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Bayern Munich: Four critical factors in the Champions League

By Kiran Thakare

Bayern Munich players celebrating against Bayer Leverkusen. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich players celebrating against Bayer Leverkusen. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /
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David Alaba and Jerome Boateng, Bayern Munich. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
David Alaba and Jerome Boateng, Bayern Munich. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Reshuffling the defence for Bayern Munich

Die Roten were dealt a massive blow last weekend as Benjamin Pavard suffered a knee injury in the training session. The French defender is unlikely to play in the Champions League. Since Pavard has been a mainstay in Flick’s lineup, he will be a big miss for the German Champions.

Flick has to find a solution to this problem by looking at all possible alternatives to Pavard in the current squad. He has underused Alvaro Odriozola since the Spanish full-back joined the club in January. This could be the opportunity for Odriozola to prove his worth or Flick will have to find a different alternative.

Along with the right-back position, Flick may have to think about his centre-back partnership. The German manager has been using Jerome Boateng and David Alaba in the heart of the defence, but the return of Niklas Sule gives Flick a welcome selection headache. Moreover, Lucas Hernandez also had a strong end to the Bundesliga campaign.

The left-back position is settled for now since Alphonso Davies has been in terrific form since November. Since the latter rounds of the competition are straight knockout games, Die Roten needs to defend resolutely to have a chance of going all the way. A perfect combination at the back will be the biggest headache for Flick due to Pavard’s injury.