As a young player navigating the complexities of professional football, Guido Della-Rovere's experience at Bayern Munich represents both challenges and triumphs in early career transitions. Upon joining the Bundesliga giants, Della-Rovere faced the daunting task of adapting to a new culture and language. In an interview, he candidly shared, “The language was a big obstacle. I didn’t know a word of German, and my English wasn’t particularly good either. At the time, Davide Dell’Erba, a teammate at Bayern II, translated a lot for me. I also lacked a bit of self-confidence at the beginning.”
For Della-Rovere, the transition involved not only learning a new language but also adjusting to an entirely different environment. “Everything was new: where I lived, the school, my teammates,” he recalled. Initially, he struggled to communicate and could barely utter a word in the first two months. Adding to the challenge was a long-term injury that sidelined him for several weeks, marking a significant setback in his early career. He explained, “It was the first long-term injury in my career, and it really bothered me, especially at the beginning.”
Despite these hurdles, he found solace and strength in his family. They visited him once a month for the first six months, providing essential support. “My parents, my younger brother, and my older sister are very important to me,” he reminisced. This family connection was crucial, even if he did not call them after every game. “I also like being alone and draw my strength from moments like that,” he stated, signifying a healthy balance of independence.
While Della-Rovere was working through his challenges, another Bayern star, Jamal Musiala, was garnering attention for being frequently fouled during matches. In a revealing statistic, Musiala has faced 54 fouls in just 23 Bundesliga games this season, a stark reminder of his growing reputation on the field. Comparatively, the only player who has been fouled more in the league is Lois Openda of RB Leipzig, with 61 foul calls against him in 25 matches.
Germany's national coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has expressed concerns regarding Musiala's increasing number of fouls. In light of this, Nagelsmann stated, “There are moments where he can evade the foul,” adding that he has shown Musiala video examples of situations where he could avoid such contacts. Nagelsmann emphasized how critical Musiala's fitness will be as Germany prepares for upcoming Nations League matches against Italy, given the absence of key players like Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz, and Niclas Füllkrug. He asserted, “A longer absence from Musiala would be fatal.”
Musiala's increasing rough treatment highlights both his skills and the risks that come with high-level football. Nagelsmann acknowledged that changing Musiala's playing style isn’t the solution. “He should play as he always has—be the street footballer he is, and not overthink,” he advised. Despite the pressures that come with signing a new contract, where expectations naturally escalate, Nagelsmann wants Musiala to remain relaxed. He commented on how high the expectations are, saying, “The last few weeks have not been super easy for Musiala.”
Both players exemplify the rollercoaster of emotions and experiences in professional sports. Della-Rovere demonstrates resilience through personal challenges in adapting to a new life and overcoming injuries, while Musiala symbolizes the pressures and physical demands experienced at the elite level. Each player's journey reveals not just their individual struggles but also the broader themes of growth, determination, and the significance of support systems in navigating the world of professional football.
