Aleksandar Pavlovic believes Bayern Munich's young players need the confidence to make mistakes if they are to establish themselves in the first team.
Speaking to Sabener51, the 22-year-old midfielder said academy players cannot be afraid to demand the ball, make decisions, and learn from errors as they adapt to senior football.
Why Bayern Youngsters Must Not Be Afraid of Making Mistakes
Moving from Bayern's academy into the first team is a major step for any young player. They must train alongside senior internationals, adapt to a faster level, and compete for limited places in the squad. That pressure can make some players hesitant.
A misplaced pass or missed chance can linger in the mind, especially when they are still trying to prove they belong. Pavlovic believes that fear can prevent talented players from showing their best qualities.
Instead of trying to avoid every error, he wants Bayern’s youngsters to focus on contributing, learning, and improving.
"You just have to give your all and work hard, even when it's difficult - that's the foundation," Pavlovic said.
"You also shouldn't go into a game with the fear of doing something wrong. My motto is: be confident, look forward to showing what you can do - and mistakes are part of the game. You can then learn from them."
Pavlovic is still developing at Bayern himself. At 22, Pavlovic is still navigating the same challenges he describes as he competes for a place in Bayern's midfield.
How Pavlovic Is Helping Bayern’s Next Generation
Pavlovic specifically mentioned Lennart Karl as one of the younger players he is trying to help. Karl, an 18-year-old midfielder, is among the latest Bayern talents to move closer to the first-team environment.
Pavlovic said he tries to help academy players whenever they train or play with Bayern’s first team. He knows how difficult that step can be, having received support from Leon Goretzka when he first joined the senior squad.
Josip Stanisic also helped Pavlovic settle because the two players already knew each other from Bayern’s youth system. Pavlovic now wants to offer similar support to Lennart Karl and other academy players moving closer to the first team.
“When younger players move up to the first team, such as Lennart Karl, for example, I try to be there for them, help them, and give them a hand. It’s similar to what I experienced myself in my early days with the senior players. Leon Goretzka gave me a very warm welcome back then. I also knew Josip Stanisic from the youth setup, and he also helped me to integrate quickly into the team,” Pavlovic said during an interview.
Why Mentorship Matters in Bayern’s Youth Pathway
The Bavarians can teach young players the tactical side of the game, but adapting to the first team is often about more than coaching. It is also about confidence, trust, and having experienced teammates to lean on.
Pavlovic is also spending time with Karl away from the pitch. That support could help the teenager feel more comfortable around the senior players, although his progress will ultimately depend on his performances and the opportunities he receives.
For Karl specifically, and for whichever academy product breaks through after him, that mentorship culture is arguably as important to Bayern's long-term success as anything happening on the training pitch this week.
