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Chema Andrés, the Real Madrid youth product and Spain Under-21 international, made a powerful statement against Bayern Munich before facing Freiburg in the Pokal semifinals with Stuttgart.
Chema Andrés celebrates a goal for Stuttgart.
Chema Andrés’ Erasmus in Germany has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows in his first experience away from the shelter of La Fábrica. One of the most significant moments came last weekend: a ‘missile’ with Rodri’s stamp against Bayern Munich, aiming to revive his situation in this final stretch of the season.
Returning to the bench after enjoying his first Bundesliga start since late February the previous week against Hamburg, he entered the Allianz Arena with Bayern leading 4-1, with 25 minutes still to play. The title celebration party had already been underway for some time. But just before the final whistle, Chema Andrés unleashed a thunderous strike with the outside of his foot, which Manuel Neuer didn’t even see coming off his right foot — just like Rodri’s left-footed shot in 2023.
“Bayern has absolutely superior quality, and we knew how difficult the task was. The way we started and took the lead was good. We were playing well. Unfortunately, Bayern turned it around very quickly, and it was hard for us to recover. We tried, but we have to accept the defeat,” Chema Andrés analyzed after the match.
It seems he has Bayern Munich’s number. On his official debut with Stuttgart in the Supercup, he assisted Leweling with a headed flick. “I’m trying to be more offensive. My strength is the defensive side — cutting off balls and defending — but offensively I felt I didn’t have enough trickery to go forward. Now I don’t play higher up, but I have more freedom to get into the box,” he reviewed with MARCA at the start of the season.
Taking a leaf out of Rodri’s book, Chema has been advancing his development and starting to unlock his scoring ability. In fact, last weekend’s goal was his third of the campaign. Beyond its beauty, he once again showcased the seriousness that defines him as a pivot in organizing and balancing: he had 20 touches, completed 14/15 passes, made three recoveries, and won 2/3 duels.
He couldn’t have made better use of the minutes given by Sebastian Hoeness, who has juggled his inclusion and exclusion throughout the season. “Chema has performed at a high level since he arrived. The base level he brings at 20 years old is very impressive. He is very mature and has his head in the right place,” Hoeness praised back in September. However, he stressed the need to ensure Chema “has time to consistently perform at the highest level.”
Pass map of Chema Andrés against Bayern (SOFASCORE)
It was quite surprising that, with just a couple of games under his belt, he managed to break the Karazor-Stiller duo and carve out a spot. His 11 starts in the first half of the season contrast with seven in the second half, despite having fewer games due to Stuttgart’s elimination in the Europa League round of 16 against Porto.
What is clear is that every time they have called on him, Chema Andrés has responded. He is, without a doubt, one of the most reliable pivots around.
