UCL Preview: Bayern Munich look to maintain momentum against Viktoria Plzen
The Champions League football resumes after a small break this week. Bayern Munich will be playing their second consecutive home game as they host Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday. The Bavarian club can take a massive step towards qualification for the round of 16 in a tricky group by getting all three points against Viktoria Plzen.
Die Roten got back to winning ways in the Bundesliga on Friday with a dominating 4-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen. Julian Nagelsmann’s team has done a fine job in the Champions League this season with victories against Inter Milan and FC Barcelona. The German manager will be hoping that his team continues to build momentum with a positive result and performance on Tuesday after a lean spell in the last three weeks before the international break.
Team News:
Nagelsmann confirmed Kingsley Coman will not be involved in the game against Viktoria Plzen. The French winger has been training with the team, but he still needs a few more days to be ready to play. He is expected to feature against Borussia Dortmund on the weekend.
Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller will miss the game on Tuesday after testing positive for coronavirus over the weekend. Lucas Hernandez, Bouna Sarr, and Paul Wanner are other absentees for Die Roten against Viktoria Plzen.
Predicted Starting XI:
Manuel Neuer will be pleased with the clean sheet against Leverkusen on Friday. The German goalkeeper will be looking to build on this performance and get another clean sheet on Tuesday. Considering the nature of the group, Julian Nagelsmann is unlikely to rotate in the goal and start Manuel Neuer against Viktoria Plzen.
With Lucas Hernandez on the sidelines due to an adductor injury, Bayern will continue with Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt in the heart of the defense. There is unlikely to be any rotation in the full-back position. Alphonso Davies will be starting in the left-back position, while Benjamin Pavard will slot in the right side of the defense.
For the first time this season, Bayern Munich will start a competitive game this season without Joshua Kimmich in the midfield. Leon Goretzka will replace Kimmich in the game against Plzen, while Marcel Sabitzer will occupy the number eight role on Tuesday.
In the final third, Thomas Muller is expected to be replaced by Serge Gnabry. The German winger’s form has been a concern for the club chiefs, so Tuesday will be a good opportunity for him to get some sort of momentum under his belt. Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, and Sadio Mane will occupy the other attacking positions in the front four.
"NeuerPavard-Upamecano-de Ligt-DaviesGoretzka-SabitzerGnabry-Musiala-SaneMane"
Next. Takeaways from convincing victory against Leverkusen. dark
Want your voice heard? Join the Bayern Strikes team!
Score Prediction:
Bayern Munich 3-0 Viktoria Plzen
Bayern is a firm favourite to get all three points on Tuesday, but the Bavarian faithful will be hoping to get a convincing performance along with the victory. We are also backing Die Roten to get their second clean sheet in the past four days.