The Champions League football returns later today as Bayern Munich travels to Paris for the first leg of the RO16 against Paris Saint-Germain. It is set to be an intriguing tactical battle as two great squads battle it out in Parc des Princes to get the advantage ahead of the second leg in Munich at the start of March.
Bayern will travel to Paris after getting back in form over the last three games across all competitions. They cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against VfL Bochum at Allianz Arena on Saturday to stay at the top of the Bundesliga. Let us look at the team news and possible starting XI that Julian Naglesmann may opt for against PSG on Tuesday.
Team News
Bayern will have the same group of players available on Tuesday that were part of the squad against Bochum. Sadio Mane will miss the game against PSG this week. The Senegalese forward was hopeful about getting fit for this game, but the game against Borussia Monchengladbach this weekend was always the most realistic date for him to return.
Bouna Sarr and Josip Stanisic have recovered from their injuries as they travelled to Paris with the squad on Monday. Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer are the only long-term absentees for the record Bundesliga champions.
Predicted Starting XI
The game against PSG will make Yann Sommer’s Champions League debut with Bayern Munich. The Swiss goalkeeper has settled well in the squad and delivered steady performances in the past few weeks. Sommer will have to be at his absolute best on Tuesday to deny PSG’s explosive forwards.
Nagelsmann has used three-man defense in two of Bayern’s last three games. The German coach will be tempted to stick with the same system against PSG, but the return of Joshua Kimmich from the suspension may force him to settle with a back four. Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt will form the center-back pairing, while Joao Cancelo and Alphonso Davies will slot in the respective full-back positions.
Joshua Kimmich will be back in the starting lineup after missing the game against Bochum due to suspension. The German international will have a big role to play in the number six position in terms of breaking up PSG’s attacks. Leon Goretzka will partner Kimmich in the center of the park at Parc des Princes.
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Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will lead the line for Bayern against his former club on Tuesday. Jamal Musiala and Thomas Muller are expected to play in the final third since both are in good form right now. Leroy Sane will play from the left flank as he looks to extend his good run of form in the Champions League after scoring four goals during the group stage.
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