The Bayern Munich Lineup That Should Start Against Chelsea

Bayern hold a 3-0 lead over Chelsea
Bayern hold a 3-0 lead over Chelsea / Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
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Bayern Munich will welcome Chelsea to Germany on Saturday in the knowledge that they already have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals, if not both.

Hansi Flick's Bundesliga champions roared to a comfortable 3-0 win over Chelsea in the first leg, and it would take a Corner Taken Quickly-esque capitulation for the German side not to advance to the next round.

It's been a month since Bayern's last competitive game, so ring rust may be somewhat of an issue, but they will still expect to have more than enough about them to drift through.

Here's how Flick should line his side up for the game.


Goalkeeper & Defenders

Joshua Kimmich could fill in for the injured Benjamin Pavard
Joshua Kimmich could fill in for the injured Benjamin Pavard / Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Manuel Neuer (GK) - Obviously. Club captain Neuer is as close to a guaranteed starter as you're likely to find, and with good reason.

Joshua Kimmich (RB) - With Benjamin Pavard sidelined through injury, Flick could turn to Álvaro Odriozola, but he should give Kimmich a chance to return to his old position. This game will be good practice for tougher opponents later in the competition.

Jérôme Boateng (CB) - Boateng limped off in the DfB-Pokal final, but he has had a month to recover from a minor knee injury and should be raring to go.

David Alaba (CB) - Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernandez are both fit and ready to play, but Flick should keep with Alaba for the time being.

Alphonso Davies (LB) - Chelsea will still be having nightmares about Davies, who tore the Blues apart in the first leg. He bagged an assist but could have easily had about 40 as a result of his electric pace and outstanding dribbling.


Midfielders

All eyes will be on Thiago
All eyes will be on Thiago / Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Leon Goretzka (CM) - With Kimmich shifting to right-back, Bayern aren't blessed with too many options in midfield, so Goretzka will likely keep his place with very little effort.

Thiago (CM) - The spotlight will definitely be on Thiago, who has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this summer. Bayern haven't given up hope of keeping him, however, so a start here might help their case.

Serge Gnabry (RM) - Gnabry was the star of the show against Chelsea last time, bagging two quick-fire goals after the break to give Bayern a commanding advantage.

Thomas Müller (AM) - An integral part of Flick's side, Müller's creativity has taken Europe by storm this season, and he will hope to pick apart Chelsea's unconvincing defence.

Ivan Perišić (LM) - With Kingsley Coman out injured, Perišić should be preferred to Philippe Coutinho in the battle of 'Who Can Earn a Permanent Move to Bayern?'. It'll probably be neither of them, but Perišić has the best chance of the two.


Forward

Lewandowski was one of Europe's top marksmen this year
Lewandowski was one of Europe's top marksmen this year / Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Robert Lewandowski (ST) - Lewandowski will be licking his lips at the idea of facing Chelsea's fragile defence. Having found a way past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the first leg, it'll likely be Willy Caballero tasked with stopping him this time around. Can he go two for two?


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