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How should Bayern Munich shape up against Hoffenheim?

By bayernstrikesstaff

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 19: The starting lineup of Muenchen pose for a photo during the DFB Cup final between Bayern Muenchen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Olympiastadion on May 19, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 19: The starting lineup of Muenchen pose for a photo during the DFB Cup final between Bayern Muenchen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Olympiastadion on May 19, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Robert Lewandowski is virtually a guaranteed starter for the Hoffenheim match. (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Robert Lewandowski is virtually a guaranteed starter for the Hoffenheim match. (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

Michael Philander

"Lewandowski Ribery – Muller – Robben Thiago – Martinez Alaba – Hummels – Boateng – Kimmich Neuer"

After an amazing preseason, Niko Kovac should now be able to pick his best XI. There is still much speculation around the potential movement of a few players before the transfer window closes, but Bayern should generally remain the same with nothing major poised to happen.

Kovac has employed a 4-2-3-1 system similar to the treble-winning team in 2013, which should be a good basis on which to start this Bundesliga campaign. This will help players adjust easily, since the entire squad understands the system.

Additionally, with there being a potential move in the works for Jerome Boateng, Bayern may not have the squad depth to play Niko Kovac’s often preferred back-three system, which may have also just been used so often as a result of the lack of quality at Eintracht Frankfurt.

There were many positives during the preseason for the Croatian. He seemingly got much more out of Renato Sanches than the other coaches who have worked with the 2016 Golden Ball winner in the last few years. This will be great news to fans, because Sanches still has it in him to become a world class player with the attributes he possesses.

Hoffenheim may pose some issues as Julian Nagelsmann would love to send a message to the rest of the Bundesliga. However, Bayern will be expected to carry over their form into the new season and should come out easy winners in the match.

Ideally, there will only be one change to the side Bayern used in their last match, which I think just might be Kovac’s best XI and the most used team this season, barring injuries.

Garett Kerber

"Lewandowski Coman –James – Tolisso – Gnabry Martinez Alaba – Sule – Hummels – Kimmich Neuer"

While I think this is the lineup that Niko Kovac should roll out on Friday, I don’t expect him to. I expect something closer to a 4-4-2 with a more veteran lineup. I envision Ribery and Robben on the wings, Muller playing slightly behind Lewandowski, where he can “Raumdeuter” his way around to find openings and create space for Lewy, as well. (Yes, “Raumdeuter” is also a verb — I’ve decided, just now).

However, the lineup I’d trot out against Hoffenheim would feature Lewandowski up top, as usual, with Coman and Gnabry on the wings providing the pace and youthful energy that will pester defenses and force them wide, leaving more room in the middle for James and Tolisso to work and spray accurate passes where they need to go.

The back four is pretty well set in stone. I don’t think I’m alone in that assumption, right? The only wrinkle would be if Kovac decides to use a back three and push Kimmich and Alaba higher to use their offensive abilities as a driving force in attack.

This lineup would be fun to watch and provide Bayern with plenty of options going forward, while leaving them defensively solid in the back, as well. This is the most excited I’ve been about a match in a long time. While we’ve had the Supercup, the Bundesliga opener is the official start to a new era in Bayern Munich history.