Bayern Munich: Predicted XI against Lazio in Rome
The Champions League football returns for Bayern Munich. After an unbeaten group stage for the defending champions, they travelled to Rome on Monday for the first leg of the round of 16 clash against Lazio. Die Roten will be hoping to get a positive result with away goals advantage before the next month’s second leg in Munich.
After lifting the Club World Cup in Qatar, Rekordmeister has stuttered in the Bundesliga with points dropped against Arminia Bielefeld and Eintracht Frankfurt. Hansi Flick has some big selection headaches for the game against Lazio, so let’s look at the squad available for this game and possible starting XI in Rome.
Who is available for Bayern Munich?
The German Champions have a small squad available for the game against Lazio. Serge Gnabry failed to make it to the squad for the trip to Lazio as the German winger continues to recover from muscle injury. Benjamin Pavard and Thomas Muller remain in isolation after getting tested for coronavirus.
Nianzou Kouassi continues to recover from a serious muscle injury he suffered two months ago. Alexander Nubel is going through the rehabilitation process for ligament injury, while Corentin Tolisso is the long-term absentee for the World Champions. Douglas Costa is not available for this game due to a metatarsal injury.
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Predicted team for Bayern against Lazio
Manuel Neuer will be looking to continue his good form in the Champions League by keeping a clean sheet in Rome. He has not been helped by his defense in the last couple of games, but the German international continues to pull off incredible saves.
There is a big selection conundrum for Flick in defense as he is not convinced with Bouna Sarr in the right-back position, while Pavard is not available for selection. The German manager is likely to stick with Niklas Sule in this position since Joshua Kimmich is needed in central midfield. David Alaba and Jerome Boateng will form the center-back partnership, with Alphonso Davies slotting in the left-back position.
In the center of the park, Kimmich will be given the duties of dictating the tempo of the game. Leon Goretzka returned to action on Saturday after being out of action for three weeks due to coronavirus. The German duo will have to provide adequate protection to the back four against a formidable Lazio side.
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The attack selects itself with only doubts over the number ten position. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting failed to make an impact in this role during the last two games. Jamal Musiala is likely to be his replacement in this position on Tuesday. Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman will occupy flanks, with Robert Lewandowski leading the line for the defending Champions.
"NeuerSule-Boateng-Alaba-DaviesKimmich-GoretzkaSane-Musiala-ComanLewandowski"