Ismael Saibari made an immediate statement on Friday evening in his first appearance for Bayern Munich. The Moroccan international came off the bench against VfB Stuttgart and delivered two assists in just over thirty minutes during the German champions' 5-1 victory.
Ismael Saibari has got off to a flying start in his Bundesliga adventure with Bayern Munich. The Moroccan midfielder was brought on during the opening match of the new season and played a significant role in the emphatic win over Stuttgart.
Saibari entered the pitch in the 61st minute and needed little more than half an hour to make a decisive impact twice, giving his debut league match for Bayern a remarkable start.
Bayern had largely taken control of the match by that point. Dayot Upamecano had given the home side the lead before halftime, though Stuttgart equalized shortly after the break through Josha Vagnoman. Michael Olise then restored Bayern's lead, before an own goal by Vagnoman extended the advantage further.
From that moment on, Saibari took center stage.
In the 82nd minute, the Moroccan found space on the right flank. After beating his marker with an individual effort, he kept his composure and set up Aleksandar Pavlović, who emphatically fired the ball past the goalkeeper to register Saibari's very first Bundesliga assist.
His second contribution followed in stoppage time. Saibari played a precise pass to send Luis Díaz toward goal, allowing the Colombian forward to seal the 5-1 final score.
For Saibari, the performance marks a very promising start at one of Europe's biggest clubs. The Moroccan made the move to Bayern this summer and will have to fight to stand out in a heavily contested midfield. His opening league appearance certainly demonstrates that he can make an immediate impact even from the bench.
For Bayern Munich, the victory also serves as a strong start to their title defense. Vincent Kompany's side had previously won the German Supercup by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-1, and they now begin their Bundesliga campaign with back-to-back victories.
Competition within the squad is fierce, but Saibari has made a strong case for more playing time with his opening display. Two assists in just over thirty minutes will certainly not go unnoticed in Munich.
His development is equally exciting for the Moroccan national team. Saibari belongs to a generation of Moroccan internationals gaining valuable experience at top European clubs at a young age. Securing a regular role at Bayern could further elevate his status within the Atlas Lions in the period ahead.
His first Bundesliga appearance lasted just over half an hour. That was more than enough time for Ismael Saibari to provide two assists and make an immediate impression in Munich.