Bayern Munich will be without two key players — Manuel Neuer and Thiago Alcantara — for their Bundesliga clash against Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow.
Bayern Munich kicked off the second half of the 2018-19 Bundesliga season on the right note with a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim two weeks ago. The Bavarian giants were completely dominant in the first half of the match, arguably playing as good as they have all season.
They followed up their win over Julian Nagelsmann’s side with a 4-1 victory over Stuttgart last weekend. Although the scoreline would suggest otherwise, Bayern weren’t completely impressive against their visitors. A more in-form Bundesliga side would have perhaps punished the hosts a bit more harshly than the Swabians.
Die Roten head into tomorrow’s match against Bayer Leverkusen on an eight-game winning streak, but they still have something to prove against Peter Bosz and Co. A big win against Die Werkself would show the rest of the league — most importantly Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund — that Bayern aren’t giving up on securing their seventh consecutive title.
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However, the Bavarian giants will be forced to do that without a few key players. Their captain and number one goalkeeper Manuel Neuer injured his hand in training this week and will be absent for tomorrow’s match.
Midfield maestro Thiago Alcantara will also be sidelined for tomorrow’s game (Bild). The Spaniard missed both Thursday and Friday’s training sessions with a thigh problem. Though Niko Kovac was initially hopeful the 27-year-old would be fit for the Leverkusen clash, it’s unlikely he’ll even be in the match day squad.
Bayern Munich were without Manuel Neuer for almost the entirety of last season, and they fortunately have a ready-made backup in the form of Sven Ulreich. Despite a shaky start to last season, Ulreich emerged as an important part of Bayern’s squad in Neuer’s absence.
Hopefully he can shake off the rust for tomorrow’s game, as Bayern’s defensive line has been far from its best this season, while their host’s attack can prove dangerous to even the toughest defenses.
The question of who will replace Thiago Alcantara in midfield is a bit more difficult to answer. If Niko Kovac wants to keep Leon Goretzka at the number 10, a double pivot of Javi Martinez and Renato Sanches is the most likely solution.
It’s more likely, though, that Kovac drops Goretzka back to his defensive midfield role and plays either Thomas Muller or James Rodriguez behind Robert Lewandowski. Goretzka would likely be partnered by Javi Martinez, but Sanches would remain an interesting option.