Bayern Munich will travel to the German capital on Friday in hopes of returning to their winning ways when they face Hertha Berlin.
The Bundesliga schedule allows no rest for anyone, as Bayern Munich are set to play their third league game in a space of seven days. The Bavarians travel to Berlin to face a resurgent Hertha Berlin side on Friday evening. Coach Niko Kovac will be expecting a big response from his men, after their disappointing result against Augsburg midweek, when Bayern dropped their first points of the season.
It was a pretty wasteful performance from the attacking players, who missed many chances to put the game beyond the reach of Augsburg. Kovac’s men still sit at the top of the table, though, with 13 points and a two-point lead over Borussia Dortmund.
Hertha Berlin experienced their first Bundesliga defeat against Werder Bremen earlier this week. The home side has enjoyed a brilliant start to the campaign. They currently sit fourth in the league table, three points behind Bayern Munich. A positive result against the reigning champions can help them climb further up in the league table.
Team News
Bayern Munich are set to include Jonathan Meier in the matchday squad against Hertha Berlin. He’ll serve as the squad’s only back-up full-back and take the place of Leon Goretzka, who was injured in his experimental left-back role on Tuesday.
Jerome Boateng didn’t start against Augsburg after suffering a minor knock in training. The German defender is now completely fit and in contention to play against Hertha Berlin. Rafinha continues his rehabilitation, as he has started training on the pitch. Kingsley Coman and Coretin Tolisso remain the long term absentees for Bayern Munich.
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Predicted XI
Niko Kovac has been rotating his squad brilliantly in the past two weeks. The Croatian praised Sven Ulreich for his training level, but Manuel Neuer will continue to start in goal unless there is an injury problem. Jerome Boateng will come back in the starting lineup and partner Niklas Sule in the heart of defense. David Alaba will start in the left-back position while Joshua Kimmich will slot on right side of the defense.
It would be harsh to leave Renato Sanches out of the starting lineup after his impressive performance against Augsburg. The Portuguese midfielder might get another opportunity thanks to Goretzka’s injury. Thiago Alcantara will be back in the lineup and play in the holding midfield position against Hertha Berlin. James Rodriguez was also rested against Augsburg, so he will complete the three-man midfield on Friday.
The normal service will resume against Hertha Berlin as Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the visitors. Lewandowski was rested in order to give a rare start to Sandro Wagner, who failed to take advantage of his opportunity. Franck Ribery will start on the left side of the attack while Thomas Muller is likely to be deployed on the right flank.
"NeuerKimmich – Sule – Boateng – AlabaThiago – SanchesMuller – James – RiberyLewandowski"
Opposition focus
Hertha Berlin have made a fine start to their Bundesliga campaign. It’s going to be a very complicated game for Bayern Munich. They’ll need to be efficient in both boxes. The hosts have been shaky at the back, but they have won both their home games. Hertha might have lost their last game, but their confidence is sky high after their impressive start to the campaign.
Ondrej Duda has been the host’s best player this season. The Slovakian midfielder is the top scorer in the Bundesliga with four goals. Thiago will have to be even better than usual with his defensive work against the 23-year-old. Apart from Duda, Vedad Ibisevic is the other key player in attack for the home side. Ibisevic scored two goals in his last home game against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Prediction
Hertha Berlin 1-2 Bayern Munich
It will be a tricky game as Hertha Berlin are in fine form, but Bayern Munich will come back home with three points thanks to the return of several key players to the starting XI.