Moukoko playing himself into Germany squad, Bayern back on top while Union self-implode

Timo Werner’s injury was a big blow for Hansi Flick. The Germany manager has been a big fan of the RB Leipzig striker for many years and pushed hard for his transfer from to Munich when he was Bayern manager in 2020 (Hasan Salihamidzic preferred Leroy Sane).

But elsewhere, reaction to Werner’s absence has been rather muted. By popular consensus, Germany have enough options up front, including a 17-year-old who’s playing better each week: on Saturday, Youssoufa Moukoko added two goals against VfL Bochum to his impressive Bundesliga portfolio.

The timing was as exquisite as the quality of his two strikes. After this latest star turn, it would be a huge surprise if the teenager didn’t get called up this Thursday and included in the squad for Qatar.

No player has reached 10 league goals at a younger age than the 17-year-old. It’s a nice record to break, but more importantly for both Germany and Dortmund, Moukoko has shown himself a rapidly maturing striker who can make things happen all on his own.

Against Bochum, he smashed a ball underneath the crossbar after stepping past VfL defender Ivan Ordets, taking to heart advice from Nico Schlotterbeck to have a go himself a bit more often. His second, Dortmund’s third, was reminiscent of Lars Ricken’s famous “Lupfer” (lob) over Juventus keeper Angelo Peruzzi in the 1997 Champions League final — a nonchalant dink to leave Bochum keeper Manuel Riemann — what was he thinking? — totally stranded.

“Edin (Terzic) had told me that Riemann was often far off his line,” Moukoko revealed later.

It’s not just the goals, though. BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl praised the “improvement of his total package” by which he meant the forward’s movement of the ball, his work rate, ability to play between the lines and decision-making. His deftness in tight spaces and thunderous shot from outside will make him a particularly attractive proposition for Germany in the World Cup. A bit like Bayern in the Bundesliga, they too will benefit from having a focal point up front.

Moukoko also made all the right moves off the pitch. He generously said his good form was down to training and the help of the team-mates, before attempting to feign disinterest in Flick’s World Cup choices. “I don’t really care, I’m just concentrating on the next game,” he said, before checking back on himself with a big smile. “Of course I’d like to be there,” he admitted. He will be.

Meanwhile, the incredible transformation of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting continues. This season, the 33-year-old has gone from back-up striker to Robert Lewandowski replacement and “indispensable starter” (according to Julian Nagelsmann), and now, the new Gerd Muller.

The second of his two goals against Hertha BSC in the 3-2 win on Saturday was the kind of bizarrely effective mishit the greatest goalscorer of all time specialised in: Choupo-Moting failed to connect with his right foot but the ball bounced of the shin of his left into the net.

Nagelsmann later explained why the Cameroon international is important for Bayern’s game at the moment. “He pins down defenders to allow our midfielders to make deep runs,” the 35-year-old said. “He’s also at the right place at the right time in the box.”

Nine goals in seven games are testament to his effect, and Bayern will be coming under increasing pressure to extend his contract beyond 2023 before others start making enquiries. The Champions League last-16 tie with his former club Paris Saint-Germain will see the Bundesliga’s unlikeliest star performer in 2022-23 attract more attention, still.

It’s taken a while but Bayern are back at the top for the table, thanks to Union Berlin self-imploding at Bayer Leverkusen.

The visitors went down 1-0 a minute after the break, when former Union midfielder Robert Andrich scored, then lost their heads more quickly than a 18th century French aristocrat.

Keeper Lennart Grill allowed Moussa Diaby to double the lead after giving the ball away, and the Frenchman soon added a third as Union left themselves far too exposed. “We gifted them the second goal and then opened up completely. This was youth football,” Urs Fischer said. Adam Hlozek and Mitchel Bakker scored two more in Xabi Alonso’s biggest win in charge at Bayer and Union’s biggest defeat in the top flight. “It’s a slap in the face,” a smarting Fischer said.

Over at Werder Bremen, Mitchell Weiser was lovingly dubbed “Ronaldinho” by Bremen striker Niclas Fullkrug in recognition of his assist with a dreamy backheel for the opening goal in the 2-1 won over Schalke 04.

Fullkrug hurt his back during the game but should nevertheless make Germany’s World Cup squad, to be announced on Thursday: he’s the only German player with double figures in the league and just a goal behind Christopher Nkunku (11) in the race for the Torjagerkanone (leading goalscorer trophy).

Perhaps an even bigger story, however, is Werder’s excellent start to the season. Their win over Schalke put them seventh ahead of the daunting trip to Munich on Tuesday. Ole Werner’s men have been an absolute delight to watch.

(Top Photo: Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)