Casablanca – Moroccan international Ismael Saibari has drawn mixed reactions from German football media following Bayern Munich’s 2-2 Champions League draw against Arsenal on Wednesday, with several outlets questioning his influence on the match.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany selected the 25-year-old to play behind Harry Kane at the Allianz Arena, but Saibari struggled to make an attacking contribution during his 68 minutes on the pitch.
German outlet FCBinside gave the Moroccan a rating of 4 on Germany’s six-point scale, where 1 represents the best performance.
The outlet argued that Saibari struggled to match the pace of Arsenal’s midfield and offered little attacking danger.
It also criticized his finishing after he sent one effort well over the crossbar and struck the side netting with another attempt, although he had already strayed offside.
“That was not a convincing performance,” FCBinside concluded.
LIGABlatt offered an even harsher assessment, giving Saibari a 4.5 and describing him as Bayern’s least convincing attacking player. The publication acknowledged his efforts but argued that he appeared indecisive during several attacking moves.
Munich newspaper Abendzeitung also questioned his effectiveness, although it gave him a more moderate rating of 3. Its assessment focused on his limited involvement in possession and difficulties finding space against Arsenal’s midfield.
However, not every German outlet shared that view.
Frankfurter Neue Presse awarded Saibari a 2, describing his performance as solid. The newspaper credited him for his movement in attacking midfield and his quick passing during counterattacks.
The contrasting assessments reflect the scrutiny surrounding Saibari during his first months in Germany.
The Moroccan joined Bayern from PSV Eindhoven in July after signing a contract until 2031. A muscle injury sustained during the World Cup delayed his preseason preparations, and he only returned to full team training in August.
Despite an uneven start, Saibari has contributed two goals and two assists in his first six Bundesliga appearances.
Against Arsenal, Bayern initially fell behind to Eberechi Eze’s opener before Alphonso Davies equalized.
Kane converted a second-half penalty to give the hosts the lead, but Declan Rice rescued a point for Arsenal in the 82nd minute.
The draw left Bayern with five points after three Champions League matches, while Saibari continues to compete for a regular starting place under Kompany.
