The Bayern Munich Lineup That Should Face Chelsea on Tuesday Night
The Champions League is back on Tuesday night, with Bayern Munich travelling to Stamford Bridge to play out a tantalising round of 16 clash with Chelsea.
Die Roten will be aiming for some long-awaited revenge midweek as the two teams face a repeat of the 2012 Champions League final - a game that the German side lost on penalties...at home.
Better late than never, eh?
Having rather awkwardly clambered past basement boys Paderborn 3-2 in their last Bundesliga fixture - courtesy of an 88th-minute Robert Lewandowski winner - the Bavarians will be in need of a much better performance if they have any hopes of taking an advantage back to the Allianz Arena for the second leg.
Hansi Flick has his work cut out for him, and it's crucial that he gets his team selection right from the off.
Here's how Bayern should line up at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Manuel Neuer (GK) - With the most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in the Bundesliga so far this season (8), Neuer still proves week in and week out why he's one of the best in the business - even if the likes of Alisson and Ederson have leapfrogged him in the world's pecking order in recent years. Bayern will hope the German isn't too busy on Tuesday, but the likelihood is that he will have an important part to play.
Benjamin Pavard (RB) - Having missed Die Roten's narrow Friday night victory against Paderborn through suspension, the French defender will be raring to go midweek. There are still question marks over where Pavard fits in the Bayern back line, but his ability to play at right-back allows Flick to push Joshua Kimmich in to midfield.
Jerome Boateng (CB) - Similarly to Pavard, the German defender sat out Bayern's last outing through suspension. A long-term injury to key centre-back Niklas Sule means that Boateng has perhaps been called upon more than many at the Allianz would have wished for, with the 31-year-old's best days behind him. But, he can still do a job for Tuesday's visitors, and his experience at such a high level will be invaluable.
David Alaba (CB) - With Lucas Hernandez having only played one full 90 minutes since his recent return from injury, Alaba will likely continue with his makeshift centre-back role. The emergence of Alphonso Davies at left-back means the Austrian's experience and positioning can be a great asset to a central defence lacking in consistency.
Alphonso Davies (LB) - One of the revelations of the season, Davies has well and truly made the left-back slot his own. The 19-year-old Canadian was initially signed to play further up the flank, but has turned out to be a dab hand in defence, and will likely be tested by some pacy and dynamic Chelsea wingers on Tuesday.
Midfielders
Joshua Kimmich (CM) - Pavard's return to the team allows this man to advance in to midfield, arguably his preferred, and best, position. Kimmich can set the tempo for this Bayern team and will provide a balance and calm to the centre of the pitch.
Corentin Tolisso (CM) - Leon Goretzka's injury gives Tolisso a real opportunity to shine for Bayern, following another season of limited development and inconsistency. Having started just seven Bundesliga games all season, the French midfielder will be desperate to impress on the big stage, and his power and industry in midfield may help stifle Chelsea's attacking threats.
Kingsley Coman (RM) - Considering the unbridled pace and flair of the French winger will come up against Marcos Alonso on Tuesday night, Flick may have earmarked this as an area in which his Bayern side will get most joy. With his Spanish opponent more suited to attacking than defending, Coman will fancy his chances of finding himself in some very prominent forward positions.
Thomas Muller (AM) - One of the many reasons former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho has found life unexpectedly difficult in Germany is the re-ignited form of Muller. Ageing like a fine wine in the centre of the park, the 30-year-old still helps dictate Bayern's attacking movements, while also chipping in with a fair few assists - 14 in the Bundesliga this season.
Serge Gnabry (LM) - Last time this man was in London, he pulverised Chelsea's most recent opponents Tottenham, and flew back to Bavaria with four goals in the bank. The former Arsenal man will hope to put another English club to the sword midweek, and his ten goals and eight assists in the league this season suggests he will cause the Blues all manner of problems.
Forward
Robert Lewandowski (ST) - Proving his side's saviour once again last Friday, the Polish forward has been in unrelenting form this campaign. Having scored 38 goals in all club competitions this season so far - including two last time he journeyed to the English capital (sorry again Spurs fans) - the 31-year-old is arguably the best striker on the planet right now. Put simply, Chelsea's defence will have one heck of a problem trying to disarm this man.