Until now, Tanguy Nianzou has only played a supporting role, often having to settle for a place on the bench. Against Benfica Lisbon, he was given his first start again and did a good job.
Two of his internal rivals are out due to injury. Because Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernandez were absent against Benfica Lisbon, as coach Julian Nagelsmann explained, Tanguy Nianzou was allowed to start for the first time in a long time. As left link of the – in possession – three-man chain; as left centre-back of the four-man chain in defensive mode.
It was a small step forward for the only 19-year-old, whose debut season 2020/21 at FC Bayern was rather one to forget. Many injuries, red suspensions and goals conceded on his comeback prevented him from finding his feet with the Munich club last year. Now, this summer, he took part in the entire preparation, left decent impressions, but: He also made too many mistakes, as head coach Nagelsmann recently explained. Hence his substitute status.
..he had too many mistakes in training and the test matches
But against Lisbon, the Frenchman was allowed to show himself. “He played very good balls into the half-space, where he had too many mistakes in training and the test matches “, says the FCB coach: “He also brought his header strength and defending with very great aggressiveness cleverly and well.” And Nagelsmann also knows that you “also have to throw a player in and give him those,” as he says: “That’s not only about training. “
Competition in central defence is great
But it is also clear that the competition in the defence is great. Besides Süle and Hernandez, there is Dayot Upamecano, who came from Leipzig in the summer for 42.5 million euros Benjamin Pavard can also defend inside in case of doubt. Of course, Nianzou will have to fight hard for his place and his minutes. As a youngster, however, there is still time – the people in charge and he himself know that.
