Bayern Strikes
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Key battles as Bayern Munich host RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga

By Kiran Thakare

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 14: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Christopher Nkunku of Leipzig and Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich jump for a header during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern München at Red Bull Arena on September 14, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 14: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Christopher Nkunku of Leipzig and Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich jump for a header during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern München at Red Bull Arena on September 14, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images) /
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Thiago of 1. FSV Mainz 05 celebrations after scoring his team’s third goal during the 1. Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern München at the Opel Arena on February 01, 2020, in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Peter Niedung/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Thiago of 1. FSV Mainz 05 celebrations after scoring his team’s third goal during the 1. Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern München at the Opel Arena on February 01, 2020, in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Peter Niedung/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Thiago Alcantara vs Konrad Laimer

Midfield battles generally decide the outcome of big games. Sunday’s clash between Bayern and Leipzig will not be anything different. In Thiago Alcantara, Bayern currently has division’s most in-form central midfielder.

The Spanish midfielder is getting back to his best after a poor Hinrunde. Thiago has been dictating play for Die Roten with his tidy passing and sublime dribbling skills. He is also on a good goalscoring run at the moment, scoring three goals in three games in 2020. Joshua Kimmich‘s presence in holding midfield role has made sure that Thiago can be more dynamic in central midfield.

Bayern will dominate possession on Sunday, so they will need Thiago’s vision and mazy runs to open Leipzig’s stubborn defense. Konrad Laimer is likely to be assigned the duty to isolate Thiago and win all the duels against the former Barcelona midfielder.

Laimer will have to be smart with his positioning and tackling to disrupt Thiago’s gameplan. The Austrian midfielder also should try to progress the ball quickly after winning it from Thiago. It will be an exciting midfield battle that can have a lasting effect on each team’s season.