Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs RB Salzburg - Champions League
By Max Parsons
Bayern Munich travel to RB Salzburg on Wednesday night, looking to bounce back from humiliation and get their Champions League knockout phase off to the perfect start.
Julian Nagelsmann's men head into this tie having just suffered their heaviest Bundesliga defeat of the season, losing 4-2 to mid-table side VfL Bochum. That embarrassment, however, shouldn't detract from the fact that they still look on course for a tenth successive Mesiterschale and go into the Champions League knockout round having stormed to a perfect group-stage campaign.
To put one foot into the quarter-finals, however, they face a tough first leg against an RB Salzburg side who boast a 14-point cushion atop of the Austrian Bundesliga and who managed a second-place finish in a competitive Group G earlier in the campaign. Here's how Bayern could shape up.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs RB Salzburg
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Sven Ulreich (GK) - Manuel Neuer is out for several weeks, so Ulreich will likely continue between the sticks.
Benjamin Pavard (RB) - Naglesmann may opt to switch to a back three, but a less drastic measure would be to sure up the midfield and keep the back for the same.
Dayot Upamecano (CB) - Was truly woeful last time out, but is capable of so much better.
Niklas Sule (CB) - He'll be a Borussia Dortmund player before long, but a Champions League triumph would be a pretty good send off.
Lucas Hernandez (LB) - A lot better in the centre of defence but, while Alphonso Davies remains absent, he should continue at left-back.
2. Midfielders
Joshua Kimmich (CM) - With a partner in midfield, expect the little man to run proceedings on Wednesday.
Corentin Tolisso (CM) - Was left on the bench at Bochum, but the natural box-to-box athleticism he provides was missed.
Thomas Muller (AM) - A stalwart in the side, Muller should retain his place despite being pretty terrible last time out - in fairness, he wasn't alone.
3. Forwards
Serge Gnabry (RW) - It's a tough choice between Gnabry, Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman for the wide spots - should Naglesmann choose to revert to this system - but the former could be in line to feature on the right, having provided three goal involvements in four Champions League appearances so far this term.
Robert Lewandowski (ST) - An obvious starter up top, fresh from notching his 36th and 37th goals in his 30th outing across all competitions this campaign - stupid numbers.
Leroy Sane (LW) - Had one of his worst games in a Bayern shirt last time out but should be set to continue in the team, having clearly won the trust of his boss.