime Video after the match, Goretzka expressed his joy at being back in the fold: "It feels good, of course. I'm here to play football. And I'm always happy when I'm let off the leash," he said.

Despite the limited opportunities earlier in the season, Goretzka never complained about his situation, instead focusing on hard work and professionalism. "Being professional is a basic requirement for me. That's how I've done it my whole career, and I'm not going to change that," he added.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich's plans for the future may involve a new left-back. With Alphonso Davies' contract set to expire at the end of the season, Bayern is reportedly looking at potential replacements.

One name on their radar is David Raum, the 26-year-old left-back currently playing for RB Leipzig. Raum, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, joined Leipzig from Hoffenheim in 2022 and is under contract until 2027.

Raum recently spoke about his future in football: "I have no idea what will happen after the season, but I have a contract here and everything is great," he told Bild's Phrasenmaher podcast.

He also hinted at the possibility of a move to the Premier League in the future, adding, "I feel very comfortable here and I see my future in Leipzig, but the Premier League could be a dream."

Bayern Munich's next challenge comes in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with a trip to face Borussia Dortmund at Signal-Iduna-Park.

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