Josip Stanišić with new mindset and new responsibility

Even during his youth days at the FC Bayern Campus, Josip Stanišić displayed a reflective demeanour, a commanding presence and a sense of calm. Those qualities have helped turn the Croatia international into a seasoned professional. What he’s added to all that is a maturity that, on one hand, comes organically with experience, but on the other is linked to the many highlights that the 24-year-old has enjoyed in his still young career. He’s already a four-time Bundesliga champion, finished third at the 2022 World Cup with Croatia, has competed at the Euros and, away from football, is a father.

There isn’t much that can knock Bayern’s former U19s captain, even when he faced a major setback following his return from Bayer Leverkusen. After a good pre-season, the defender suffered an injury to his right knee in training on the eve of the opening Bundesliga fixture, ruling him out for the rest of 2024. But he’s been back in action since the 2-1 win at Freiburg on Matchday 19, offering head coach Vincent Kompany greater options in defence with his ability to play across the back line.

He now returns with his boyhood club to the team where he enjoyed such great success last season as Bayern visit the BayArena. Ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table encounter, we spoke with Stani about Leverkusen, his role at Bayern, chess matches with Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala, and much more.

Focus on Leverkusen

“In the whirlwind of a professional career, you don't have time to look back,” Stanišić said. Instead, he is very hard on himself and focuses on what lies ahead. Following his return to the Bayern squad, his path now leads him back to his old stomping ground for a huge fixture in the Bundesliga. “We have a strong squad in which everyone is important. Our current form is good, and we will get even better in the final phase of the season. Leverkusen are also playing very well this season. After some slight difficulties initially, they’ve returned to a top level in recent weeks. But we want to and will win the game.” he added. As they are currently eight points clear of Leverkusen at the top of the table, the Bavarians could take a big step towards the title with an away win. “I'm confident that we'll win the trophy,” Stanišić said confidently.

During his loan spell at Leverkusen last season, which was crowned with a domestic double, the Munich-born defender impressed in 38 competitive matches with four - mostly important - goals and six assists. “That year helped me a lot. It wasn't easy at the beginning; I didn't play much and I was away from home. Then I took my chance in the second half of the season,” he said. “Munich is the ultimate in Germany - in terms of football and the city. But after I got used to it, I had a great time in Leverkusen and gained new experiences and took on more responsibility. I grew as a person and as a player, my mindset is different now.” After being slowed down by injury on his return home, he now wants to be at full strength in the crunch time of the season and also “take on responsibility” at Bayern.

More responsibility in a new role?

Obviously, Stanišić will need time after his months-long break to fulfil his own ambitions and become a fixture in Kompany's team. But then the defender would like to grow into a new role. “Before my time at Leverkusen, I was perhaps still perceived as a former youth player. Now I want to motivate and inspire the team and the players around me even more, because I'm now listened to more than before my loan.”

A new Bayern generation

Stanišić has what it takes to become the face of the German record champions in the future. He represents a new Bayern generation that was once trained in the youth academy at the Campus. Great decades at Bayern, said board member for sport Max Eberl last summer, always began with young players who knew what Bayern stood for. In addition to Stanišić, hopes are pinned on Aleksandar Pavlović (contract until 2029) and Jamal Musiala, who extended his contract until 2030 on Friday. “I believe that we have what it takes and the potential to be the next generation that can shape the club. That's my dream, my goal. When the opposition come to the Allianz Arena, they have to realise that there's nothing in it for them today. I have that in me,” Stanišić said.

That the 1.87-metre-tall Stanišić would one day find himself in this comfortable position was not always clear during his Campus years, even though he had various supporters such as Sebastian Hoeneß and Martín Demichelis. “At 19, I wasn't ready for men's football or the quality at Bayern. Although I always put myself under pressure, I would advise young players today not to worry about it, you can still make the step up to the top flight at 22 or 23,” Stanišić stated. “But there will always be exceptions like Jamal or Florian Wirtz. When I saw Jamal for the first time, I thought: Wow, he's got something special! I didn't have that excessive talent, I always had to prove myself in games.”

“It could be a very successful season with Kompany”

Stanišić now intends to do the same at the business end of the season. He impressed immediately on his comeback in Freiburg at the end of January after coming on as a substitute for 49 minutes, which did not go unnoticed by coach Kompany: “Stani gives us an extra option. He was out for almost five months. It's not a matter of course to put in a performance like that. He’s shown that he will help us in the future.” He was naturally delighted with the praise, said the returnee, who set himself the following personal goal for the weeks after Leverkusen: “Now I want to be back on the pitch regularly as soon as possible.” Stanišić, who can play either at full-back or centre-back and is experienced in both a back four and a back three, is clearly enjoying working with a former world-class defender in Kompany. “He has brought a new spirit to the team. As he was a defender himself, he really appreciates defending and pushes us. It could be a very successful season with him.”

Winning mentality from Müller and Neuer

Stanišić has always been a tenacious defender - he even took Kylian Mbappé completely out of a Champions League encounter - but now he's always going forward in his regular position as right-back. In the 4-0 win in the first round of the cup in Ulm before his injury, his long ball into the penalty area was the source of Thomas Müller's goal. Stani has looked up to players like Müller from an early age. “Guys like him or Manuel Neuer, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribéry or Arjen Robben epitomise the ‘Mia san mia’ that makes Bayern so special. They're not satisfied after going 1-0 up. They keep going and don't stop even when it's 6-0 or 7-0.” Today, he sits on the team bus with part of this legendary generation, playing Mario Kart with the likes of Müller, Neuer and Leon Goretzka or chess with Kimmich or Musiala.

The winning mentality of people like Müller and his teammates has always impressed Stanišić - just like his father's love for Bayern. He became a Bayern fan through him as a child. As Stanišić Sr. worked as a referee, he often had the opportunity to organise tickets for matches at the Allianz Arena. “But only one at a time,” said his son with a laugh. “That was always for him.” Stanišić Jr., who inherited this passion and actually used to sleep in Bayern bedding, made up his mind. If I want to go to the Allianz Arena regularly, I simply have to be on the pitch myself.

Stanišić has achieved this major goal at his beloved club. In his private life, he now passes on his passion for Bayern to his own son, who also helps him switch off. “That's easier for me now, as he doesn't care whether you've played well or not. I used to have football on my mind 24 hours a day.” Stanišić, this seasoned multiple-time champion, has matured. Now - at least over the weekend - he only has the big game in Leverkusen on his mind.

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