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Bayern Munich: Predicted team for first leg against RB Salzburg

By Kiran Thakare

Bayern Munich resume Champions League with an away trip to Austria. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich resume Champions League with an away trip to Austria. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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Julian Nagelsmann will revert to back three for Bayern Munich against Red Bull Salzburg. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /

A change in system for Nagelsmann in defense

Sven Ulreich will continue in the goal on Wednesday as Manuel Neuer continues to recover from a knee injury. Ulreich was not at fault for all the four goals scored by Bochum on Saturday, but he was not a dominating figure in the box like Neuer. The 33-year-old shot-stopper will be hoping to deliver a much more solid performance on Wednesday and come back home with a clean sheet.

Earlier in February, Nagelsmann played a back three in a 3-2 win against RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena. They did look shaky at the back, but the overall intensity from defense, midfield, and the attack was much better than it was against Bochum. He may revert to the same system on Wednesday to play all his attacking players with a midfield two.

There has been a lot of debate surrounding Sule’s place in the team after his move to Borussia Dortmund was confirmed. Nagelsmann has made it clear that the German international will continue to play for him as long as he performs well on the pitch. Sule has been Die Roten’s best defender this season, so it will be a big surprise if he doesn’t start on Wednesday.

Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez are likely to be the other two center-backs in the back three against RB Salzburg. Upamecano had a torrid outing against Bochum on Saturday, which will probably cost him a place in the starting XI on Wednesday.

For the wing-back roles, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry will be deployed on left and right, respectively. Both players excelled in this role during the victory against Leipzig. They have the work rate to do the defensive work, while their astute dribbling and pace can be a vital asset in the final third.