Noussair Mazraoui’s status at Bayern Munich has shifted sharply since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, going from an important starter to a regular on the bench.
The Morocco international was a key option for the German champions earlier in the season, trusted for his pace, balance and ability to play on either side of the defence.
But after his AFCON involvement, Mazraoui has struggled to regain his place in the starting XI. Bayern’s coaching staff have leaned on other choices in his position, leaving the full-back to watch more minutes from the sidelines.
The change has been clear in recent matches, where Mazraoui has been used mainly as a late substitute rather than a first-choice name. His playing time has dropped, and his influence on the team has been limited compared to the period before the tournament.
For Mazraoui, the challenge now is to work his way back into Bayern’s plans and prove again that he can be more than a backup option as the season enters a decisive phase.
