The wait is finally over! The eagerly awaited rival duel between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund is just around the corner. But what are Thomas Tuchel and Edin Terzic planning for the “classic” that may decide the championship? SPOX presents the expected lineups of both teams.
With a new coach in their luggage, FC Bayern wants to regain the lead in the table from Borussia Dortmund. However, BVB comes to Munich with a lot of self-confidence.
Before the direct duel on Saturday (6.30 p.m. in the live ticker) shows SPOXwhich players could be in the starting XI.
“There will be a very unfair line-up tomorrow because there are no impressions,” said Tuchel at the press conference on Friday around 29 hours before his debut as Bayern coach: “I haven’t thoroughly analyzed the last few games because I give everyone a new chance I want the players to feel our support. I’m sure I won’t have many arguments tomorrow to justify a place on the bench or in the starting XI.”
However, it should be clear that there will be no surprises in the goalkeeper’s position. Sommer remains number one until the end of the season before Manuel Neuer rejoins the team.
FC Bayern – Defense
Benjamin Pavard – Dayot Upamecano – Matthijs de Ligt – Alphonso Davies
Bayern’s defense is the first major topic of discussion. Of course, Tuchel didn’t want to reveal anything about tactics so close to the game. In any case, it is conceivable that he will return to a clear back four.
Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt are in central defense anyway, and Alphonso Davies on the left in a back four cannot get past either. The only question that remains is whether Benjamin Pavard will actually have to switch back to his unloved right side or whether the trained right-back João Cancelo will be given preference. However, since the Portuguese has an enormous offensive drive and has already revealed one or the other weakness defensively since his arrival in winter, Pavard has the edge in this constellation.
In a back three, both could be on the pitch if Pavard takes the half-right part and Cancelo plows the flank.
You can find all the mind games on Tuchel’s tactics here.
FC Bayern – Midfield
Joshua KimmichLeon Goretzka
With the exception of Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernández and Mathys Tel, “everyone is on board”, assured Tuchel on Friday and thus also confirmed that Leon Goretzka is fully operational again. The former Schalke player injured his ankle during the German national team’s game in Belgium and had to leave the field after just 32 minutes.
It remains to be seen whether Tuchel will immediately trust him with the endurance test against BVB. Especially since Goretzka hadn’t been in great shape lately. Alternatively, Jamal Musiala, who has also recovered, could slip into the first eleven as a slightly more offensive variant.
The status of Joshua Kimmich under Tuchel is as natural as Bayern have been champions in the past ten seasons. The 28-year-old is a “player who embodies FC Bayern. He’s a very important player. It’s a gift to work with players like that,” said Tuchel.
In other words: Kimmich is set.
FC Bayern – Attack
Kingsley Coman – Thomas Muller – Sadio Mané – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
In addition to Kimmich, Tuchel also raved about Thomas Müller. The veteran will also play a major role under his leadership and will be on the pitch simply because of his communication skills (keyword “Radio Müller”).
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is also back after recovering from back problems. With 17 goals and four assists after 26 competitive games, he is indispensable for Munich’s attacking game. He also has an old acquaintance in Tuchel as a supporter, they already worked together in Mainz and Paris.
The use of Kingsley Coman, who had convinced Julian Nagelsmann as the best offensive player in the last few weeks, should also be certain.
Only Sadio Mané remains. Here, too, a lot depends on whether Tuchel ends up betting on a chain of four or three. If the 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formation stays the same, the Senegalese has a good chance of starting on the left wing.
In general, it is assumed that Tuchel will return to the stylistic device that has been successfully practiced in Munich for years (playing the wings) and will move away from Nagelsmann’s centrally-oriented attacking game. Since both Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry have recently been looking for their form and Mané’s role in the team has been viewed critically, he could be preferred.
In a 3-1-5-1/3-4-3 formation, on the other hand, there would be a lot to be said for Musiala should he be fit enough for the starting XI. Sané can also act in the half-space behind the top. Coman would then join Cancelo in the wing positions.
FC Bayern: Substitute bench
So Tuchel is spoiled for choice, his bank will definitely be lavishly stocked.
If you stick with the above line-up, Noussair Mazraoui, Josip Stanisic and Ryan Gravenberch would also be options in addition to Cancelo, Gnabry, Musiala and Sané.
In Tel, Tuchel lost an alternative for the striker. The 17-year-old tore a muscle fiber in the left adductor area with the France U19 national team and, according to the club, will “miss out in the coming games”.
BVB defense
Marius Wolf – Niklas Süle – Nico Schlotterbeck – Julian Ryerson
Borussia Dortmund’s defense should have set itself up on its own, but Nico Schlotterbeck is in a race against time.
After his premature departure from the German national team, the decision as to whether the central defender can play will only be made after the final training session on Friday. If it really shouldn’t be enough for the starting XI, Terzic would still have the experienced Mats Hummels up his sleeve.
The fact that Marius Wolf, Niklas Süle and Julian Ryerson could not be among the first eleven is not even up for debate.
BVB – midfield
Jude Bellingham – Emre Can – Raphael Guerreiro
The same goes for Jude Bellingham, Emre Can and Raphaël Guerreiro. The latter two are currently in top form.
Bellingham seemed a bit overplayed recently and also sagged a bit due to knee problems. However, BVB cannot and does not want to do without the qualities of the 19-year-old.
Nevertheless, it is conceivable that the center will be stabilized even more by another defensive player. It is possible that Salih Özcan will join the team for an offensive player.
BVB attack
Julian Brandt – Sébastien Haller – Marco Reus
Julian Brandt’s mission wobbled briefly after tearing his muscle fiber. On Friday, however, Terzic gave the green light and reported good impressions in training. If in doubt, he would have a good alternative in Donyell Malen, who shone as a goalscorer and provided two assists against Cologne.
Sébastien Haller and Marco Reus, on the other hand, should be set if Terzic doesn’t change his basic formation and think about another defensive player.
BVB – substitute bench
In addition to Kobel, Özcan and Brandt, two other players are back in the BVB squad: Youssoufa Moukoko and Karim Adeyemi are traveling to Munich after recovering from injuries.
However, according to Terzic, they still have some deficits in training: “We have to see if they can play.” For Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (after a shoulder injury), however, things will get tight.
Giovanni Reyna (cold) and Thomas Meunier (back problems) are definitely out.
FC Bayern vs. BVB: The table before the 26th matchday
