Bayern Munich will look to fill their boots again on Saturday in the Bundesliga when they visit bottom-side Darmstadt.
Thomas Tuchel’s team won the reverse fixture this season 8-0, despite Joshua Kimmich being sent off after four minutes. A terrible display from Darmstadt and two red cards of their own meant it was a rare high point in Bayern’s season.
Sticking with the number eight, Bayern beat Mainz 8-1 in their previous match and, with the Bundesliga title almost certainly out of sight, they could be in for a slightly calmer end to the season than many expected.
Here’s the Bayern lineup Tuchel may choose against Darmstadt.
GK: Manuel Neuer – The veteran goalkeeper is back in the Germany squad as per Julian Nagelsmann’s recent announcement, showing Neuer is not yet done at the top level despite being 37 years old.
RB: Sacha Boey – This role was filled by Kimmich against Mainz with Boey on the bench, but this could be a good chance to start the January signing and see what he can do as a natural right-back.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – There has been plenty of competition for places at centre-back this season but De Ligt seems to be a recent favourite of Tuchel’s.
CB: Kim Min-jae – Having been on the bench against Mainz, Kim could come in for Eric Dier as the South Korean is regarded as the best defender at the club. The Asian Cup and the occasional injury has disrupted his first season in Germany.
LB: Alphonso Davies – The rumours around a move to Real Madrid just won’t go away and it seems wherever Davies ends up, he will be paid a lot of money as a starting left-back.
CM: Joshua Kimmich – It has not been the best season for Kimmich but his versatility is still incredibly important to Bayern, especially when injuries piled up after Christmas.
CM: Leon Goretzka – It’s fair to say Goretzka’s stock has fallen a lot this season under Tuchel. His last few games have been an improvement, but he has been left out of the Germany squad for the March friendlies.
RW: Leroy Sane – Sane has been the most in-form Bayern player recently, perhaps except for Harry Kane. The German winger seems to be safe in his role on the wing despite Serge Gnabry returning from injury.
AM: Thomas Muller – Reminded everyone how good he can be against Lazio in the Champions League, but this has largely been a bad season for Muller. His game time has been limited and, with Gnabry fit, Jamal Musiala may soon move back to the centre and push Muller to the bench.
LW: Jamal Musiala – Clubs around Europe are alert to the fact that Musiala’s future at Bayern is uncertain. By the summer he will only have two years on his contract and Liverpool are said to be interested. Chelsea also stand to earn a lot from a potential move.
ST: Harry Kane – His latest hat-trick came in the massive win over Mainz and nobody can claim Kane hasn’t done his bit to win the Bundesliga. He will be desperate to win the Champions League, even if that looks beyond this squad.
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