Bayern Munich: Predicted lineup for opening clash against Gladbach
Straightforward selections in Defense for Bayern Munich
Nagelsmann has easy decisions to make in the back five. Manuel Neuer will start in the goal. The club and country captain had an exceptional season last year despite his defense often letting him down on many occasions. Neuer will be aiming to get more clean sheets this season, starting from one at Borussia Park on Friday.
In the heart of the defense, Dayot Upamecano is set to make his competitive debut. The French defender got perfect preparation for his first season in Bavaria as he featured in all pre-season games. Upamecano will partner his compatriot Nianzou Kouassi in the central defense. Kouassi is finally injury-free as he enjoyed a good pre-season with Die Roten.
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There is a selection dilemma in the right-back position after Benjamin Pavard suffered a serious injury in training this week. With Bouna Sarr yet to make a strong impression, Nagelsmann may go with Niklas Sule in the right-back position for this game.
On the left side, Alphonso Davies will have to start the game since Sule will not provide the cutting edge in the final third on the right. Davies has just returned from injury, so he is unlikely to play the whole 90 minutes. However, injury to Pavard forces Nagelsmann to use Davies from the start.