Bayern Munich vs FC Koln: Predicted XI in first home game of the season

Bayern Munich will be back at Allianz Arena for first league game of the season against FC Koln on Sunday. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich will be back at Allianz Arena for first league game of the season against FC Koln on Sunday. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich skipper Manuel Neuer set to miss the game against FC Koln due to minor injury. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images,) /

Nagelsmann set to stick with settled back four

Manuel Neuer could miss the game against FC Koln due to a minor injury he suffered against Dortmund. The German media had confirmed on Thursday that Neuer would recover in time to feature against Koln. However, Julian Nagelsmann confirmed on Friday that Neuer might need few more days to recover from this injury.

In Neuer’s absence, Sven Ulreich will be playing in the goal. It will be the second debut for Ulreich as he returned to Bavaria in July after spending one season at Hamburg. Ulreich has done fairly well when he has been called up to replace Neuer in the past, so Nagelsmann doesn’t have to worry much on Sunday.

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Meanwhile, the German head coach is likely to stick with the center-back pairing of Niklas Sule and Dayot Upamecano. This defensive pairing delivered a near-flawless performance against Dortmund, so giving them more game time is a no-brainer. Nianzou Kouassi will have to be patient for opportunities, while Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez remain on the sidelines due to injury.

Alphonso Davies has taken very little time to get back to his best after missing pre-season due to injury. The Canadian full-back has excelled in the first two competitive games of the campaign. Davies will keep his place in the team against Koln, while promising youngster Josip Stanisic continues to play in the right-back position.