From dream to nightmare. On December 6, Bryan Zaragoza was in heaven. That day, the native of Malaga made a giant leap in his career by signing a contract until 2029. Passed through Recreativo Granada then Granada, where he delighted by scoring 6 goals and providing 2 assists in 21 appearances in all competitions, the Spaniard caught the eye of the Recorder. The Bavarians, who like to anticipate, therefore completed his signing during the winter for an arrival in the summer of 2024. Except that an event disrupted the plans of all these little people.
Indeed, the Munich people lost Kingsley Coman, injured on January 27 against Augsburg (tear of the lateral ligament of the left knee). To make up for this loss, the residents of the Allianz Arena, who already had to do without Serge Gnabry and who were involved in several teams, began looking for a winger. And the solution was quickly found since they finally decided to bring Zaragoza six months earlier. After reaching an agreement with Granada, who recovered €5 million thanks to a loan until the end of the season (in addition to €15 million from the transfer this summer, editor’s note), the Germans announced his arrival.
4 ends of match played
“Bryan Zaragoza has left Granada CF for FC Bayern with immediate effect, initially on loan until the end of the season. Then the agreement that the German champion announced in December with the 22-year-old striker will come into force. This contract runs until June 30, 2029., could we read in the press release published at the beginning of February. Except that since his signing, Zaragoza has had one series of disappointments. Indeed, Thomas Tuchel does not really seem to count on him and only used him 4 times out of 16 possible meetings (0 goals and 0 assists, 72 minutes played).
Coming into play for 28 minutes against Bochum on February 18, he then played 16 minutes against Mainz on March 9 and 8 minutes against FC Heidenheim on April 6. Finally, his last appearance dates back to April 20 against Union Berlin. That day, the 23-year-old spent 20 minutes on the meadow. TT did not use it during the big Bundesliga posters. Ditto in the Champions League where he did not play a single minute. A difficult situation to experience for the main person concerned, who is holding on. But Tuchel doesn’t really make life easy for him.
Strained relations with Tuchel
During the month of March, Bild quoted a Spanish journalist, close to the Zaragoza clan, who indicated that the Bayern Munich coach was completely ignoring his recruit. He does not seek to exchange or discuss with the player, whose adaptation is complicated. In the process, the first rumors concerning a departure during the next transfer window began to surface. A return to Spain, to Barça, was notably mentioned. But Zaragoza took the bull by the horns and decided to make a big clarification on the subject during an interview given to A.S..
“It’s true that it was a little difficult at the beginning, but I feel good now, I adapted in the team and now, little by little, I had opportunities (…) No, no, No. I see myself at Bayern next season, that’s why I signed for five and a half years. There has been a lot of news that is not true, but I am not aware of what comes out in the press, I am aware that I still have to work, learn the language and adapt as quickly as possible to this great team »he explained.
TT’s new low blow
The departure of TT at the end of the season could therefore change the situation for the Spaniard, who is still going through difficult times. Bild explains that Zaragoza, who did not come into play during Bayern Munich’s victory against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1), was the first player to leave the stadium very quickly. He did not want to respond to the press and seemed quite annoyed. We can understand it. Despite several absences on the wings, Tuchel preferred to start Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (35 years old), although he was at the end of his contract and number 9 by profession.
When it came time to make changes, the young Lovro Zvonarek (18 years old), who most often plays with the reserves, was preferred. The Spaniard warmed up but remained on the bench for the entire match. Enough to tense him up while Bild speaks of a “humiliation” and a possible clash to come. His relations, which were already non-existent with his coach, are not likely to get better. Bitter, he does not necessarily take this situation well, he who plays no role at Bayern Munich and who could lose his place in La Roja during Euro 2024. The 23-year-old player went from dream to nightmare in a few weeks.
