Bayern Strikes
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Four things to watch out when Bayern Munich face Union Berlin

By Kiran Thakare

MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 26: Sebastian Andersson of FC Union Berlin and Alphonso Davies of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on October 26, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 26: Sebastian Andersson of FC Union Berlin and Alphonso Davies of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on October 26, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 08: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Joshua Zirkzee of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 08: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Joshua Zirkzee of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Who will be the striker?

Joshua Zirkzee has been leading the line for Die Roten in the absence of Robert Lewandowski. The Dutch teenager delivered a good performance against Hoffenheim, but struggled to stamp his authority against Augsburg last weekend.

This is perfectly natural for a young player as they are bound to be inconsistent. Zirkzee also reportedly suffered a knock against Augsburg. He is likely to shake it off this week, but Flick is unlikely to take any risk as he currently has only one fit number nine in the squad.

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Zirkzee may get few minutes off the bench on Saturday, so the question arises who will lead the line for Die Roten against Union Berlin? Serge Gnabry looks a straightforward answer as he played in that role last weekend when Zirkzee was substituted at the hour mark. However, Gnabry has been in sensational form when he is playing on the flanks.

Apart from Gnabry, Thomas Muller can also play as a number nine. The German forward has been the chief creator for Rekordmeister, so telling him to lead the line may take away that creative spark in the final third. The final alternative could be using Philippe Coutinho as a false nine. It will be intriguing to see which option Flick eventually ends up picking as he will also have one eye on the game against Chelsea.