Bayern Munich: Predicted Starting XI for Club World Cup final
Bayern Munich is one step away from completing the set of trophies that were there to be won in the last nine months. The European Champions will be coming up against Tigres in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday in Qatar.
The German Champions cruised to the final of the competition, courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win against a resolute Al Ahly side on Tuesday. Tigres had to show resilience in the semi-final to clinch a narrow 1-0 win against Palmeiras. Die Roten will have to work hard to get their hands on the trophy as Tigres is an extremely competitive side. Let us look at the possible starting XI that Hansi Flick could choose for this game.
Who is available for Bayern Munich?
Bayern received a big blow before the final as Jerome Boateng has returned to Germany for personal reasons. The German defender has been a key player for Hansi Flick, but there are quality options to replace him in the starting XI. Along with Boateng, Nianzou Kouassi is the other defender that is not available for selection.
Flick was hopeful that Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez would make it for the final, but the two players are still in Germany. Both of them are training separately to get up to speed after suffering from coronavirus in the last two weeks. Alexander Nubel is the long-term absentee for the German Champions.
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Predicted starting XI for Bayern against Tigres
Manuel Neuer had a quiet game against Al Ahly as Bayern dominated the possession and conceded fewer chances despite looking vulnerable on the counter-attacks. The German international will be hoping for a similar outing and a clean sheet on Thursday.
There is going to be one change in the back four. Niklas Sule will be replacing Boateng in the central defense. The German defender will form partnership with David Alaba at the back. Benjamin Pavard is slowly getting back to his best, so he will slot in the right-back position, while Alphonso Davies will be playing on the left side of the back four.
Marc Roca was impressive against Al Ahly, so Flick may continue with him in the center of the park. Corentin Tolisso is a safer option on the paper, but Roca deserves to get a chance to build upon his last two performances. Joshua Kimmich will be forming the midfield pivot with the Spanish midfielder.
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In the attack, Kingsley Coman is certain to start on the left flank. The French winger will be complemented by Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry in the final third, while Robert Lewandowski will be leading the line for the European Champions.
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