Germany-born Croatia international Josip Stanisic has been reared the Bayern Munich way. - © Imago

bundesliga

Josip Stanisic: Who is the Bayern Munich and Croatia international?

18 weeks ago

Josip Stanisic started Bayern Munich's season opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach and has won praise from coach Julian Nagelsmann. bundesliga.com has the lowdown on the record champions' next up-and-coming youngster...

Josip Stanisic

Age: 22
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Centre-back/right-back
Country: Croatia (seven caps)

Key stats

Stanisic learned his craft in the youth teams of 1860 Munich and Fürstenfeldbrück, before moving to Bayern in 2017. Part of Bayern's U17 and 3. Liga-winning teams in 2016/17 and 2019/20 respectively, the 6'1" defender made his senior debut against Union Berlin on 10 April 2021, replacing the suspended Alphonso Davies at left-back. He has also operated on his natural right-hand side, in his preferred centre-half role, and even as a defensive midfielder, whilst producing a goal and an assist across his first 30 competitive appearances for the record champions.

Plays a bit like: Benjamin Pavard

Something of a defensive all-rounder with a leaning towards the heart of the defence, Stanisic is very much in the Benjamin Pavard mould. Like Bayern's 2018 World Cup winner, he provides his teammates with a useful attacking outlet, as evinced by his three goals and two assists in 44 outings for the U19s.

Did you know?

Not all that long ago, Stanisic was the subject of an international tug of war between Germany and Croatia. After playing for both countries at youth level, he followed his bloodline, earning his first senior Croatia caps in October 2021.

"My family comes from Slavonski Brod, a city in the east of Croatia, so it's a dream for me to play for Croatia’s senior national team," explained the Munich-born defender.

"The Croatian FA and the coach have been making great efforts with me for several months and showed me how I fit in. I’m really looking forward to the challenge."

Stanisic won 12 tackles, as well as five aerial challenges, on his Bundesliga debut. - Joosep Martinson/Getty Images

What they're saying

"Josip's a great guy. We back him to take this important step into the first team as well as he’s done so far as the Campus." - Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic

"I was generally very satisfied with Stani. He lost the ball in a dangerous situation in the second half. Otherwise, he was very good, did well offensively and defended well. He's a reliable player." - Nagelsmann after handing Stanisic a start on Matchday 1 of 2021/22