Bayern Munich travel to Hoffenheim on Friday to take on Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim in the first match of the ’18-19 Bundesliga Rückrunde.
After completing their winter training camp in Doha, Bayern Munich spent the last week preparing for their first competitive match of 2019. The Bavarians travel to Hoffenheim to take on Julian Nagelsmann’s side in the Wirsol Rhein-Neckar Arena.
Niko Kovac has much to prove heading into the second half of this Bundesliga season. He was able to close the gap on Lucien Favre’s Borussia Dortmund just before the winter break, but his Bayern side still sit six points off the league leaders.
With a huge Liverpool clash looming on the horizon, the Bavarians will be hoping to build some momentum over the course of the next month and head into the Champions League tie in good form. A win at Hoffenheim tomorrow would set them in the right direction.
Team news
Bayern Munich’s name has been in the headlines throughout the January transfer window. Despite being heavily linked with Lucas Hernandez and — more recently — Callum Hudson-Odoi, Die Roten have only made one addition to their squad over the winter break. 18-year-old Alphonso Davies completed his move from Vancouver Whitecaps and is ready to make his Bayern debut.
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That debut may come sooner rather than later, too, as veteran wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are both sidelined with injury. The former has been struggling with a nagging injury for some time, while the latter picked up a knock in a training match in Doha. Corentin Tolisso
There is some good news, on the injury front, however. James Rodriguez has completed his comeback and is fully fit for tomorrow’s game. The Colombian will no doubt be hoping to keep up his fitness and build his form to regain the level he reached last season in Bavaria.
Predicted XI
Niko Kovac has much to prove over the coming months, but it’s unlikely he’ll make any major tactical changes after the winter break. Instead, he’ll stick with the 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 approach that worked well for the Bavarians toward the end of 2018.
Manuel Neuer will keep his place in goal, as the former Ballon d’Or top three candidate looks to return to his pre-injury form. Ahead of him in central defense, Niklas Sule will partner Mats Hummels. The duo will be flanked by David Alaba on the left and Joshua Kimmich on the right.
Ahead of the back line, Leon Goretzka and Thiago Alcantara will form the all-important double pivot in holding midfield. Both have played important roles under Kovac, and it’s unlikely that changes over the coming weeks.
Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the Bavarians with Thomas Muller providing support from his favorite role just off the striker. Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry will bring some width to the attack.
It’s unlikely for James Rodriguez to start just yet, but keep an eye on him to have an impact coming off the bench in the second half. The same could be said for Renato Sanches, who impressed on a few occasions throughout the Hinrunde.
"NeuerKimmich – Sule – Hummels – AlabaGoretzka – ThiagoGnabry – Muller – ComanLewandowski"
Opposition Focus
Bayern Munich overcame Hoffenheim 3-1 in this season’s Bundesliga opener, so expect Julian Nagelsmann and Co. to come out fired up in tomorrow’s clash. They haven’t been amazing so far this season, but they’ve kept up in the Bundesliga while remaining somewhat competitive in Europe as well.
Nagelsmann usually lines his men up in a 3-5-2 or something similar, looking to clog up the midfield and attack centrally. Bayern have struggled heavily this season dealing with teams that use this approach, so the hosts will be confident of overcoming the German giants.
Andrej Kramaric, Joelinton and Reiss Nelson are major threats to watch out for in attack, with Kerem Demirbay a dangerous playmaker in midfield. A lot of pressure will be on full-backs Nico Schulz and Pavel Kaderabek, though, to provide width in both attack and defense.
Prediction
Hoffenheim 1-3 Bayern Munich
Call me optimistic, but I think Bayern will walk away with three points in an exciting clash. Kingsley Coman was a real threat for the Bavarians, before he was injured, the last time these two sides met. I expect the Frenchman — together with an in-form Serge Gnabry — to be too much for Nagelsmann’s side to handle.