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Bayern Munich start their DFB Pokal campaign against SV Drochtersen

ByKiran Thakare|
MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 16: Mats Hummels, fitness coach Holger Broich, goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Thiago and James Rodriguez (L-R) of FC Bayern Muenchen warm up during a training session at the club's Saebener Strasse training ground on August 16, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by A. Beier/Getty Images for FC Bayern)
MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 16: Mats Hummels, fitness coach Holger Broich, goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Thiago and James Rodriguez (L-R) of FC Bayern Muenchen warm up during a training session at the club's Saebener Strasse training ground on August 16, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by A. Beier/Getty Images for FC Bayern)

Bayern Munich play their first away game of the 2018-19 season tomorrow against FC Drochtersen in the first round of the DFB Pokal.

After an emphatic victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFL Supercup kicked off their 2018-19 season, Bayern Munich begin their DFB Pokal journey against SV Drochtersen on Saturday. Bayern have not lifted the Pokal since 2016, so they’ll be looking for a convincing win to kick things off tomorrow.

Bayern played their final preseason game earlier this week against Hamburg, winning 4-1. The players are slowly getting accustomed to playing under Niko Kovac, who engineered Eintracht Frankfurt’s impressive DFB Pokal final victory over Bayern last season. The Croatian is expected to achieve greater success at Bayern this season.

SV Drochtersen will witness a big day in the club’s history on Saturday, as they host the biggest club in Germany. Bayern are no doubt massive favorites for this game, but Drochtersen will try to put up a fight against the Bavarian giants.

Team News

Kovac will be without some players for this game. The Croatian confirmed in his press-conference that Serge Gnabry and David Alaba will not be be involved against Drochtersen. The Austrian suffered a bruise on his knee against Frankfurt, while Gnabry is still recovering from a minor knock.

The Croatian will also make a late call on James Rodriguez, Juan Bernat and Corentin Tolisso. James didn’t play against Frankfurt after suffering a minor injury in training. Bernat missed the game against Hamburg, but he is expected to be fit for this game. Tolisso returned from holidays earlier this week, so he is unlikely to have the required match fitness.

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Predicted XI

Kovac is expected to rotate his starting eleven for this game. The Croatian confirmed in his press-conference that Manuel Neuer will keep his place in the starting eleven. Jerome Boateng and Niklas Sule are likely to start in the heart of defense, while Juan Bernat and Rafinha will complete the back four.

Javi Martinez is likely to keep his place in midfield. The Spaniard will be deployed as a defensive midfielder, while Renato Sanches and Leon Goretzka could be in line to get their first starts of the season.

Robert Lewandowski was at his absolute best against Frankfurt, scoring a hat-trick in under 55 minutes of play. The Polish forward might be rested for this game, which will allow Sandro Wagner to lead the line for Bayern. Kingsley Coman and Arjen Robben will compliment the German striker in the final third.

"NeuerRafinha-Sule-Boateng-BernatMartinez-SanchesRobben-Goretzka-ComanWagner"

Opposition Focus

SV Drochtersten play football in Regionalliga, Germany’s fourth division. They currently sit second in the league, with only goal differential separating them from the league leaders. Drochtersen will try to hit Bayern on the break as the visitors will dominate by having possession for the majority of the game.

The hosts have struggled to score goals in their five league games, but their defense is capable of holding out slender leads. Marcel Andrijanic is likely to be their main outlet in the final third. Jannes Elfers is another player Bayern Munich should be wary of, as the German midfielder has started the season brilliantly.

Prediction

Bayern Munich are slowly gaining momentum under Kovac, so I expect them to win comfortably against SV Drochtersen. A dominating performance will be on the agenda for Kovac’s men.

SV Drochtersen 0-5 Bayern Munich