It was a weekend to forget for Bayern Munich, who lost more ground in the Bundesliga title race to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern’s deficit increased to seven points following their defeat to Werder Bremen on Sunday, with their game in hand upcoming on Wednesday night against Union Berlin.
This fixture was originally scheduled for the start of December, but adverse weather conditions in Munich forced its postponement.
Sunday’s defeat means Bayern must bounce back at the first attempt, and here’s how Thomas Tuchel could set his side up.
GK: Manuel Neuer – Not even Neuer could save Bayern on Sunday as Mitchell Weiser fired Bremen to a memorable victory.
RB: Konrad Laimer – Bayern’s absences means Laimer will continue at right-back in midweek.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – The Frenchman found himself in the opposition’s box on a couple of occasions last time out, and he perhaps should’ve handed Bayern a first-half lead. There are currently no doubts about his spot in the team.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – De Ligt’s return from injury prevented Eric Dier from making his Bayern debut at the weekend.
LB: Alphonso Davies – The Canadian international didn’t cover himself in glory in the build-up to Weiser’s goal. After such a brilliant start to the season, Davies’ campaign is beginning to fizzle out.
CM: Joshua Kimmich – The German was sub-par at the weekend, with Kimmich’s ‘untouchable’ status starting to fade amid links with a move away.
CM: Leon Goretzka – Lothar Matthaus will certainly be pleased if Goretzka returns to the side in midweek. The German icon said Bayern were missing a “driver” against Bremen.
RM: Leroy Sane – Sunday was a frustrating outing for Sane, who could switch flanks in midweek with Tuchel set to shuffle his pack somewhat.
AM: Jamal Musiala – Thomas Muller could come back into the team in midweek, but Musiala should be retained as Bayern’s chief creator. The German international was quiet on Sunday.
LM: Mathys Tel – The young Frenchman isn’t going to get a start up top, but he could come into the side down the left on Wednesday after his bright cameo at the weekend.
ST: Harry Kane – Kane endured a rare goalless outing last time out. The striker can ill-afford to draw many more blanks if he’s to break Robert Lewandowski’s single-season scoring record.
