Bayern Strikes
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How will Bayern Munich line up in the 2020/21 season?

By Kartik Sahni

SINSHEIM, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 29: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Philippe Coutinho of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Bayern Muenchen at PreZero-Arena on February 29, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
SINSHEIM, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 29: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Philippe Coutinho of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Bayern Muenchen at PreZero-Arena on February 29, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /
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Central Midfield

MAINZ, GERMANY – JUNE 11: Leon Goretzka of Germany celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal with teammates Joshua Kimmich of Germany during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier match between Germany and Estonia at Opel Arena on June 11, 2019, in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MAINZ, GERMANY – JUNE 11: Leon Goretzka of Germany celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal with teammates Joshua Kimmich of Germany during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier match between Germany and Estonia at Opel Arena on June 11, 2019, in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Joshua Kimmich

Bayern’s linchpin and orchestrator, Joshua Kimmich has rightfully, cemented his position as a pivot. Kimmich was previously rotated as a right-back and a pivot under Niko Kovac. The German has settled quite comfortably in Hansi Flick’s system as a pivot. The future for Joshua Kimmich looks bright, and he is destined to be a key asset for Bayern.

His vision and ability to cover every corner of the pitch makes his presence vital for the Rekordmeister’s success. Kimmich has often been compared to Bayern’s legend, Philipp Lahm. The comparisons are plausible. Both players have great positional sense and can play in multiple positions. The German international has 55 key passes thus far this season, which is the fifth-best feat in the Bundesliga. He has covered a distance of 293.6 kilometers in the league, highest in the league. (Stats courtesy: Bundesliga.com and Whoscored)

Without a doubt, Kimmich is a confirmed member of the starting eleven in the 2020/21 season for Bayern. It will be exciting to see his development under Flick’s guidance. Moreover, he might be the next player to wear the captain’s armband when Neuer decides to part ways with Die Roten.

Leon Goretzka

Thiago Alcantara has been phenomenal since Hansi Flick took over as Bayern’s head coach. The Spanish midfield maestro has been flawless since the winter break. Alas, his time at the Saebener Strasse might come to a close this summer. With his contract expiring in June 2021, the recent reports prompt his imminent return to the Blaugrana.

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Bayern fans can expect Leon Goretzka to be a regular starter in Thiago’s place. Goretzka is likely to be picked ahead of Corentin Tolisso, who is also on the verge of exit from Munich. One can expect to see Goretzka as a box-to-box option, playing alongside Kimmich in a double pivot setup. Alternatively, he can be placed in a slightly advanced position when playing under a 4-3-3 formation. This puts the spotlight on Goretzka’s ability to operate in multiple roles in the midfield.

Fondly known as the midfield motor, Goretzka’s finesse makes him a deadly weapon in Flick’s setup. The former Schalke player can drop back and cut passing lanes. To add to this ability, his prowess to surge forward in attack makes him a valuable option to put the ball in the net. Goretzka’s statistics under Hansi Flick makes a case for sealing his starting berth in 2020/21. Leon Goretzka has got three goals and four assists in 724 minutes with a shot rate of 3.11 per 90 minutes (Stats courtesy: Understat.com)