After a hectic few weeks since competitive football resumed for Bayern Munich on January 20, they will have a full week to prepare for the next game. The Bavarian club will look to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-2 defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach when they host Union Berlin on Sunday.
It is a crucial fixture in the context of the title race. Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, and Union Berlin are level on points in the Bundesliga. The superior goal difference has made sure Die Roten is top of the points table. Rekordmeister needs to win this game to consolidate their position at the top in the title race.
Julian Nagelsmann has received another big boost for the weekend’s game against Union Berlin. Kingsley Coman has returned to first-team training after suffering a knock in last week’s Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain. The French winger is expected to be part of the squad for the clash against Union Berlin.
Coman came off against PSG in the second half after opening the scoring. He missed the game against Borussia Monchengladbach due to this knock. The French international has been in fine form, scoring four goals in the last three competitive games for Die Roten.
Kingsley Coman has done a very good job in the wing-back role for Nagelsmann since he has switched to a back three system. Coman provides natural width in this role, and his dribbling causes all sorts of problems for the opposition full-backs.
Earlier this week, Sadio Mane has also returned to first-team training after three months. The Senegalese forward suffered a serious injury against Werder Bremen at the start of November. He is expected to be part of the squad for the game against Union Berlin on Sunday.
The return of Mane and Kingsley Coman will give Nagelsmann more variety and flexibility in the attack. Both players are tactically flexible since they can play in numerous positions. Coman may get a start against Union Berlin since he just had a knock, while Mane will start on the bench this weekend.
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Meanwhile, Dayot Upamecano is set to serve a one-game ban after getting a straight red card against Monchengladbach on Sunday. The French defender’s early dismissal made things difficult for Die Roten to get a win away at Gladbach. Benjamin Pavard, Daley Blind, and Matthijs de Ligt may start in the back three against Union Berlin on Sunday.