Match Preview: Bayern Munich gear up for stern test against Borussia Monchengladbach
By Isaac Rivers
After a very convincing start to the season, Bayern Munich is looking to make it four straight Bundesliga wins in a row when they host Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday. The defending German champions have put out one enthralling performance after another this month. They will be coming into this game on the back of 7-0 victory against Bochum.
Bayern’s approach and performance were hardly affected against Bochum despite the significant changes to the starting XI. After a knock to Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry sidelined them for last week’s match, wingers Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman got the start. The players coming into the team had a point to prove, so it was a performance from hungry players.
In both of their first starts to the season, Sane and Coman combined for two goals and two assists. Nagelsmann couldn’t have asked for a better performance from the pair– making it very difficult not to start the two in the upcoming match-up against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Even though the start of the season has seen Bayern score 15 goals in just three games, Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic is not getting carried away. While talking to Sky Sports (via iMiaSanMia), Salihamidzic insisted that it is crucial to maintain consistency.
"“We had a good start to the season, but we want to carry on. It’s just three games and the Supercup.”“We all know how long the season is, but we’re happy that the team is working well so far and the coach has pressed the right buttons.”"
It is evident that Bayern does not want to let up the pressure, and it does not seem as though Nagelsmann and his men are planning on doing that anytime soon. On Aug. 27, Bayern will be hosting Monchengladbach in an exciting rivalry that stems back to the 1970s.
Expect Nagelsmann to start a very similar line-up to last week’s game against Bochum. After winning 7-0, it is hard to make much of a change. With Gnabry still on limited play time due to the wrist injury he sustained last week, and Musiala still remains a question mark with a strained adductor, Coman and Sane could keep their places in the starting line-up.
The defensive front is where most of the change will come. It is about time to see Matthijs de Ligt break out as a regular starter. After scoring a brilliant goal last week and being a massive defensive presence, a center-back pairing of de Ligt and Lucas Hernandez could become the norm.
Next. Bologna set to win the race for Joshua Zirkzee. dark
Want your voice heard? Join the Bayern Strikes team!
In a match-up between first and second place, this could be Bayern’s first real test of the season. Monchengladbach has scored seven goals across three games, while only conceding three. The pace from forwards Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram could cause the Bayern backline a bit of trouble, but the Bavarian offense seems too unstoppable at this point in the season to not come away with a victory.
Score Prediction: 3-1
Possible Starting XI:
"NeuerPavard – Hernandez – de Ligt – DaviesKimmich – SabitzerSane – Muller – ComanMane"