Inside Bayern Munich's quest to stay at the top
The German giants clawed back the Bundesliga title last season, but now they want to place themselves among Europe's elite...
“I think it’s been seamless because it’s been Bayern,” says Georgia Stanway, with an air of assuredness. In itself the highest praise for how the Munich-based Bundesliga giants have made the England international feel at home since she swapped the comfort of Manchester for the unknown of Bavaria.
The 24-year-old has become an instant cult hero among Bayern supporters, as well as her teammates, for scoring important goals and helping them grab the Bundesliga title back off bitter rivals Wolfsburg.
“We’re not only a team, we’re a family,” the dynamic midfielder continues. “You attend something here and everybody turns up, every single person turns up, players and staff. I think that relationship and bond is so important, I spend more time with these people than my actual family, so I have to give them my time of day.
“That’s something I didn’t do at Manchester City; spend a lot of time outside of football with the girls and that’s something here which has happened quite naturally because you’re in an environment where your actual family and friends aren’t close by. The tougher side of things, challenging each other, becomes easier when you know each other.”
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Stanway’s senior career has already spanned eight years, yet she is still just 24. By the time she left Manchester City behind, she was peaking in a Lionesses shirt, but looking for consistency and a dedicated role in the City team, something she has found in the Munich midfield and it’s undoubtedly got the best out of her.
“The biggest factor is when you remove yourself out of your comfort zone, you never know what you can achieve. In such a short space of time it’s been one thing after another and never had the chance to reflect on something because something new has happened or something more exciting is around the corner.
“I think the fact I’ve had the trust of the coach, my teammates, I’d say I’ve had a successful year and I’ve played in a formation and position where I’ve got some consistency, made that position my own and adapted my position in my national team too and made that position my own in the attacking and defensive attributes I can bring.
“I think I’ve matured, I think I’ve gathered some leadership into my game. I communicate more, understand how Alex [Straus, Bayern head coach] wants us to play and demand more from others when things are expected. I’m in a comfortable position.
“It’s just about consistency on the pitch. I won’t necessarily lead by shouting all the time or by being the most mature, but I’ll do everything I possibly can on the pitch. I’ll put my body on the line and I think I lead by consistency in my performances and I think that’s what I’ve gathered in making a single position my own.”
“The main thing with Georgia is she’s matured a lot this year, she has become a leader figure in the team…”
Straus, who helped recruit her last summer amidst interest from many clubs, has nothing but praise for how she has dedicated herself to her new environment and thrived in her first season in the red of Bayern.
“For Georgia, you will know her from England and I always thought she is a great player and now she gets the recognition she’s deserved for a long time. The main thing with Georgia is she’s matured a lot this year, she has become a leader figure in the team - now she’s blushing, but that’s important to me and for our team.”
Norwegian Strauss is still too getting his feet under the table after joining the club in 2022 after a successful spell with SK Brann back home in Scandinavia.
At the first time of asking, he led Bayern to the Bundesliga title and a Champions League quarter-final, and has been impressed by what he’s seen of German football, despite the recent disappointment of a group stage exit at the World Cup.
“It’s very exciting,” he enthuses. “The victory of Eintracht [Frankfurt] against Juventus never surprised me. I played against them two times last year and they were really difficult games, they also beat Wolfsburg 4-0 in the league.
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