The Bundesliga enters the final phase of the season after a two-week-long international break. Bayern Munich went into the break on a poor note as they suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Bayer Leverkusen. It was also Julian Nagelsmann’s last game as Bayern’s coach. The defending champions parted ways with Nagelsmann during the break and appointed Thomas Tuchel as the new coach.
The first assignment for Tuchel will be the big game against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. The title race in the Bundesliga is finely poised as Dortmund is leading Die Roten by a point in the points table. Let us look at three things to watch out for as Bayern resumes their Bundesliga campaign on Saturday.
Bayern’s first formation under Thomas Tuchel
The first game under the new manager keeps fans guessing about the tactics and formations. Thomas Tuchel has been one of the most exciting coaches in football over the past few seasons, so his arrival will certainly intrigue fans. However, the first game for Tuchel may not see a change in the system.
Reports in Germany have suggested Tuchel is not ready to make big changes straightaway as he looks to get good results. The German coach is expected to stick with a three-man defense on Saturday since Nagelsmann used this system during the past few weeks. Tuchel didn’t give anything about the system during the pre-match conference on Friday, so it is one of the intriguing things to watch out for on Saturday.
Response from Bayern players on the pitch
The departure of Julian Nagelsmann came as a big surprise for Bayern players. Joshua Kimmich, Matthijs de Ligt, and Leon Goretzka admitted that it was a big shock for them. The German midfield duo was particularly devastated by Nagelsmann’s departure. Kimmich insisted that players were inconsistent on the pitch, which eventually led to Nageslmann’s exit.
The arrival of new managers often leads to an upturn in form or often called a new manager’s bounce. Bayern players need to show a response on the pitch. They let themselves down against Leverkusen, which eventually led to Nagelsmann’s departure. Players will be eager to bounce back, so it will be intriguing to see the intensity of the team in and out of possession on Saturday.
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Battle of best young players in the Bundesliga
Bayern and Dortmund are blessed with two of the best young players in Europe. Jamal Musiala has been the main man for Die Roten in terms of scoring goals in the Bundesliga this season. He has improved efficiency in the final third. The youngster has quickly established himself as one of the most valuable players in the current squad.
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham has also taken his game to the next level at Borussia Dortmund this season. The English midfielder has also captained Dortmund in the Champions League after becoming the team’s driving force in the center of the park. Bellingham is attracting interest from several clubs in Europe due to his influential performances for Dortmund.
The battle between Musiala and Bellingham in the center of the park will be an intriguing watch on Saturday. It is not outrageous to say that the winner of this battle may end up helping his team to win the game.