Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs Mainz - Bundesliga
Bayern Munich travel to Mainz on Saturday afternoon for their first game after celebrating a record-extending tenth consecutive Bundesliga title.
In front of a capacity home ground, Bayern defeated their nearest rivals Borussia Dortmund to seal the top-flight title last weekend. However, the tinge of disappointment their premature Champions League exit against Villarreal has caused still lingers.
Here's the XI Julian Nagelsmann may deploy in a bid to match their points tally of last season.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs Mainz
1. 4-2-3-1
Manuel Neuer (GK) - The club captain was the last player on the pitch celebrating with the fans last weekend and the first out at training to receive a guard of honour from Bayern's under-23s.
Benjamin Pavard (RB) - The right-back's only goal contribution since June 2020 came in this season's reverse fixture against Mainz back in December.
Dayot Upamecano (CB) - Even if Bayern didn't concede another goal for the rest of the campaign, Upamecano will still have kept more clean sheets at RB Leipzig last season (12) than with Die Roten this term (eight).
Lucas Hernandez (CB) - During his four appearances as a stand-in left-back in the league this season, Hernandez has created two goals.
Alphonso Davies (LB) - The Bundesliga's quickest player last season only ranks fourth for top sprint speed this term (clocking in at 36.37 km/hr according to the Bundesliga's official website).
Joshua Kimmich (CM) - The title may be sewn up but there is little danger of Kimmich's levels dipping, as his compatriot Julian Brandt explained: "Joshua Kimmich wants to win every game, every competition - even in training, even when we play mini-golf."
Jamal Musiala (CM) - The youngest player to earn a start for Bayern in the Bundesliga this season has a very healthy tally of five goals and as many assists.
Thomas Muller (AM) - A veteran of all ten Bundesliga triumphs celebrated double digits by dousing his former teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger with beer while he was on US TV.
Serge Gnabry (RW) - The sumptuous opener Gnabry delivered in last weekend's Klassiker nudged him onto a career-best 13 goals for the season.
Robert Lewandowski (ST) - Despite securing another Bundesliga crown and leading the scoring charts again, Lewandowski's contractual negotiations clouded his post-title talk: "It’s not that easy for me, what’s going on.”
Leroy Sane (LW) - Once derided for his lack of industry, Sane has completed more sprints this season than any other Bayern player (764).