Bayern Munich News: FC Bayern midfield trio won’t get divided over discourse; Real Madrid star gets four-game ban; and MORE!

There has been a lot of talk about Bayern Munich midfielders Aleksandar Pavlović, Tom Bischof, and Joshua Kimmich and a potential changing of the guard that would see Pavlović and Bischof step into starting roles for club and country.

Social media and the internet, in general, have not been all that kind to Kimmich of late, but the threesome is not about to let all the discourse come between them as a group. In fact, it could make them rally around each other more:

Aleksandar Pavlović, Tom Bischof and Joshua Kimmich are unbothered by the recent debate that emerged in the national team about who should be starting in midfield. All three players are aware that they need each other to achieve their goals, both at FC Bayern and in the national team. Kimmich was in fact one of the first to contact Bischof when the latter's move was announced in spring 2025. Kimmich sent him a WhatsApp message expressing his utmost respect for taking such a big step. He, too, had joined Bayern at a young age, without having made a single Bundesliga appearance at the time. Kimmich wrote to Bischof: 'I've never regretted that decision, and I believe you can do the same' – Since then, a special bond developed between the two midfielders, with Kimmich continuing to support and mentor Bischof to this day.

Aleksandar Pavlović, Tom Bischof and Joshua Kimmich are unbothered by the recent debate that emerged in the national team about who should be starting in midfield. All three players are aware that they need each other to achieve their goals, both at FC Bayern and in the national team.

Kimmich was in fact one of the first to contact Bischof when the latter's move was announced in spring 2025. Kimmich sent him a WhatsApp message expressing his utmost respect for taking such a big step. He, too, had joined Bayern at a young age, without having made a single Bundesliga appearance at the time. Kimmich wrote to Bischof: 'I've never regretted that decision, and I believe you can do the same' – Since then, a special bond developed between the two midfielders, with Kimmich continuing to support and mentor Bischof to this day.

Both Bayern Munich and Germany should be able to accommodate all three players and the best out of each with some proper man-management. The good part is that — if true — this report projects a closeness with the players that should help drown out all the noise.

Liverpool might not be satisfied with its right-back situation:

Liverpool are weighing up their options at right back amid concerns over Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, with a move for a replacement being considered for the winter transfer window, Football Insider reports. Frimpong, 25, hasn't started a game in the Premier League since August after losing his starting place in the team to Ronald Araújo, while Bradley, 23, is continuing a long return to fitness from a knee injury sustained against Arsenal in January. Barcelona defender Jules Koundé, who has recently been linked with Chelsea, is one of the names on the Reds' shortlist.

Well, Viking FK clearly had a plan on how to handle Bayern Munich star Michael Olise — rough him up:

All the physical play eventually got to Olise, who received a red card for tossing the ball at Zlatko Tripić. It was not the Frenchman's finest moment and he will surely be looking to rebound this weekend against RB Leipzig before having to sit against Arsenal in the Champions League next week.

After his outburst last weekend, Real Madrid's Vinícius Junior was dealt a four-game suspension:

Vinícius Junior has been handed a four-game ban for his sending-off in Real Madrid's LaLiga win over Villarreal and will miss this month's Clásico with Barcelona. The Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee confirmed on Wednesday that the Madrid forward had been given a two-game ban for violent conduct after pulling Nathan Saliba's hair during Saturday's match at the Bernabéu, and another two games for his angry reaction to the decision. Moments after the hair pull, Vinícius converted Jude Bellingham's pass to put Madrid 2-0 up, before a VAR review of the incident saw the goal disallowed, and the Brazil international shown a red card.

Vinícius Junior has been handed a four-game ban for his sending-off in Real Madrid's LaLiga win over Villarreal and will miss this month's Clásico with Barcelona.

The Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee confirmed on Wednesday that the Madrid forward had been given a two-game ban for violent conduct after pulling Nathan Saliba's hair during Saturday's match at the Bernabéu, and another two games for his angry reaction to the decision.

Moments after the hair pull, Vinícius converted Jude Bellingham's pass to put Madrid 2-0 up, before a VAR review of the incident saw the goal disallowed, and the Brazil international shown a red card.

Speaking of Viking FK, center-back Henrik Falchener, who had a strong game vs. Bayern Munich, is reportedly gaining a lot of attention:

🚨🆕 Henrik Falchener, one to watch for the summer transfer window at the latest – and in tonight's games between Viking Stavanger and FC Bayern. The 23 y/o promising centre-back is attracting interest from the Premier League, Bundesliga and Italy. Southampton made a €9.5m offer in the summer, but Viking wanted to keep him. Contract until 2029. @SkySportDE

🚨🆕 Henrik Falchener, one to watch for the summer transfer window at the latest – and in tonight's games between Viking Stavanger and FC Bayern.

The 23 y/o promising centre-back is attracting interest from the Premier League, Bundesliga and Italy.

Southampton made a €9.5m offer in the summer, but Viking wanted to keep him. Contract until 2029. @SkySportDE

Arsenal wants to get some business done by re-upping midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard to new contracts:

Arsenal are closing in on signing midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to new contracts, while talks are also ongoing with defender Jurriën Timber, TEAMtalk reports. Arsenal are focusing on securing key players to new deals in the coming weeks after making "significant progress," and they are optimistic of confirming all three extensions before January. Rice, 27, and Odegaard, 27, have both made six Premier League starts this season, while 25-year-old Timber returned from injury last month in the 2-0 league win over Sunderland.

VfB Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirović is on fire in the Champions League:

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast , Spotify , Apple , or any leading podcast distributor…