Have Konrad Laimer and Josip Stanišić done enough to convince you Bayern Munich can forgo acquiring a right-back this summer?

Q: What are the strengths of Konrad Laimer as a right-back for Bayern Munich?

Konrad Laimer offers versatility, pressing intensity, and tactical discipline, fitting well into Bayern's high-energy system.

Q: How has Josip Stanišić improved after his loan spell?

Josip Stanišić has returned more composed and confident, showcasing improved positioning and decision-making on the field.

Q: Why is Bayern Munich considering not acquiring a new right-back?

Bayern Munich is weighing the internal solutions provided by Laimer and Stanišić against the need for elite outside backs who can both defend and attack effectively.

Q: What are the limitations of Laimer and Stanišić as right-backs?

Laimer struggles in one-on-one defensive situations and lacks consistent attacking width, while Stanišić's contributions in the final third are limited, making the right flank less dynamic.

CORRECTION / Bayern Munich's Croatian defender #44 Josip Stanisic reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart in Munich, southern Germany, on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Bayern Munich's Croatian defender #44 Josip Stanisic] instead of [Stuttgart's German goalkeeper #44 Florian Hellstern]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require." | AFP via Getty Images

CORRECTION / Bayern Munich's Croatian defender #44 reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and in Munich, southern Germany, on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Bayern Munich's Croatian defender #44 Josip Stanisic] instead of [Stuttgart's German goalkeeper #44 Florian Hellstern]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require." | AFP via Getty Images Bayern Munich’s squad-building this summer hinges on a familiar question — does it truly need reinforcements at right-back, or can internal solutions suffice? The performances of and Josip Stanišić have made that debate more interesting than expected—but not necessarily settled. Laimer, naturally a midfielder, has shown admirable versatility when deployed on the right side of defense. His engine, pressing intensity, and tactical discipline fit Bayern Munich’s high-energy system well. He can step into midfield during build-up phases and helps maintain compactness when Bayern counter-press. However, his limitations become clearer against top-tier opposition. He isn’t a natural defender in one-on-one wide situations, and his crossing and overlapping runs don’t consistently provide the attacking width Bayern typically expect from an outside back. Stanišić, on the other hand, is a more traditional defensive option. After his loan spell, he returned more composed and confident, showing improved positioning and decision-making. He offers reliability and defensive balance, which can be especially useful in big matches. Still, his ceiling appears more functional than transformative. He doesn’t consistently stretch defenses or contribute heavily in the final third, which can make Bayern Munich’s right flank feel less dynamic compared to the left. The key issue is not whether Laimer and Stanišić are capable — they clearly are — but whether they elevate Bayern to the level required to compete for the Champions League. Bayern’s ambitions demand not just stability, but superiority in key positions. Modern elite outside backs are expected to be both defensive anchors and attacking creators, and neither player fully checks both boxes. So, have they done enough to convince Bayern to skip the market? Tell us in the comments below! *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 , , , or any leading podcast distributor…*