Bayern Munich gear up for a high octane DFB Pokal semifinal clash against Werder Bremen, the team they overcame this past weekend, on Wednesday.
There have already been two entertaining and gripping clashes between Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season. Die Roten narrowly edged Bremen on Saturday in the Bundesliga to stay ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the title race. The two sides will face each other once again on Wednesday, but this time a spot in DFB Pokal final is on the line.
Bayern Munich have not delivered convincing results in the DFB Pokal this season. They were involved in an entertaining 5-4 win against Heidenheim at the Allianz Arena in the quarterfinals of the competition, but they really should have won by a far greater margin. Niko Kovac is happy with the performance of his players in the last few Bundesliga games, and the Croatian will be hoping they deliver a similar performance in the cup game tomorrow.
Werder Bremen, meanwhile, have been the most in-form Bundesliga team in 2019. They have suffered only one defeat in the league, which came at the hands of Bayern on Saturday. Their cup run has also been impressive, as they knocked out Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16. They will be up for it on Wednesday, hoping to play their first DFB Pokal final since 2010.
Team news
Bayern Munich will welcome back a few players for this crucial cup game. James Rodriguez and Mats Hummels trained with the squad on Monday after missing out the weekend’s game due to adductor and hamstring problems, respectively. Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, is on track with his recovery, but this game comes too soon for the club captain.
Kovac also insisted in his press conference that Arjen Robben is showing promising signs in his recovery. There is still no definite timeline for his return, though. Corentin Tolisso didn’t play on Saturday, but this game should be ideal for the Frenchman to get some minutes on the pitch after being out for more than eight months. Niklas Sule will miss this game due to suspension after receiving a red card against Heidenheim in the last round.
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Predicted XI
Niko Kovac is likely set to stick with his in-form starting lineup for the rest of the games this season. Sven Ulreich will continue to start in goal due to the calf injury Neuer suffered against Fortuna Dusseldorf. Mats Hummels will replace Niklas Sule in the lineup and partner Jerome Boateng in the back four. Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba will occupy their respective full-back positions.
The midfield composition will remain the same for the game tomorrow as it was on Saturday. Javi Martinez will play in his usual holding midfield role, while Thiago Alcantara will be the number eight in this midfield setup. Thomas Muller, who is likely to slot in behind the striker, will get a chance to extend his good run of form.
Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry have played an important role for the Bavarians in the past few weeks. The young forwards are finally able to play together and Kovac is unlikely to break up this partnership. Coman will play on the left flank, while Gnabry will occupy the right side of the attack. Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the visitors on Wednesday.
"UlreichKimmich-Boateng-Hummels-AlabaThiago-MartinezGnabry-Muller-ComanLewandowski"
Opposition focus
Werder Bremen executed their gameplan to perfection on Saturday, but the task became near impossible for them after going a man down in the second half. The hosts are likely to stick with a similar plan of being compact in defense, but more creativity will be needed in the final third to hurt Bayern.
The home side suffered a massive blow as Max Kruse was injured against Bayern on Saturday. He was isolated up front at the Allianz Arena, but he still remains the biggest goal threat in that Bremen squad. Milot Rashica will be the key player for the hosts while going forward in the absence of Kruse. Davy Klassen and Maximilian Eggestein, meanwhile, will be the midfield players to keep an eye on Wednesday.
Prediction
Werder Bremen 1-2 Bayern Munich
Bayern have had to work hard for their two victories against Bremen this season. This game is going to be even tougher for Die Roten as the hosts will be even more charged up for a cup game. I expect Bayern to clinch a narrow victory but fail to come back home with a clean sheet.